President's Message

Alfisti,

Winter is now upon us, but the Club is moving forward with a variety of activities organised by key members. These include competition, displays, drives and social events.

The major event for the month of May was the Club's Annual Awards Night. This was held at the Veneto Club after the usual monthly Club Night meeting. Complimentary food and drink in a relaxed atmosphere provided a lead up to the awards presentation which was hosted by our Vice President, Bruno Colautti. The night was well attended, with Max Maltese assisting Bruno with photography and our Patron, David Wright presenting the awards. Thanks to all Club award and competition trophy winners for their contribution to the Club.

The month's activities started with the Club Breakfast at Brunetti Classico in Carlton followed by Sandown Competition combined with the mid-year Show & Shine and the usual midday parade laps. Three great events on the one day. Mid-month the Goldfields Chapter held a drive from Ballarat to Pomonal Estate winery near Halls Gap for a well-earned lunch after a scenic tour via Skipton. On the Sunday, the Club had a quality classic car display at Auto Classico in Maling Road. Finally at the end of the month, club members attended the annual Classic & Historic Car Show at Panty Fresh Deli in Clayton. Despite the rain, this was a successful fund-raising event for the Cancer Council of Victoria.

I have to call out to Brett Bereau who could not attend Sandown Competition due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery. Thankfully numerous volunteers assisted at the last minute to maintain a safe and successful event.

June's first event will be the Vice President's Sunday Drive through the Dandenong Ranges while some Goldfields' members will be displaying their cars at the Festa Della Repubblica Italiana in Ballarat. In mid-June we have a Club dinner at Fedele's Ristorante Italiano in Glen Waverley. Then at the end of the month is the annual Sunday Drive from Tooradin to South Gippsland for lunch at Corinella or Kilcunda.

We have now implemented the new Club website and Membership portal. The content on the web site is being updated as new information becomes available, especially the calendar items - which tend to be dynamic. Unfortunately, we have some temporary image display issues with the Forum, yet to be fixed.

Further planning has taken place and a tentative booking has been made for our Spettacolo Festival. The Show & Shine will be improved and Concorso will incorporate Classic, Preservation and Modified classes with a new Modern Classic class too. More information will be available as the event gets closer.

To continue the smooth running of the club, we are always seeking assistance with the conduct of events. There are also still several outstanding roles for co-opted members; particularly, to manage Club Shop and its merchandise, and the Club's Archive & Historical Documentation.

ALFESTA

AROCA Victoria will be hosting ALFESTA 2024 in Lakes Entrance next Easter. Details are on the web here: https://www.alfesta2024.net/ Bookings are already open, so if you would like to join us at our Alfesta in 2024 get in early and book now, or risk missing the best AROCA event of the year.

 Otherwise

If you would like to get involved with planning a Drive or Register event, or to assist at a Club meeting or Competition event, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Check the calendar on the Club's website for new and updated events. You will also find event information on the Club's Facebook page, in the Club's quarterly magazine Cross + Serpent, and in the monthly newsletter Notizie Alfisti.

Stay safe & well,

John Hanslow
President, AROCA (Victoria Division)
June 2023