UWA Community Display | Crawley WA

Wednesday: 31 December

The UWA Carpark Classic: A Morning That Brought Memories to Life

Dawn Patrol: Racing the Sun to Perth
The alarm pierced the quiet darkness at 6 am, but we didn’t mind one bit. There’s something magical about those early morning starts when you’re on a mission—and today’s mission was getting our two beloved Bubsie cars prime real estate at the University of WA’s Cars & Coffee Club event. As we pulled out of the campground with the stars still fading overhead, anticipation buzzed through the air like electricity.

A Star Attraction: Bubsie takes the Show
Our early bird efforts paid off big time! We snagged a fantastic spot that put both Bubsies front and center, and boy, did people notice. The crowd just kept coming—wave after wave of car enthusiasts, curious students, and families who’d heard whispers of our story through advertising or word of mouth.
Warren was in his element, surrounded by mechanically-minded folks peppering him with questions about every bolt, bearing, and beautiful detail of the car. His eyes lit up with each conversation, and we watched approximately 150-200 booklets find new homes in eager hands. Every single one represented someone touched by Nevill’s incredible legacy.

The Surprise That Made Us Tear Up: A Granddaughter’s Return
Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, one of our last visitors approached with a warm smile and an introduction that stopped us in our tracks: “I’m Nevill’s granddaughter.”
Our hearts skipped a beat.
Natalie told us her son and grandson had already met us way back in Broome—these beautiful threads of connection weaving together across thousands of kilometers.
What truly touched our hearts was learning that the original Bubsie had been her wedding car all those years ago. Then she shared something that made us all smile—the car had broken down on her wedding day! So when we invited Natalie to take a ride in our tribute Bubsie around the car park, her laughter was pure joy mixed with delightful relief that Bubsie ran perfectly. Watching her face light up with happiness, seeing all those cherished memories flooding back, and knowing she got to experience Bubsie running smoothly—it was absolutely beautiful.—that’s why we do this. That’s what makes every early morning, every mile, every conversation worth it.

Chasing Golden Hour: Film Day in the Countryside
After an emotional morning, we packed up and headed about ninety minutes south. Roger, with his filmmaker’s eye, had scouted some absolutely stunning locations—the kind of wide-open country roads that make you understand why people fall in love with Australia.
The afternoon sun painted everything gold as the men took turns piloting both Bubsies up and down those picture-perfect stretches of asphalt. The cameras rolled, capturing that beautiful dance between vintage machinery and endless horizon.

Full Circle: Family, Food, and Reflection
By the time we rolled back into the caravan park, we were pleasantly exhausted—the good kind of tired that comes from a day well spent. But the day wasn’t over yet! We cleaned up and headed out for an evening BBQ with some of Warren’s extended family, because what better way to cap off a day of connection than with more connection?
As the sun set and the smell of grilling food filled the air, we couldn’t help but reflect on the day’s journey. From that predawn departure to Natalie’s tears of joy, from curious crowds to the open road—every moment reminded us why this adventure matters.
Nevill’s dream is alive and driving, quite literally, and we’re honored to be the ones steering it forward.

Tomorrow brings new roads and new stories. We can’t wait to see what—and who—we discover next.