Temora Boats, Planes and Automobiles
06 March 2024 / Words: Ann Hicks Photos: Ann and Bryan Hicks and Senia Gaunson
Temora Boats, Planes and Automobiles
2nd to 4th February 2024
Friday 2nd February, on a hot morning five cars (three MX5’s, a Mustang and a Ford Everest), with 9 people headed off to Trappers Bakery for morning tea on our way to Temora.
After morning tea we did the obligatory “U” turn, after getting a bum steer from the GPS, and we headed off, tops down in the heat, to the Boorowa Hotel for lunch where we were very grateful for the very effective air-condioning. A warm but picturesque drive along the rolling green hills we came upon some wind farms, which generated a bit of chatter on the 2 Way as not all of us are convinced they are a viable power supply.
We arrived at the Sky Lodge Hotel in Temora, just on the outskirts of town and on the grounds of the aviation museum, mid afternoon. We were impressed with the cabin style accommodation, great for groups, with each cabin having 4 rooms, each with a bathroom, and a common room and kitchen in the middle, ideal for fivesies as we could all eat, drink and chat in air-conditioned comfort. A continental breakfast was also provided with lots of toast, cereal, milk etc., a well stocked kitchen and fridge and very reasonably priced.
Dinner at the Temora Ex Services Club was delicious and after plenty of chatter, we headed back to our accommodation for more chats and drinks, some of us in our pyjamas, ready for a big day Saturday.
We arrived at the V8 superboats at 10am Saturday morning, as per our ticket times, armed with our chairs and eskys, however, were told the action didn’t start until the afternoon and we couldn’t get in until 12.30! So we headed back and decided to do the aviation tour early, instead of Sunday, which turned out fortuitous as we were given their best guide!
We were greeted by an informative tour guide, Bev, a lady in her late 70s, who still held a pilot’s licence. She and her husband had owned a plane for many years. She said she got her pilot’s licence in case anything happened in mid air to her husband, she could take over. Bev was a mine of information and very enthusiastic about the subject, and a big fan of David Lowy, the founder of the aviation museum. David Lowy owns a home in Temora and regularly pops in for flights and has previously entered, and won, many flying contests, including the loop the loop in a spit fire. His favourite quote being “All the Sky’s a Stage”.
Temora Aviation museum boasts around 13 airworthy war planes, which Lowy handed over to the airforce for pilot training, with the proviso that they are kept at the Temora Aviation Museum and available to be viewed by the public. Lowy is a flight lieutenant in the RAAF Reserves and he struck a deal with them that they can’t force him to cut his signature, long blonde locks.
In the afternoon the enthusiastic boys headed off to the V8 Superboats, with Ann and Vicki joining them a couple of hours later, but didn’t stay long due to the extreme, 38 degree heat and no shade at the V8 stadium. Senia chickened out and after a drive around town, hid in air-conditioned comfort of our accommodation with a cold bevvy.
The V8 Boats zoom around a man made mud track at extremely fast speed. They were loud and noisy and enjoyed by the speed boat enthusiasts. Kerry and his son Mitchell even went back after dinner for more and to view the finals. We should all have gone then, rather than in the heat of the day, as it was much cooler.
We had Chinese for dinner at the Shamrock Hotel, which we all enjoyed.
After a good night’s sleep everyone headed off on their way home after a fun weekend with the only negative being a couple of cracked windscreens caused by a passing truck, these things happen on the road.
Ann and Bryan Hicks
