The Sprite Club of South Australia’s 50th Anniversary Annual Dinner was held at the Lion Hotel, North Adelaide on Saturday 10th September 2022.
This dinner was attended by 73 past and present Club Members, and ironically was only a few kilometres from the site of the 1st Sprite Club Meeting, which was held in the Staff Quarters above the National Bank in O’Connell Street , North Adelaide.
The Cellar Room provided the Members a private area to enjoy and celebrate the forming of the Sprite Club 50 years ago. With a delicious three-course meal there was an opportunity to talk and chat with fellow Club Members and the memories of the past 50 years.
With a rolling slideshow of past photos, a memorabilia table displaying older photos, merchandise and trinkets from the past – there was an opportunity to view what the Sprite Club was like in the early days.
President Gordon Boyce welcomed all to the evening and introduced founding members Reiner Walker and Richard Stokes, who spoke about the days with Sprites before the Club formed on Tuesday 13th September 1972. Richard outlined how the Club went through the formalities of incorporation and constitution to set the foundations for the Sprite Club we know today.
There was even seven members present who were there at that inaugural meeting, plus a number that joined during the the first 10 years of the Sprite Club
President Gordon then talked about the 1980’s to present day and the memorable and major events the Sprite Club has been involved with, from social drives to dinners, motorsport to National Challenges and of course the famous Bordertown weekends competing against the Victorian Sprite Club (AHSDC).
There were also anecdotes from Don Cardone, Steve Kent and Di Low.
The night was also an opportunity to award the Trophy Winners for 2022 – these included:
- Sprite of the Year – Darrel Hanna
- Club Members of the Year – Gary and Fay Brock
- Tony Bennetto “Spirit of Sprites” Award – Don and Elaine Cardone
Congratulations to the Award winners!
Soon the night was over and many continued to chat and discuss Sprites, Midgets and a range of other topics late into the night.
Special thanks must go the Michael McClaren for arranging the venue, pre-dinner drinks and the menu and for Pat Lescius, Chris and Tina Brine for assisting with the room decorations and special placemats.
Thanks to Steve and Di Kent and Narelle Boyce for the photographic images of the night.