November 11, 2013
Morning shoppers in Kingaroy could have been forgiven for thinking they had stumbled into a motor show in Haly and Youngman streets on Saturday.
There were speedway cars, hot rods and street machines, and a string of Harley-Davidsons to keep local petrol heads happy.
There was a real buzz on the corner as people moved from one event to another, all within a few metres of each other.
At the Down Under Cellars, there was a display of speedway cars with drivers chatting to fans and signing autographs.
The display was a promo for the Kingaroy Speedway but was also a very special fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Australia, an organisation close to the heart of one of the speedway drivers.
Nick Girdlestone, from the Gold Coast, has a special connection to the charity which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
His daughter Zoe wanted to visit Paris to see the grave of legendary Doors frontman Jim Morrison, something Make-A-Wish made come true.
After that she became an ambassador for the charity.
Sadly Zoe died of cystic fibrosis in 2009.
“She lived her life to the full,” Nick said. “She packed a lot into her 19 years.”
After she died, her family decided to initiate a special memorial speedway race in her honour to continue raising funds for Make-A-Wish.
This is the third year that the Zoe Girdlestone Memorial Race has been run for Dirt Late Models, but the first time it has come to Kingaroy.
“The South Burnett Speedway Club has got right behind it for us,” Nick said.
Across the road at McDonald’s, the South Burnett Gas Guzzlers club had a display of hot rods and street machines as part of the annual McHappy Day fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House.
The vehicles lined the footpath around the corner while celebrities and local politicians served up burgers inside. There was also a gym display while music pumped.
The two events also coincided with Kingaroy Motorcycles’ annual Demo Day where riders could test-ride the latest model Harley-Davidsons.
It was also an opportunity for local bikers to show off their machines, which made an impressive display parked along Haly Street.
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Speedway Fan Appreciation Morning
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Harley-Davidson Demo Day
Across the road in Haly Street, Kingaroy Motorcycles were holding their annual Harley-Davidson demonstration day.
There was an impressive display of Harley-Davidsons parked along the street while their owners mingled on the footpath.
The riders, including members of the South Burnett and Sunshine Coast chapters of the Harley Owners Group, had the opportunity to test the 12 Harley demonstrators that business owner Steve Hood had organised for the day.
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McHappy Day
Across Youngman Street, a display of vehicles from the South Burnett Gas Guzzlers Club, music and an exercise display were attracting plenty of attention at the McDonald’s Family Restaurant.
Local councillors and celebrities were serving customers at the front counter and in the drive-thru; $2 from every Big Mac sold went to assist Ronald McDonald House Charities.
