Range Rover 40th Anniversary
It was a dark and stormy night (I have ALWAYS wanted to start a report like that) as we drove through Port Melbourne in driving rain to the opening cocktail party at the Land Rover showrooms of MLR in Ingles Street, Port Melbourne.
Our convoy had arrived in Melbourne from the High Country trip that afternoon in 30C heat, checked into our motel where we were joined by Sarah Knight with Mark and Isabelle. Sarah had driven her 2 door Classic to Melbourne. By 6.15pm dark clouds had gathered. At 6.30pm the heavens opened and the rain fell like someone had turned on a tap.
Inside the showroom we were greeted by a hostess, joined the 300 other people and were offered beers, local Victorian red and white wines and French champagne and yummy finger foods. Standing pride of place was the 1977 Range Rover that the RRC Victorian members had restored and was to be auctioned the next day. We caught up with Patrick and Margaret Sutcliife, David and Jenny Hobson, and Richard and Rosemary Asquith, all in Melbourne for the celebration
After a welcome by Steve Hollowood the RRCV President, John Ayre the owner of Melbourne Land Rover showed a superb film of highlights of eight Camel Trophy runs that he had been involved in over the years. Telling anecdotes while the film ran, John told of the incredible costs and organisation involved in conducting the rallies in Australia, Madagascar, Sth America and Russia, and of the hard and lighter moments in these grueling drives.
Saturday dawned and it was still raining for the Show & Shine day at Como Park. 100 vehicles, from a Series 1 to the latest Vogue and including two Rover cars, were parked on the lawn looking shiny and very wet. People looked and poked and bonnets were opened, then at 2.00pm the auction of the restored vehicle commenced. Spirited bidding saw a very happy Victorian take ownership at an amazing $17,500. 
The evening was a night to frock up and attend the dinner in the Albert Park Yatching and Angling Club over looking Port Philip Bay. 180 guests enjoyed the food and drink and listened intently to Chris Lidis, General Manager of LRA talk about the current crop of Range Rovers and Discoverys, the growth in popularity and sales, and the enthusiasm and dedication the Tata Company has for the marque. Chris also hinted about a new Defender and other vehicles coming in the future. RRC NSW Life Member Richard Asquith then held the crowd enthralled with the history of the Range Rover in Australia.
We finished the weekend by meeting at the Black Spur Hotel in Narbethong on Sunday morning where 80 vehicles were put into 8 groups and taken in tag-a- longs through the Yarra Ranges around Marysville, where we witnessed the regrowth after the devastating fires, before returning to the hotel for BBQ lunch. The Nicholsons, Deans, and Byrnes then heading towards Albury and home, and the others returned to Melbourne.
All in all, a wonderful weekend.