The Grenfell Lights Poker Run 2024

Event overview

The Grenfell Lights Family Poker Run is an annual event staged by the Lions Club with the strong operational support of the Grow Grenfell Group as our principal annual fundraising event. Monies raised from the Poker Run go towards the installation of more lights on the historic buildings in the main street of Grenfell.

The Poker Run is based on entrants receiving five playing cards across the day as they drive through the countryside around Grenfell  and the date for the event in late September ensures it is at a time of year where the weather is enjoyable for entrants.  The 200 klms drive for the Poker Run on the Saturday allows driver and their passengers to see the stunning vivid yellow canola and lush green wheat crops on each side of the roads as they travel from town-to-town. 

Our first event was held on the weekend of  20-21-22 September 2024 and attracted over 30 classic and modern cars to the three-day event. The weekend raised over $2,500 for our Lighting Installation Fund.

The Leyland P76 Targa Florio was designated as the feature vehicle to celebrate 50 years for this model and a strong contingent of members from the Leyland P76 Owners Club travelled to Grenfell from throughout NSW to support our very first event. The Club and members also kindly presented the Grow Grenfell Group with a sizable donation to our Lighting installation Fund at the awards dinner on the Saturday night.

Entrants and their cars left the Grenfell Bowling Club at 9:30am on the Saturday having enjoyed the Quiz Night on Friday evening at the Grenfell Country Club. The first stop for morning tea was at the Harden Country Club followed by lunch at the Boorowa Ex-Servicemans Club. It was then on to the Koorawatha Hotel for afternoon tea with the final stop at the lower end of the main street in Grenfell with a park-up of the cars. The winning poker hand for the run on Saturday was awarded to one of the members from the Leyland Car Club who received their $500 prize money at the dinner on the Saturday night. On the Sunday morning entrants travelled in convoy to Iandra Castle.

Here is a kind letter to GGG from the President of the Leyland P76 Owners Club Of NSW: 

Good morning Jeff

I would like to extend my gratitude on behalf of all the Leyland P76 members and guests that attended your event last weekend. 

It was extremely well organised and came together perfectly. 

Our membership was made to feel included in your great town of Grenfell and our memories and photos will last well into the future. 

Your group needs the highest praise from everyone for your commitment to assisting the growth of Grenfell and we wish you all the best in the future. 

As I mentioned I missed my opportunity on Saturday evening's presentation speech to read the following ‘foreword‘ from the book 

‘The Golden Granary‘ that was on display inside our ‘Grenfell Hall‘ accomodation room. 

I draw your attention to the following words from the ‘foreword’.

‘To those of us who have grown accustomed to our everyday association with Grenfell and District, this story of its early days will be of unusual interest, and if this history of a community inculcates a greater local patriotism and civic pride amongst its citizens, it will have undoubtedly justified its publication’.

With this passage in mind I do believe that all Grow Grenfell Group members are walking in the shoes of past history and building a better Grenfell. 

Again, thank you.

Kind Regards 

David Place 

President 

Leyland P76 Owners Club Of NSW