2026 National Concours

DATES:

This concours marks a very significant milestone in the history of the TR Register Australia, being our 50th Anniversary year, and we are very excited to invite you to the Orange Concours in NSW in October 2026. With the dates already announced early 2025, we hope you’ve had time to make the necessary plans to attend this momentous event. The dates chosen also avoid any clash with TSOA National Meeting in Toowoomba 9-17/10/26, as we recognise that some members like to attend both.

CONCOURS TEAM:

Kerrie Holliday, Russell Holliday, Cherylin Mitchell, Alan Mitchell, Alison Arnison, Chris Olson, Andrew Ross and Jenny Ross.

LOCATION:

Orange is located on the Central Tablelands in country NSW. As such it’s geographically central to allow for easier travel from other states and also within NSW. The Register traditionally enjoys supporting regional areas, such as Orange and in avoiding large busy city locations.

Orange is an elegant inland city with a rich history. Gold was discovered here in 1851, marking the start of the Australian gold rush, hence the abundance of beautiful historic architectural buildings. Renown for heritage, wineries, excellent local produce, fine dining, Botanic Gardens and beautiful parks, Orange offers plenty for everyone to enjoy. With plentiful attractions nearby for after tour drives, the mild October temperatures with an average high of 20 degrees and low of 8 degrees, makes for great travelling weather.

The Concours will be held during the very popular annual Orange Wine Festival, celebrating the vibrant wine and food culture of the region. This

festival offers a colourful and diverse program of events including night markets. It gives the opportunity to showcase our cars with the additional major visitation attracted to the region for the festival.

ACCOMMODATION:

Mercure Orange ( rated 4 ½ stars) is in the heart of the CBD close to all amenities. We have secured sixty rooms providing a choice of twin, queen and king room configurations. The Mercure provides direct access to the Orange Ex-Services Club (OESC) where the Concours events will be held beginning on Friday afternoon with registration and an evening welcome, followed by Saturday night’s presentation dinner and the Sunday morning Member’s Forum.

As an integrated part of the OESC, the Mercure has provided exclusive group accommodation tariffs. Parking is onsite or undercover in the specially designated areas in the shared OESC multi storey car park next door. Upper rooms are accessed via a lift.

Due to an unprecedented early demand for rooms, with a quarter already individually booked by members, we now have an additional ten rooms allocated at another motel, the Caleula Orange.

Caleula Orange (rated 4 ½ stars) is on the edge of the CBD near Cook Park. It is a ten minute walk to the OESC from here, however the club has a courtesy bus from 4.45pm Wednesday to Sunday. There are no lifts at the motel but it does have unreserved undercover parking.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON REGISTRATION & EVENING WELCOME and BOOK LAUNCH

Both events will be in the Tarin Kowt Room (formerly The Greenhouse Function Room) in the OESC. With a striking marble fireplace it also boasts a rooftop courtyard and private lawn, all with views over the city including the Holy Trinity Anglican Church and steeple.

The Welcome Event & Book Launch will have Shared Grazing Boards on arrival, followed by hot and cold canapes, and finishing with sweet bites. Cost TBA approximately $45pp with a cash bar.

SATURDAY CONCOURS DISPLAY:

Robertson Park is in the centre of Orange CBD, a picturesque garden location with a rotunda in the centre and a fountain. It’s a perfect spot which provides plenty of local foot traffic to showcase our cars and for judging. There are toilets in the park and cafes nearby, as is the Orange Regional Gallery and Orange City Library. The park is a two minute drive or a seven minute walk from the Mercure, a little further away for the Caleula Orange.

SATURDAY’S 50th ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION DINNER

The Presentation Dinner will be in the Coral Sea Room with direct access from the Mercure to the OESC . It will be a three course meal with a cash bar. The Theme for the evening is GO FOR GOLD in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. Cost TBA, approximately $70pp with a cash bar.

SUNDAY MORNING REGISTER MEMBER FORUM

The Forum will be held in the Moresby Room of the OESC with direct access to the club from the Mercure.

SUNDAY CONCOURS FAREWELL LUNCH

Following the forum we will drive to Borrodell Estate. Boasting award winning wines and ciders and with breathtaking countryside views, we will dine on shared platters at the farewell lunch. Cost TBA, approximately $65pp with a cash bar.

THE AFTER TOUR

The After Tour offers great drives and interesting visits into the surrounding countryside starting on the afternoon of Sunday 25th being at leisure and concluding Wednesday 28th October.

Monday we will drive from Orange to Canowindra for morning tea and visit the Age of Fishes Museum. It’s an extraordinary fossil collection from the Devonian Period over 360 million years ago, unearthed by a council road worker in 1955, now a National Heritage Site. From here we will travel to Cowra Japanese Gardens for lunch and a stroll, and then back to Orange via historic Carcoar.

Tuesday we’ll depart Orange to visit the beautiful Molong for morning tea. Driving to Manildra, we’ll then visit the historic 1936 art deco Amusu Theatre for a movie, museum visit and lunch, before returning to Orange. Cost TBA, approximately $37pp.

TUESDAY AFTER TOUR FAREWELL DINNER

Tuesday evening we’ll dine at the Hotel Canobolas, Orange for the After Tour Farewell Dinner. For those not leaving the following morning, there will be another drive on Wednesday to Bathurst. Continue home from here or stay another night if you wish.

Wednesday we will travel to Bathurst. We will possibly have morning tea at Abercrombie House and then visit the National Motor Racing Museum with a drive on the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit. It’s a 6.2km long street circuit used as a public road when no racing events are being run.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

CALL to BOOK your accommodation directly with the motels. Mercure Orange 02 6362 5611, email hb038@accor.com, referencing TR Register for the following group booking tariffs: *Delux Twin Room (2 king single beds) $230p/night *Delux Queen Room (1 Queen & 1 Single bed ) $230p/night *Delux King Room Room (1 King bed) $240 p/night *Executive Queen Room (1 Queen & 2 single beds) $280p/night.

If you are not quoted the above tariffs, please ask to speak to Kelly Apps, who is best contacted in the mornings. Cancellations are free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival. No payment is taken until check in. Caleula Orange 02 63627699, email reservations@centralcaleula.com.au *Executive Queen $227p/night with a 14 day cancellation policy.

This is one of the busiest times for tourism in Orange, so secure your accommodation AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to avoid disappointment.

Early 2026 we will be in a position to finalise the other costs TBA and provide these details via the usual Concours Registration Form. It will be in both Sidescreen and on the website. Any enquiries please to Kerrie Holliday, kerrieholliday@hotmail.com .

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