THE KLUBVW DD BLOG

Dubs On The Hill: A Brief History of Toowoomba’s VW Car Show

Founded in 2015 by the Klub VW committee and members, Dubs On The Hill (DOTH) quickly become one of the most popular car shows on the VW event calendar. The show was inspired by previous events held under the name KLUBFEST, which took place from 1996 to 2006.

The idea for Dubs On The Hill was sparked by a small group of KlubVW members who were meeting in Wippells VW Showroom in Toowoomba. After some discussion about the need for a VW car show in the region, Klub member Graham Dougherty spawned the brand new name “Dubs On The Hill” and the rest, as they say, is history.

The first Dubs On The Hill show was held in 2015 at Picnic Point in Toowoomba, with the previous KLUBFEST events having been held at East Creek Frogs Hallow Toowoomba. Despite the event being relatively new, it has already become a beloved tradition for VW owners and enthusiasts in the area.

One of the most unique aspects of Dubs On The Hill is that it has never rained during the event, which is a testament to the luck of the organizers and the dedication of attendees. The furthest distance travelled by a participant was from Adelaide, with their 1970 low light camper making the long journey to Toowoomba for the event.

The Klub VW committee has been led by Neil Batterham for the past five years, during which time membership has doubled. The committee has also achieved their objective of having a healthy percentage of female owner/drivers and has welcomed some younger members, although they would like to see more.

The addition of markets to the event has helped to appeal to a wider demographic, with the hope that partners and family members of VW enthusiasts will attend and see the joy that comes from owning and driving a VW. Dolls & Dubs, a touch of glamour and class to the Groovy VW Flower Power scene, has also been added to the show in recent years.

Like many clubs and events, Dubs On The Hill has had to navigate the challenges of COVID-19. The Klub VW committee held numerous Zoom meetings and restricted runs to outdoor events, but they are prepared to adjust their plans if necessary, should the pandemic continue to impact events in the future.

Helen Batterham had the idea to introduce a new location for Dubs On The Hill at The Crows Nest Tourist Park, which offers camping, and the space for food trucks & coffee, and cruising for participants. This location requires fewer volunteers to run, which means more time for members to enjoy the show.

After many years without a VW car show in the Darling Downs, the small group of members who founded Dubs On The Hill have made a significant impact on the local community. In 2019, the Klub was awarded the TRC Australia Day Award for Best Community Event and was a finalist in the HR Focus Business Excellence Awards in 2020.

As Neil hands over the baton to new president Greg, he has confidence that the show will continue to thrive with new ideas and enthusiasm. Neil and Helen plan to continue their involvement and support for the Klub and its members, recognizing that the community is what makes Dubs On The Hill so enjoyable to be a part of.

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