Tailem Bend Auto Club hosts annual poker run day
The Tailem Bend Auto Club set off on their annual poker run, traveling around 250 kilometres, last week.
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Engines roared to life at the Tailem Bend Info Station on the morning of Sunday October 26, as the Tailem Bend Auto Club set off on their annual Murraylands Poker Run.
Members cruise 230 kilometre through the Mallee blending horsepower, humour and community spirit.
Club member Phil Gogel, the official card tallyman, said the event involved five stops along the route.
From Tailem Bend down to Meningie, across to Coonalpyn, and finishing at Geranium — with participants drawing a playing card at each stop to build their best poker hand.
“It’s five stops, one card at each, and the best hand wins,” Mr Gogel said.
“There’s $500 up for grabs for the top hand, plus a bunch of smaller prizes down to $50 consolation rounds.”
At the poker run was Carol Slee of Littlehampton with her son, Rod Carter of Aldinga, standing next to their family 1970 ZC Ford Fairlane. Photos: Glenn Power
Around 80 participants and 40 vehicles, many of them classic and high-performance V8s, joined this year’s run.
“We’ve got about 770 members through the books, with over 620 financial,” Mr Gogel said.
“Today is another great turnout.”
The Geranium Community Centre hosted the lunch stop, with the club paying for the all the members meals — a welcome revenue boost for the small township.
For most drivers, though, it’s not about the winnings.
“Fifty bucks might not cover the juice in a V8,” Mr Gogel laughed, “but it’s all about the drive, the mateship, and supporting local communities.”
The poker run continues to grow each year, proving that good roads, good company, and a full tank of fuel are all you need for a perfect day out.
