Wolseley Car Clubs National Rally

1999 10th National Rally, Bright, Victoria.

The Victorian high country lured us south for the 10th National Rally to BRIGHT in the Victorian snowfields. It was so popular 55/60 cars attended this very cool rally.

Sunday 9th May 1999.
No waiting, no delay, for as soon as we arrived in town we were 10 take part in a display as part of the Bright Autumn Festival. After which we booked into our accommodation and attended the Star Hotel for the Welcome Dinner, meeting all those people we left two years ago.

Monday 10th May 1999.
We met at Howitt Street, where we met every morning, and after instructions, traveled along the Great Alpine Road to Mt. Buffalo Road and with the help of Marshalls, parked outside the Chalet where two groups were formed for a grand tour. We saw a launch ramp for those brave people who donned wings and soared over the valley below, noting that once you started to launch there was no turning back. After lunch we proceeded a little further up the mountain and had an interesting talk on snow making machines, after which we returned to Bright for dinner at the Alpine Motel.

Tuesday 11th May 1999.
Meeting at Howitt Street, we were
led along the Ovens Highway to Porpunkah where Roger Vardy of Vardy's Timbers gave us an insight into the uses the local timber could be put to. Then it was on to the historic town of Beechworth where a scenic tour of the town was enjoyed before having lunch (and what a lunch it was)at the "Old Priory". We then had time to wander around the town, taking in the sweets, pastries, and soft drink shops and any other health food emporiums the town had to offer, before returning to Bright for dinner.

Wednesday 12th May 1999.
After the usual instructions, we proceeded to Myrtleford to the Tobacco Auctioning Com-plex where the operations were explained. It was noted there were some QUIT patches in the rally packs, just a precaution I suppose. Then it was on to "Airworld" just south of Wangaratta where a light lunch (thank goodness) and the plane museum were viewed. Our interest was in the replica of the Stinson plane, which crashed in the mountains on the QLD. /NSW border, and was used when the film was being made about Bernard O'Rielly's heroism. Judging of cars was done at Airworld and we had the evening off.

Thursday 13th May 1999.
Leaving Bright we proceeded to Tawonga Gap for some excellent views, which would have been spectacular if the overcast and rainy conditions did not spoil them. We passed through Mount Beauty and on to Bogong Village where lunch packs were provided and we were supposed to sit around the gardens and picnic areas, but the cold, rain, and wind forced us to eat in the kiosk where a nice fire was burning, that is, most of us did but the room didn't hold us all and some hardy souls had to eat outside. As we couldn't do the organised walks and view the scenery, we returned to the warmth of our motel rooms to prepare for the presentation dinner at the Alpine Motel.

Friday 14th May 1999.
The usual Farewell Breakfast was organised at the Star Motel and after good-byes another spectacular Rally was over thanks to the Victorian Club and we were looking forward to Toowoomba in 2001.

Keith