There was a very solid turn-out for the July run, which was tagged as a memorial for the late Alec McKernan. 59 people altogether took part, bring 26 vehicles, including 22 historic vehicles. A number of Alec’s friends from outside the club also participated one way or another.
The run arose from an original suggestion by Joe Micallef, and was organised at the Royalla end by Malcolm Noad, with strong support from Wendy and other local members Bob and Helen Alexander, Jim Orman, and Ian Hooley. For more photos of the Royalla reception see the report in The Colonial at this link.
Malcolm had organised for Alec’s widow Anne and daughter Karen to be transported in style from Goodwin Farrer, in Peter Sturgess’ 1925 Bean – easily the most historic vehicle on the run.
At Goodwin, residents were offered a ride around the block in the vehicle of their choice. Brian O’Donnell’s spectacular Fairlane Skyliner, with its amazing retractable hardtop roof, proved popular.
Participants took off on a route carefully-planned from Goodwin Farrer retirement village to include a loop around the northern side of Pialligo and Queanbeyan and approach Royalla via Old Cooma road and Googong, rather than risking the Monaro Highway that can be crammed with snow traffic at this time of year. The convoy was quickly broken up by traffic lights, random turns, hill-climbing challenges and changes of mind. Nonetheless, almost all arrived in due course at the Royalla Common, via a range of unplanned routes.
Congratulations to the catering team, who coped with the challenge of a number of extra diners. We were also entertained with talks on the history of the Royalla location, the mysterious stone ruin, and the ancient harvesting machine on the site that Jim Orman explained is not an abandoned wreck, but rather an intriguing restoration project under his care.
Gerry Walker provided a heartfelt appreciation of Alec McKernan’s character and contribution to the club and its members over many years. The event and the raffle of a beautiful quilt made and donated by Anne McKernan, raised over $900 for the charity project nominated in Alec’s name.
PARTICIPANTS
Historics
Peter & Denise Sturgess – ‘25 Bean, Phil & Fay Cancillier – ‘49 Buick Business Coupe , Richard & Judith Taber ‘49 Chrysler Windsor, Richard & Dilber Thwaites ‘53 Daimler Conquest, Murray Mules + Rino Seselja – ‘53 Mercedes Benz 220, Malcolm & Wendy Noad – ‘56 Austin Healey, Brian O’Donnell + 2 – ‘59 Ford Skyliner, Mike & Michelle Norman – ‘60 Ford Zephyr wagon, John Jeffery + Peter Hoskin – ‘66 Ford Thunderbird, Declan O’Keeffe + 1 – ‘66 Jaguar E-type, Andrew McLintock – ‘70 Holden HG Ute, Graham Waite – ‘70 Triumph 2.5, Ray & Anne Gallagher – ‘72 Austin 3-Litre, Brian & Margaret Ely – ‘72 Spitfire, Dave Byers – ‘72 Van den Plas Princess 1300, Scott Molloy – ‘74 Falcon XB Coupe, Joe & Liz Micallef – ‘80 Honda Prelude, Ian & Marion Hooley – ‘82 Toyota Cressida, Chris & Irene Berry – ‘83 Toyota Crown, Bob Judd – ‘89 Mazda MX 5, Gerry & Kay Walker – ‘89 Mazda MX5, David Nielsen – ‘94 Ford Capri.
Guests and moderns
Ann McKernan & Karen, Bob & Helen Alexander, Graham Gittins, Helen Phillips, Bob & Dana Garrett, Jim & Laurie Orman, Graham Bigg, Carol Douglas, Graham Crocket & Sue Davis, Brent & Pia Dean, Michael Craig, Robert Wroe, Bruce Stark, David Hogan.