Auto club enjoy a day out at Wellington's Strawberry Fete

This story was contributed by Liz Minge.

Despite blustery conditions that saw marques flapping and stalls struggling to
stay upright, the Wellington strawberry fete went ahead in fine community
spirit on Sunday, October 5.

Adding a touch of motoring nostalgia to the occasion and in keeping with a
long-held tradition of attendance at the fete, twenty four members of the Auto
Collectors Car Club of Murray Bridge.

Partners and friends joined, bringing a sparkling line-up of both modern and classic cars for display around the tennis court area, at the rear of the site.

As has become customary at events of this nature, the polished chrome and paintwork of the dozen or so vehicles brought some admiring inspections from both young and old alike, providing a colourful contrast to the grey, windswept skies.

The event is an annual community fundraiser, organised and run by the Wellington Progress Association to support town projects.

The fete, which began around 1962, featured market stalls, homemade produce, bric a brac, music, local food and the sale of strawberries served with lashings of cream, ice-cream or pavlovas and scones.

Funds raised go towards town improvements, such as maintaining the local hall, whilst also serving as an important social and community-building event for the town and surrounds.

After meeting at the car park of the Uniting Church Hall, the convoy of cars and drivers set off, with Tom West in his 1958 FC Holden leading the way.

Mr West’s wife Lyn has long been the stalwart of the club run to the Wellington strawberry fete and it was in memory of her that we took to the road again this year.

Ms West’s efforts were acknowledged during the day and a celebratory cheers was made in her memory -she will indeed be missed by all members of the club.

The Kitto’s were in their immaculate ’64 EH Holden, the Burbidge’s in their
unique 1956 Humber Hawk, the Courtney’s in a 1976 Ford Fairmont, and the
Mach’s in their 1967 VW.

Also joining were the Southern’s in a 1988 300SEL Mercedes, Jan Hall (with passengers Brenda Cowie and Ian Rik) in a classy convertible BMW and
the Kriel’s in their 1982 Mercedes Unimog, a head-turning array of vehicles set off on their adventure.

Of course, one cannot ignore the inclusion of the three modern vehicles - a cool Kia driven by Elaine Bretag, a classic C63 AMG Mercedes (Claude and Liz Minge) and the GLA 250E Mercedes driven by Brian and Rosaria Rainey.

While gusty winds caused a few challenges, sending leaflets flying, tent pegs
shifting and testing the patience of stallholders, the cheerful mood never faltered.

Those of us who had taken the time to clean and polish our pride and joy may have felt a pang of disappointment or frustration, but it certainly wasn’t evident.

In fact, these car club events and outings foster pride, friendships, both new and old and an overall feeling of fun and fellowship.

Many of our car club members enjoyed browsing the local craft and produce
stalls, sharing stories and catching up over a delicious barbeque selection and bowls of strawberries and ice cream.

Original art works, glassware and other items such as mechanical and vehicle books and magazines were purchased by a few of the car club participants.

I’m sure that there must have been strict instructions however, to not bring home too much more garagenalia and memorabilia from several of the partners, as acquisitions were kept to a minimum, despite protestations and lamentations of "but it’s a bargain, dear."

We were joined by Mayor Wayne Thorley, who also sought the protection
from the unsavoury weather conditions in the shelter of the Wellington hall
courtyard.

Both Mayor Thorley and event organisers praised the community for turning out in such conditions.

“It’s great to see everyone supporting Wellington,” said a representative of the Progress Association; "even the wind couldn’t blow away our enthusiasm.”

As the afternoon drew to a close, laughter, chatter and the hum of engines
filled the air - a testament to the enduring community spirit that makes the
Wellington Strawberry Fete a much-loved and anticipated tradition each year.

Participants made their way home in a leisurely fashion and with appetites
completely satisfied - content in the knowledge that despite inclement weather,
bumpy highways or the occasional mechanical hiccup, tomorrow is another
day, with boundless possibilities.

The next ACCMB event will be a display of members’ vehicles at the Callington Show on Sunday, October 25.

The next car run will be an excursion to Swan Reach on Sunday, November 23 - all are welcome.

The next club meeting will be on November 4 at 7:30pm in the Uniting Church Hall.

• Contact club secretary Liz Minge for more: liz.minge55@gmail.com.