HISTORY OF GEELONG STREET RODDERS

At the first Australian Street Rod Nationals in Narrandera in 1973, it was apparent by the attendance of 20 or more Geelong based rodders (see list) that there was potential for the formation of a Geelong based street rod club. It was decided, at Narrandera, to arrange an inaugural meeting at Dave Griffin's panel beating shop in Station Street, Norlane on the second Tuesday after the Nationals.

Thus, on Tuesday May 8th 1973 the first meeting was held with the majority of those people above attending and it was decided that a club be formed and named "GEELONG ROD & CUSTOM CLUB". The first official office bearers elected were:

President: Dave Griffin
Secretary: Wes Bennett
Treasurer: Ian Harris
Scrutineer: John Davis
Promotions Officer: Wes Bennett

Geelong Street Rodders
P.O. Box 1445
Geelong 3220

Since the formation of the club and the subsequent name change to GEELONG STREET RODDERS the club has been involved in many charitable and rodding events. Throughout the years some of events include Geelong Gala Parades, Charity Car Shows, Rock & Roll Dances, Bus Trips and attendances at many inter & intra state Rod runs, Hot Rod Shows & Swap Meets. The club has also donated monetary funds to charitable organisations such as Multiple Sclerosis Society, Shannon Park Spastic Centre, Kardinia Homes & the Portarlington Primary School to name a few. Most recently we have been involved with the Queenscliff Lions Club with donations also to Cottage by the Sea

Throughout our 30 year history we have held club meetings at various venues including the North Geelong Hall, the ex- Ford Club in Ryrie Street, the Newtown Club, the Commun Na Feine Hotel, the Bayview Hotel, the Geelong Showgrounds and currently at our own Club rooms at Moolap reserve, Moolap station road, Moolap.

Over the last decade or more the club has hosted our bi-annual "SURF-OUT" Rod Run which has been held in the coastal towns of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff which has been a very successful club organised event for fellow Rodders. The club now hosts an annual Rod Run on the first weekend in February at Queenscliff with a show and shine inside the Queenscliff Fort on the final day of the run.

Geelong Rod and Custom Club Founding Members 1973

Bob Astall - T-Bucket , Gary Baum - 34 Ford Coupe, Tom Bartlett - V8 Falcon Coupe, Rod Bartlett, Wes Bennett - 35 Ford Coupe Ute, Steve Cartwright, Rod Chapman - 34 Dodge Coupe, Terry Dargue - 64 Compact Fairlane, John Davis - 60 Falcon Ute (V8), John Fergerson, Gary Gray - 32 Ford Roadster, Dave Griffin - V8 Rover, Brian Griffin, lan Harris - 36 Ford Coupe, Geoff Mathews - 34 Ford Coupe, Ken Mitting - V8 Zephyr Ute, Syd McKay - V8 Zodiac Sedan, Peter Smith, Greg Wilson - 67 Cougar, Reg Wilson - 65 Mustang