Review - Day one, Sunday 25 November

The tour commenced on Sunday 25 November at the Docklands in Melbourne. The CEO of the VACC, Mr David Purchase OAM welcomed guests to the event.

The crowd assembled outside the Automotive Centre of Excellence and the Fox Classic Car Collection for the Official start of the tour. The fine collection of vintage cars were flagged off by the Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports, Hon. Tim Pollis.

The tour made its way to Geelong where it joined other car enthusiasts at the Geelong Speed Trials gathering. Here a rock was unveiled in the memeroy of the events' founder, the late Murray Rainey.

The official event in Geelong was the Launch of the Great Ocean Road Photographic exhibition at the National Wool Museum. Colin Mockett recreated Howard Hitchcock and gave a terrific speech of Howard's life.

Howard then jumped aboard Ron House's Vauxhall 30/98 for a splendid drive to Barwon Heads, his former home town.

At Barwon Heads the cars were given prime position on the lawns overlooking the Barwon River, bridge and At the Heads. The local community are now seeking donations to create a sculpture as a memory of Howard's life to be erected in Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads.

Pictured here is the the photo shoot of the participating cars on the practice fairway at the stunning Torquay Sands Resort.

The evening entertainment was just outstanding. John Emery welcomed guests to the Balmoral Bar at the Pepper's The Sands Resort. The pre-dinner entertainment Officially Launched Dr Ross Bastiaan's Great Ocean Road Bronze Plaque series. A total of nine large bronze sculptures have been commissiond (with 6 already erected) between Torquay and Lorne. They explain the history of that particular part of the road. The sacrificies made by thousands of returned soldiers, and the difficulty of building the vision.

A fine speech was made by Joy Rainey, who travelled out from the UK to be with the tour for the night. The Rainey family had a long connection with the Ocean Road having had a small farm in Grassy Creek. Joy spoke of the found memories of learning how to drive on the farm, then later having races with another lady driver on the way to Geelong. Joy driving a Morris Minor and the lady drove a VW Bettle.

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

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