This post was contributed by Graham Edwards.

The Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge has marked another milestone in its near 50-year history: its 2021 Christmas party.

In 36-degree weather, 41 club members gathered at their clubrooms after short journeys from their homes in some 14 classic vehicles, mostly without air conditioning, while the remainder of the vehicles were modern.

With the clubrooms set up by a band of volunteers the night before, and with the air conditioner cranked up, members began arriving, QR coding in and signing the run book before selecting their tables for the celebrations, scheduled to commence at 11am.

The MC for the day’s proceedings was past president Graham Edwards, who welcomed all, new and old to the gathering, inviting all to break out their BYO morning teas and settle in for a chat.

During morning tea Mr Edwards outlined the occupational health and safety plan along with COVID rules for the day.

He then introduced Dave Verrall, renowned local singer and guitarist, who rendered a bracket of songs for the enjoyment of those present.

Following Mr Verrall’s toe-tapping performance, it was time for lunch, with each table of members, one by one, wearing an array of colorful masks and all looking like bandits without a gun, filed past the tables of meat and salad that was served to members by a group of gorgeous ACCMB waitresses.

During the afternoon Mr Edwards presented a few humorous jokes, life member Brenda Cowie presented two quiz competitions, there was a raffle by club treasurer Jan Hall and Helen Hosgood, and a final bracket of Christmas and country and western songs by Mr Verrall.

Afternoon tea was then served to each table on separate plates, again by Brenda and June.

At the completion of afternoon tea it was time to close proceedings, with Mr Edwards thanking all for braving the sudden day of heat by coming, organiser Brenda Cowie and her lady helpers, and veteran entertainer Mr Verrall for coming out of retirement to entertain club members for Christmas; wishing all present a very happy and blessed Christmas and a happy, prosperous and healthy 2022; and asking all present to make sure that they had QR check-in signs on their chimneys for Father Christmas to sign in with.

The club’s first meeting for 2022 will be on February 1 at 8pm at the Johnstone Park Community Complex.

• More information: autocollectorsmurraybridge.com.

You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your independent, locally owned news service, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, from just $5 a month.