The Christmas party / AGM has come and gone and we can be grateful we didn’t get hit with weather like this weekend.
Help was at hand with Bitten Pedersen preparing a mountain of salad, Cintra Amos organizing the prizes, raffle tickets and table placings. John Amos and Stuart Barnes helping Cintra with the tables and organizing the ice and drinks with Richard Dyson Harvey keenly awaiting the first arrivals of the run as they were also in charge of parking.
Rhonda Barnes rolled up her sleeves in the kitchen and helped organized the placings and food preparation.
Chris and Jan Barron need to be thanked for their contribution on the day with the preparation of the run. We have received numerous compliments about Chris’ runs through the year and hope he will continue to provide more of the same for 2024.
The band arrived and had set up, sound checked and hydrated as the day was starting to heat up.
We ended up with what could only be described as a perfect weather event.
Light winds, 26 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
As the group emerged from their run they were greeted with a glass (or 2) of Bird in Hand sparkling and an array of canapes ranging from panko crumbed SA prawns, meat balls, filo and feta scrolls and Adelaide Hills olives.
It was such a pleasure for the committee to see the members enjoying each other’s company and relaxing in the country air. I think it did everybody good to rest up and take a break from their busy lives.
We eventually got everyone seated and with the band playing in the background the lunch began.
Stuart did a wonderful job of cooking steaks for 40 people and managing to get their requested preferences perfect.
On my address to the members I pointed out that the entire committee including myself would vacate the positions we had held for 2023 and that a re-election was required to establish a committee for 2024.
The entire committee had expressed their intent to re-nominate for the following year and with the absence of any further nominations it was accepted that the same committee will sit for another 12 months.
I would like to thank our sponsors at Malcolm Creek Wines for their generous donation of 6 twin packs of wine which were greatly appreciated by the winning recipients.
AMOC UK for their participation in sending so much Aston merchandise that there wasn’t one attendee that went home without some sort of Christmas present.
Martin Rogers Jewellers for their donation of a Platinum and Diamond Aston Martin pin which was won by Sally Clarke. She has since told me that she was so happy to win such a beautiful piece that she will wear it with pride.
Chris Harris, John and Cintra Amos and Harley Cooke for their contributions of Aston wear.
Solitaire Automotive had provided a basket with an Aston top, pen and hat which was presented in a beautiful basket and a big ribbon and was first prize in the observation run.
Ordinarily at an event such as this we are left with what would only be likened to a nightmare of dishes and cleaning up. NOT ON THIS OCCASION!
We had some help from people that were just attending, the quiet achievers like Laura Rushton who quietly slipped into the kitchen during the day and proceeded to wash the crockery and cutlery of the 40 participants.
Then John and Cintra Amos washed and dried all the glasses from the day.
Without the Committee and these special individuals, the day could not have been a success and I would send my heartfelt thank you for all the work by all the people on the day.
I sincerely hope I have not forgotten anybody and if I had please excuse me as the day was a bit of a blur for me, but the one person I need to express my gratitude and thanks to is my wife Angela who stood by me during 2023 and planned the event over many weeks.
It could not have taken place without her ability to organize and direct me.
THE AMOC SA COMMITTEE WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
The day started a little damp which helped keep the dust down on the beautifully presented Astons that braved the cold and wet morning start from Hahndorf.
We had a good turnout with 22 attending the lunch including a welcome surprise visit from Bronwyn Ballantyne (Vic AMOC rep), Richard Counsel and Bronwyn’s Dad Bruce.
Everyone seemed keen to start the run that was organized by Chris Barron and as usual he didn’t let us down with a brisk but enjoyable 65km run through the Adelaide hills.
On arrival at Malcolm Creek hosts Karsten and Bitten Pederson greeted us with a complimentary glass of their trophy winning Blanc de Blanc. There were prawns and arancini balls for canapes leading into a wonderful array of mixed sandwiches finishing off with fresh seasonal fruit and cakes.
I don’t think there were too many people requiring dinner that night.
Many thanks to Chris for the run and Karsten and Bitten for the hospitality which never lets us down.
I would also like to welcome a new sponsor being Paul Richards who specializes in Classic vehicle repairs.
If you have a classic vehicle and wonder who to take it to give Paul a call as I have taken it on good authority that he is the man to see.
Martin
Well we couldn’t have managed a better day. Weather wise it was perfect, the drive was spirited and the venue for lunch hit all the right marks.
24 members chose to enjoy the beautiful Spring day with a drive through the hills after initially meeting for coffee at Blackwood.
We were joined by some new members Peter Papageorgakis, Frank Savage and also by 2 of Solitaire Automotive representatives Matthew Linnett and James Hardstaff both driving vantages.
The group were greeted with a glass of sparkling on arrival and spent some time enjoying the warm sunlit day before heading into the newly furbished “Barrel Room” for a sumptuous lunch.
Thank you to Scott Collett (owner/manager Woodstock Winery) for making us feel welcome and the complimentary glass(s) of sparkling on arrival.
Thank you to Richard Dyson Harvey for suggesting the venue and liaising with Scott to make our day perfect.
Martin
Being the 13th of June aptly described the night, dark, cold and very wet but the conversation was warming amongst friends.
We had originally booked for 22 with 1 couple apologizing because their journey would be quite a distance and granted it was too wet and cold and the other couple thinking it was supposed to be on Friday!!!!!!! (I’ll have to send more reminders)
Nevertheless we ended up with 18 happy souls on what would have been one of the worst winter nights I can remember and 22 apologies with numerous members being overseas having very exciting adventures.
One such apology I received sighted the excuse that they were in “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps” doing a track day! Can’t wait for the de-brief.
I would also like to welcome 2 new members to the AMOC SA who attended on the night, Martin Plummer and Karen Trowbridge. Lovely to have you onboard from all of the AMOC SA.
No surprises, the food was fabulous with many members wanting to return on a better night. Thank you Cintra Amos for your venue suggestion.
Martin
A bit of a run down from the May 21st Lunch at the Oasis Garden Restaurant in Belvidere.
There was a solid turn out with 24 people participating on the day, very good considering we had 20 people away or unable to attend.
Chris Barron had organized a 95km run through the Southern areas on the Fleurieu Peninsula ending up at our lunch time destination.
Ange and I were unable to do the run as we were hosting some Victorian AMOC guests Mr and Mrs Keith and Jessica Brinsley but from all accounts when we arrived there was lots of smiles and stories being told so I would expect it was a total success. Some of the girls found the occasion an opportunity to catch up and compare!
Thank you Chris for your efforts in driving the course three times to make sure there were no issues.
I would also like to thank Jennifer Garton for a herculean effort in attending.
Most of you would not be aware that Jennifer now resides in Kangaroo Island and made the trip across Backstairs Passage in the morning, attending the lunch and then returning that evening. Well done Jennifer.
I would also like to welcome new member Frank Savage and his navigator on the day Jill Robertson. The stalwarts of the club seemed to embrace the new members and I am sure they were made very welcome.
In closing the Oasis Garden Restaurant didn’t let us down as the food was delicious and the menu quite comprehensive.
