Convenor's Mystery Run and BBQ
26 April 2017 / Words: Norm Barker, Photos: Norm Barker and Bricet Klören
Canberra Chapter Convenor, Norm Barker, ably assisted by Roz, organised and led the Convenor’s Mystery Run and BBQ, on Sunday, 9 April. It had rained overnight and the morning looked like it might clear, but by the time we reached Spotlight car park in Queanbeyan it had started raining again. Still, a group of 29 members in 16 cars gathered under the Supercheap awning for the drivers’ briefing and Jane Hick was left to give out the instructions/question sheets and stagger the start. Norm, Roz, Michael Guinea and Wal Hick headed off to the finish to set up and start the BBQ. It rained most of the morning but no one got lost.
The route took the run to Googong Dam out through Burra back into Canberra. Then a scenic drive out to Tharwa, around to Tidbinbilla through the Cotter reserve, finishing at Casuarina Sands. The steps near the (fortunately covered) BBQ became a waterfall while we were BBQing but just after the first cars arrived the rain eased and then stopped. We even had some sun for a while.
As the last car arrived we started eating and appetites were good. The catering worked out just right, a relief for the organisers. Much discussion ensued on some of the questions and during lunch Roz marked the question sheets. There was one clear winner - Bob and Joanne Ellison, with Martin and Jill Robertson equal second with Bob Judd and Bricet Klören. The deciding question was a creative suggestion as to what should go on the plinth at the top of the column outside the Queanbeyan Visitor’s Centre. Bob and Joanne’s suggestion of “an MX5 in all its golden glory” was a clear winner. Prizes were presented and Tony MacDonald made a surprise presentation to the Convenor, of runner up Member of the Year for the entire Club. The group chatted for some time but due to the damp conditions people left earlier than might have otherwise have been the case. The run was a success and we appreciated the help of all of the members mentioned above.
