Here's some info previously posted relating to "Travel Directions" for those travelling to Jindabyne from all States:  
 
VIC & TAS entrants:  
Wodonga-Tallangatta-Walwa-Corryong-Jindabyne (315kms approx 4hrs)  
 
SA & WA entrants:  
Wagga-Hume Highway-Tumut-Kiandra-Cooma-Jindabyne (355kms-approx 4 hrs)  
 
NSW & QLD (& NZ) entrants:  
Goulburn-Sutton-Queanbeyan-Cooma-Jindabyne (280kms-approx 3 hrs)  
 
Those entrants approaching Jindabyne through Kosciuszko National Park will be treated to spectular alpine views.  Whilst southerners travelling thru Khancoban to Thredbo will find the roads quite twisty at times, all the once gravel roads have now been sealed (not all maps will show this).  

GP: If you like corners (like me) you'll love the drive from Khancoban to Jindabyne. Awesome road, awesome views, what more could you ask for?  The road from Tumut thru Kiandra to Adaminaby is also an excellent drive!

Kathy: For those of you who have to use a map to drive anywhere, I live by a website called "travelmate.com.au"

This site has lots of great stuff on accommodation, car hire, town info etc etc.  Two of the best resources on this site is "Smart Trip" and "Map Maker".  You can put in your start Town and your destination Town and it will give you the directions, mileage, time in hours/minutes etc.  You can ask it for a list of attractions on the way, food & drink outlets, accommodation, etc etc.  You can also ask it to give you the 'fastest' route and/or the 'shortest' route.  You can also put in a third or fourth town that you wish to travel thru on your way.   I'm pretty sure you can also find out where you can get petrol from during your trip.

I think its a great resource - check it out.  It may be helpful for planning your trip.

Welcome FE-FC Fans to the 7th Bulletin

The BIG News on Entrant Eligibility

As hosts of the 10th FE-FC Holden Nationals, the FE-HR Holden Owners Club ACT would like to announce that for the first time, 10th Nationals entry will be open and available to all FE-FC Holden owners that are members of ANY car club in Australia (and NZ).  Reaching ten Nationals is reason for a special celebration, so the FE-HR Holden Owners Club ACT would like to encourage as many FE-FC Holden owners to participate as possible.

We plan to promote the event Australia-wide and hope to draw a HUGE gathering, so all clubs can:
•      raise the profile of the FE-FC Holden vehicles that we all love
•      welcome new-comers to the wider FE-FC Holden community
•      encourage all non-club members to join the FE-FC Club in their State
•      promote the upcoming Nationals celebrating the FE & FC 40th Anniversaries.

As per our previous bulletin regarding the “OnLion Convoy”, all entrants from non-FE-FC Clubs will be included in the Official 10th Nats Program & website so that everyone will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and welcome these newcomers to their first Nationals.  We believe the results can only be good for all involved.

The Ancient History
There has always been a lot of discussion about the eligibility of entrants wanting to participate in the FE-FC Holden Nationals.  Traditionally, entry to the FE-FC Nats has only been available to members of the specific FE-FC Holden Car Clubs of Australia.

Since the 1st Nats in 1987, as new interstate Holden clubs catering to FE-FC Holdens have emerged, delegates on the FE-FC Holden Nationals Committee have sent written invitations to these clubs to allow their members to participate.  The FE-FC Nats Committee now has delegates (or atleast invites representatives) from each specific State FE-FC club, so FE-FC Club members can enter from anywhere in Australia, (except Northern Territory).

•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of New South Wales
•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of New South Wales Mid-North Coast
•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of Queensland
•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of South Australia
•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of Victoria
•      FE-FC Holden Car Club of Western Australia
•      FE-HR Holden Owners Club of Australian Capital Territory
•      FE-HR Holden Owners Club of Tasmania

Casting the Net wider to promoting Club Membership
Every FE-FC Club member believes in the benefits of membership and is proud of the efforts that have gone towards preserving the history of FE & FC Holdens.  Infact, we would love to have all FE-FC owners involved in our clubs and participate in the Nationals, regardless of the condition of their vehicles, from unrestored daily drivers to show cars.

