Review - Day two, Monday 26 November

An overcast morning with the cars commencing on schedule from the Pepper's Torquay Sands Resort. Driver's were given the chance to re-fuel before the drive to the Arch Way.

This gave all of us a chance to reflect on those lives lost during war year's, and indeed in consturcting the road & each member of our party laid a poppy beneath the memorial sculpture. Dr Ross Bastiaan also joined us to show his work on one of the nine bronze plaques in his series.

We suggest all enthusiasts of the Great Ocean Road make an effort over the next few months to visit an Information Centre and pick up the phamlet explaining the series, then travel along the road for one great history lesson.

From here the cars joined back on the road, drove through the archway and continued to the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. This became the gathering point for the vehicles in numerical order for the convoy to the Grand Pacific Hotel. Many distingushed local members joined us for rides in the cars, but most importantly, the Governor of Victoria.

Appropriately, the Governor and his wife traveled in car number 1, the Presenttion Wensum Vauxhall 30/98 of Andrew Cannon. The second car was driven by a chauffeur with Howard Hitchcock's hat placed on the back seat. The car appropriately a 1932 Delage D8.

Upon arrival at the Grand Pacific Hotel the cars gather along one side of the Great Ocean Road and in front of the building. Roger Grant, Chairman of Great Ocean Road Marketing opened proceedings and was followed by Mike Brady performing two of his songs relfecting on the history of the Great Ocean Road.

The Governor of Victoria, The Honorable Professor David de Krestser AC then spoke and declared the road officially re-opened. He then walked down to the ribbon and cut it, followed by the first four vehicles travelling through. Vehicles 3 & 4 a Dalage DMSS of Felix Cappy and the Invicta High Chassis of Roger Rayson.

After lunch the cars continued along the road to Apollo Bay. On arrival they drove through the recreation toll booth, paid their toll picked up a flag and continued through. The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce then invited us back for a community BBQ on the foreshore, admist a pleasant evening.

Click here for the complete set of photos

Retina Australia Victoria - Official Charity of the VACC 75 years Great Ocean Road Celebration Tour.

Photo Gallery I Itinerary I Celebrations I Volunteer I Sponsors I Momentos I Contact Us

© Cars of the World 2006-07

Site updated 27 December, 2007