The first show of the 2025/26 Wandin Custom Car and Bike show series took place on Wednesday 19 November attracting hundreds of cars and almost a thousand spectators.
Vintage car and bike enthusiasts gathered en masse at the Wandin East Recreation Reserve for the highly popular event where prizes were handed out to those with the best vehicles.
Rotary Club of Wandin foundation chair Brian Hogdson said the show was a great way for car enthusiasts to celebrate.
“There was a real buzz in the air as car enthusiasts shared their motivation and enjoyed the large variety of food available.”
But, Mr Hodgson said the overwhelming enthusiasm from attendees might’ve been the event’s downfall with major traffic delays and lengthy queues causing chaos.
“Unfortunately the event did not start as planned.
“On behalf of the show committee Brian Hodgson wants to apologise to local residents for the inconvenience and particularly apologizes to those people attempting to drive home from work and facing traffic congestion.”
Once the traffic cleared the event kicked on well and many prizes were won.
Debbie Wilson won best original car for her 1966 S 600 Honda, which has been in the family for 50 years.
Meanwhile, best car in show went to Jim Mullins with a fully rebuilt 1967 Chevy Nova SS.
The event is a fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital and is the last seven years the Rotary Club of Wandin has given the Royal Children’s Hospital over $100,000.
The huge congestion was caused by a change in starting time for the event, and despite being “advertised extensively” in the show’s marketing material, people still showed up early.
“The event managers advertised extensively that gates would open at 5pm yet by shortly after 4pm over 100 cars were in a queue to get in. The roads became congested to such an extent that the traffic management team could not get into place.”
The show’s press release stated the start time was changed to 5pm in response to suggestions it ended too early.
“We also have difficulty recruiting our many supporting volunteers before 5pm,” the show’s press release stated.
“So, the gates will not open until 5pm. The event will not have traffic management in place before then and parking staff will not be on duty before then. It is requested that you don’t arrive early – it will only create unnecessary congestion on the roads. ”
Mr Hodgson said the message from attendees was “clearly received” and that in future the event will be staffed from 4pm.
Aside from cars and bikes, the show was also host to a rockabilly village with fashion from the vintage era, as cars and culture are often intrinsically linked.
The Rotary Club of Wandin was supported by the Templestowe and Yarra Valley Auxiliary of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Seville CFA, Wandin CFA, Upper Yarra Rotary Club and many individual supporters.
“I’m looking forward to the next show on 17 December and I’m taking steps to make the event even better,” Mr Hodgson said.
The show was one of four in the 2025/26 series, with shows taking place on 17 December, 18 February 2026 and 18 March 2026.
