Mannum Cruise 17/1/2025

Vintage beauties, modern marvels and everything in between turned heads on Friday afternoon of January 17^th, as an informal gathering of the Auto Collectors Club of Murray Bridge hit the road for a scenic run from Murray Bridge to Mannum.

Suggested by John Courtney, the event brought together a small group of seventeen drivers and passengers to celebrate their shared love of automobiles, our stunning South Australian countryside and the fellowship of like-minded individuals.

Mooted as a “casual get together”, it was the inaugural run of the 2025 New Year calendar and everyone was relaxed and keen to catch up with their fellow car club members, following the short Christmas hiatus.

Most participants left from their homes in Murray Bridge and travelled leisurely along the winding Murray Bridge/Mannum road with its gently undulating countryside.

With its expansive farmland views dotted with sheep, it was noted that the paddocks were looking particularly dry, brown and dusty, providing limited grazing stubble for any livestock.

Mary Anne Reserve on Mannum’s riverfront proved to be an ideal destination, with its lush green lawns, ornate Rotunda built in 1930 and a newly renovated playground area, complete with a replica wooden paddle boat.

The reserve is named after the paddle steamer of the same name and stands as a reminder of that important period in South Australian history, when river boats and vessels plied the river, transporting goods and passengers, during the 19^th century.

Arriving in their well-presented 1976 Ford Fairmont, John and Vicki Courtney were closely followed by Graham and Maureen Edwards, who drove the “ever-reliable” and head-turning 1960’s Zephyr.

President Brian and “first lady” Rosaria Rainey, along with their passengers Jeff and Debb Schiller, decided to travel in modern comfort and class, in their Mercedes.

This was also the choice of transportation for Claude and Liz Minge who selected a C63 Mercedes AMG from their garage.

Peter and Eileen Geue in their 1965 HD Holden and Trevor and Deidre Kitto in their 1964 Holden EH Special made the journey with ease.

These vehicles are a testament to a bygone but great, Australian car manufacturing industry-their 60 year old chassis and bodies belying some human ones of the same vintage and era!

Noel Jackson and his son, who live on the other side of the mighty Murray River on the Bowhill Road, obviously drove from a different direction to we “Murray Bridgeans”.

In what could only be described as a “sedate sojourn”, Noel’s 1926 Chevrolet truck was of great interest to members and visitors alike and was no doubt an unusual and interesting sight on the ferry crossing.

Meg Stephens drove from Mt Compass to join us.

After a BYO tea of pizzas, salad rolls, cold meats, desserts and “donut peaches” provided by Jeff and Debb and with appetites and conversations sated, we made our way home in leisurely fashion- reflecting on life and all its mysteries, the people and places in it, the why’s and wherefores and concluded…..….we truly are blessed……