It’s Holden heaven

Lisa Chambers from Cranbourne won three awards - Best Touring Car, Rotary Award and Best E Series Modified HSV. 166123 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Casey Neill

More than 400 Holdens rolled into Dandenong for a fresh take on an annual fund-raiser.
The Dandenong All Holden Car Show at the Dandenong Showgrounds on Sunday 2 April featured expanded trophy categories, lots of food, advice and demonstrations from experts and kids’ activities.
New event chairman John Ternel said plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the most paraded Holdens was shelved at the 11th hour.
“The word paraded has two interpretations in Australian and British dictionaries,” he said.
“They wanted us to parade the cars over a three-kilometre circuit. We couldn’t and offered to parade in the showgrounds as on display.
“They wouldn’t agree so we had to cancel.”
The record attempt is now on the cards for next year.
Mr Ternel said he was still counting up how much cash the event raised for the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills.
He said the event attracted several fresh faces, some of whom took home trophies.
“It was great to see people getting the bug for car shows,” he said.
“Stand out – that’s how you win trophies.
“You’re not copying someone.
“You’re being an individual, you’re different.”
Mr Ternel said the advice was especially true for female competitors.
He said he was thrilled to see an increase in the number of women entering cars.
“You get to see a different interpretation,” he said.
“You’re seeing very different cars being produced.”
One woman had restored a car burnt out in the Black Saturday bushfires.
“It was a good story to hear,” Mr Ternel said.