2026 Presidents Picnic

05 November 2026 / Ian Combes

MX-5 Club of NSW Presidents Picnic 2026

The Presidents Picnic is the most important event on the Club’s calendar, and as always, it was held at the historic Ebenezer Church on the Hawkesbury. I can’t imagine holding it anywhere else, so that was an easy decision when that topic was raised earlier this year. The setting and the weather were both stunning as always. Hard to imagine, but it was a very pleasant day as always.

It is really is a very relaxing environment to spend a day in, and a great opportunity to walk around and talk to Club members.

After three years, this was the final picnic to be organised by John Purcell, who retired as Club Captain at the AGM not long after the picnic. Thanks John for all the effort organising this event over the years, not to mention the many other volunteers who helped on the day. The day ran very smoothly without any issues, although we had a significant number of no-shows this year, which resulted in a lot of excess catering. Since this is a completely funded club event, there is no incentive to people to tell us when they don't plan to come after registering. Not letting us know unfortunately means unnecessary expense for the club.

There were the usual games organised. It was a little startling being near the Jenga game though when the tower came crashing down every now and again!

The coffee van was the usual haven for coffee addicts who often have to skip the coffee first thing in the morning to get to Ebenezer.

Over the course of John's tenure as Club Captain, judging in the various MX-5 categories at the picnic has been very well run. We don't always have enough entrants in every category to award trophies, but in 2026, we have everything covered, including race cars and Concours.

As always, there was great support from the Ebenezer Church volunteers who are always great hosts, and made us fell very welcome.

Best NA Show & Shine -was won by Mark Sando

Best NB Show & Shine was won by Marc Gibson

Best NC Show & Shine was won by John Bramley

Best ND Show & Shine was won by Gary Nobrega

Best Track MX-5 was won by Sean Byers

Best Ladies MX-5 was won by Marlene Cosier

Best in Show was won by Logan Alejos Guerreiro

Best Concours was won by Mick Consalvi

 

Ian Combes