Australia Day at the Wildflower Garden

27 January 2026 / Story: Kay Godfrey Photos: Mark Godfrey

Good company, good food, and a few airborne thongs — a perfect Australia Day morning at Bidwell Clearing.

Australia Day gave us a relaxed and very enjoyable morning, with members gathering from 9:00am at Bidwell Clearing in the Wildflower Garden. While the skies were cloudy, it turned out to be a blessing, keeping the temperature down and making conditions ideal for a comfortable outdoor get-together.

The morning had a laid-back, social feel from the outset. Games were the order of the day, with Genga drawing a competitive crowd, thong throwing providing plenty of laughs, and “Guess the Celebrity” keeping everyone guessing — with names like Senia Gaunston and Bryan Shedden thrown in just to mix things up.

Jono was the standout in the thong throwing, showing impressive form. Best of all, no thongs were permanently lost, although a few did briefly end up in the trees, much to everyone’s amusement.

As always, the highlight was the company. Good food, easy conversation, and plenty of laughs made for a great morning, with relaxed vibes and plenty of smiles all round — a fitting way to spend Australia Day with fellow MX-5 enthusiasts.