Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge celebrates 50th anniversary, visits Finch Restorations
The club has been busy presenting celebratory photos, celebrating its golden anniversary and paying a visit to a Mount Barker business.
This post was contributed by Graham Edwards and Elaine Bretag of the Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge.
The Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge has unveiled a framed photo and clock for its clubrooms in the wake of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
The clock had been made by member Jeff Martin and donated to the club as a raffle prize at the 50th anniversary dinner in March.
It was won by Ms Graetz on the night and, as a thoughtful gesture, she donated it back to the club in honour of her late husband, Vernon Graetz, its founder, inaugural president and life member.
The clock was proudly displayed alongside 40th and 50th anniversary photos at a meeting on August 2, along with a certificate of appreciation to the 50th committee and all members who helped in any way on the weekend of celebrations.
The evening was capped off by a presentation capturing moments of the golden anniversary weekend’s proceedings, produced by member Graham Edwards.
The production is now on sale and can be ordered at club meetings or by contacting Mr Edwards on 0428 813 070.
Club presents 50th anniversary photos to councils
The club also paid tribute to its recent 50th anniversary celebration by presenting a framed photo to two local councils.
President Claude Minge, chairman John Courtney and publicity officer Graham Edwards attended the Rural City of Murray Bridge and Mid Murray Council consecutively over two days for the presentations at both council chambers.
On behalf of the club, Mr Courtney thanked both councils for their efforts in helping organise the celebrations.
This was by way of all things needed to achieved before, during and after this memorable occasion in the life and times of the club – truly a great show of council support of local clubs and community.
ACCMB visits Finch Restorations
On August 14, the club visited Finch Restorations in Mount Barker, as organised by Claude and Liz Minge.
The convoy set off in a 50-50 mix of old and new vehicles, due to a day of mixed weather; some members were hesitant to take their classics out on a rainy day.
The club was met by owner Peter Roberts, who gave a brief history of the Finch organisation.
The business was established in 1965 by Ray Finch, who drops in now and then to engage in some manual work.
Finch Restorations was purchased by new owners Peter and Harbinda Roberts in 2014, who continue with the help of their 40 employees to restore veteran and classic vehicles, including motorcycles, mainly from 1890–1990.
In shed one, members viewed the classic vehicles currently being restored and in shed two there were more rare vehicles and equipment.
One such vehicle worth mentioning was a 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO ‘83 currently under restoration.
Morning tea was then served by Mrs Roberts, although many members were more interested in moving on into the camera studio and another shed containing classic and vintage vehicles awaiting their major restorations.
Following this viewing, it was onto the final two sheds down the road, one of which housed vehicles with major woodworking framework being reconstructed with the aid of 3D printing/scanning technology, truly worth viewing, before entering the all-important Finch paint shop, with its two booths used to put the final touch to the vehicles.
After Finch Restorations, it was off to the Old Mill Restaurant at Hahndorf for midday lunch.
- If you want to experience the friendliness of the ACCMB, its next meeting is on September 6 at 7.30pm at the Johnstone Park, Murray Bridge combined clubrooms; or visit autocollectorsmurraybridge.com.
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