Nostalgic drive for recovery

By Kayla Jones and Rechelle Zammit

May 17, 2024

Head-turner: Clive Jones proudly showcased his eye-catching red 1938 Morris 8 Series 2. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Featuring vintage cars, a long journey and an underlying mission, the Morris Register of Australia’s national rally was a well-oiled success.

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After a long, six-day drive from all corners of the country, the rows of colourful cars stopped at Victoria Park Lake on Saturday, April 27.

“People came from four states, some driving very long distances. One fella drove an early model all the way from the Blue Mountains,” register member Brendan Walsh said.

“There were just over 100 entries, with a great variety. I was pleased to see the older cars, which date back to 1914-1915.”

Morris Register president John Balthazar said the greatest thing about Morris cars was their nostalgia factor.

“When you look back to the ’50s and ’60s — everybody had some relation to a Morris, whether their grandma owned one or their mother drove one. People come up to you for a chat and to reminisce,” he said.

However, the register’s goals for the rally stretched further than appreciation and a look to the past.

“Our rally director connected us with Adam Furphy (Shepparton Lighthouse project chair) a few years ago,” Mr Balthazar said.

“During the rally, we made it our mission to raise money for them.”

The register organised auctions for custom table pieces, held raffles and offered joyrides in the cars to support the cause, ultimately raising thousands.

Mr Balthazar thanked Greater Shepparton City Council for its support during the organisation process, which was lengthy and presented several challenges.

“The rally took three years to organise. During the floods, many people didn’t want to take bookings in advance because they didn’t know where they’d be in a few years,” he said.

“It took a lot to organise, but it ran very smoothly in the end.”

The register stopped many times along the journey, enjoying meals at local restaurants and visiting the region’s many attractions.

This included visits to the Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum in Tatura, Maskell’s Customs and Classics restoration workshop and MOVE in Shepparton, as well as a visit to the silo art at St James.

“We tried to give back to the community in a time of recovery while immersing ourselves in the local culture,” Mr Balthazar said.

“It was a very social event. We caught up with lots of people you only see every few years; it’s like a big reunion for a lot of us.”

The News photographer Rechelle Zammit went to the opening ceremony on Wednesday, April 24. Here is what she captured: