Gallery: Historic display for classic vehicles

FOUNDED after a discussion around a Warrnambool kitchen table in 1972, the Warrnambool and District Historical Vehicle Club has travelled a long and winding road and Ray Farley has been along for the ride since day one. 

Mr Farley is a founding member of the club, one of eight who still remain today, and this year he is marking a 40-year association that he hopes will continue into the future. 

“We first came up with the idea in my kitchen in late 1972,” Mr Farley said. 

“It was just a bit of a discussion to see if anybody was interested in forming the club. Then it all became official in 1973. It’s just continued to grow and grow every since. 

“There are eight founding members left. I’ve stayed involved because I love old cars and the friendships I’ve made, and the others have stayed for the same reason.”

Yesterday all the founding members were on hand with their pride and joys looking primed and polished, ready to kick off  anniversary celebrations at the club’s annual vehicle display at Lake Pertobe. 

A total of 140 vehicles of all makes and models were on show, ranging in age from the early 1900s through to 1987. 

It was the 20th time the display had been held at Lake Pertobe and club spokeswoman Natalie Serra said it was one of the biggest to date. 

“Normally we get between 100 and 110 vehicles on the day, so it’s a lot fuller this year,” Ms Serra said. “There was a little bit of everything down here today, from trucks, through to stationary engines and motorbikes.”