AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
"COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR"
2016 & 2023
The Charters Towers Restorers Club were proud recipients of the 2016 and 2023 Community Events of the Year.
The Club are proud to have been recognised by the Charters Towers Community for the hard work involved in bringing this event to North Queensland for the past 44 years.
Vice President Rolf Skirde accepts the 2023 Community Event of the Year Australia Day Award from Councillor Matthews at the World Theatre. (photo courtesy of the Charters Towers Regional Council Facebook Page)
From the Charters Towers Regional Council Facebook page
"The Charters Towers Restorers Club hold an annual Car Show and Swap Meet in June that has been running for 44 years. This event, which (encompasses) cars of all makes and models from steam engine to modern day vehicles, attracts hundreds of visitors to the town, and boasts over 2000 people through the gates.
Every year the proceeds from this event helps local charities, for example, in 2022 the CWA received $3000.
This event is currently Charters Towers' 2nd biggest annual event and the committee is very proud of their achievements."
Also in 2016, we had a nomination for Phil Jones as Cultural Person Of The Year.
Phil has been, over the last 11 years, the visionary and driving force behind turning the Charters Towers Restorers Club "Swap Meet" into the Motor Show and Swap Meet we see today.
His vision of bringing high-quality, nationally-recognised Show Cars to Charters Towers has seen the show grow from a few cars on display at the Saleyards, to almost out-growing the Showgrounds and the event becoming a must-do in the North Queensland Motor Enthusiast calendar.
Phil's almost year-round dedication to the preparation and organisation of the Motor Show has added a well-run, family-friendly and strong event to the Charters Towers Calendar. Other events are now run off Phil's hard work to turn the weekend into an exceptionally busy one for the town and service providers in the area.
He's given the opportunity for locals who may not ever have the chance to see these exceptional cars, to experience them up close. It also brings old and new cars into town and creates a lot of "I used to have one of those" sorts of memories.
Although Phil did not take home the gong (this year!) Phil's dedication over the last decade to bring this event to Charters Towers is well appreciated within the club, and within the participants of the Motor Show, and his nomination was very deserved.