ACCMB Christmas Lunch 14/12/2025

This year, the Christmas Lunch was held at Palmer at the Collier Park Hall. We have not been to this hall in a while, although it was the venue for a number of such lunches in the past and had proven to be a great facility. First thing to do was find all of our Christmas decorations. Since moving from Johnstone Park, there are still some things that have not been sorted and Christmas decorations was not our first priority, however it was not too difficult, the Christmas tree was with Claude and Liz, some stuff at the Uniting Church Hall and the rest in temporary storage at Office National. The hall key was picked up on the Friday night and with a really good group of helpers, the hall was decorated in no time. Thanks everyone.

Sunday morning saw Vicki & I head out to Palmer a bit earlier than the others, so that we could fire up the urn and put all the tucker in the cooler, which we had turned on before we left the hall on the Friday arvo. President Brian led a group off from the Murray Bridge Railway station at the prescribed time and they duly arrived at the hall, with a number expressing surprise that David Negrin’s Cadillac was still sporting its Christmas decorations. Well done, David, you must have been very careful attaching them as well as driving very carefully. There were quite a number of members who drove directly to the hall, as for them to meet at Murray Bridge was not practical, but everyone arrived, although Noel had a few problems to sort out along the way in the Chev truck. Neil Burbidge set up his music machine to provide some excellent Christmas background music. I am not really into Christmas Carols, but Neil’s selection of music was great and even I was suitably impressed. President Brian welcomed everyone, then it was down to the serious business relaxing.

Before long, it was deemed to be lunch time. A selection of cold meats, chicken, turkey, ham and silverside were served up by Vicki, Kath, Yvonne and Elaine. Thanks ladies. Together with a selection of salads, there should have been no one left hungry, and if there were, they were invited back for seconds. Even then, there was a bit left over.

After lunch, there were three door prizes drawn, allowing everyone to catch their breath before dessert of fruit salad and ice-cream served up by Vicki, Kath and Rosaria. Again, that quietened everyone down for a bit. All good things must come to an end, so President Brian extended seasons wishes to all and called an end to the Auto Collectors of Murray Bridge Christmas Lunch for 2025. And so it was time to put the decorations away, pack up the chairs and tables and clean the floor.

Many thanks to all who helped in any way, and there were lots! By the time you read this, Christmas will be long gone, but please have safe and prosperous 2026.