Sydney Christmas Lunch & Awards
20 December 2022 / Story by Andy Bottomley Photos by Rob Wilkins
34 members met at Maccas on the Mount. The old and the new folks mixed over coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
The master in charge announced the terms of engagement for the run including the 2 channel and 2 convoy rule as 18 MX-5s would be taking up a large percentage of the Pacific Highway and other windy roads today. He informed the mob of a second meet point at the old toll gates just north of Berowra where the boring and the exciting roads separate.
Upon arrival MIC mistakenly formed the mob into 3 rows not 2, oops, bad error. Eventually the 2 convoys got underway, separated by about 3 minutes.
As we turned onto Springs Rd at Kulnura warning signs of resurfaced road conditions met our eyes and our under-bodies with mud and dirt but not for long. Dear (old) Colin mentioned later that he was extremely unimpressed, we all know how fastidious he is about his red NA, sorry Colin but stuff happens.
Our pit-stop at Mardi, just west of Wyong was an average size carpark but when you add a large group of MX-5s it gets a bit squeezy, but we all got out and did what coffee makes you do.
Just a country mile or 5 up the road, with the occasional right turn we came upon the Highway, with a quick left and right we were in the Doylo carpark. What an impressive RSL it is. We eventually found a quiet spot where we could munch on the Club’s delightful menu and conduct our Awards presentation.
Brad and Carmen Robinson had received their 15 year tenure badges a month ago. John Anderson was presented with his 5 year tenure badge. Bob and Marnie Lipa along with Charlie Willcox will be presented with their 5 year tenure badges next week at the Hornsby Dinner.
Steve Eccleston was awarded the Sydney MOTY, mostly for his weekend getaways to Port Macquarie and the far South Coast. Congratulations Steve.
The Sydney NMOTY was awarded to a lovely young lady who will be a great asset to the Club as a whole, Brigid McCarthy. Who was just yesterday awarded Illawarra NMOTY and Club NMOTY. An achievement that has not been seen in the Club’s history. Very well-done Brigid. [Ed. ... not since 2017 when Bryan & Anne Hicks won Sydney MOTY, Illawarra MOTY and Club NMOTY!]
MIC then announced, “anyone up for 20 questions?” Nos and yesses came from everywhere. Good-byes and thank yous went around. The stayers got into the 20 trivia questions, imported from the brain of Mr Google. Maggie, Ken, Marg, Franck, Elaine and Colin won page 1 with 18 correct. But PTO, there’s another 20. “Oh no” they cried.
Sue, Andre, Glen and Eilish won the overall with 32 correct, well done.
Everyone had a great drive and lunch. Thanks for your company.
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