History of Alfesta
Alfesta is hosted each year by a different state division. We can thank the Victorians for the first Alfesta in 1975, albeit they were already having a good time without the rest of the states for four years before the event became national. Victorian member Bob Gardiner coined the name Alfesta for the first official national gathering of Alfa Romeo owners. It was held at Lake Boga, near Swan Hill in Victoria over the Queen's Birthday weekend. About 45 participants - three from Western Australia, one from Queensland, a small contingent from New South Wales, and the rest from the host state of Victoria - enjoyed a motorkhana and BBQ, a visit to the motor museum, and dinner on a river boat.
In 1976 Alfesta was once again held over the Queen's Birthday weekend, in Tanunda, Barossa Valley, South Australia. With additional clubs now formed in New South Wales and Queensland, this Alfesta on the Queen's Birthday weekend included a motorkhana, economy run and concours, with visits to the Birdwood Motor Museum and various wineries and began to feel like a national event. The South Australian Club was officially formed later that year. A small contingent from Queensland came armed with a bold proposal to formalise future Alfestas by holding them each Easter, with the four eastern states hosting them in turn. In addition, AROCA (Qld), less than twelve months old, offered to host the next Alfesta – an offer that was quickly accepted by the other state committees.
Alfesta 77 didn't disappoint. It's reported that participants enjoyed what was up to that time the best organised Alfesta, held at Broadbeach Hotel on the Gold Coast, once again over the Queen's Birthday weekend. The 1978 Alfesta, hosted by New South Wales and held at Leura in the Blue Mountains, was the first Alfesta held over Easter and the beginning of a tradition that has continued ever since. Victoria once again hosted Alfesta in 1979, with about 100 people participating in the festivities. In keeping with the times the festivities continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s - full of fun and merriment which was synonymous with what Alfesta had become. Through the decades, Alfesta has provided an opportunity for Alfisti from all over Australia to get together and enjoy a weekend of cars, food and entertainment. Many lasting friendships have been formed at Alfestas past, and there's no reason for that to change any time soon. If you're curious about the venues, activites and shenanigans of previous Alfestas, read on.
1975 Lake Boga, Swan Hill, Victoria The first meeting known as Alfesta, with 45 participants, still mostly Victorians, but a small contingent from interstate. Events included a motorkhana, a visit to the motor museum and dinner on a riverboat.
1976 Tanunda, Barossa Valley, South Australia With additional clubs now formed in New South Wales and Queensland, this Alfesta on the Queen's Birthday weekend included a motorkhana, economy run and concours, with visits to the Birdwood Motor Museum and various wineries, and began to feel like a national event. The South Australian club was officially formed later that year. A small contingent from Queensland came armed with a bold proposal to formalise future Alfestas by holding them each Easter, with the four eastern states hosting them in turn, and in addition offering to host the next Alfesta.
1977 Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland Despite the proposal to hold future Alfestas over Easter, the difficulty of obtaining accommodation at that time saw it revert to the Queen's Birthday weekend for the last time, with accommodation at Lennons Broadbeach Hotel. Visits to Sea World, Binna Burra and Advancetown Dam, with a concours at Surfers Paradise Raceway and presentation of trophies at a dinner dance resulted in attendees voting it the best organised Alfesta yet.
1978 Leura/Katoomba, New South Wales The first Alfesta at Easter, starting a 45-year tradition. Heavy rain in Sydney closed many roads out of the city, and the drive up to the Blue Mountains was slow and wet. The rain continued over the weekend, but fortunately, the visit to the Jenolan Caves was by coach. An observation and economy run was held on Sunday, finishing at the Norman Lindsay Gallery with popular voting for the best maintained Alfa.
1979 Mulwala – Yarrawonga, Victoria With around 100 attendees, this Alfesta's highlights were the observation and economy run, the Saturday visit to Winton Racetrack with demonstration laps by Ern Stock's Tipo 33, and the Sunday ferry cruise on the lake.
1980 Adelaide, South Australia Again, 100 people attended, staying in Adelaide City and enjoying a train trip to Strathalbyn, an observation run to Hahndorf and visits to wineries. On Sunday, a convoy of Alfas drove to Yalumba Winery for lunch and a concours judged by popular choice.
