For the second year In a row a large hole appeared in our Corvette event calendar due to covid and for this the postponement of the Corvette Nationals in Canberra.
This is unheard of as Corvettes in garages in the southern states where itching to be freed and used and to get out and socialize with their interstate cousins.
It was Mark Andre from Surf Coast Corvettes Inc. and AJ Martin from the Corvette Club of South Australia Inc. who heard this call the loudest and decided to team up and resurrect the tradition of “Meet the Vics” which was many years ago and had fallen by the way side.
Expressions of interest from members within these states were very positive so they developed an event visiting local attractions to be based in Mildura and using local knowledge of members who live in the town.
In total there were ten Corvettes and a Crewman from South Australia, six Corvettes and a Mercedes from Victoria and one Corvette from Newcastle which all took part in a great weekend.
Home base was the Mildura City Gate Motel where we booked out all but two rooms and could not have been looked after any better any-where else.
Every one rocked up to the motel through-out Friday and we were treated to a BBQ dinner provided by the motel owners that night.
Saturday was a leisurely rise and a walk down to the town wharf to take a cruise on the Rothbury paddle steamer built in 1881. This was a duration of two hours cruising down river through lock 11, of which there are 13, taking in the sights and points of interest with commentary. A trip worth doing if you ever have the opportunity.
On our return we cruised over the George Chaffey Bridge approximately 20kms into NSW to Trentham Wine Estate which was our lunch venue. With very pleasant green surroundings on the river bank we were well catered for both Corvette parking and lunch choice.
The afternoon was free choice however one of our S.A. members, Dale, knew of Woodsies Gem store, approximately 10 kms out of Mildura, which we visited. It was huge with so much variety on display and in their museum.
The evening meal was at the 1909 Café, again an easy walk from the motel down on the river bank. The weather was as it would be for the whole weekend perfect with no breeze. The river water that night was like a mirror, a full moon and light reflections off of the river made the location very memorable.
Sunday was a cruise around to Wentworth via Merbein to visit the historic gaol, built around 1880, then across to the museum to soak up the past.
Lunch was in the park where the Darling and Murray rivers come together where we were treated to sandwiches, wraps and fruit platters. A very pleasant and leisurely time before heading back to the motel via the Holden museum.
For the evening meal Jeremy and Fiona, who are members of the Victoria Corvette Club, invited us all back to their house situated on the banks of the river at Baronga for a BBQ dinner. Some chose to catch a mini bus while others drove and again a very well organised and pleasurable event.
Monday was time to say our good byes but not before a cooked breakfast was supplied by the motel owners and the opportunity to take advantage of the purchase of some wine produced by the owner of the motel from his vine yard.
Congratulations to Mark and AJ for organizing such a great social Corvette event and because it was so successful there is discussion that it should be put back on the Corvette calendar as an annual occurrence with scheduling still open for review.
Story by John and Jenny.

“Our thanks to AJ and Mark for organising ‘Meet the Vics’. We had a wonderful time, it was great right from the start. They certainly found the right motel ‘Mildura City Gate’
to stay at. Really welcomed there by the owners. Sue made our clubs feel special with all the attention.
Great company, Vettes and lots to see. Ready for the next one anytime.
Rudy & Kay.”

A great weekend. A good mix of people and a great night on the river to wind up the weekend hosted by Jeremy and Fiona.

Gaz 

Great cruising, good friends, good times, what more do people want.  Thanks to everyone  ,Dale

A few words from the weekend. 
Brian & I always love meeting up with all you Adelaide crew , and when Mildura was chosen as a catch up with the Vics as well, we were in straight away! 
The fun times, the many glasses of wine, (and a Dubliner or two), the new people that we met from Victoria, friendly hosts that went out of their way, & just the general banter of the weekend was just a nice relaxing time away, doing what we all love doing.....driving corvettes & the boys talking cars ! Love it 
Cheers & take care Brian & Marg