Year 2003… 12th. Wolseley National Rally,
Muswellbrook, NSW

The following were the attendees of the rally.

NSW

Queensland

Victoria

Rally Details

Sunday . The Rally proper starts Sunday, May 18 with the registration at the Muswellbrook Golf Club from 5.00pm.  Rally Paks are issued at this time and club facilities can be used. Some regalia will be available from Grayam Fulton. A time for greeting old and new friends followed by the informal Welcome dinner in the restaurant to start at 7.30pm.

The President Colin Smith and Rally Co-Ordinator Bill Slattery greet the attendees at the welcome dinner Sunday night

Sunday night guests.  Allan Francis (NZ) doesn’t seem too hungry!!

More Sunday dinner. Have they finished or just not eating?

Some of the Victorian contingent arrived late due to a couple of unforeseen mechanical problems and John Burman produced his “Stress Meter” to illustrate the Club Captain’s frustration on the trip. Keeping a close eye on proceedings in the background is ‘Fred’ the blue heeler mascot of the rally

Monday We travel to Scone and visit Colin Pay’s Warbirds collection at the Scone Airport, then to Mare and Foal park in Scone, where morning tea will be served. We will then travel out to Middlebrook Station to see a working sheep and cattle station.  You will also see a sheep dog demonstration, vintage machinery, a restored T model Ford and a 1939 Piper Cub Aeroplane will be on show and may take to the skies. You can feed and watch the antics of the resident ducks from the jetty as well as a few surprises. Lunch will be in the 80 year old wool shed which I’m sure you will find interesting, with a few words of wisdom from the local poet, who I’m told is a bit of a legend. It will then be time to travel to Wingen and Burning Mountain Antiques for a browse through a truly amazing establishment.  A short stroll along the road when we are done and we are at the Plough Inn for afternoon tea. After a refreshing cuppa, it is time to wend our way back to Muswellbrook and prepare for the evening meal at the CWA rooms in Market Street where the local Ladies will look after our needs with a home cooked meal!

We had a browse through the hanger and saw some interesting aircraft.

Then morning tea of scones, jam and cream in the park at Scone.

Lunch at Middlebrook Station in the 80 year old woolshed

And the local poet entertained us with some Aussie verse

Allan Henderson, owner of Middlebrook gave us some history of the property.

Then it was back to Muswellbrook to the CWA ladies and a home cooked meal.

And what a good job the team did for us!!!

Tuesday Today we make our way down to Pokolbin, travelling past the many boutique vineyards, cellars and bed and breakfast accommodations for a visit to McGuigans Winery to see how the product is processed before it gets to your table. A talk on the growing and production of the wine will be followed by a tasting. We will also partake of a cheese tasting and be told how the speciality cheeses are made and some history of the product, as well as viewing the production process. A hearty lunch in the restaurant and then next door to the village to see some of the local shops and activities. For those who may want to explore more of the local wineries, you may stay and do so. This area is the heart of the Hunter Valley Wine growing industry and there are plenty to choose from if that is your choice. The others will move on to Broke for an interesting insight into the growing and history of the olives that we will see being processed tomorrow morning.  The owner will show us around and give a talk on the history of the farm, the industry and the area.  We can browse in the small shop and taste and buy if so inclined.  A cup of tea or coffee before we leave and then head back to Muswellbrook to freshen up.  Tonight is your own to do as you wish.  It has been suggested that entrants might like to have a BBQ where everyone can get together in an informal atmosphere.  Tony and Julie Rawnsley have generously offered to provide a meal for those members wishing to travel the short distance to their property just out of town.  We will need to know on Sunday night who will be availing themselves of this offer so that catering arrangements can be made.

Tuesday afternoon at the Olive grove and then afternoon tea.  Shown below

Then it was time to go out to Tony and Julies for dinner.

A couple of tables relaxing after a great meal.

The dessert table was very popular!  Diet tomorrow perhaps?

Julie has a quiet moment and chats to Margaret Venner.

And Tony blows out the candles on his Birthday cake.

Wednesday We will leave our cars behind at our accommodation to make sure they remain clean for the Concours.  No point in taking them to a coal mine before a judging!!   So, you don’t only get to keep your car clean, but you can relax a little after a busy day yesterday!  Two coaches will be on hand to take us to our first stop and we travel to the Olive Pressing Plant on the shores of Lake Liddell to see how olives are processed and packed in this growing Australian industry.  You can even sample a few, if olives are your thing! After a cup of tea or coffee and a bikkie or two we then hit the road again, moving on to the Hunter Valley No1 mine, our next destination and also take us on the tour around the mine.  No, we ‘don’t go down the mine’ as this is an open cut type coal mine.  Some of the equipment used at the mine will astound you, so make sure you have your camera with you.  After the tour, we will be returned to Muswellbrook and our cars.  We then drive to the Concours site in Olympic Park, which is on the edge of town and close to our accommodation.  Those not wishing to remain with the cars may leave after the photos have been taken and have lunch  You may want to explore the Art Gallery, stroll through town, or walk the ‘Heritage Trail’ or part of it using the map included in your Rally Pack.  The evening meal will be at the Golf Club.

