2022
BILOELA RALLY AFTERMATH
O.K. So how did we fair in the aftermath of the Biloela Rally?
Those inconvenienced by the weather and all the notices put out there, saying the Rally was CANCELLED,
after being postponed, put the effort in for nothing, to a point.
People from S.A. put a caravan on the back and headed off only to learn, when they got to Kingaroy, it was off.
Then we had the gent from Victoria, cancelled his flight to Queensland, had it posted to a new date, only to cancel again.
At least he has CREDIT for the future.
Then there are those who travelled from Darwin. Cannot believe you would not ring the Organisers
in the areas where you originally found out about the Rally. It was posted everywhere. And then you have the Tasmanians
who had a truckload of machinery on board. They had a logistics Timetable to go by, only to learn in transit, the event was off.
There are probably others we do not know about, and saying this, one mistake was made by the Register, in an area that
was overlooked by mistake.
However, in stating this, the telephone is a wonderful invention for instant knowledge and keeping up to date. I would watch TV for weather forecasts
down the track, but ring first. The Biloela Club are to be congratulated for their efforts, in waiting till the last possible chance to have the Rally. We, as individuals must accept responsibilities for our decision making, and to blame others for our poor choices is not acceptable.
Anyone inconvenienced by the lateness of the event being removed from the Register website, even though on the Main Page
it was in bold and coloured lettering that it was CANCELLED, we apologise. On the other hand, if majority was everywhere it was off,
the telephone would have been the best choice for a positive answer. There were plenty of phone numbers out there. The Register thanks all who put an effort in towards this event.
We now look forward to 2023.
To those who were abusive to the Organisers, you are not welcome. Two or more websites and six telephone numbers were available.
It was even on Face Book. Plus, how did you know the date had changed?
PREPARATION for CLARENDON 2022 through my eyes.
What a crazy weather event. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted a couple of days rain. It did not look that bad, so on Thursday I loaded up, in between showers. I parked everything in our side street, facing downhill, making it easier to head off. Then around 7pm that night, down it came. All through the night, right across the region. Thunderstorms coming in and across Mudgee. Arose 6am Friday morning to warm up the car. Don't bother. Went outside and crap, a lot of noise. Yep, you guessed it, the Bell River was in flood, as over 3 inches fell during the night and came to within 150 metres from our property. (The Bell River is the fastest flowing river in the World, when in flood.) Rang my mate on the SES and he tells me "You will not be going anywhere, Wellington is in flood. The Mitchell Highway at Neurea is closed, with over a metre of water covering the road since 3am. Burrendong Way has flooding as well. Mudgee Road not faring too well either with creeks still rising. Dubbo low lying flooding as well as Bathurst. Unnecessary travel a priority. The SES sending crews to help out." Then it happened. The Mudgee Road CLOSED in the afternoon outright, due to a double fatality. Our fate sealed.
My cousin in Sydney rang me earlier on Friday, as he heard on National Radio, Wellington in flood situation. Later on my Sister-in-Law rings, she had heard same in Queensland. Well that's that. All my planning and efforts for nothing. Had to ring Major Sponsor for a Meet and Greet, to discuss the preparations and Rallies in place for 2023. My cousin, who works at Hare & Forbes Machinery Group, was coming out as well, meeting up with Rick Foster. They were arriving Sunday morning, so notified Matt Vella our host at the Howard Gathering at Clarendon, I was not coming. Notified Tony Pettitt as well, for he knows Rick Foster.
The rain eased up on Friday, and out come the sun. Writing this at 8:30pm the Bell River still in low to moderate flooding. The same on Saturday, so around 6pm, I said to Anne, "Let's jump in the car and go to Clarendon". No way she says. You still have all the water coming out of the Harvey Ranges and surrounding hills and upstream at both the Bell River and Molong Creek. Then there is the water still to come down the Mandadgery Creek, from Forbes and Parkes. The major dams are overflowing, farm dams are full and the ground is saturated. Not so much getting there but a matter of getting back. We can't even walk around our own back yard due to it being water-logged without getting wet.
So come 9:30pm, I go off to bed with thoughts of Clarendon on my mind. I have not been there since 2018, due to Covid situations. I hope the Rally goes well and look forward to 2023.
OCTOBER
THE HOWARD SIDE OF THINGS AT THE FORTHCOMING LAKE GOLDSMITH DISPLAY HAS BEEN CANNED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO PETER ROBINSON, AND THE REASON GIVEN TO HIM WAS THAT PFG, THE N.Z. PARENT COMPANY OF HOWARD AUSTRALIA, WAS NOT SPONSORING THE EVENT, AS THIS YEAR IS NOT 100 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD IN 2023, BEING THE CORRECT TIME. I HOPE NO ONE HAS BEEN INCONVENIENCED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE LAKE GOLDSMITH COMMITTEE.
NOVEMBER
DAVE BALLINGER MEMORIAL TRUCK SHOW
Saturday - 19th November 2022 BATHURST Showground. Matt Vella and his Kenworth had success last year.
Sunday - 20th November 2022 SWAP MEET - CAR & BIKE SHOW
2023
CORRECT LIST -
February.......CROOKWELL: 11/12 Feb. March............WELLINGTON:4/5 March April...............NHMA Rally - MUDGEE: 14/15/16 April May................QUIRINDI: 6/7, HAMILTON (VIC): 20/21 May June...............LITHGOW Small Arms Museum Tour: 10/11/12 June July................BILOELA: 15/16 July August...........TRANGIE(NSW): 19 Aug. September.....CLARENDON: 16/17 Sept. October..........GILGANDRA Museum: *** REMEMBER *** COVID Rules apply as to whether events go ahead.
NO INSURANCE - NO DISPLAY |
100 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING
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JUNE
SMALL ARMS FACTORY
An Invitation to all Howard enthusiasts, from the Howard Register, is open to one and all, to be a part of the LITHGOW SMALL ARMS FACTORY MUSEUM Tour. This Invtation was asked of the Register by Museum Curator, Kerry Geurin.
The Small Arms Factory made components for Howard Machinery, and houses the only known pistols made by Howard. As yet, a date has not been agreed to, but it will be over a weekend in June 2023. All Welcome!
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