CHRA 21st Birthday and Reunion

23rd October 2004

21 years on and we're still kroozin!

Once upon a time, in the Nation's Capital, in the world of hot rods, many Canberra Rodders decided there was a need for an open forum for all the enthusiasts in the region. Well, that was back in 1983, and on the 23rd October, 2004, we celebrated 21 years of Roddin'!
The birthday party was held at the White Ibis Holiday Village, (Bidges Road, Sutton), a location well known for many years of CRAKK runs and other CHRA events. 
The evening kicked off when MC Choco Munday gave the order for everyone to take their seats for the sumptuous meal. This provided the opportunity for the President, Mark Saunders, to officially welcome everyone and to introduce Dennis Moreau, the CHRAs very first President, to say a few words. Dennis reminded us all how the CHRA came about, and pointed out the fact that there were many in the day that said "it wouldn't last". An Association of club and individual Hot Rodders? No way!

But 21 years down the track, and the CHRA is still going strong, with the same values and objectives as laid our in the original constitution. 
larry.JPG (300660 bytes) Choco then welcomed the guest speaker for the night, Larry O'Toole, of Graffiti Publications. Larry gave an interesting and humorous look at what we really were - "Problem Solvers" - and how true were his words!
mojo.JPG (97053 bytes)

Following Larry's talk, all party-goers were treated to the sounds of local band Mojo and the party began in earnest.
During the first break, Choco invited the President, Mark Saunders, to recognise individuals who have made the CHRA and the CRAKK run a success. 
roy.JPG (275476 bytes) Our two Honorary Members were recognised -  Roy Lustre and Stumpy Green. Roy Lustre was the proprietor of the Caltex servo on the Federal Highway during the first three or four CRAKK runs. Without Roy, we wouldn't have been able to do the things we did back then, particularly the 1993 CRAKK run. Among other things, Roy was responsible for the Goodies Buckets right from the beginning, and this tradition has stayed with the CRAKK run to this day. 
stumpy.JPG (97061 bytes) We also garnered support from a local enthusiast who had set up a high performance auto parts shop in Belconnen. Stumpy's Speed Supplies played a major role in the construction of many hot rods in those early days, and members of the CHRA benefited greatly from the generosity and spirit of the store's proprietor, Stuart "Stumpy" Green. His support for the rodding fraternity and the CRAKK run continues to this day, and Green Light Mortgages are major sponsors again of the CRAKK run. 
So far, only two members have jointly been granted the distinction of Life Membership. Those two members are Choco and Vicki Munday.

On this night, another dedicated ACT Rodder was honoured with Life Membership. 
gt1.JPG (408574 bytes) Not only has this person been a full time member of the CHRA since its early days in the late 80s, he has been a major sponsor of the CRAKK run since its inception. He has taken on the roles of President and Treasurer at various stages over the life of the CHRA, was a CRAKK run coordinator and has stood on most CRAKK committees. He has been a tireless campaigner for our Dragway, has exercised his talent and skills in support of rodders in this area, his generosity in his support is legendary and all this while running one of the most successful businesses in Fyshwick. Mark then welcomed Graeme Thomas as our new Life Member for the CHRA.
party1.JPG (100883 bytes) Sue Bryant then hosted the first of the "audience participation" segments of the evening. She quickly had the party in full swing, and the antics of the participants was, to say the least, uproariously funny. It takes a very sick mind to come up with these types of party games!
mark_dennis_cake.JPG (190276 bytes) Along with the band, the continuous display of CHRA Rodding History on the big screen and the layout of CHRA and CRAKK memorabilia, the festivities continued as the birthday cake was rolled out and cut jointly by the first President, Dennis Moreau, and the incumbent President, Mark Saunders.
andrew egan.JPG (104744 bytes) The rest of the evening was one big party, with lots of music, beer, laughter, fun, beer and games. Thanks to the organisers of the birthday bash, Sue Bryant, Vicki Munday and Mark Saunders, it was a huge success!