ORGANISERS of the recent Motorfest weekend are still on a high after their most successful event ever.

Motor Clubs from Port Stephens and Newcastle joined the 45 clubs which converged on the Yamba Street Oval in Hawks Nest.

“The people came from South East Queensland through to Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Gunnedah and Port Stephens, it was the best ever in terms of the range and diversity of vehicles,” Phil Hoare, Secretary of the Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest Motor Club said.

Last Sunday the Motor Club members gathered at the Rural Fire Station in Tea Gardens for a barbecue lunch and a presentation ceremony for the local beneficiaries.

This year the Motor club had $9,000 in cheques to share between the local Surf Club, the Tea Gardens/Pindimar Rural Fire Brigade and the Community Bus.

“The response from local businesses who provide us with sponsorship was remarkable,” Motor Club Secretary Phil Hoare told News Of The Area.

“We only donate to local beneficiaries who don’t get money from the government,” Club President Juergen Seil said.

As for Treasurer Graham Kelly, he’s already looking to next year.

“We had 355 entries this year and there was still room on the oval, so maybe 400 is in sight.”

“We had 70 sponsors who gave us cash cheques and gift donations.”

As you’d expect the Surf Club, Community Bus and Rural Fire Brigade were thrilled with their donations.

“We’d like an automatic reel on the truck, so you only need one person not three,” the Brigade’s Ranald Mackay said.

“We want to change the fire warning sign on Pindimar Road to a different position so that everyone sees it.”

Over its 15 year history, Motorfest has given out $105,000 to local not for profit organisations.

“From the feedback we received, everyone had a great time,” Juergen said.

And the good news is Motorfest will be back again in 2018, the date already marked on the calendar, Saturday March 10.

 

By  Margie TIERNEY