Holden raced legendary cars for over half a century and produced a veritable pride of icons doing it! The brand is indelibly linked to Australian motorsport and the history of supercars in our country. But what does the future of Australian motorsport look like with the end of Holden still fresh in fans’ memories? Before we can consider Aussie motorsport in a post-Holden era it’s important to look back at the role Holden has played in the evolution of Australian racing.

Holden’s legends and the golden years of Australian racing…

The early 1990’s – 2020 represented the heyday of motorsport in Australia, characterised by the epic rivalry of Holden vs Ford. Whether you were red or blue, you loved every part of it! Huge crowds gathered all year round to watch legends like Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and, more recently, Craig Lowndes. A distinctly Australian phenomenon, the incredible longevity of the V8 era saw over a quarter of a century of jubilant crowds, mammoth TV / sponsorship deals and megastars, as well as its fair share of drama, crashes and unforgettable moments!

In Toranas, Commodores and Monaros, Holden’s superstars have celebrated a total of thirty-four Bathurst victories, twenty-one ATCC/Supercars championships, four Australian Rally Championships and two Bathurst 24 Hours! The spiritual home of the iconic ‘Holden Lion’ has undoubtedly been the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, with Peter Brock effectively crowned ‘King of the Mountain’ with 9 record Bathurst wins in Holdens!

The first and final roar…

The 2020 Bathurst 1000 brought the curtain down on more than half a century of Holden’s distinct   influence on motorsport in Australia, which began with an effort led by noted journalist and driver David McKay. In 1968 McKay formed the Holden Dealer Racing Team - the first factory backed Holden team that ran 3 brand new Holden Monaro GTS 327's in the 1968 Hardie-Ferodo 500 at Mount Panorama, Bathurst. The winning Monaro being that of Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland.

The final round of the 2020 Supercars Championship, however, was a race like no other, marking the end of an era, with very few fans in attendance as a result of the COVID pandemic. Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander from Triple Eight Race Engineering started in fourth place and won the race, with Van Gisbergen securing his first Bathurst 1000 and Tander his fourth.

Life after the Commodore?

The sad fact remains - there will never be another factory Holden team in motorsport. This not only leaves the sport with an uncertain future, but also begs the question as to what happens to the substantial, and important, fan base that has been built up over the years. Mark Skaife, five-time champion of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, believes that these fans are essential to the future of motorsport in Australia and every effort should be made to re-engage them. “My dad told me it's much easier to keep a customer than it is to find a new one", Skaife has been quoted as saying. Skaife, who raced to three of his five Supercars victories in Holdens believes the way forward lies in bringing an ‘affordable’ yet ‘aspirational’ GM product into the series.

It’s not just Skaife who will be feeling Holden’s absence! It seems the old adage of keeping one’s friends close, but ‘enemies’ closer, rings especially true for Ford. Mark Rushbrook, Ford’s global head of motorsport, believes that his brand’s continued involvement in Australian motorsport as a factory-backed manufacturer hinges on the sport’s ability to re-create the old red vs. blue rivalry anew, with another manufacturer taking up Holden’s mantel. After all, Ford’s legacy in Australia was partly secured because they had a fantastic sparring partner!

Bring on Gen3!

With the introduction of Gen3 in 2022 just around the corner, Supercars has been feverishly working on what the next generation of V8 racers will look like, as well as overhauling the rules to make it easier, and cheaper, for manufacturers to get involved in the sport. Supercar’s head of motorsport Adrian Burgess says the Gen3 specification Supercars will now have even more relevance and ‘road car’ styling than initially planned. Boss Sean Seamer hinted the new design would result in better racing and safety.

The new V8 powered, front-engine, rear wheel drive cars will have smaller chassis, opening up the playing field and allowing a greater range of cars to compete in the future. This can only be good news. It is hoped that an emphasis on driver skill, as opposed to copious funds poured into R&D, will increase competitiveness and reduce costs. There’s also the idea that Supercars will start ‘homologating’ the cars – this means they will be developing the panels themselves - effectively allowing Supercars to represent the manufacturer’s product on the track.

