TORANA TOUR
CRUISING FOR A CAUSE
Cars aren’t just cars, are they? If you’re reading our humble publication, we’re confident you’ll agree.
More than simple modes of transport, these hulks of steel, glass and rubber are vehicles in more ways than one; they’re vehicles for memories, a way to connect with people and friends, and – for the best of us – a way to give back to the community.
The Torana Owner’s Club knows this, and giving back to the community – namely the historic 130-year-old Queenscliff childrens’ charity, Cottage by the Sea – is at the heart of everything it does.
The club is a recently-formed collective of good-hearted mates and even before the club’s inception, many of the members have been supporting the charity – dedicated to supporting underprivileged children – for the past three years.
The club holds various fundraisers throughout the year – from casual car shows and raff les, to a club display at Cottage by the Sea’s annual fair in January. And every year on the club’s annual road trip down the Great Ocean Road, they stop by the historic homestead to drop off their funds raised over the year past.
But it’s not enough to just tell me over the phone, so one fine morning I was picked up by a f leet of skittle-coloured V8-powered Torries, and the guys took me down to see the Cottage, and the people behind it, in person.
We drove along the picturescue
“IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO FOCUS ON ONE CHARITY AND HAVE STUCK WITH IT SINCE”
Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento, and took the car-ferr y across to Queenscliff. I spent most of the drive inside the pristine red LX SLR 5000, owned by the club’s Treasurer Andy.
Loading the near-half dozen examples of beloved precious metal, the group of loud V8s, and even louder paint, drew comments aplenty from ferr y staff and fellow passengers.
We didn’t see any dolphins on the trip, but there was plenty of light-hearted banter and camaraderie. Vice President Craig even brought his mum along – who was bestowed with an honourary lifetime club membership.
Club President Mark Ellis made it clear that it was important to them to dedicate their efforts to one charity.
“It was important for us to focus on one charity, and a few of our members have been involved with the Cottage for a number of years. We simply took it on as the club’s charity of choice, and have stuck with it since”.
So what is Cottage by the Sea all about? “Our mission is inspiration, fun and opportunity,” says Bill Kerr, Head of Community Engagement and Relationships.
“We’ve been here for 130 years, originally looking after convalescent children recovering from health issues, though in the ’60s the homestead shifted its dedication to include the empowerment of underprivileged kids.”
“Some of these kids have never eaten with a knife and fork, or had a proper warm shower.”
“Today we operate for 48 weeks of the year, and take in 1300 children through our doors on various programs that are about empowering them to have the skills to make some change, and being continually engaged in their school and education”.
Cottage by the Sea takes in children from all backgrounds, encouraging them to complete group goals and learn skills – so that they may return to their communities as leaders, and with
“IT’S THIS POWER OF CHOICE THAT A LOT OF THESE KIDS HAVE SADLY BEEN DEPRIVED OF”
the capacity to “write their own story”.
It’s this power of choice and freedom that a lot of these kids have sadly been deprived of: born into unfortunate circumstances through no one’s fault except the large lottery of life.
The Torana Owner’s Club, having just turned 12 months old, is also ‘writing their own stor y’. It may not be the biggest club around, but they’re a great bunch of blokes who place a larger importance in connecting with each other and their community.
You can find out more about the TOC at toranaownersclub.org.au, and you can find out how to support Cottage by the Sea at cottagebythesea.com.au