Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016

Simon Strauss & Vince welcome rallygoers
Club President Ben de Boer
Simon’s 190 SL
Novotel Cocktail party in full swing
Our elegant Club members enjoying cocktails
The Rally Events
Registration & Cocktail party - Evian Delfabbro
“Members of the Australian Mercedes-Benz clubs meet
Carrie Bradshaw’s legacy.”
BBasement three of the Novotel at Brighton Beach
on Friday afternoon, March 11, looked more like a
preview at a Shannon’s Mercedes-Benz focussed
auction, than a regular car-park. It was the first
day of the 2016 National Rally and there were an amazing
array of vehicles on display.
Rally goers were initially greeted by Eros Lazzaro and
his effervescent wife Maria, in the hotel foyer, where they
picked up their Rally Kit before making their way with
their precious metal down to our exclusive parking level.
The 1957 300SL Roadster (W198) convertible, parked in
the porte-cochere of the hotel, was a show stopper and
having heard that Ray and Sue Lodder drove her up from
Melbourne, elevated all three to hero status. Also in the
driveway were the Harris’ 1979 350SL (107) and Simon
Strauss’ ever eye-catching 1962 190SL (W121) were
comfortably displayed inside the foyer.
The Presidents from each of the attending states took
the opportunity to have a formal meeting between
registration and the welcome party. Complimentary
drinks were provided in the nautical themed lounge, as
guests stretched their legs and waited for some Bay View
rooms to be made available.
The welcome cocktail party commenced at five thirty and
within twenty minutes, over 190 people from around
Australia, New Zealand and the US were reminiscing,
reconnecting and enjoying refreshments. Old and new
members, Presidents, Committee-holders, Sponsors
and friends of the Club were trading travel tales… and
Sydney’s traffic woes did not go unnoticed. Barry and
Isabelle Dibley, who have attended every Rally, took to
some seats and showed off their magnificent collection of
Rally grille-badges and photos from the past events.
Vince Thompson welcomed everyone and reminded
us all of the effort that goes into organising one of
these Rallies. He introduced Ben de Boer, MBCNSW
President, to the say a few words. Simon Strauss, the Rally
President, thanked the great turn out of attendees with
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