Lotus Photos: Club Lotus Australia's 50th Anniversary

Image thanks to David Molloy

Over a long weekend from the 23rd to the 25th of June, we made our way out to the ‘Mountains to celebrate 50 years of Club Lotus Australia, and the people and cars who have made it what it is today. Scroll along, and enjoy a few photos from Saturday’s concours d’elegance and gala dinner.

After a blustery Friday evening, we awoke to a beautifully crisp and sunny morning on Saturday – perfect conditions for the concours d’elegance, for which the Fairmont had given us the carpark roof. We braved the steep driveway, and put on a tremendous display of the marque’s past, present and future – with perhaps the most S1 Elises your author has ever seen in one place. It was wonderful to see so many old and new faces, and spend the morning chatting in the cool mountain sunshine.

After hanging out in the car park until late morning, it was time for a bit of a break, or a spot of adventure, before the event picked up again in the evening. Small groups made their way out on drives to local pubs, went to grab a bite in Leura, did some exploring, or took the opportunity for a siesta to prepare for the evening.

Then it was time to don our finery and gather in the ballroom for the formal part of the event. Everyone looked wonderful in their evening dress, with particular mention of our president Ashton who took the ‘dress’ aspect very seriously.

The food and wine flowed freely, our speakers William Taylor and Richard Gibbs and MC Graham Balfe were excellent, Brian Caldersmith’s slideshow provided some wonderful opportunities to reminisce, and the Lotus 12 brought up by Mike and Gene Bennett and Eletre and Emira brought by Richard and Angela served as an tremendous representation of the ‘past, present and future’ theme of the event.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark the half century of the club, everyone who contributed to making it both possible and a great success, and particularly our wonderful organising committee for your tireless efforts throughout the planning and production.

Images thanks to David Molloy