Outings Report

February: Outings & Nationals Update

Hello members,

Well, the rain just kept on falling leading up to our February outing. And while we desperately needed it, we certainly didn’t need it on Sunday. The Club had put together what promised to be a terrific day of driving, shopping, lunching and good old-fashioned fun. An Irish Crossword puzzle was ready to be puzzled over, there were mystery door prize/s waiting to surprise, and Jayne had carefully crafted a quiz (or two) centred around cars and music to keep everyone on their toes. We were even set to trial prize giveaways instead of the usual cash – something a little different to mix things up. Security and car parking had all been organised, every detail considered.

The run was also to be the first trial of our new Club Outings Convoy Manual, an important step forward that will now debut at the Kingscliff Pointscore / HD-HR Memorial / Joint Torana Club run in March. All we really needed was a decent patch of weather to bring it all together... nah! With the forecast looking increasingly grim – and ultimately proving spot on – the Club Committee made the unanimous and sensible decision to cancel. Disappointing? Absolutely. Necessary? Without question.

So the Munros stayed at home, all polished up with nowhere to go.

The good news is we’re not giving up on Woodford. Far from it. The exact same run has now been slotted into the April 19th, 2026 Official Club Outing. So there’s plenty of time to brush up on your car knowledge, tune up your music trivia skills, and make sure the Monaro (and yourself) are more than ready.

With Sunday suddenly free, Craig put me onto something equally productive – sorting out accommodation for the Nationals in October. I’m pleased to report we’ll be staying at Brownhill Creek Tourist Park, ideally located just 25 minutes from the Mount Barker Show and Shine and a handy 10 minutes back into Adelaide.

The Park looks fantastic. There’s a café on site, spacious cabins, a pool, a fire pit for evening catch-ups, and ample room for trailers and Monaros alike. We secured ten (10) cabins on hold for one (1) week and two (2) cabins on hold for two (2) weeks. Nine (9) of those cabins have already been snapped up, which is a great indication of the enthusiasm building for the event.

The finer nightly details of the journey to and from South Australia are still being finalised. The plan is shaping up to include around eight or nine towns and locations, offering plenty of opportunity for adventure, discovery, friendship and relaxation as we sightsee our way through destinations both new and familiar.

There’s something special about a Nationals competition. The atmosphere is a unique blend of Australian pride, mateship and a shared passion for the iconic Monaro. It truly is the finest collection of the cars we love, all in one place. Ideas are everywhere, innovations are freely shared, and the sense of community is second to none.

Join us – you’ll love it.

Pat MacDonald (Sparkles)
Outings Coordinator