Lifestyle
3 September, 2026
Cadillac Gathering
Once a year, Queensland and New South Wales members of the Cadillac LaSalle Club of Australia, organise a gathering to show off and talk cars. This year, following the National Rally at Echuca, it was decided to have our two-state meet in Texas.
Finding a date which did not clash with anything else can pose a bit of a problem in our little community however, one event that complimented the gathering was the “Up, Up and Away” stage spectacular. It was decided, therefore, that we would meet for four days from 28 August to 1 September in Texas.
After much planning by Terry and Robyn Griffin, the Cadillacs began to arrive on Friday afternoon. Dinner that night was at the Stockman Hotel.
On Saturday morning, following breakfast at the Texas Bakery, it was time to stroll High Street and check out the shops before meeting at the Texas Heritage Centre and Tobacco Museum for a cuppa and check out the site. After lunch it was off to the Texas Rabbit Works for an informative tour of the old processing plant and the story of the rabbits in Texas.
Saturday night was an eventful night where we attended the “Up, Up and Away” show where 23 of the local schoolgirls took part in the performance alongside the professional singers and dancers. What a magnificent show by all involved.
On Sunday, we travelled by the Texas Community Bus, driven by Kimble Mayers, to Goat Rock for brunch and a relaxing look around the grounds and many also climbed the enormous granite boulders. It is a stunning view of the Dumaresq Valley from the “Goat Rock”.
Back on the bus and we travelled via Tarwoona Road to cross back into Queensland via Cunningham Weir Crossing and on to Whyalla Feedlot.
We were greeted by Tony Fitzgerald, who provided a very informative narrative of the workings of the feedlot. It is rather impressive that 75,000 head of stock can be managed by so few people and that the number of office staff is a sixth of total staff. The area covered by the current pens is incredible and the fact that the newly constructed pens are designed in a north/south configuration to allow for the shelters to provide shade throughout the day.
On Sunday night we attended the newly established Wok Happened for dinner and were most impressed with the fair. With such large meals provided, most people opted out of the dessert menu.
Monday morning saw us congregate at the Texas Pool Carpark for a photo opportunity then a cruise of High Street before cruising to Yelarbon for a Photoshoot in front of the Silo Art. We then parked behind the Oasis Hotel where we were provided with a hearty breakfast.
Our next stop was the Customs House Museum at Goondiwindi where we were able to park our cars for another photo. The cars proved a bit of a drawcard for people passing by. Our members then attended the Museum and were suitably impressed with the great displays therein.
Whilst dining at O’Shea’s Royal Hotel, we met Councillor Susie Kelly and her husband Tim who came along to have a browse over the cars. We then cruised to the Once Upon a Time sculpture park to check out these incredible pieces of art.
After cruising back to Texas, we dined at the Texas Golf Club with food provided by the “Services Club”.
Our final gathering for the weekend was breakfast provided by members of the Sacred Heart Church community. It was a grand few days that we were able to come together to enjoy our cars and each other’s company.
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