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Vintage cars embark on tribute to veterans
25th November, 2007
A CAVALCADE of vintage cars set off along the Great Ocean Road yesterday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.
Considered the world's largest war memorial, the winding road was carved from the Otway cliff-face by almost 3000 returned servicemen from the first Australian Imperial Forces.
The road that stretches from Torquay to Allansford took more than 13 years to complete and was opened in 1932.
Before then, towns such as Anglesea and Lorne were only accessible by sea or pack track through the Otway Ranges, but the 250-kilometre road is now used by almost 5 million motorists annually.
Originally a tollway, the road was handed over to the State Government in 1936 by the Great Ocean Road Trust.
The convoy of 40 pre-1933 cars departed from Docklands and will re-enact the route taken on November 26, 1932, from Geelong to Lorne's Grand Pacific Hotel, where they will be met by Victorian Governor David de Kretser.
Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said the four-day tour that finishes in Portland would pay tribute to the returned servicemen who built it. "It is considered internationally as one of the world's most beautiful roads, with panoramic views of Victoria's famous coastline and gateway to some of the state's most popular spots," Mr Pallas said.
He said local councils and communities had events planned along the route to welcome the cavalcade and celebrate Victoria's most spectacular tourist attractions.
Victorian Coastal Council president and Surf Coast councillor Libby Mears said the road was one of Australia's most popular sites.
Release link:
http://www.theage.com.au/
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