By John O’Farrell
In August 2024, I entered my 1979 Holden Gemini TD series wagon for display at the All Holden Day as part of the Lions Pride Holden Car Club.
I set up early in the morning with the club, including putting out my story board explaining the history of my car. The car has been in my family since new, having been bought by my mother brand new from Boyded Holden in March 1979. The Gemini was my mum’s only ever car and used mostly for shopping and for church on Sundays. Sometimes, she loaned it to my brother for trips to university as needed.
After I set up, the day was spent seated next to my Gemini and talking to people as they stopped to inspect or admire or comment on it. I have tried to preserve the Gemini in a way which closely represents the look of the car when my mother first viewed it on the showroom floor. The exterior paintwork has been redone to look new, but the interior is untouched.
One of the highlights of the day was allowing a woman, whose first car was a Gemini, to sit behind the steering wheel. I then started the engine, with its distinctive starter motor sound, and watched her close her eyes. She was back there again in ‘her’ Gemini and I did see a tear in her eye. This is as good as it gets for me. Not only is this car a tangible link to my mother, but a way of giving other ‘Gemini people’ a reminder of their past.
I wasn’t there when the judges came by to look over the cars. I think I was looking at all the other Holdens on show. The car guy next to me told me the judges spent quite some time inspecting. Still, I was not paying too much attention, thinking how good the some 750 cars were, and Geminis tend to be overlooked.
So, imagine my surprise, as I was packing up to hear my name called out over the showground PA, including a reference to my Gemini. I had won a trophy! So I legged it down a couple of football fields away to collect my prize. Not only was there a trophy but, unexpectedly, a presentation ceremony where I’m handed a largish shield trophy and my own trophy to keep.
I had won ‘Car of The Day’!!! I was shocked. This is an elite award according to the judging committee folks so….. WOW!
