FRIDAY - 30 March
On Friday there will be an optional run to a picnic lunch venue. Entrants can elect to pre-purchase picnic lunch, or bring their own lunch. This is a relaxed time to catch up with old friends and make new ones – to talk cars, to hit a ball or to sit back and have a snooze.
Friday dinner is a time to do some more catching up over a fish and chips meal. This will occur at a venue a short drive from the Nationals HQ. Dinner is included in your entrant’s fee, but drinks are extra from the bar.
SATURDAY - 31 March NOTE: CHANGE OF VENUE
Up bright and early for the big day of the Nationals – the Show’n’Shine. From Nationals HQ the cars will drive in convoys across Canberra to Hall Showground in the village of Hall. This is a change of venue and the Show'n'Shine will NOT be in the Parliamentary Triangle. Cafes and shops in Hall will be open and there will be food vendors on site at Hall Showground. There will also be a shuttle service to the many cafes and shops at nearby Gold Creek village precinct.
The public are invited to come along for the chance to see an array of FE and FC Holdens. A taste of what will be on show can be found at the page for “The Cars”. Here you will find pictures of cars from previous Nationals and pictures of some of the cars already entered for the 17th Nationals in Canberra in 2018.
The Show’n’Shine will bring together top show cars from across the country, together with unrestored cars that show the signs of 60 or so years existence. There will be cars that have been owned from new by the current owner, or been in the one family all or most of the life of the car. There will be cars that have been brought back from the brink of destruction by neglect and rust – each nut, bolt, panel and piece of chrome taken apart and restored to better than new. There will be stock cars that are just as they were when they came out of the factory, and there will be modified cars that show how top craftspeople and mechanics can make something that will take your breath away.
Entrants can choose to have their car judged, but many will be happy just to display their pride and joy, and have a chat to anyone who would like to stop and share memories of the days when Holden filled the roads of Australia.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Entrants will enjoy a sit down dinner on Saturday night. The venue details will be provided to entrants closer to the event. There will be live music to dance to and a fun night to be enjoyed.
It is tradition to dress up for Saturday dinner. The theme for the dress up at Saturday night dinner at the 17th Nationals Canberra will be: Come dressed to show us where you live. Canberra is the meeting place for all Australians, so show us who it is that sends us all those troublesome politicians by showing us who you are.
If you are from Orange or Blacktown or the Gold Coast, you might like to come dressed in orange, black or gold. If you are from Box Hill – maybe a carton outfit. From Hoppers Crossing? Try some rabbit’s ears. If you are from Penguin Tasmania or Bundaberg Qld - you know what we are expecting. Maybe you can dress to show the industry or tourist drawcard of your location – miners, farmers, surfers, ski-ers. You get the idea. The most imaginative and creative costumes will win points for your state or territory in the inter-club/inter-state challenge that is conducted across the Nationals.
SUNDAY - 1 April
On Sunday morning we will gather at HQ to head off on a drive around some of the areas outside the Canberra city limits. We will end up at Queanbeyan Park, Campbell Street Queanbeyan. The traditional ‘sports day’ of non-traditional sports will be held. This is part of the inter-state challenge and will involve activities for all ages and abilities. You never know whether you will need to change a tyre or play frisbee with a hub cap at the sports day, but you know it will be a laugh and only a little bit serious for the diehards.
Lunch is included for entrants in a relaxed picnic/park setting – bring your folding chairs and sun hats.
Sunday afternoon is free time to potter about, catch up some more or just chill out.
Sunday night is the presentation dinner. There is a treat in store and this is a chance to dress up a bit, get out of club clothing into something classy and have a top meal at a great location.
Trophies are presented during the evening to the owners of those cars found by our judges to be the best of the best from around the nation.
MONDAY - 2 April
Well all the official stuff is over and done with, but there will be people still around to have some more conversation with. It’s Easter Monday and a public holiday, so take your time packing up and hitting the road.
And then, do it all again in 2 year’s time.