1981 Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Queensland Returning to the venue of the first Queensland Alfesta, but now at the planned time at Easter, and the usual attendance of around 100, the weekend started with a launch cruise to Stradbroke Island, water-skiing and barbecue lunch. Saturday was an observation run and motorkhana followed by a cabaret night, with a hill climb event at Mt Cotton on Sunday, finishing with the traditional dinner dance and trophy presentation. A sad note was the news that one of the planned attendees and pioneer of the Victorian club and the Alfesta concept, Bob Gardiner, had tragically died while competing at Sandown Circuit just days earlier.
1982 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory The New South Wales club hosted this Alfesta in the ACT, staying at the Canberra International Motor Inn, with rooms looking down into an internal courtyard displaying the Alfa Tipo 33. This provided excellent viewing, and even better acoustics when Ern Stock was encouraged to fire it up! Events included a cruise on Lake Burley Griffin, visits to a sheep station and historic Lanyon Homestead and the usual competitive events and presentation dinner, where the inaugural Bob Gardiner Memorial Trophy was presented.
1983 Ballarat, Victoria Held at the Old Sovereign Hill Motel and featuring trips around Ballarat by tram, In addition to the traditional competitive events, the highlights of this Alfesta appear to have been antics by various Queensland members at the Friday Night Mardi Gras and the Saturday Night theatre restaurant.
1984 McLaren Vale, South Australia The first Alfesta split over two accommodation venues with bus transport between them for meals. Friday's event was a cruise to the mouth of the Murray River, with the usual Saturday observation run and choices on Sunday of a sprint meeting at Mallala Motor Sport Park, visits to wineries or a bus tour around Adelaide City.
1985 Greenmount Beach, Queensland A morning at the beach and barbecue lunch at the resort was a relaxing start for the interstate travellers, followed by an afternoon drive to Currumbin Bird Sanctuary and a night at a theatre restaurant. Saturday's observation run ended with a concours and barbecue at Ern and Joan Stock's property. Sunday lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, a cruise on the canals and Nerang River, and the trophy presentation dinner topped off the long weekend.
1986 Wollongong, New South Wales Held at the Northbeach International Hotel, a Friday convoy drive to Berrima for lunch, an afternoon funkhana and a fancy-dress night got the weekend off to a strong start. Saturday continued with a bus trip to the Sydney Rocks area, with observation questions on the way, then the ferry to Manly for lunch and bus back to Wollongong. The highlight on Sunday was the observation run to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra and lunch in the Officers' Ward Room.
1987 Mt Beauty, Victoria The second Alfesta in the Victorian Alps featured some rare Alfas – a 1947 Golden Arrow and a Giulia SS. Friday's activity was a bus trip up the beautiful Kiewa Valley, and Saturday morning had options of driving the Winton Racetrack or a bus tour to a winery and air museum. The afternoon featured the popular funkhana, and Sunday had a display of cars before setting off on the observation run to Rutherglen.
1988 West Beach, South Australia Accommodation was a choice of villas and units in Marineland Village Caravan Park on the beach, with most meals and functions in the adjoining Surf Club. Friday's bus tour went to Victor Harbor, and Saturday featured a funkhana at a farm in the Adelaide Hills with a picnic lunch. The observation run on Sunday finished at the Birdwood Mill Motor Museum with a concours and an opportunity to view the museum's wonderful display of cars. That evening, a bus took all the participants to the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide City for a dinner dance and trophy presentation.
1989 Noosa, Queensland The first Queensland Alfesta to be held on the Sunshine Coast instead of the Gold Coast. After a frantic search for an alternate venue following a booking failure, this Alfesta in Hastings Street went well, with attendees from England, Canada and all mainland states. Friday included a boat trip to the Everglades and a return 4WD trip along the beach to the coloured sands; Saturday night featured a fancy-dress dinner at the Imperial Hotel, Eumundi, with an observation run and picnic lunch on Sunday. As an indication of the age group of attendees 36 years ago, the program noted each night: 'Children will be given dinner in the Hastings Room at 6.30pm.' The highlight of the formal Sunday night dinner was the presentation of a plaque to John Cotter, AROCA National President from the Canadian Alfa Romeo Owners Club.
