Emma Pritchard

The Grafton Aero Club is flying high after their popular annual event Wings and Wheels made a triumphant return on June 20 after being grounded last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Featuring an impressive line up of classic cars, hot rods, touring vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and stationary engines, alongside several aircrafts which sat proudly on display, the event attracted an estimated 4000 people over the weekend.

Entry was via gold coin donation, with all funds raised from the event being donated to the Grafton Base Hospital Oncology Unit.

While the exact amount raised was unknown at the time of publication, event organiser Kevin Wilson happily revealed there was “between $600 and $700 in notes” along with “piles of coins” in the donation bucket.

He also acknowledged and thanked the Grafton Gliding Club for donating “a few hundred dollars”, while raffles on the day raised another $1000.

“Wings and Wheels is a fun day out for everyone and it’s our contribution to the community,” Mr Wilson said.

“There were a lot of people who came along on the weekend and we’re really appreciative of the support we received.”

Some of the vehicles on display travelled from Southern NSW and Queensland to participate in the event.

Mr Wilson said following the events cancellation in 2020, the Grafton Aero Club were pleased to host the event again in 2021, adding the socially distanced crowds were also well behaved.

One of the most popular attractions on the day was the opportunity to have a scenic helicopter flight over Grafton, with several visitors lining up for the chance to see the Clarence Valley from the air.

Although he admitted he was concerned about the weather due to cold winds forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology over the weekend, Mr Wilson was relieved when Sunday “dawned dead calm.”

The Grafton Aero Club is looking forward to hosting Wings and Wheels again in 2022.