Clubs & the Nationals are all about getting people with common interests together.

However, as passionate as we all are about FE-FC Holdens, we must unfortunately admit that our Nationals do not cater for a large part of the FE-FC Holden community, with many owners unaware of the Nationals or worse, aware but not eligible to participate.  Whilst there are several hundred FE-FC Holden owners spread amongst the official FE-FC Clubs of Australia, there must also be an equal amount involved with other clubs that cater to a wider range of classic or modified vehicles.  There are also clubs in regional areas with FE-FC Holden owners that aren’t able to travel to metropolitan areas to attend meetings & events.

Then there are hundreds of FE-FC Holden owners that probably aren’t in any club at all!  When these people express an interest in participating in the 10th Nationals, they can be encouraged to join one of the FE-FC Clubs or at the very least to take up temporary membership of the FE-HR Holden Owners Club ACT.  At our June AGM, our members voted to amend the clubs constitution to allow the Club Committee to offer temporary membership to people wishing to participate in a one-off event being held by the club.

A Positive Step
We hope this doesn’t rock the boat too much and that everyone appreciates that this isn’t intended to undermine the benefits of club membership, on the contrary, it seeks to promote the FE-FC Holden Car Clubs of Australia by giving new-comers a taste of what our clubs can offer.  If you have any questions, please discuss them with the Nationals Delegates in your club, or contact ours:

FE-FC Holden Nationals Committee - ACT Delegates:
Graham Pryce 0412 024 057 or gpryce@hn.ozemail.com.au
Julius Goboly 0407 486 759 or julius_g@optusnet.com

See you in the Snowies
Cheers, Tim

Welcome FE-FC Fans to the 6th Bulletin  

http://www.fefcholden.org.au/nats/onlionconvoy.html

Join the OnLion Convoy!

The great news for everyone is that it looks like we’re on target for a record number of entrants for the 10th FE-FC Holden Nationals to be held in Jindabyne NSW during Easter 2005 with expressions of interest growing to over 80 vehicles.

For the 10th Nats, there has been talk of three interstate convoys to sweep together all the FE-FC’s cruising towards Jindabyne from the north, west & south of Australia.  This highway cruise should be HUGE, we can’t wait to see you all arrive in the Snowies!  We’ll talk to all FE-FC Clubs soon to work out some arrangements for getting those interested together.  
 
In the meantime, to get everyone revved up, we’re inviting all FE-FC Holden owners to join what we’ve called the “OnLion Convoy”.  This involves you sending us a photo of your FE or FC & submitting the details (as per below), so that everyone can preview from just how far & wide our interstate participants are coming from to join us all at the 10th Nats.

This information will be gathered for inclusion in the Official 10th Nats Program, which will be distributed to all entrants several weeks prior to the Nationals.  On the 10th Nats website, we'll display a shortened version (which will only include name, vehicle photo & town of origin) on each entrant, so everyone can check out who else is coming along.

So whether you have submitted your formal entry as yet or not, please email your details ASAP.  The sooner we get this information, the better the website & official program will be, providing readers with the history & interesting details on each vehicle that not everyone gets an opportunity to discover with so many cars and people at each Nationals.
 
Of course, we appreciate that a few entrants would like to surprise their interstate mates by unveiling a brand new or unusual car at the 10th Nats.  So, please still feel free to submit your details & town of origin but put a “to be announced” under the vehicle details.

Email one vehicle photo & your details as per below to: tim.miller@dotars.gov.au

Name: Tim Miller  
Origin: Canberra ACT  
Vehicle: Stock 1959 FC Holden Special Sedan  
Rego & Colours: ACT Historic 058 - Ice Green & Forester Green  
Club: FE-HR Holden Owners Club ACT Inc (member since 1993)  
History: Purchased in 1993 from Thornleigh NSW, maintained as original with later inclusion of various NASCO accessories ie wheel spats, taxi-rail, rear venetians, weather shields, etc.  Last major restoration was back in 1981.  Since my first Nats in 1995, I’ve only missed the 6th Nats in Adelaide (1999) as my fiancé and I spent ’98-99 cruising in a Kombi from Alaska to Europe.  

“See you in the Snowies”  
Cheers, Tim.  

Welcome FE-FC Fans to the 5th Bulletin

We would like to thank everyone that participated in our FE-FC Forum Poll of official merchandise for the 10th FE-FC Holden Nationals.  We received a total of 337 votes with results displayed below, we even had suggestions for coffee mugs & wall clocks!

Question:  What 10th FE-FC Nats merchandise would you consider ordering?

48 votes - Key Ring  
46 votes - Stubby Holder  
45 votes - Polar Fleece Jumper  
45 votes - Badge  
41 votes - Additional Shirt  
40 votes - Official Black Cap  
21 votes - Polar Fleece Vest  
21 votes - Bucket Hat  
17 votes - Coasters  
13 votes - None of the Above  

The 10th Nats Committee will be meeting in mid-July to progress arrangements for official 10th Nats merchandise.  An order form with photos and prices will be made available on the 10th Nats website as soon as we get some samples produced.

If anyone has other suggestions for items that they would like to see made available, just let us know…  there’s always time for another poll.  Not that we’re wanting to sound overly democratic, it’s just that most suppliers want a minimum number of orders before they’ll produce an item (usually 50).  So, we’ll definitely pursue items that got 40+ votes and find other suppliers to provide fewer quantities of the other items that got around 20 votes.

See you in the Snowies
Cheers, Tim

 
We would like to thank everyone that participated in our FE-FC Forum Poll of official merchandise for the 10th FE-FC Holden Nationals.  We received a total of 337 votes with results displayed below, we even had suggestions for coffee mugs & wall clocks!

Question:  What 10th FE-FC Nats merchandise would you consider ordering?

48 votes - Key Ring  
46 votes - Stubby Holder  
45 votes - Polar Fleece Jumper  
45 votes - Badge  
41 votes - Additional Shirt  
40 votes - Official Black Cap  
21 votes - Polar Fleece Vest  
21 votes - Bucket Hat  
17 votes - Coasters  
13 votes - None of the Above  

The 10th Nats Committee will be meeting in mid-July to progress arrangements for official 10th Nats merchandise.  An order form with photos and prices will be made available on the 10th Nats website as soon as we get some samples produced.

If anyone has other suggestions for items that they would like to see made available, just let us know…  there’s always time for another poll.  Not that we’re wanting to sound overly democratic, it’s just that most suppliers want a minimum number of orders before they’ll produce an item (usually 50).  So, we’ll definitely pursue items that got 40+ votes and find other suppliers to provide fewer quantities of the other items that got around 20 votes.

See you in the Snowies
Cheers, Tim

G'day Brad

Gotta say, fantastic site mate...  the club members section is a great idea, well done to both you and RET!  We've been working on something similar for the FE-HR ACT site, but haven't gotten nearly as far as you guys (let alone got it online).

I'm impressed with the number of members you have too!!!  

Cheers, Tim.

G'day & Welcome (Always great to have another FC wagon owner onboard).

Normally, FE-FC Nationals are held every two years, however the 11th & 12th Nats have been brought forward a year, so that they coincide with the 50th Anniversaries of the FE & FC respectively.

Whilst locations are yet to be announced, we do know the following:

11th Nats - Easter 2006 - hosted by Victoria.
12th Nats - Easter 2008 - hosted by SA.

New information goes up here regularly, however, the best place to get comprehensive background info is to checkout the Nats webpage at http://www.fefcholden.org.au/nats/index.html

Cheers, Tim.

Welcome FE-FC Fans to the 4th Bulletin
(as emailed to those that have registered their interest)

Merchandise
The 10th Nats Committee is working hard to ensure the Jindabyne Nationals are memorable for all entrants, focussing on providing a quality event with excellent value goodies bag. Entrants will receive a full-weekend package of meals vouchers (excluding breakfasts & Saturday lunch), official program, event shirt with logo and individual entrant mementos.  We're also hoping to provide entrants with a selection of quality 10th Nats merchandise to order prior to the event. We've posted a poll on the FE-FC Nats website, with a list of potential merchandise items to gauge the level of interest among entrants, should we make the items available. Final prices, photos & order forms will be posted if there is enough interest.

Accommodation
The Station Resort has already taken about a dozen room bookings for the 10th Nats.  At this time, entrants are not being asked to make a deposit, instead to simply provide their credit card details to reserve the room, with full payment required upon check-in Easter 2005.  Remember, the Station Resort has been reserved exclusively for all 10th Nats entrants, we are going to have the whole place to ourselves with plenty of space, parking and a great atmostphere with everyone together.  If you make an accommodation booking, please advise the 10th Nats Committee via nats@fefcholden.org.au

Entry Forms
We've already received payment for a few entries at this early stage.  As the numbers increase we will publish a profile of entries on the website so everyone is able to keep track of friendly rivalries ie numbers of "FE vs FC's", "Stock vs Modified", "State vs State".  The profiles will be a simple chart/table like we use now for State numbers that have registered interest.  So far, FC's comprise 75% of entries with Stock vs Modifieds locked at 50/50.

Registered Interest
If you have any questions or if any of your fellow club members would like to register their interest in receiving these bulletins via email, please let me know. As of late April 2004, we have received 75 expressions of interest to participate in the 10th Nats. NSW have increased their lead with ACT pulling ahead of Victoria.  We'll be putting together a general information brochure to mail to those FE-FC owners not online.  In the meantime, if club secretaries/editors would like to print off relevant info from the website (or indeed bulletins/posts etc) to put in club newsletters, please feel free to do so.  (I know some states have been doing this already - thanks guys).

TOTAL = 75 Holdens

26 New South Wales
17 Queensland
13 Australian Capital Territory
11 Victoria
3 South Australia
2 Western Australia
1 Tasmania
1 New Zealand

"See you in the Snowies"
Cheers, Tim

Thanks for your response Ken, and thanks also RET for commenting on our behalf.  As a compromise, I decided to include the option of "none of the above" and sacrifice the offer of 10th Nats socks (I know, hundreds of you will be devastated).  This way, we can gauge "no" votes aswell, if nothing else to help us keep track of the total of potential entrants out there have actually seen the offer, and of course to count those that aren't interested.

Once items seem to have gained some support, we'll confirm quotes that we have (as a lot of prices are based on quantity).  We'll post an order form online and update the "merchandise" page on the Nats website to include actual pictures of the items.  Unfortunately, we can only offer items on a pre-order basis rather than having bulk quantities available at the Nats itself.

Of course, we appreciate that everyone has financial commitments and that budgeting for a huge event like the Nationals is an effort for everyone.  There's entry, meals, accommodation, getting there, let alone the money/time/effort you pump into your car since the last Nationals.  It would be awesome if everyone on this network could meet up in Jindabyne!

I can assure everyone that the 10th Nats Committee is dedicated to making the 10th Nats something special.  We've negotiated an excellent meals package (try comparing the prices of all meals separately for the whole family in a resort town over Easter).

Entrant goodies bags will contain quality items, that we hope will be long treasured and are stoked to offer entrants the above range of souvenirs.  We would hate for anyone to get there, love the Nats (as we all do) and kick themselves for not getting that little something to remember it by (let alone kick themselves for missing the Nats itself).  Personally, I'm hopeless in that I buy anything that has "FC" on it...  and can't wait for each Nats (the next three especially).

So I hope everyone can bring the whole family along to what will be an awesome holiday, spent catching up with mates across all states.  Over the last ten years, I'm always excited by the idea of getting so many FE-FC's in the same place at the same time.  I even don't mind admitting that usually, my FC is in about the worse condition among those that attend, but I'm just so keen to be there that it doesn't matter.  All cars, regardless of condition are welcome - the Nats a festival, not just a car show!

Finally, I know I probably don't need to confirm that all funds raised thru entries and merchandise sales go directly back into hosting the 10th Nats.  The value is going to be hard to beat and the 10th Nats hard to forget.  I know, my bias is shameless  

See you in the Snowies.
Cheers, Tim.

The 10th Nats Committee is working hard to ensure the Jindabyne Nationals are memorable for all entrants, focussing on providing a quality event with excellent value goodies bag.  Entrants will receive a full-weekend package of meals vouchers (excluding breakfasts & Saturday lunch), official program, event shirt with logo and individual entrant mementos.

We're also hoping to provide entrants with a selection of quality 10th Nats merchandise to order prior to the event.  The list above is just a sample to gauge the level of interest among entrants, should we make the items available.  Final prices, photos & order forms will be posted if there is enough interest.

Cheers, Tim.

G'day Surferboy

It's a good time to ask about the weather, as it's this time next year that we hope to see you all in the Snowies.  It's been pretty sunny, but sometimes cool and windy with temps roughly 15-20...  

The next few days have showers forecast.  Will know more after my trip to Thredbo for downhill mountain bike race next week.  Should be great as water + dirt = mud = fun    

Do WA folk own jumpers?  If not, buy one to bring along next year...  that goes for Qld'ers too!  

Cheers, Tim.

Welcome FE-FC Fans to the 3rd Bulletin…

Check out the fantastic new look 10th FE-FC Nationals website, thanks to RET's renovations!  http://www.fefcholden.org.au/nats/nationals.html  (make sure you hit "refresh" if necessary)

Accommodation
Jindabyne’s Station Resort has finally confirmed accommodation prices for Easter 2005.  A list of room rates has been placed on the 10th Nats website and the Station Resort is now accepting reservations.  If you make an accommodation booking, please advise the 10th Nats Committee via nats@fefcholden.org.au

Entry Forms
The 10th Nats website also details goodies bag inclusions and the Station Resort’s weekend meals package (excl breakfasts & Saturday lunch) that has been incorporated into the 10th Nats entry fee for excellent value. Last but not least, Official Entry Forms have now been finalised, you can download & print the pdf version from the website.  Early entries receive a $20 discount!

Everyone Welcome
We hope to translate the large list of registered interest into early 10th Nats entries from all States.  We’re working hard to make this a quality event thoroughly enjoyed by all and look forward to welcoming all that cruise to the Snowies whether in restored originals, wild street machines or authentic/semi-modified daily drivers.

Registered Interest
If you have any questions or if any of your fellow club members would like to register their interest in receiving these bulletins via email, please let me know.  As of late March 2004, we have received over 70 expressions of interest to participate in the 10th Nats.  NSW have held their early lead with Qld still not far behind and Victoria making a steady move to catch up.

TOTAL = 72 Holdens

25 New South Wales
17 Queensland
12 Australian Capital Territory
11 Victoria
3 South Australia
2 Western Australia
1 Tasmania
1 New Zealand

"See you in the Snowies"
Cheers, Tim

G'day Guys

Reckon the idea of an interstate cruise to sweep everyone up in the same convoy sounds great.  Looking forward to seeing it roll into town, just wishing we ACT guys could be a part of it!

Also, I know you interstate blokes are only joking about snow covered mountains, making snowmen, needing snow-chains and bootload of firewood etc...  just thought I'd reassure those doubtful about the alpine regions, that this time of year in the Snowies is great.  

I went downhill mountain biking in Thredbo a couple of weekends ago and everyone is still walking around in shorts & t-shirts and getting sunburnt from the higher altitudes/clearer air etc.  Having said that, the alpine skies have been known to dump some snow out of season, but very rarely does it close local highways.

There were also plenty of guys fishing around the lake (if you're thinking about bring your gear along).

See you in the Snowies

Travelling to Jindabyne from all States:

VIC & TAS entrants:
Wodonga-Tallangatta-Walwa-Corryong-Jindabyne (315kms approx 4hrs)

SA & WA entrants:
Wagga-Hume Highway-Tumut-Kiandra-Cooma-Jindabyne (355kms-approx 4 hrs)

NSW & QLD entrants:
Goulburn-Sutton-Queanbeyan-Cooma-Jindabyne (280kms-approx 3 hrs)

Those entrants approaching Jindabyne through Kosciuszko National Park will be treated to spectular alpine views.  Whilst southerners travelling thru Khancoban to Thredbo will find the roads quite twisty at times, all the once gravel roads have now been sealed (not all maps will show this).