1990 Windsor, New South Wales The venue was the Rum Corps Barracks and Friday was a fun day of sports in the morning followed by a muddy motorkhana in the afternoon. Saturday was a drive to Lithgow for a ride on the zig-zag railway, and Sunday was the observation run to Wiseman's Ferry, finishing at a sheep station for lunch and a concours.
1991 Marysville, Victoria Another late booking misfortune led to an urgent search for an alternative venue, and the Marylands Guest House proved to be an excellent choice. All Friday was devoted to games and sports and was voted the most fun at any day at an Alfesta up to that time. Saturday was a free day to continue socialising, and Sunday's observation run finished at a winery for lunch and a concours. A new trophy, The Spirit of Alfesta, was awarded for the first time at the presentation dinner.
1992 Tanunda, South Australia Friday's bus tour and associated quiz visited the Science and Technical Museum, historic Collingrove, and chocolate and toy factories in the Adelaide Hills. The Saturday dirt motorkhana at Mallala coincided with a historic race meeting at the circuit, and Sunday's observation run again finished at a winery for lunch and a concours.
1993 Fremantle, Western Australia The first event in Western Australia, requiring a long drive, train trip, or flight, across the country from the eastern states, all of which added to the excitement. Friday started with a tram tour of Fremantle, a cruise down the Swan River, a bus around the highlights of Perth and back to Pier 21 at Fremantle for an Arabian Nights-themed dinner. Saturday's observation run finished with lunch in the historic town of York and a free afternoon. The cars attending Alfesta and many other Alfas in Western Australia turned up for the display in the Fremantle Park on Sunday morning. The afternoon had options of go-kart racing or free shopping time. The presentation dinner awarded the Bob Gardiner Memorial Trophy, and since the recent passing of Harry Lewis, the newly named Harry Lewis Spirit of Alfesta Trophy.
1994 Noosa, Queensland Back to the Sunshine Coast, this time at the Noosa International Resort. The weekend started with a beach challenge, with red, white and green caps identifying teams for ball games and sand sculptures of various Alfa grilles and entire cars. Friday afternoon was an economy run into the hinterland, Saturday was the observation run followed by a bush dance, and Sunday a show and shine at Noosa in the morning and a motorkhana on the wet Kin Kin sports field in the afternoon.
1995 Maitland, New South Wales Held at the Country Comfort Inn, Friday was rainy, so the fun started indoors with six teams playing various games. Then the competition went up a notch after lunch with the challenge of building six replica Giulia TIs from supplied timber, cardboard and masking tape. The other challenges were then decorating them as Polizia cars and racing them around the carpark, resulting in numerous pieces of timber, cardboard and tape debris, and lots of laughter. Then more frivolity that night with a Blues brothers-themed dinner. Saturday's observation run led to a free afternoon. A show and shine at the resort on Sunday morning was followed by lunch at a winery and splitting into smaller groups to visit other wineries around Hunter Valley.
1996 Echuca, Victoria Twenty-one years after the first Alfesta at Swan Hill in 1975, with 45 attendees, this Alfesta returned to the Murray River, but this time with over 130 attendees. Friday started with a walk through the historic Port of Echuca, with an accompanying quiz and free time after lunch until the fancy-dress dinner. Saturday morning saw a parade of Alfas through the centre of Echuca to Aquatic Park for the show and shine display. The evening dinner was on the riverbank after a cruise on two famous Murray River paddle steamers. The observation run on Sunday finished at the Kyabram Fauna Park before returning to Echuca for the presentation dinner.
1997 Burra, South Australia Accommodation was spread between the historic Paxton Square cottages built in the 1850s and a nearby motel, with a large marquee erected in the square for various events, including Friday morning's team games and lunch. A heritage walk in the afternoon led to a gourmet seafood dinner. The observation run the next day was to a winery in Clare for lunch, with a free afternoon before the dress-up dinner based on Australian Icons. The Sunday morning show and shine was followed by a free afternoon to visit the historic mine and cemetery, then the presentation dinner with an opportunity to promote the following year's Alfesta in Brisbane.
