Cars, Motorcycles, Tractors and Truck Show at Tarwin Lower, Gippsland, Vic.
Tarwin Lower Recreational Reserve – Sunday 5th November 2023 - 9.30am
The Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower and District Men’s Shed is a vibrant enterprise with a growing membership and offering a broadening range of activities. With the demise of the once very popular Tour de Tarwin in the twin towns of Venus
Bay and Tarwin Lower, there has been a desire to introduce some new tourist drawcards to the local community in keeping with regional and local demographics.
Within the influx of recent arrivals have been a number of Classic car enthusiasts, including Shedder Mike Gardner, who suggested an Auto Festival to include not only Classic cars, but being in a fringe agricultural area, tractors, trucks, and so as not to discriminate, motor cycles.
The South Gippsland Shire and Bald Hills Wind Farm have enthusiastically supported the initiative with generous financial support supplemented by donations and sponsorship from the local and regional car loving communities.
The festival will be a one day event catering for the widest community and which will focus on family entertainment as well as the show vehicles. The usual suspects such as a jumping castle and many other kids activities will be augmented by a good variety of food and market stalls, and displays including an army tank. Located within easy access of the local Tarwin Lower footy oval with adjacent parking, this is expected to become an annual event.
Bay and Tarwin Lower, there has been a desire to introduce some new tourist drawcards to the local community in keeping with regional and local demographics.
Within the influx of recent arrivals have been a number of Classic car enthusiasts, including Shedder Mike Gardner, who suggested an Auto Festival to include not only Classic cars, but being in a fringe agricultural area, tractors, trucks, and so as not to discriminate, motor cycles.
The South Gippsland Shire and Bald Hills Wind Farm have enthusiastically supported the initiative with generous financial support supplemented by donations and sponsorship from the local and regional car loving communities.
The festival will be a one day event catering for the widest community and which will focus on family entertainment as well as the show vehicles. The usual suspects such as a jumping castle and many other kids activities will be augmented by a good variety of food and market stalls, and displays including an army tank. Located within easy access of the local Tarwin Lower footy oval with adjacent parking, this is expected to become an annual event.
Planning for the first 2019 Tarwin District Auto Festival
The idea for the festival came from a discussion between car lovers Mike Gardner and Gary Dobbs who are members of the Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower and District Men’s Shed (VBTLD). Mike is the proud owner of two beautifully restored classic Studebakers and Gary, a car body builder, knows all about cars.
Mike and Gary decided to approach the Board of the VBTLD with their idea of an auto festival. The Board willingly endorsed the idea and have enthusiastically agreed to support and auspice the event. Mike then approached a number of Tarwin Lower and Venus Bay locals to form an event organising committee.
Fortunately Wendy Don (an honorary Men’s Shed member and head of the Grants Only Group), was able to put her submission skills to good use, and thanks to her work, funding for the festival was obtained from Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Grants and South Gippsland Shire Council Community Grants funding. There has also been enormous support from local businesses. Mike emphasises that the event will be a local community festival. There will be numerous community groups and individuals with displays and stalls participating on the day.
The Venus Bay Tarwin Lower District Men’s Shed members are also working hard on various projects for the Auto Festival. Mike says that he is not sure whether the Auto Festival is a first for the Tarwin District, but with good attendance, he hopes that it will become an annual event.
The 1958 Studebaker Scotsman was based on the reputation of Scottish frugality, built for function with minimal luxury. Base price was US $1,776.00, being the lowest priced American Car and claimed being the most economical car at that time. The Scotsman did not have sunvisors, heater, radio, armrests, upholstery except for seats, side mirrors, power options, etc. Only chrome being bumpers and script, hubcaps and grille painted.
This car is only one of a few exported, came with RHD, 6 cylinder motor and additional chrome work (believed to be the only two door in Australia). It now has a Studebaker 289 V8, Automatic Transmission, Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes and is fitted with a Standard Cyclops Eye Speedometer.
The idea for the festival came from a discussion between car lovers Mike Gardner and Gary Dobbs who are members of the Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower and District Men’s Shed (VBTLD). Mike is the proud owner of two beautifully restored classic Studebakers and Gary, a car body builder, knows all about cars.
Mike and Gary decided to approach the Board of the VBTLD with their idea of an auto festival. The Board willingly endorsed the idea and have enthusiastically agreed to support and auspice the event. Mike then approached a number of Tarwin Lower and Venus Bay locals to form an event organising committee.
Fortunately Wendy Don (an honorary Men’s Shed member and head of the Grants Only Group), was able to put her submission skills to good use, and thanks to her work, funding for the festival was obtained from Bald Hills Wind Farm Community Grants and South Gippsland Shire Council Community Grants funding. There has also been enormous support from local businesses. Mike emphasises that the event will be a local community festival. There will be numerous community groups and individuals with displays and stalls participating on the day.
The Venus Bay Tarwin Lower District Men’s Shed members are also working hard on various projects for the Auto Festival. Mike says that he is not sure whether the Auto Festival is a first for the Tarwin District, but with good attendance, he hopes that it will become an annual event.
The 1958 Studebaker Scotsman was based on the reputation of Scottish frugality, built for function with minimal luxury. Base price was US $1,776.00, being the lowest priced American Car and claimed being the most economical car at that time. The Scotsman did not have sunvisors, heater, radio, armrests, upholstery except for seats, side mirrors, power options, etc. Only chrome being bumpers and script, hubcaps and grille painted.
This car is only one of a few exported, came with RHD, 6 cylinder motor and additional chrome work (believed to be the only two door in Australia). It now has a Studebaker 289 V8, Automatic Transmission, Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes and is fitted with a Standard Cyclops Eye Speedometer.
Links and contacts
www.facebook.com/pages/category/Cars/Tarwin-District-Auto-Machinery-Club
Graham owns a red 1970 XY Ford Falcon GT V8 See photos above.
Mike owns a 1963 Studebaker GT Hawk and a rare 1958 Studebaker Scotsman
Contact Mike Gardner 0416 125 607 or Graham Kennedy 0431 442 682
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.facebook.com/pages/category/Cars/Tarwin-District-Auto-Machinery-Club
Graham owns a red 1970 XY Ford Falcon GT V8 See photos above.
Mike owns a 1963 Studebaker GT Hawk and a rare 1958 Studebaker Scotsman
Contact Mike Gardner 0416 125 607 or Graham Kennedy 0431 442 682
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
