Flxies Today

2023 Woodstock

They say there has only ever been one real Woodstock, the one in North America in 1969. I say there are two now, 1969 USA and 2023 Australia. 

17 Clippers, also a number of caravans, motor homes and folk staying at the pub, comprising of roughly 70 souls. Thursday saw quite a few early adopters (arrivals) with the main contingent arriving throughout Friday. Judy and Ela fed us with homemade welcome soup and a selection of low-calorie local breads, then it was off to see Keith Potger (via the pub for pre-concert drinks) who wowed us at the hall in town. We even had CWA half time treats. Thank you to Gary for the very kind transfers in the MC7. 

Saturday morning saw a bright and sunny day. A coffee van attended to our early start. Assembling around the oval were 135 vintage cars pre-1934, great crowd and great vehicles. Lunch at the pub was very well received by all, some went to look at local attractions in Cowra in the afternoon and some just hung out at camp and caught up. 

The Showground committee went over and above with our dinner Saturday evening. Outstanding hospitality and wonderful cuisine, such lovely people. It was then time for the Flxible Clipper Club variety night. I’d like to mention by unanimous vote: Greg’s performance of A Hard Day’s Night brought the house down and was the clear crowd favourite. Greg even claimed Keith Potger as his support act! Another act we were lucky to secure as they are often booked years in advance was The Galaxies.  What a night to remember! Also, special mention to Scenic Matt and Darrel who spent hours on assembling the technical side as well as performing. Some of the Best Dressed included Ralph and Barbara, Grant, Gayle, John S, Judy P & Ela. 

Tony (Scud), green clipper ran a very fast and productive auction, all proceeds from the sale of Des’s collection/parts went to his wife. 

Sunday, we had a communal professional pic taken outside the pub, spectacular 17 clipper affair. Then on to Canowindra for morning tea and club meeting in the park. Official hand over to Glen for next year’s run and it was back to the Showgrounds for a wind down. 

Thank you to all that came and made this year’s event such a special and unique rally. 

Easter at Darlington Point 2022

The 2022 Flxible Clipper Club Easter Rally was held at Darlington Park Caravan Park on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, located just off the Sturt Highway along Kidman way, 30 minutes from Griffith. The Clippers arrived throughout the day on Good Friday and were greeted with a Riverina Relaxees goodies bag. On Friday evening we had Happy Hour before the welcome barbecue.

Saturday arrived and everyone was madly doing a last-minute polish and shine before 16 Clippers left the caravan park in convoy heading to the Leeton Sun Rice Festival. We thoroughly enjoyed being waved and cheered at by the thousands of locals lined up along the main street. Comments from club members afterwards, was, that it was the biggest and best street parade that the club had been involved in. Afterwards, some of us parked up in a nearby carpark for the crowds to take a closer look.

That evening after dinner the Club Meeting was held. The meeting was promptly followed, by what has become a rally tradition, Brenda’s sticky date pudding. We also enjoyed some club photos and videos.

Easter Sunday morning was kicked off with a riverside Easter church service. The local birds even joined in our chorus as we sang together. The Clipper Club kids enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt around the Clippers then joined in the hunt organised by the Caravan Park.

The rest of Sunday was spent either relaxing or exploring the Riverina Region. A few Clippers headed back into Leeton at dusk for the Balloon Glow.

Monday came around all too quickly and it was time for half the Clippers to leave and say goodbye. The remaining folk chose to explore the region further or just relax at the park.

All in all, a very relaxing rally and lot of fun had by all.

Easter at Bermagui 2021

It seemed the Clipper Easter Run to Bermagui would never be held due to the disruption of COVID 19. The 2020 plans were cancelled and rescheduled, with a few modifications, for 2021. However on 2nd April 2021, we eventually made it and Bermagui turned on beautiful weather for us to explore the Sapphire Coast of NSW.

Attending were 70 members, staying in 16 clippers, 3 vans, 2 coaches and a few cabins. Our youngest member was three years old and the oldest, well I’d hate to say.

We were lucky enough to have a large grassed area to park and gather. Even though it was a bit tight, it only made socialising more enjoyable.

The weekend started with happy hour on Friday providing a great catch-up time for all. We spent Saturday morning at a ‘Show and Shine’ at Bermagui Country Club, while having time to explore the town, play some barefoot bowls and a meal at the club that evening. Special guests were Doug and Dawn Lever, pioneers of the coach industry and Sapphire Coast locals.

Sunday started with a dawn Easter service, overlooking the beautiful headland. The Easter bunny had arrived in plague proportions, with all children, young and old, enjoying many chocolate treats.

