Classic bike and car show on the horizon

October 28 event raising funds for suicide awareness & mental health support

Cars and bikes from across the country will converge on the Blue Lake city on the weekend of 28th October to raise funds for a vital cause.

The Mount Gambier chapter of the Longriders Christian Motorcycle Club is hosting the Blue Lake City Custom/Classic Bike and Car Show with all funds raised going towards suicide awareness.

Held at Wulunda Recreation Centre on Saturday, October 28, from 12 pm till 4pm, the event will showcase vehicles of all ages and makes.

Committee chairman Graeme Cleves said the club aimed to create an event a little different to the average show and shine. “We are going to have all types of vehicles on show, not just vintage or restored vehicles,” he said.

“There is always a lot of glitz and glamour at car shows, but we wanted to showcase everything from dirt bikes to speedway cars. “It gives everyone a chance to bring out their vehicles.”

As a chapter of the Australiawide club, the Mount Gambier group has seen support from across the country.

“We have people travelling from as far away as Queensland and Western Australia,” Mr Cleves said. “There are people from New South Wales, Victoria, Adelaide, Mildura, and Murray Bridge making the trip.

“It’s pretty amazing to see everyone jump on board in support of this cause.”

The club decided to donate the funds from the event to local charities that support suicide support and to help those living with mental health issues and those bereaved by suicide.

“It’s something that is really important to our club,” Mr Cleves said.

“We have had members impacted by suicide and when things like that happen you just have to come together and support one another.

With more than 60 vehicles already entered in the event, Mr Cleves believed it would be a success for the club.

“We would love to raise more than $10,000 for our cause and with the amount of numbers we currently have, we are feeling positive,” he said.

Trophies will also be on offer in a range of categories. In the lead-up to the event, the club has received various donations from the public.

Mr Cleves said people were more than willing to donate when they heard about the cause.

“As a community, we have to rally around good causes because you will never know when you’ll need to utilise them yourself.” In addition to the car show, an after party will be hosted at the clubhouse 176 Lake Tce Est Mt Gambier Starting from 5 pm with local band Stitches performing for the crowd. Its fully licensed and food vans will be on site to cater for the hungry.

Entry to the car show is $10 per person for spectators and kids under 16 will be free.

It is $10 per entry for any vehicles and trade stalls 3mts x3mts cpst $30. Organisers are looking for any form of vehicles – the more different the better.

Please contact Graeme Cleves 0419 806 410 gcleves@limestonre. com.au or John Bruttomesso 0437 288 694 mtgambier.secretary@ longriders.com.au for more information.

Visit the Blue Lake City Custom/ Classic Bike and Car Show event on Facebook to keep up to date for the October 28 event.