PCV Gala Dinner & Awards Night at Porsche Centre Melbourne

from Porsche Parade 4-2022

by Composite Colour

New Members

Story: Adam De Guara Photos: Achilles Prinos (achillesprinos.com)

PCV Gala Dinner & Awards Night at Porsche Centre Melbourne

It was a night of fun, laughter, sensational entertainment, amazing catering and a venue the privileged attendees savoured!

The opportunity to appreciate fine dining during some truly remarkable and unique Porsche vehicles, steeped in history and full of fantasy. The setting, resembling a fashionista runway, through the very heart of the Porsche Centre Melbourne workshop, where our dreams and treasured vehicles are cared for and lovingly looked after. As the saying goes, the ‘workshop’ was ‘clean enough to eat off the floor’; a privilege our members thoroughly enjoyed.

The evening commenced with the serving of scrumptious canapes and fabulous beverage offerings with the members mingling in the service driveway at PCM (undercover of course). Many stories of the exciting races during the past season as well as challenges for the coming year were overheard; it should be an interesting year next year.

After an absence of a few years without the opportunity to host this premier event, the attendees were bursting with enthusiasm and relishing the opportunity to see both old and new faces. Many new members were in attendance together with a mix of members of all ages, celebrating the year that was. It was fabulous to see members mingling and sharing stories of their favourite runs throughout the year and socialised in a very refined yet relaxed setting. Following the canapes, the guests moved into the marvellous space with long tables spanning the length of the workshop. An enviable collection of Porsches on display, illuminated amongst the hoists and a setting every enthusiast would desire to be in.

The MC, the ever entertaining and extremely gifted tenor James Egglestone commenced the evening with a humorous introduction to the night, welcoming all guests and continuing with an amusing rendition of Grease Lighting and Nessun Dorma.

An eloquent speech by the President Mark Horton Andrews extended the welcome to all and kicked off the evening in style. Dinner was then served with an abundance of delicious offerings and accompanying beverages was enjoyed by all.

Post the serving of the extravagant spread, the awards presentations commenced with the worthy and illustrious winners presented with a stunning trophy to reward the heroics of the season past. Worthy recipients were Motorsport Club Champion Daniel Reynolds, Life Member to the much admired highly respected and major contributor to the Club Tony Carolan and the inaugural Darvall Club Member of the Year posthumously to Linley Baxter. Two further major motorsport award winners were Adam Stafford for Outright Champion and James Moyle for Rookie of the Year.

One of the many highlights of the evening was the first class entertainment provided by the world-renowned Patrick Roberts who has shared the stage with many famous performers including Sting and Tommy Emmanuel in concert. The audience was mesmerised by the beauty of the sounds created by the violinist and the myriad of songs performed.

Clyde White rounded off the night by acknowledging our guests Daniel and Constanze Schmollinger, Piero Pellegrini and Giles Hunter. He sincerely thanked Geoffrey Mould on behalf of the club for his tireless work in bringing all aspects of this event to fruition and personally, gave heartfelt thanks and bouquets to Carly Pasco and Lisa Gillespie in recognition for their efforts behind the scenes of PCV.

Clyde further thanked Porsche Centre Melbourne and particularly Kate Holcombe and Piero Pellegrini for their support and making the workshop available to the club. Piero addressed the guests and drew a door prize of a Taycan for the weekend. The winner was a delighted new club member Pauline Healy.

We look forward to another eventful year, creating lifelong memories, competition and fun in 2023.