Soon after, the clippers started to roar. We formed a convoy, travelling on the twisty coast road heading south to Oaklands Barn in Pambula for morning tea / brunch. The convoy got a bit stretched out, especially as the lead vehicle (mine) had engine plumbing issues. A few of the clippers travelled further onto Eden to visit the Killer Whale Museum before heading back on the main highway, through the major bush fire areas of Bega and Carbago.

In the evening we enjoyed our open-air theatre, thanks to Scenic Matt and then Brenda Baker’s sticky date pudding.  Monday was travelling day with a few buses staying to enjoy a more relaxed visit to Bermagui.

Thank you to all who attended and made the 2021 run a success.

Easter at Crows Nest 2019

The Flxible Clipper Club held its 2019 Easter Rally at Crows Nest, a small rural town 45km north of Toowoomba on the New England Highway, with a population of approximately 2,200. We stayed at the Crows Nest Caravan Park, which is a lovely park situated close to town and with its own restaurant attached. The Rally was organised by the Queensland Clipper Club Members.

Eighteen Clippers, a Denning, one Mitsubishi, one Mercedes Sprinter and two Tasmanians in a Look At Me, Ford Mustang and a few onsite cabins were occupied by members who had left their buses at home for various reasons. Members had travelled from all over Australia.

Friday night we had the usual welcome sausage sizzle, where many beverages were consumed and a few exaggerated adventures were told.

Saturday morning was a Show and Shine at the park and was very well attended by the public. Then in the afternoon it was off to barefoot bowls which was great fun and we were treated to afternoon tea by the Crows Nest Bowls Club Members. On Saturday night we had top class meal at the Park Restaurant and then a Rock n Roll Dance Party.

Sunday morning was the traditional Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and the we took the Clippers for a spin to the Farmers Arms Tavern, one of the oldest pubs in Queensland, where we had lunch. Sunday night was the usual once a year Get together Club meeting.

Monday morning dawned and all too soon it was over for another year.

Easter at Burra 2018

The Amble to Burra plan had two components:

1. A touring trip starting at Halls Gap in the Grampians, to the SA coast, along the Coorong and a few days in the Fleurieu Peninsula.

2. Easter at Burra SA (near the Clare Valley)

Amble to Burra was the rally you didn’t want to miss, with around 75 people attending and about 18 Clippers along with a few other vehicles.

It all began on Thursday 22/03/2018 at Halls Gap for a welcome. We then set off for Naracoorte via Stawell, Horsham and Natimuk for lunch. We stopped off at Mount Arapiles, one of Australia’s best rock-climbing destinations.  We had spectacular views of the surrounding area and then headed out to our over-night stay at the Black Cockatoo Bush Camp.

The following day we had a guided tour of the Naracoorte Caves and then drove onto Beachport where we overnighted.  

Robe was our next overnight spot which included some merriment after a visit to the Robe Town Brewery.

We then drove to Meningie which included a Clipper member’s family goat farm with 1000 goats, 400 of which are milked plus 100 kids! We had a fantastic group evening meal at the RSL in Meningie which consisted of Coorong Mullet, local steak and goat meat sausages and a local storyteller, who told the story of the Coorong Birdman. Then our club filmmaker showed his first film for the 2018 rally. New and controversial he pulled out all stops for this film! And to end the evening we had an auction that raised funds for the local RSL Club.

We then arrived at Goolwa for 2 nights. Our stay included a 90-minute cruise on the Oscar W Paddle Steamer.

From Goolwa we had a jam-packed day where we went on an Adelaide Highlights Tour capably led by Des Feary, then drove to Hahndorf, followed by a wander through the Birdwood National Motor Museum and then on to Burra for the next 4 nights. While in Burra, highlights were the Club dinner and concert in the magnificent main auditorium of the Burra Town Hall, the second film of the rally was the premier of The Bus, being lost in the Mintaro Maze, a tour of nearby Martindale Hall (featured in the film Picnic at Hanging Rock), an early Easter Egg hunt, the circular photo shoot followed by the General Meeting and then pancakes.

Easter at Koonoomoo 2017

The 2017 Easter Rally was at Koonoomoo on the banks of the Murray River near the Victorian / New South Wales border. A beautiful bush setting with all the conveniences, set off the highway and just a short distance from Tocumwal. The rally was organised by the Northern Victorian members.

16 Clippers attended, plus a few SOBs (some other brand).

Welcome to the rally on Friday night was an aussie sausage sizzle catered for by our hosts who also provided us with an inhouse sit down dinner in the park on Saturday evening.

On Saturday morning the Clippers were displayed in Tocumwal, near the local markets. Saturday afternoon was spent on an informative boat cruise at Baramah Lakes.

On Sunday, after the Easter Egg Hunt and Church, was a run to Yarrawonga near lake Mulwala and then on to Kelly Brothers Winery for a tour and lunch. A fast-paced fun filled weekend with no time to get bored.