Hunter run to Broke Fair
12 September 2024 / story by Robert Emmett, Photos by Wendy Muholland and Rob Wilco
It was 8:15am on a cool slightly overcast morning saw fifteen cars and twenty-seven members assemble in Maitland Park at the swimming center. As usual members in a happy mood greeted each other and chatted amongst one another before assembly was called for the 8.30 am departure. Club rules were run through by Lilo and condition of roads en route were reported.
After the usual radio check the group moved off out of the park onto Cessnock Rd for a short distance and then turning right. The next part of the run took us along a couple of roads less used by the general public but used by commercial traffic as they pass through the heavy industrial part of Maitland. Crossing the railway line at the Railway Track Maintenance yard and through the suburb of Telarah then through Farley on the Wollombi Rd passing through another recent subdivision where hundreds of houses have been built and many more under construction. Over the last few years, the Lower Hunter has seen a rapid housing development, where once cattle grazed and other farm endeavours were perused now stand hundreds upon hundreds of houses.
Continuing along the Wollombi Rd then turning right towards the Lovedale area we worked our way in a roundabout way through the valley passing farms and vineyards with their attached wineries to reach the Broke Rd. Once on the Broke Rd it was straight on to our destination the Broke Fair.
On our arrival even though relatively, early parking was at a premium so it was a case of take the first park you could find. Entry to the fairgrounds was by Gold Coin donation and a number of Charity services had tents with displays through the area. Included amongst the displays were the Bush Fire Brigade, Helicopter Rescue, Red Cross, Wires all maned by their volunteers.
Apart from the service tents there were hand crafts, home cooked jams and home baked products, there were two buses on hand for anyone wishing to do a mine tour of the local mine, plenty of takeaway food and coffee vans suppling Eats.
A wood chop competition was being held with Axe men displaying their skills on both standing block and underhand Block with wood chips as big as dinner plates flying in all directions and axes swinging at rapid rate, in one corner of the fair was a skilled chain saw operator showing his skill of sculpting logs with his chain saw, very cleaver.
A big part of the fair was the car display the main attraction for most MX-5 members, there were cars of all makes and ages most being representatives of local and Central Coast Car Clubs with some private entries thrown in . What a great morning wandering around the fair and car display chatting with other MX-5 members other visitors and display owners as we met during our wander around the grounds.
As an addition to the Posted original run, Brian and Lilo suggested that if members cared to continue on from the fair to lunch, they would make a booking for the group at the Bulga Tavern. Leaving the Fair in two groups we made our way from Broke to Bulga Tavern where the two groups met up. Lunch was served reasonably quickly for those who got in quickly to order for some it was a bit of a wait as usual the Bulga Tavern gets busy on Sundays so the wait gives plenty of time to discuss the mornings proceedings and other matters.
After lunch we each went our own way home some leaving straight after eating to try and get home to watch the football whilst others a bit more relaxed chatted a bit longer .
All in All another great day out with a thanks to Lilo and Brian for organizing and leading the run.