"These are incredible looking race cars that give a nod to the supercar of the past, with as much attention given to the design and appearance of the cars as the new technologies. The Gen3 project will support the longevity of Supercars by increasing relevance to our fans and partners, reducing operating costs, and making the racing even fiercer.” Supercars CEO Sean Seamer.

Bathurst 2021

What about this year’s Bathurst? The iconic 6.2km Mount Panorama track has seen plenty of drama over the years, no less so in 2020 and 2021! The ‘Great Race’ will be shifted for the second year in a row from its early October start, as a

 result of the effects of the pandemic. New South Wales is battling one of the more serious COVID-19 outbreaks Australia has faced – effectively putting a lid on the annual Bathurst pilgrimage and fan experience. Supercars announced it will delay the Bathurst 1000 to November 4-7 to enhance the chances of a sizeable crowd at Mount Panorama.

For the fans! The Final Roar Enamel Penny Set…  

If you are a Holden, or motorsport, super-fan and want a memento of racing’s golden years to revel in then the HOLDEN’S FINAL ROAR collection is not to be missed! An official Holden product, it includes seven GOLD PLATED genuine Australian pennies - featuring unforgettable cars from Holden’s racing history. From the first Holden to take part in an international racing event in 1953, through to the ‘Final Roar’ of the 2020 Bathurst win - this collection encompasses Holden’s triumphs through the decades! The perfect conversation starter, to reminisce about the good old days, as we wait to see what the future holds. Click here to view the great range of Holden and motorsport memorabilia at Downies Collectables and grab your HOLDEN’S FINAL ROAR collection today!

Lunar New Year festivities are just around the corner, taking place this year on Friday, 12 February.

Lunar New Year is a night of food, celebration, firecrackers and family.

2021 marks another Year of the Ox. The Ox is the second of all zodiac animals according to the Great Lunar Race legend. Typically, they showcase their talent through hard work and receive credit as deserved.

The Ox personality is said to be persistent – once they make a decision, they stay with it. If you’re friends with an Ox personality, you’re in luck! Oxen are known for their honesty and reliability. In the story of the Great Lunar Race, the Ox even agreed to carry the Rat on its back! They are viewed as honest, modest people who have natural leadership qualities. Creative and curious, Oxen tend to perform better in artistic fields.

In 2021, Ox personalities are advised to be proactive in order to avoid potential difficulties that may arise.

Start 2021 with the Lunar Fan-Shaped Collection

To help celebrate, Macquarie Mint has launched the Lunar Fan-Shaped Collection. The collection features 13 gold-plated, unique fan-shaped commemoratives, Each depicting a different Zodiac animal for each year in the lunar calendar.

Beginning with the Ox for just $24.95 (FREE Postage), subscribers will receive a new fan-shaped commemorative each month for the series price of $39.95 (Plus $12 Postage). The collection is presented in a custom timber case and finishes with the FREE centrepiece, the ‘Happy Buddha’!

Make an auspicious start to the Year of the Ox– Subscribe now at downies.com/lunarfan.

A chapter of Australian history is ending this year - with General Motors announcing the closure of the Holden brand for good. This is a devastating blow for car enthusiasts and the industry alike. Now, Macquarie Mint is launching the Holden Legacy Collection to remember the Australian legends.

Since the 1940s Holden has been raising the bar for Australian car manufacturing. Their desire to build ‘Australia’s Own Car’ resulted in the release of the ’48-215’ – simply known as the ‘Holden’.

Holden continued to produce a range of vehicles over the next 70 years. In that time, they released some of the most affordable high-performance cars on the market.

Generations of Australians have owned, driven, raced or modified a Holden. The good memories of most Australian’s involve a Holden or two.

Nine Commemorative Collection Honouring Holden

The 24-carat gold-plated commemoratives come housed in a FREE collection folder. Highly exclusive, the Holden Legacy Collection has a limited edition of just 10,000 collections worldwide. Officially licensed by Holden, this collection is a must-have for Holden fans! The Holden Legacy Collection features nine of the most iconic Holdens, with designs based on classic Holden advertising material.

Each medallion includes a free collector postcard, featuring the full design of the respective Holden Ad.

