We made the announcement we were starting again and straight away we ended up with nearly 50 vehicles.
- David Maurice, CVPVC vice-president
Organisers of Mudgee's Coffee and Cars were blown away by the response to the return of the monthly event, because it wasn't just the regulars keen to see it back, they welcomed some new faces - and machinery - as well.
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The free event is held on the third Sunday of each month at the Mudgee Railway Station, for owners of - or those interested in - cars, motorbikes and trucks, to show off their pride-and-joy and chat with like-minded enthusiasts.
Following the outbreak of Coronavirus and the subsequent restrictions on gatherings, the event was suspended. However, host the Cudgegong Valley Pioneer Vehicle Club (CVPVC) worked on and obtained approval for a COVID-Safe Plan to bring Coffee and Cars back for August.
Club vice-president, David Maurice, said they knew the regulars were keen to see the event return but they didn't expect the response they got. With the new-comers on the day also making for a pleasant surprise.
"Everyone was very, very happy with it. We finished the day with almost 50 cars, which came from Dubbo and Geurie and outside of town as well as local cars," he said.
"We had regulars and new cars as well that we had never seen before, from some people who were new to the area - which was very interesting and very pleasing to see. And they were cars that drew a lot of attention too.
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"It's really encouraging, considering that we were closed down for five months. And when we made the announcement that we were starting again, straight away we ended up with nearly 50 vehicles.
"It was just very pleasing to get that kind of reaction and interest back so quickly."
The COVID-Safe Plan involved a 50 vehicle limit and sign-in upon entry, with the details held in the club safe for two weeks should any problem arise with the virus then destroyed. And marshalls checking the distancing of 1.5m and four-metre limit for people, with masks offered for a gold coin donation.
"We had people monitoring the social distancing for our COVID-Safe Plan and it went over really well. We didn't have anyone complaining too much about it," Mr Maurice said.
"The police circulated past twice and didn't have to pull up for any issues. And generally, the reports we've had back people were happy with the organisation and how it all went.
"So we're back again on September 20 and we're going to innovate further with a few things, just to make it a bit better again."
- For more information, or to check out photos from previous events, head to facebook.com/mudgeecoffeeandcars/