1998 Brisbane South Bank, Queensland In a departure from the Gold and Sunshine Coast beaches, Alfesta '98 was held at Rydges Hotel, Southbank, just across the river from the Brisbane CBD. Friday began with a cryptic crossword at Southbank, followed by morning tea on Rydges' 14th floor, then a drive to Binna Burra for lunch, some rainforest walks, afternoon tea and a drive back to Brisbane. Cars were displayed at the Flag Court at Southbank for the show and shine and left there while the observation run took place on City-Cat ferries with lunch in New Farm Park. Sunday started early for those participating in driver training at Lakeside International Raceway, while others drove to Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Everyone joined up for lunch in the gardens and a drive around the Mt Coot-tha loop before returning for the presentation dinner and awarding the first Ray Sharp Memorial Trophy for the observation run.
1999 Batemans Bay, New South Wales After games on the lawn on Friday morning, attendees boarded the Clyde Princess for a cruise on the Clyde River, lunch and returned in time to prepare for the "B"-themed fancy-dress dinner. Saturday morning combined a show and shine and the observation run to Mogo Zoo for lunch. Sunday morning saw a convoy of Alfas head to Ulladulla for a parade up the main street and the annual Easter Sunday 'Blessing of the Fleet' tradition.
2000 Margaret River, Western Australia The second Alfesta in Western Australia, in the famous wine-producing region of Margaret River, started with team games on Friday, leading into the observation run and bus trip to a bush dance at a winery. Sunday's show and shine was held in Signal Park, Busselton, followed by dinner with presentations of trophies and Victoria's plans for Alfesta '01.
2001 Mount Buller, Victoria Held at the Pinnacle Valley Resort in Victoria's High Country, this Alfesta began with team games in the resort grounds, followed by a group photograph, a driving skills test, and a 'House of Horrors'-themed dinner. The observation run on Saturday and Sunday's show and shine, with free time to check out merchandise in the club shop, rounded out the weekend.
2002 Hahndorf, South Australia Friday started with an observation walk through the town of Hahndorf, followed by lunch at the resort and free time before a German-themed dinner. Saturday featured a drive to the show and shine venue in Glenelg and lunch at the adjoining restaurant, with the option of catching the tram into Adelaide. A unique table-top rally and quiz were held after dinner. A driving skills test at the resort on Sunday morning was followed by lunch and wine and cheese tasting at a local winery, then a free afternoon to visit either the Birdwood Mill Motor Museum, the local nature reserve, the Botanic Garden or other attractions in the area. The trophy dinner was followed by Queensland's presentation for Alfesta '03.
2003 Caloundra, Queensland Back to the beach by popular demand, the weekend started with a kite-making contest on the sand, then a drive through the hinterland for lunch at 'The Big Pineapple' and a free afternoon followed by dinner with special guest speakers, Peter Wherrett and Kevin Bartlett. Saturday included visits to the Eumundi Markets and the Majestic Theatre, Pomona, for a silent movie screening. Guests were then bussed to the Ettamogah Pub for a themed dinner dance. Alfas in the show and shine on Sunday were displayed on the Montville School oval.
2004 Bowral, New South Wales Held in the NSW Highlands, this Alfesta had a Scottish theme, starting on Friday morning with team tests of making shortbread, then bagpipes out of a hot water bottle, lengths of bamboo, balloons, a rubber glove, plastic tubing and electrical tape. Results were judged on looks and sound, of varying quality. A walking tour and quiz through the streets of Bowral followed in the afternoon, with a murder mystery dinner that night. Saturday's observation run ran through Kangaroo Valley in the rain, then returned after lunch to prepare for the Scottish-themed fancy-dress dinner. The Sunday show and shine was in Berrima, combined with visits to the numerous antique shops, before the presentation dinner.
2005 No Alfesta An alternative event, 'Carnavelle', was arranged in Milawa, Victoria.
2006 Ballarat, Victoria The second Alfesta was held in the historic gold-mining town, with 69 attendees, including two from the USA. Events included a treasure hunt and the usual observation run and show and shine but also featured a memorable Saturday night at Sovereign Hill to see the light and sound show Blood on the Wattle, the story of the Eureka Stockade.
2007 Berri, South Australia This Alfesta, in South Australia's Riverland region, followed a now familiar pattern – a Murray River cruise from Renmark on Friday morning and an observation run and show and shine on Saturday and Sunday mornings, with free afternoons.
2008 Mooloolaba, Queensland Again on the Sunshine Coast, at Mantra Resort, Friday started with a walking observation run and an evening sunset cruise on Whale 1, with dinner served in the smooth waters of the Mooloolaba canals. Saturday's observation run went through Kenilworth and the Mary Valley to the Roadcraft driver-training facility at Gympie, where around forty drivers experienced the skid pan. The show and shine on Sunday featured 75 Alfas on the tree-lined oval of Buderim Mountain State School. After the awards presentation Sunday night, Kevin Bartlett entertained with stories from his time as a driver for the Alec Mildren Team.
2009 Orange, New South Wales The lower car park of the resort was put to good use on Friday for morning games and afternoon driving skills, while the show and shine was held on Saturday with a vineyard lunch. The Sunday observation run finished at the Mt Panorama circuit in Bathurst to catch up with the motorsport fraternity of the club taking part in the Easter race meeting. A bonus was the opportunity for a parade lap of all the attending Alfas around the famous circuit during the racing lunch break.
2010 Phillip Island, Victoria This Alfesta was the best attended in the past ten years, commemorating the centenary of Alfa Romeo. It was moved from its traditional Easter weekend to take advantage of other Alfa-related events at the time. Some participants arrived early to attend an 'Alfa Only' two-day race meeting at Philip Island the previous weekend. The Friday morning games led into lunch and a tour of the Chocolate Factory, then a free afternoon to admire the ex-Fangio Alfetta159 on the resort lawn before being bussed to the famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. The observation run on Saturday finished at Seal Rocks for lunch then buses to dinner. After the Sunday morning show and shine at Cowes foreshore, cars left in convoy for the Phillip Island Circuit and a memorable lunch above the pit garages watching historic Alfas participating in the Phillip Island Classic of Motor Sport. The weekend finished with the presentation dinner and an optional post-Alfesta tour along the Great Ocean Road.
2011 Clare Valley, South Australia Friday began with a group photograph and games to get to know each other before lunch and afternoon free time to browse the club shop. Dinner was followed by a car-related quiz. The Ray Sharp Memorial observation run was held on Saturday, finishing with lunch at a winery, then free time before catching a bus to a local restaurant for dinner. The show and shine in a park on Sunday morning led to lunch and free time before the trophy presentation dinner.
2012 No Alfesta An alternative event, 'Turismo Tasmania' was organised by the Italian Car Enthusiasts of Tasmania as a five-day driving tour over Easter to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the 105 series Alfas. 95 people in 48 Alfas registered to participate, with most gathering in Melbourne for the voyage across Bass Strait in the vehicular ferry Spirit of Tasmania. With two-night stays in Launceston and Hobart, there was plenty of opportunity for drives out of each city to experience some of the Targa Tasmania special stages before heading to Devonport for the return ferry crossing to the mainland and home.
2013 Canberra, Australian Capital Territory The 'Capital Alfesta' was organised by AROCA NSW and its Canberra Chapter to coincide with Canberra's Centenary. The Friday morning activity was exploration of Lake Burley Griffin and the National Institutions around the Parliamentary Triangle, with further opportunity to visit the Capital's icons in the afternoon. The observation run on Saturday finished with lunch in the Australian National Botanical Gardens, with free time in the afternoon and a dinner dance that evening. A Sunday morning tour of landmarks led to the show and shine on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin at the end of Anzac Parade, and an opportunity for a tour of the Australian War Memorial. The presentation dinner was held at a restaurant at Mount Stromlo.
2014 Gold Coast, Queensland After almost thirty years, Alfesta returned to the Gold Coast to the RACV Royal Pines Resort. In a break from tradition, the show and shine was held Friday morning in the grounds of the resort, with the Mayor of the Gold Coast presenting the Mayor's Choice award. Saturday's drive into the Gold Coast hinterland ended with lunch at Sanctuary Cove, while another run on Sunday was a pleasant drive into Northern NSW followed by the presentation dinner.