Some of the commemoratives feature… 

VFII Commodore Redline - The final vehicle to leave the Lion brand’s South Australian manufacturing line before production ceased. The most powerful Commodore ever, this car represents 39-years of Commodore manufacturing history.

HX Kingswood – Luxury and comfort at the right price! Owned by many families in the 70s, Gen Xers are likely to remember sitting in the back on family trips.

FJ Ute - A classic from the 1950s, the FJ Ute was considered an ‘all Australian car’. Many Aussies owned this as their first vehicle.

HK Monaro - Monaros have been in and out of production over the years. The original HK GTS featured the option of two Chevrolet V8s.

48-215 – ‘Australia’s Own Car’, produced in Fisherman’s Bend in 1948. The landmark car managed to wow everyone on launch day. Then PM, Ben Chifley, even exclaimed ‘She’s a beauty!’

Other featured Holdens can be viewed at downies.com/holden-legacy.

Subscribe Today and Save!

Subscribers will receive nine gold plated medallions at the rate of one per month. The first shipment is available at the special introductory price of only $29.95 with free delivery! Further monthly releases are available at the subscriber-only price of $59.95 each (Plus $12 postage, handling & insurance). Subscribers will also receive a free collectors presentation folder to store their complete collection in, plus free collector postcards. 

This is a collection that will be in high demand! For you Holden fanatics, this is a must-have collection to keep for generations. With such a limited mintage, you must act immediately to secure yours!

Buy now at downies.com/holden-legacy or call 1300 788 358.

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Macquarie Mint is excited to add a new volume in the immensely popular Birds of Australia Subscription. Eight new medallions are now part of the collection – bringing it to a total of 24. Some new birds featured include the ‘White-Fronted Falcon’ and the ‘Australian Masked Owl’.

The Birds of Australia Collection pays homage to one of the most famous works of Australian literature. John Gould’s ‘The Birds of Australia’ features seven volumes. Published in the 1840s – it represents the first in-depth study of Australian birdlife. And the books wouldn’t be complete without the impressive illustrations by Elizabeth Gould, John Gould’s talented wife.

The Birds of Australia Collection brings these outstanding illustrations to life in stunning full-colour. This collection pays tribute to John Gould’s important contributions to ornithology and Elizabeth’s beautiful works of art.

Third Volume Available Now!

The first two volumes of the Birds of Australia Collection have been immensely popular since their initial release. And now Macquarie Mint is thrilled to bring you the third volume of 8-more medallions. John Gould has made a major contribution to science, his studies being used in the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection!>

This collection captures Australian birdlife in vibrant full-colour through a precise colouring technique. The commemoratives also feature a unique obverse design brilliantly struck with intricate detail and finished in 99.9% pure silver.

Subscribe Today and Save

Upon subscribing you will receive the Eastern Rosella commemorative as your first issue. Finished in silver, featuring a life-like full-colour design of this beloved Australian Parrot. Plus, you’ll immediately save $20 off the series price. You will then receive further issues for $59.95 per shipment.

CLICK HERE SEE THE FULL COLLECTION

If you grew up in or visited Melbourne, then you likely have fond memories of rolling through the Dandenong Ranges in Puffing Billy. Earning its name from locals, the line began operating 120 years ago in Melbourne’s picturesque outer east. Since the 1950’s it has been one of the country’s most popular tourist trains.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have made fond childhood memories hanging out of the train’s windows over the famous trestle bridges. Being able to re-live the early 20th-century experience of riding a steam train with on-board conductors is a must-do in Melbourne. And it wouldn’t be a day on Puffing Billy if you didn’t stop at Gembrook for a picnic!

And of course, these experiences wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of more than 600 dedicated volunteers.

120 Years Captured In a 1oz Silver Proof Coin!

Marking the 120^th Anniversary of the opening of the mail line between Belgrave and Gembrook in 1900, this officially licensed Puffing Billy Railway product is struck from pure 99.9% silver and forms a fantastic tribute to the world-famous Puffing Billy!

Official legal tender of Niue, the coin measures 40mm in diameter. The stunning full-colour design features the iconic train in action. Also included is an individually numbered certificate and a beautiful plush presentation case.