Boarding one of the coaches for the mine. Is Fred Holmes objecting to having his Photo taken?

The passengers on the coach seem happy to have a break from driving.

At the Olive Pressing Plant and we learn how and why Australian olives are the best!

Then it was back on the coach and time to head for the Hunter Valley No1 open cut mine.

Tony took us to the lookout to get a good view of the vast mine complex.

And we got a good birds eye view of the mine buildings and surrounding area.

One of the monster trucks used to carry the coal from the open face. They are capable of moving 240 tonne  per load!  Note the size of the driver standing behind the vehicle.

It was time then to return to Muswellbrook for the Concours and photo session.

Are you and your Wolseley here???

Wednesday night was our ‘Blue night’ and most joined in the fun by dressing up or decorating their tables and generally having a good time.

Our photographer Paul Wood resplendent in all blue even the hair!!

More ‘Blue’ people!

Graham Keys is sooooo pleased to win that prize!!!

Thursday is to be a later start and we will drive toward Denman and Jerrys Plains to the Woodlands Horse Stud which is on the Golden Highway.  Here you will have the opportunity to see this vast and magnificent property and be taken to their lookout for a better view.  We return to the office area and will learn of the workings of a successful horse stud and see some of the stallions that cost more than our cars and houses!! A cup of tea or coffee while we discuss the property and then we leave, heading toward Denman for lunch at the historic Royal Hotel.  After a short tour of the old town and buildings, move on to the Denman Oval for a fun activities session.  We call it The Wolseley National Games and here you will find something for everyone including the ladies.  Everything will be low key and relaxing and I’m sure you will find it interesting and entertaining.  When we are finished, it is time to drive back to Muswellbrook and get ready for the official Dinner at the Muswellbrook Bowling Club.

The look out at Woodlands Stud giving a good view of this magnificent property.

“Look at me I’m good!!   Octagonal shows off for the crowd

Lyn Keech prepares to throw the clutch supervised by Sandra and Pauline Moore throws the fan belt.

The ladies line up for their chance to throw the fan belt and Heather Haynes changes a spark plug while Dave Keech watches closely --- he has to drive the car home!!

Bob Osborn (left) and Nev Prothero try to judge the width and Allan Francis wields the tape measure!

John Mallia and Stan Duddy try their hand at garage backing under the watchful eye of Games Director Trevor Starr

And then it was time for the Dinner and Presentations.

Vic President Richard Snedden (left) Qld President Keith Dobson (center) speak on behalf of their states and Trevor Starr reads out the list of Concours winners.

Kevin Butler presents the trophy for outright Rally Concourse winner and Colin Rowley holds it proudly aloft. Bill Slattery presents Tony and Julie Rawnsley with a token of our appreciation for their generous help in the rally.  Jacob seems more interested in what is inside the package!

President Colin Smith presents the children with a little surprise. Leonie, Lee Anne, and Linnete Moore and Melissa and Jacob Rawnsley seem very interested in what Colin has in the box!!

The Kiwis receive a little something for their journey across the Tasman.  From left, Lyn and Dave Keech and Allan and Betty Francis.  Watch out for their Rally in 2004!  On the right Bill hands over ‘The Wolseley Flame’ to Peter Watt, which NSW received at the last rally in Toowoomba.

Friday morning is the farewell breakfast where we will gather to enjoy our last meal of the Rally together. This will be prepared for us by Tony and Julie Rawnsley and friends at the Wybong Community Hall, a short distance out of town where you will experience true country hospitality.  It is now time to say our goodbyes to country, interstate and overseas friends while preparing ourselves for the journey home.  Plenty of time to make it home and face the prospect of work on Monday!!   I know you will enjoy the Rally and look forward to meeting old friends again.

Farewell breakfast and Julie sees that everyone has plenty to eat and drink.

Final photo of the Rally. Some of the cars lined up at Tony and Julie’s property before leaving for home.

RESULTS OF  RALLY CONCOURS & WOLSELEY NATIONAL GAMES.

CONCOURS OUTRIGHT

CLASS WINNERS

WOLSELEY NATIONAL GAMES