2015 Creswick, Victoria Victoria's Spa Country was the venue for this Alfesta, commencing with a funkhana on the Ballarat Polo Field on Friday, then the Saturday observation run to Hepburn Springs Spa for lunch. The show and shine display on Sunday was held at the Daylesford Primary School, with the presentation dinner in the Hepburn Ballroom. The sad news was that John Edwards, life member No.1, the first president and founder of the club, had been booked to attend but had passed away just weeks earlier.
2016 Mt Gambier, South Australia Held on South Australia's Limestone Coast, Friday's event was the show and shine at Valley Lake Recreation Park, with free time to browse the club shop in the afternoon. Saturday's Glenelg River cruise required a short drive across the border and into a different time zone into Victoria, while the Ray Sharp Memorial observation run had the traditional finish for lunch at a winery. The Bob Gardiner Memorial Trophy was not presented this year and was discontinued at subsequent Alfestas due to the lack of competitive motorsport for which it was intended.
2017 Launceston, Tasmania This first official Alfesta in Tasmania was organised by AROCA Victoria to enjoy the local roads with a driving loop to Cradle Mountain on Friday. The observation run on Saturday was followed by dinner at a winery, while Sunday was devoted to the show and shine and the gala presentation dinner with guests bussed to Launceston Casino.
2018 No Alfesta
2019 Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Celebrating fifty years of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia and welcoming guests from the Netherlands and the USA, this Alfesta started with a leisurely walk around the town with an associated quiz and a free afternoon before a bus trip via a short chairlift experience to a Greek restaurant for dinner. The observation run on Saturday finished with lunch and a group photo at a winery before heading to the local drive-in theatre to watch the unlikely scenario of Polizia Giulia Supers being given the run-around by a bunch of Minis in The Italian Job. The show and shine on Sunday allowed members and visitors to admire a range of classic and modern Alfas before the presentation dinner, with some participants electing to extend the fun by joining the post-Alfesta tour on the way home.
2020 Planned for Toowoomba, Queensland Unfortunately, this Alfesta had to be cancelled at relatively short notice due to COVID-19 Pandemic state border closures.
2021 Maclaren Vale, South Australia With COVID-19 still raging, 75 members planned to attend at the Fleurieu Peninsula, and some were fortunate to enter South Australia only hours before the border closed again. Buses Friday morning transported everyone to Goolwa to board the Cockle Train to Victor Harbor for lunch and the return journey. The show and shine was held at the McLaren Vale Visitor Information Centre, with the Ray Sharp Memorial observation run on Sunday. Queensland members received the sad news that their president of four years from 1996 – 1999, Jan Wickham, had passed away.
2022 Port Macquarie, New South Wales A river cruise was the first planned event on Friday morning, followed by a visit to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, and ending with a party and dancing into the night. The car display on the Town Green on Saturday was an opportunity for owners and the public to mingle and admire the Alfas before attendees were bused to an amazing dinner at Cassegrain Winery. The observation run on Sunday finished with lunch at another winery, and the weekend finished with entertainment at an awards-style dinner. Even after three years, COVID-19 was still present, although fortunately now with much less severe implications, as almost half the 100 participants reported symptoms on the drive home.
2023 Toowoomba, Queensland This Alfesta, with over 90 attendees, was partly resurrected from the cancelled Alfesta three years earlier, and moved away from the coast to one of Queensland's largest regional cities. The weekend started with a walking tour and quiz around the Toowoomba CBD, followed by the observation run on Saturday and show and shine on Sunday, with free afternoons and the usual impressive dinners.
2024 Lakes Entrance, Victoria Almost 100 members attended Alfesta '24, including a contingent in convoy from Western Australia. Friday commenced with a short boat trip to the start of the walking tour, a free afternoon, and a dinner cruise on the Gippsland Lakes. Saturday's Ray Sharp Memorial observation run finished with lunch and a free afternoon before a bus trip to the dinner venue. The show and shine on Sunday took place at the Lakes Entrance Rotunda, and the gala dinner and trophy presentations that night rocked to a band. Members left on Monday morning, with some continuing on the post-Alfesta tour to visit Auto Italia in Canberra the following weekend.
