RPM 10th anniversary
15 January 2023 / Chris Wyatt
On January 12th 2013 a group of MX5 club of NSW members joined with others from western Sydney to celebrate the first meeting of the new Rivers Plains and Mountains (RPM) chapter. Summerhayes Park in Winmalee was the venue followed by fun drive out to Charles Darwin Reserve on Lake Wallace at Wallerawang. On this the 10th anniversary this year we decided to repeat the event followed by a top-notch luncheon at the famous Carrington hotel in Katoomba. Gillian and Graham Fletcher volunteered to organise and run the occasion and what a great time we all had.
We managed to contact most of the original attendees (nearly all still members) and several were able to make it to the new event including the original Convenor Lesa Bunn with her husband Greg.
Eleven cars left the park and were joined by three more as we journeyed up the Bells Line. The weather could not have been better with temperatures in the low to mid twenties with light but consistent cloud (typical RPM weather). Traffic was light enabling us to mostly stay together with Graham leading us through those great driving roads. Stopping at the Mount Tomah Gardens for a comfort and photo opportunity, old friends and new started chatting and before we knew it, we were late leaving. The run down through Lithgow and on to Wallerawang was smooth sailing with Greg managing to keep the tail end moving.
Arriving at Lake Wallace we met up with our cohorts Ian and Carmel from West Orange. Gillian even managed to keep the undercover tables free at the park for us to set up our picnic with the usual array of cakes and biscuits brought along by everyone to tempt us away from our diets. We only had an hour to enjoy our time together with time flying by while trying to catch up with all the gossip.
Leaving Paul and Sandy to their family duties at the park we attacked the Western Highway and Victoria Pass to head for Katoomba. A few slow-moving trucks forced us to break into smaller groups, but we all met up at the new carpark at the Carrington for a photo opportunity on the steps. Our Photographer Rob Wilko was actually talked into being in a couple of photos. When Jean speaks, we all listen.
Piling into the bar for a quick one before the meal we soon took over the pub. Moving into the Ballroom our guests of Honour, Lesa and Greg Bunn along with Andrew and Cameron Macarthur our sponsors from Blue Mountains Mazda, were introduced. Adding to the fun was our Club president Ian Combes and his lovely wife Catherine.
A most enjoyable lunch was served, helped along with a brief history lesson from Lesa.
Finishing the meal many of the guests took the chance to wander around the spacious room to catch up, with Cameron and Andrew keeping several of us entertained with stories of the motor industry.
What a great day was had, and we look forward to many more get togethers before the next big one in 2033.
