2006 Nats Torch Relay - TORCH's BIG DAY OUT

[-KIWI-]

i saw the torchy at the nsw club meeting in sept
but a couple of heavys stopped me from havin a word with him   big black buggers they was names were VICTA or something like that '
anyway when i was going from gold coast to sydney last month i sure i saw torchy (NAKED )but with a very healthy flame !!!on the beach at coolongatta with some chick called schapelle  
anyway they said they were going on a boogie board holiday to BALI or something like that ? ya could check her  shop on the coast might say when they are due back ?
BACK IN 20 PREHAPS or might have a contact p/h 1800-conviction  

[cruiser056]

Gday Everyone,

Firstly i hope everyone had a good christmas!

Secondly, the torch has been sent to SA, I am not sure of the exact date, but I will confirm.

There were many photos taken whilst it's stay in Qld, this are apparently being passed on to RET. Unfortunately I never saw the torch, I was not aware it was here until it was gone again.

Michael

[Sarge]

Nice to hear it made it up to the land of sunshine. Would have been even nicer to have been able to see it, or perhaps help show it around our wonderful state. Look forward to seeing the pics of QLD visit.

Cheers
Sarge

[RET]

OK, let's get this show "on the road again", like the Jindabyne Karaoke

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RET, Faecal and Torch with Opera House in background

Wider shot with front of Rusty's FE and Gertie visible.

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The convoy approaches the Harbour Bridge

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The view through Rusty's window

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The torch carried proudly aloft across the Harbour Bridge.  (No, the flame was not blown out...)

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[mcl1959]

Well done Richard - ahh, the magic "eternal" flame is still burning brightly    Good to hear

Ken

[RET]

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Now on the north side of the bridge, here's RET, Rachael & Ryan with the torch, looking back under the bridge to the city.

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Rusty & Torch with the Opera House in the background.

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The Torch Gang: RET, Rusty, Graham and Geoff.

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Geoff inspects Graham's neck bolts as Rusty looks on

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Rusty (Rusty_T on the forum, BTW), Torch, Graham and RET.

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Just for fun: RET and kids (Ryan's hat gives him away) under the Luna Park entrance.

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Rosalyn (Mrs Rusty) took this photo.  Somehow she managed to avoid being in any of the pictures...

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And with one last shot of the torch aloft, we scarper before we get booked for parking where we shouldn't outside Luna Park.

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And that's it for the Impromptu Torch Run.  Next, the Torch makes an appearance at our Club Meeting, as does Kiwi....

[cruiser056]

Hi all,
         I have just been informed today that the torch has shown up in SA, it was sent on the 5th December by registered post, but only just arrived.  Only the torch himself really knows where he has been.  Maybe a xmas break at the Whitsundays, lying on the beach.

Michael

[RET]

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The Torch made an appearance at our September Club Meeting, as did the infamous "Kiwi".  Here are all the meeting attendees (the torch is in there somewhere).

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The small rotund flightless bird, with Torch, and 10th Nationals sign.

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Our illustrious President leads from the front in showing how we treat NZers around these parts.

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And at long last (only 3 months late), that concludes the Torch's visit to Sydney, home of the 2000 Olympics.  We look forward to seeing what it got up to during it's time on the Mid North Coast and in the tropics amongst the mad people north of the Tweed.  

cheers
RET

[cruiser056]

Hi all,
        Here are some photos of the torch's visit to Qld.


One of South East Qld tourist icons, the big Pineapple


The torch soaking up some sun at beautiful Caloundra on the sunshine Coast


Taking in some nature at the Glasshouse Mountains


Visiting Winders Park, where the Qld nationals were held


Spending some time at the Isle of Palms resort, theaccomodaton for the Qld Nationals


The torch checking out the cars at this years Qld All Holden Day


The torch spending time at the Qld Xmas Party at Gatton west of Brisbane


Antother xmas party photo

It must have been too hot up here for the torch so he made his way south to South Australia for some cooler weather, and maybe some of their beautiful wines.

[ Edit by RET: fixed links to images (errant spaces in them), subsequent dialogue about busted links deleted ]

[mcl1959]

Well done guys - I especially like the shot at the Isle of Palms.  It appears everyone who was at the Christmas run saw the torch and had the opportunity to be in the photos.

Good stuff

Congrats on the photos - I'm very pleased to see a good contribution from the QLD guys and girls.

Ken

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

The SA Club had their run with the torch on Saturday the 7th, 14 cars all up.


At the old GMH Woodville Gatehouse.


Three FE sedans, 2 FC Utes, 2 FC Wagons and the rest FC Special Sedans






Some of the gang, others have more complete pictures of the group.


Outside the Holden Elizabeth Drive-thru


Kath's thumb


Just hangin' out

After this a contingent of the club went to some other prominent Adelaide locations followed by a visit to Alladin's Cave!

[Motörhead]

What an awesome collection of pics from NSW, Queensland and SA. To me, it reinforces the beauty of how strong the old (classic) Holden movement is and that it is here to stay, no matter what. I couldn't stop drooling at the sight of the SA club's two black FE's, looking at them only reinforced my long-term ambition to find me one of those!!! (naturally once I have replaced my 1-car garage with at least a 2-car garage)

I know it's a long shot but does anyone have any records or recollection of how many factory black FE's were produced in total??

Cheers ...... Pete

[mcl1959]

What a great turn out to a January run - 14 cars AWESOME.
We want to see more photos with the torch

Congrats to the SA club - top effort - looks like the club is really going along well over there.

Regards  Ken

Pete - literally thousands of Black FE specials were made - they were the preferred car for all government departments - Sort of the like the company car of the fifties.

I have records of many black FE's but like company cars of today - they were not treated well and most have gone now.  Because of the "company car" tag, they were not really popular amongst private buyers either.

Ken

[Martin]

Torch was in Adelaide over Christmas and decided to throw a party for a few relatives and friends.  Unfortunately this upstanding Victorian citizen over-indulged somewhat, as the following pictures show.

Here is Torch with some of his guests - a few of South Australia's "leading lights":



During the gift-giving, Torch decided he was the "Christmas Angel" and climbed the tree.



As the night wore on and more booze was consumed, the party became a little untidy:



Eventually, Torch really disgraced himself and headed for the garden for a yodel.



But it was a hell of a good party and Torch and his mates really had a great time.

[Martin]

More of the trip to GMH Elizabeth

SA Club Prewsident Ron Taylor takes Torch to the main entrance of GMH Elizabeth



More to come

[Martin]

Elizabeth

Torch tries to get in through the main doors



before seeing the sign and realising that it's Saturday



As they are about to leave Elizabeth, Torch asked Hot Lips (Kathy ) to take a photo of him infront of the sign



But Torch had an ulterior motive and really wanted to leave his own flame-coloured tag on the sign, but it's too late when Kathy notices what he's doing and drags him away.

[Martin]

A Day At The Beach

On a beautiful summer morning (typical of Adelaide) Torch decided it would be fantastic to take a swim at the beach.

Ready to go for a swim



The ever-vigilant Torch sees a damsel in distress and rescues her, applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (I think)



LOOK OUT, TORCH - BEHIND YOU!!



In an instant, Torch whips around to see what everybody's shouting about:



Not to be intimidated by a cruddy little fish, torch ducks and eye-balls the shark



Seeing the fierce looking Torch, the shark turns and flees, chased by our hero



After all the excitement, Torch relaxes on the beach to tan up a bit (something he can't do in Victoria as he tells us the sun only shines for 5 minutes each summer).  Unfortunately he attracts a crowd of big-arsed groupies

[Kathy]

Fantastic work Martin & the SA crew.  Loved it.  Looks like Torch's naughty side came out again in SA.

Kathy

[Martin]

Torch tours S A

While he's been in SA, Torch has toured with club members.

Here he is at Mount Lofty, overlooking Adelaide, with Greg Drinkwaterand Scott Millar (Collecta)







He also went to Montefiore Hill, overlooking the city skyline, with Adelaide Oval on the foreground

[Martin]

Torch visits the Clare Valley

Torch had a couple of days in the Clare Valley to sample the famous Clare Valley wines.  Here's a couple of pics:



Amongst the vines