2003 Aurora at the Footy

AURORA SUNSHINE FAILS TO OPEN THE ROOF
Guest Speech at Essendon AFL Home Game

23 August 2003

The Essendon football club is one of the strongest in the AFL, Australia's most important national football code. Its long standing coach Kevin Sheedy is a legend of the game and he has led the Essendon team to more than one premiership.

Their home ground is the ultra modern Telstra Stadium dominating the exciting new Docklands precinct of Melbourne.

TV and radio celebrity Tony Charlton organises the program of the Essendon Chairman's luncheon which precedes every home game which Essendon plays at the Telstra Stadium. Tony Charlton is not short on innovation. His 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' celebration popped many celebrities out of the paying guests on this successful charity event.

This same innovation had the Aurora solar car group invited as the key speaker for the last Chairman's Lunch for the season, on 23 August 2003. David Fewchuk, Co Chairman of Aurora did the honours ably supported by a demonstration of one of the amazing Gochermann solar panels used on the famous Aurora 101 solar car.

The audience included Tom Warwick, Chairman of the Australian Motor Sports Foundation, a strong supporter of Aurora. Also present was Stephen Higgs, Headmaster of Ballarat Grammar school who jumped at the chance of exploring a way of having his school start in solar car activities.

This was the last scheduled Chairman's luncheon presided by Graeme McMahon as he had indicated his intention to step down from the job at the next AGM of the Essendon Football Club.

The game to follow, between Essendon and Fremantle was won by Essendon. Aurora's sunny message failed to change the weather. The game was played with the stadium roof closed.

David Fewchuk speaking on Aurora 101 technology	Graeme McMahon - retiring Essendon Football Club Chairman