Speeches
Sunday, 20 October 2024
Bay to Birdwood Finish Festival
It is a great pleasure for me, as joint patron with my husband Rod, of the Bay to Birdwood, to be here at the National Motor Museum for the Finish Festival.
I have enjoyed the atmosphere and community spirit of the festival for some years, but this year has been particularly special.
I was lucky enough to fully experience the joy of the ride to Birdwood by being expertly driven in a 1960 Dodge Phoenix PD4 and waving to car lovers lining the route. It was a real indicator of how much joy this event brings to the community.
Instantly I was transported back to the 1960s, admiring the care that the National Motor Museum has taken in preserving the car, donated by L Stoodley. I marvelled at the minimalist dash board.
The ride connected me with South Australia’s motoring history in as much as the Dodge was assembled in Chryslers’ Mile End factory from kits sent from America.
I’m told that back then large American vehicles were seen as “luxurious” alternatives to the smaller, locally produced models.
The loving care that owners have devoted to the more than 1,500 vehicles, including 126 from interstate, in this year’s parade, is immediately apparent, and testament to the pride they have their cars.
This is particularly so for those vehicles built before 1930.
It’s no easy thing to operate 100-year-old vehicles while negotiating modern traffic across a 67-kilometre route. Well done!
Thank you to everyone who takes part in this eagerly awaiting event on the South Australian calendar. You evoke nostalgia, spark our curiosity, and make this one of the world’s great historic motoring events.
And it’s wonderful to see such a vibrant atmosphere with local Hills food and wine, retail, and trade displays, making this a genuinely community event.
I hope our interstate and overseas visitors, indeed even locals, will use the opportunity to further explore the Adelaide Hills over the next few days. Spring is such a magical time in the region.
I warmly thank those who have organised today, and particularly those who ensured my car was road ready and polished to perfection.
I also thank those who participated or have come to the Motor Museum today to admire these classics. I congratulate the winners, and I am looking forward to presenting the trophies.
I’ve heard it said that: “Driving a classic is like holding hands with history.”
May the Bay to Birdwood enable us to hold hands with history for many decades to come.