More than 2000 people attended a car show on Saturday which was organised in two weeks to raise money for fire affected families.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
John Welch said the Motor Show of Support, held at Warrnambool’s Deakin University on Saturday, began as a dream and snowballed.
Mr Welch was rapt with the day which raised more than $9000 and attracted 340 vehicles from across Victoria.
They ranged from vintage, veteran and classic cars, a sprint car and sports sedan, a dune buggy, various motorbikes and a stationary engine.
“There was everything,” Mr Welch said. “The earliest I saw was a 1926 Chev and the latest were from Norton Ford. They brought out about seven cars for display and donated $300.”
Car clubs from Bendigo, Ballarat, Horsham and Mount Gambier made the trip and groups who couldn’t make it sent donations.
He said vehicle owners paid $10 to enter and patrons gave a gold coin donation. The Warrnambool Daybreak Rotary Club barbecue was popular and raised more than $2000, which contributed to the total.
Mr Welch said he couldn’t believe the generosity of the community with support from businesses and people on the day handing over $50 and $100 notes.
“A chap came in. He had the bum out of his pants, he had a ute that was sitting on the ground and a car seat with a little kid in it beside him, he was probably only 18 and $100 came out the door.”
Money raised will be donated to the Victorian Farmers Federation.
Mr Welch was a volunteer fire fighter in the Ash Wednesday fires and said he wanted to help. Together with a committee including Peter Dunn, Scott Bell and Ross Anderson they made it happen.
Mr Welch was driving the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery Bus on Saturday night when the St Patrick’s Day fires broke out, called to collect wedding guests three hours early from Timboon.
“We didn’t know it was as serious as what it was until we got down there and the Great Ocean Road was the only way back.”
He said the name, Motor Show of Support, was not region specific and the concept could be used elsewhere if the need arose.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant. We know if there was a disaster somewhere else in the future it could be replicated across Victoria.”
Western Victorian Holden Car Club members Rudy and Maryanne van Bruggen entered their 1953 FJ Holden in the show.
“We only found out about it during the week and thought ‘right we’re going’ and as a result it’s been a successful day,” Mrs van Bruggen said.
She said her work colleague Geraldine Hooper and her family lost everything on their dairy farm in the fires and it was great to see so much support on Saturday for those affected. “It’s fantastic.”
