Scenic Rim Town Crier, Sydney (AKA Syd) Norman and wife Pauline’s 1910 Maxwell AA (affectionately known as ‘Maxine’) received the greatest number of spectator votes at the 2024 Tamborine Mountain Car Show for them to be awarded the People’s Choice Trophy.
Councillor Amanda Hay presented Syd and Pauline with the winner’s trophy, which was hand-crafted by Men’s Shed member Jimmy Dunn.
A resident of Tamborine Village, Syd said, “I will especially treasure the People’s Choice trophy because it is locally manufactured.”
In addition to the trophy, the winner’s purse was $500 cash courtesy of Tamborine Mountain Tyre Service. The people voted ‘Maxine’ as their choice out of a field 159 registered show vehicles.
Built in Tarrytown, New York USA, Syd imported ‘Maxine’ to Australia in 2016 where she underwent an 80% restoration to bring her up to display condition.
Car Show organisers, Rotary E-Club of the Next Generation and the Men’s Shed were pleased that the show attracted a crowd of just under 2,500 spectators, who contributed approximately $30,000 into the local economy.
State Member for the Scenic Rim, Mr Jon Krause, MP assisted with the presentation of trophies and prize money totalling $2,500 courtesy of Eagle Heights Hotel, Carlo’s IGA Store and Rainforest Skywalk.
A $500 Tamborine Mountain Auto Clinic voucher for the Best Local Car in Show was awarded to Michael Linder for his VW Beetle. Last year’s People’s Choice recipient, Elton Walker, was again in the winner’s circle with his 1957 Chevrolet Wagon being awarded the People’s Choice second prize.
Acknowledging the financial, or in-kind, support from businesses sponsoring the Car Show prizes or the raffle prizes valued at $2,600, organisers publicly thanked Tamborine Mountain’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Treetop Challenge, Glow Worm Caves, The Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Golf Club, Orchestra (Hot 8 Jazz Band), Bella A’Capella Choir and Tamborine Mountain News; they also acknowledged Gold Coast’s Wake Park and Motor Museum, Bunnings Oxenford and Totally Workwear Clothing as well as Scenic Rim Regional Council.
Local residents were thanked for attending the show, as were the car enthusiasts, who presented their magnificent vehicles.
Thanks also to local resident Doug Bray, whose flat-top semi-trailer was reconfigured as a make-shift stage, to create an appropriate, theatrical backdrop for what was a memorable and very well-attended mountain event.
