Club Cruise to Echuca Beer Shed
& Rafferty's Motor Museum
25th June, 2017.
& Rafferty's Motor Museum
25th June, 2017.
I was apprehensive as I looked out on Sunday morning. The bureau had forecast showers for today and I reckon I heard rain on the roof about 5 minutes ago. Yep. Not only was the bureau correct, so was I. It was wet. Ok, not wet, but damp. Something convertibles don't particularly like. I knew Deano was taking his daily driver today - the Statesman's diff is back in pieces for a second time since the Logan "incident". So I figured if I didn't take a classic then at least Deano was one person less that would be calling me a pussy. I wonder how many other members would have come on the cruise today if it was sunny? Or maybe it's just me.
As the sun came up and the clouds broke, it got a little brighter and I decided to take a chance and drive the Plymouth. With the roof up. We filled up at the servo with eighty five dollars of premium enjoyment and pulled up at the Clubhouse around 10am. The usual suspects were there, plus a couple of new guys who had just joined. Welcome, and we hope you enjoy your first cruise with Custom Addictions.
Darren had done most of the work in organising this run to the Echuca Beershed and Raverty's Motor Museum (I think he had anyway, but I'm also sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong...), so someone convinced him he should be the one to give the explanation to the members prior to leaving. Nice job mate. The Prez was nowhere in sight, but rumoured to be laying in a paddock somewhere with a couple of the boys from the Fosterville Goldmine following a work function two days earlier on the Friday night. Might not see him, or some of the other guys today.
There were around 18 vehicles that left the Clubhouse at 10:30 and cruised out through Huntly, Goornong and Elmore before stopping in Rochester to regroup. And miraculously, to wait for the Prez who had rang and was coming - just a little late. From here it was a short cruise up to the Beershed. From the front - which just looked like a normal house, we drove in around the back and parked outside the big shed. Neil, the owner and host came out to welcome us. From that warm greeting he took us on an informative narration on Australian History, and we came away with an entertaining afternoon and lots of historical information. The collection is amazing and Neil is friendly, humorous and community minded. A tourist attraction that is a must see. You'll have to check out the photos below to get an idea of what this place is like, but I reckon most of us were stunned to see what this man had collected over the years. From old machinery, to very expensive restored petrol bowser's, through to every beer can ever made in the world and everything associated with the making and advertising of every beer can in the world. He had it all. No doubt about it. He sat us all down and told stories, involved the kids and made us all feel extremely welcome. All for 10 bucks entry. And did I mention you could buy a stubby holder that came with a free Draught or Jimmy or Jack? There were some of us that couldn't believe they'd finally found heaven. Well done Neil and thank you for the experience.
But heaven doesn't last forever, and it was soon time to move on to Raverty's Motor Museum. The Museum looks like it has been in this location for a long time. A large tin shed designed to look like an old garage. Complete with a sand floor and holding a variety of vehicles in various stages of restoration - from the early 1900"s through to the mid '60's. The owners are a passionate couple who are obviously very much into vehicles, associated advertising signage and antiques. Out the back there were twenty or so wrecks sitting on a couple of acres. The last photos in the collection below show them slowly crumbling back in the earth.
So in the end it didn't rain and actually the sun had shone for most of the day. Although now cold, cruisin' home with the boys and just appreciating what a great day it had been. Another fabulous day had by those that came along for the ride.
Well done Events Guys!
As the sun came up and the clouds broke, it got a little brighter and I decided to take a chance and drive the Plymouth. With the roof up. We filled up at the servo with eighty five dollars of premium enjoyment and pulled up at the Clubhouse around 10am. The usual suspects were there, plus a couple of new guys who had just joined. Welcome, and we hope you enjoy your first cruise with Custom Addictions.
Darren had done most of the work in organising this run to the Echuca Beershed and Raverty's Motor Museum (I think he had anyway, but I'm also sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong...), so someone convinced him he should be the one to give the explanation to the members prior to leaving. Nice job mate. The Prez was nowhere in sight, but rumoured to be laying in a paddock somewhere with a couple of the boys from the Fosterville Goldmine following a work function two days earlier on the Friday night. Might not see him, or some of the other guys today.
There were around 18 vehicles that left the Clubhouse at 10:30 and cruised out through Huntly, Goornong and Elmore before stopping in Rochester to regroup. And miraculously, to wait for the Prez who had rang and was coming - just a little late. From here it was a short cruise up to the Beershed. From the front - which just looked like a normal house, we drove in around the back and parked outside the big shed. Neil, the owner and host came out to welcome us. From that warm greeting he took us on an informative narration on Australian History, and we came away with an entertaining afternoon and lots of historical information. The collection is amazing and Neil is friendly, humorous and community minded. A tourist attraction that is a must see. You'll have to check out the photos below to get an idea of what this place is like, but I reckon most of us were stunned to see what this man had collected over the years. From old machinery, to very expensive restored petrol bowser's, through to every beer can ever made in the world and everything associated with the making and advertising of every beer can in the world. He had it all. No doubt about it. He sat us all down and told stories, involved the kids and made us all feel extremely welcome. All for 10 bucks entry. And did I mention you could buy a stubby holder that came with a free Draught or Jimmy or Jack? There were some of us that couldn't believe they'd finally found heaven. Well done Neil and thank you for the experience.
But heaven doesn't last forever, and it was soon time to move on to Raverty's Motor Museum. The Museum looks like it has been in this location for a long time. A large tin shed designed to look like an old garage. Complete with a sand floor and holding a variety of vehicles in various stages of restoration - from the early 1900"s through to the mid '60's. The owners are a passionate couple who are obviously very much into vehicles, associated advertising signage and antiques. Out the back there were twenty or so wrecks sitting on a couple of acres. The last photos in the collection below show them slowly crumbling back in the earth.
So in the end it didn't rain and actually the sun had shone for most of the day. Although now cold, cruisin' home with the boys and just appreciating what a great day it had been. Another fabulous day had by those that came along for the ride.
Well done Events Guys!
We'll see you on a cruise somewhere!
