Emma Pritchard
After inclement weather forced its cancellation in 2022, community enthusiasm is in first gear and taking off once again as the Grafton Aero Club prepare to host Wings and Wheels.
A well-loved annual event which has gained a popular following in recent years, Wings and Wheels is an historic celebration which brings an extraordinary variety of vintage, classic and touring cars, hot rods, motorcycles, go-karts, tractors, boats, historic engines, and an impressive line-up of aircrafts including helicopters and warbirds together, creating an amazing public display at the South Grafton Aerodrome.
Event organiser Kevin Wilson told the Clarence Valley Independent he is hopeful of seeing a large number of participants and visitors at Wings and Wheels this year, adding the aerodrome is looking a lot different compared to 12 months ago.
“We were hit by back-to-back floods, and there was over 1m of water covering the ground at the aerodrome,” he recalled.
“Unfortunately, it left us with no option but to cancel the event for 2022.
“Thankfully, the weather has been much kinder to us this year, and hopefully conditions remain fine, and we can all look forward to a good weekend.”
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view Wings and Wheels from above with helicopter joy rides and Warbird Adventure Flights in an ex-RAAF CT4 and CAC Winjeel operating throughout the day.
Food and beverages will also be available.
A free community event sponsored by Clarence Valley Council (CVC), visitors will also be invited to make a gold coin donation upon arrival, with all proceeds raised to be donated to the Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) Oncology Unit.
Over $2400 was raised at Wings and Wheels when the event was last held in 2021.
“It’s our way of giving something back to the community, and sadly, a lot of our members have been affected by cancer,” Mr Wilson said.
“The GBH Oncology Unit do a great job in looking after their patients, and we feel proud to support them in any way we can.”
Wings and Wheels will be held on June 18 at the South Grafton Aerodrome, located at 150 Vere Street, South Grafton, between 10am-2pm.