See you in the Snowies.
Cheers, Tim.

No worries Ken, I appreciate your support and valuable feedback.  Infact, I was reading your club's newsletter at our meeting tonight and noticed that you'd included our latest brief update in there.  I trust there is a fair bit of interest from Victoria and hope it gains some momentum once the next bulletin & website updates go live.  The Committee is reasonably excited about the package that we're able to offer entrants to celebrate the 10th Nats.  I'm sure you guys are also getting right into Victorian options for the 2006 Nats too!

See you in the Snowies.

Thanks for the feedback Ken, and thanks for responding RET.

The 10th Nats Committee feels it is worthwhile registering interest.  It allows each state to gauge numbers of those wishing to attend (prior to official entries being received), and allows us to distribute the latest information via email updates.

We appreciate that not all members have the time to regularly check these bulletin boards for new info, let alone the 10th Nats website.  So we'd like to send emails that reach everyone immediately, and allow clubs to share details via meetings/newsletters for those that are not online.

Whilst there has only been a couple of emails/bulletins thus far, they'll flow pretty thick and fast now there is only 12 months to go and 2005 prices are finally being confirmed.  RET mentioned that we've given him new info to be released on the 10th Nats website once the Committee returns from Jindabyne next week.  This will include final prices for Jindabyne's Station Resort and 10th Nats entry forms.

Finally, I can confirm Vic member comments that accommodation is indeed not a problem, with the Resort being exclusively reserved for 10th Nats entrants, and plenty of parking being available for all vehicles, tow vehicles and trailers.  Also, 10th Nats entries will be accepted up until end January 2005, with all entries received prior to end November 2004 entitled to a $20 discount.

So, stay tuned for a new bulletin next week!

See you in the Snowies
Cheers, Tim.

G'day Ken

After enjoying the summer siesta period, the FE-HR Holden Owners Club (ACT) will have its first 2004 meeting on Thursday 12 February.  The 10th FE-FC Nats Committee will meet soon afterwards and will post an email bulletin to update all FE-FC Club members interested in coming to the Snowies in Easter 2005.

We will post entry forms as soon as they're available.

Of course, we look forward to getting some more expressions of interest from Victoria, as NSW & Qld are currently leading the numbers.  We're also pleased to hear that a few Holdens are going to be travelling all the way from WA & NZ, aswell as SA & Tas.

TOTAL = 69 Holdens
24 New South Wales
17 Queensland
12 Australian Capital Territory
9 Victoria
3 South Australia
2 Western Australia
1 Tasmania
1 New Zealand

Cheers, Tim.

G'day Surferboy

Thanks for registering your interest, we're all looking forward to meeting the convoy as it arrives all the way from WA!  We hope to get a response from the Station Resort soon, in order to provide an update & entry forms.

In my experience, I can't recommend strapping longboards to the tops of FC wagons...  with the awesome speeds our '58 beasts generate, they're at serious risk of taking off!

Then again, it might be worth a test across the Nullabor, as I did hear GWBush saying he wanted to replace the NASA Shuttles by 2010.

Goodluck getting here either way, we'll all be praying for you!  Cheers, Tim.

G'day Guys

Interesting debate, all I can add is that I actually have a green one I got from John Wanner to go with my green car...  its in mint condition, but it may have been restored at some time.

Cheers, Tim.

Thanks guys, the 10th Nats committee is keen to receive feedback all the way up to Easter 2005...  part of our aim for the monthly updates is to keep people well informed and provide plenty of opportunity to comment etc.

Once we have confirmed some prices for Nats merchandise and clothing, we'll be polling potential entrants for their views on the options available.  When the sun is out in the alpine regions during Autumn, vests not only look good but do the job of preventing the old "perisher blue" nipples  

Stay tuned!
Cheers, Tim.