Secure Yours Today!

With an extremely limited mintage of just 1,000, the 2020 $1 Puffing Billy 1oz Silver Proof Coin is bound to sell out quickly!

BUY NOW

Buy yours now for $179 online at downies.com/puffingbilly or call 1300 788 358 to place an order. 

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Victorians have given up a lot to help ease the spread of Coronavirus. And with 2020 AFL Grand Final being held in Brisbane for the first time ever, Victorians are longing for life to return to normal. 

Luckily their hard work seems to be paying off as restrictions start to ease. Victoria will still get Friday 23 October off as a public holiday – which is being re-branded as ‘Thank You Day’.

Thank You Day aims to acknowledge the efforts Victorians have made to help flatten the curve. During challenging times, it is important to commemorate one another for putting in the effort for the greater good.

It has taken a lot of mental endurance to get through this strict lockdown - and Victoria has shown it has the strength to tackle any challenge. If anybody deserves to be thanked, its Victoria’s essential workers on the frontline of this crisis. Their tireless work to keep the state running has been a crucial part of getting us through this.

Charities like Beyond Blue have been here for Victorians, advocating for good mental health by providing critical initiatives and services for all Australians. These services are key in helping essential workers cope with the pressures they may be feeling.

Macquarie Mint is proud to be supporting Beyond Blue’s mission to equip Australians with the skills to look after their own mental wellbeing.

That is why we’ve launched the Thank You Collection, with a portion of the proceeds going to Beyond Blue.

Say ‘Thank You’ with the Thank You to Key Workers Collection

The Thank You Collection honours those in healthcare, emergency services, delivery services, childcare and many other essential services, who whole-heartedly deserve our gratitude.

The Thank You Collection features unique coloured designs representing key worker groups, expertly struck on 99.9% pure silver-plated coins. You will finish your collection with a limited-edition gold-plated medallion honouring charity workers - the perfect tribute to organisations such as Beyond Blue!

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Subscribe Today and Support Beyond Blue!

Subscribe now and receive your first coin – ‘Thank You’ – for the special introductory price of only $24.95 - SAVE 50% off the series price.

For more information visit downies.com/thank-you

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DJR Team Penske is cemented in Australian culture as one of our oldest and most successful racing teams. They’ve come a long way since their humble beginnings in Dick Johnson’s Brisbane garage, having seen success over many decades on the track, both at home and overseas.

From Dick Johnson’s extraordinary run of five wins in the 1980s through to Scott McLaughlin’s most recent back-to-back championships, the team has truly made their mark on the Australian Motor Sport scene – and deserves to be celebrated.

A New 10-Coin Set Finished in 99.9% Pure Gold!

With the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 still ringing in people’s ears, Downies Collectables has just released a new 10-coin collection celebrating the achievements of DJR Team Penske.

Officially licensed and approved by DJR Team Penske, the set features ten Australian King George VI pennies each finished in 99.9% pure gold. Individually brilliant, the full-colour designs honour all ten Driver Championships won by Dick Johnson Racing and DJR Team Penske, including Scott McLaughlin’s most recent win for 2020!

OWN IT NOW

With Christmas around the corner, this is the ultimate gift for lovers of Australian motor racing.

Highly Exclusive - Immediate Action Essential – Own it Now*!

In honour of Dick Johnson’s first triumph, the limited edition is set at just 1,981. This is a must have officially licensed product for V8 Superfans everywhere, so you must secure yours now!

Buy the DJR Team Penske Enamel Penny Collection

For just $169 you will receive the 10-coin set, housed in a beautiful black case along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

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Every year, October 10^th is officially recognised as World Mental Health Day. It is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. The day is especially significant in 2020 – as the world goes through some turbulent times. The goal of this year’s campaign is to increase investment in mental health worldwide.

Essential workers who have been on the frontline of the pandemic need access to the best mental health services. Australian’s are lucky to have dedicated not-for-profits such as Beyond Blue to support these people.

Beyond Blue’s vision is for every Australian to achieve their best possible mental health. Their mission is to equip Australians with the skills they need to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. This work is crucial in supporting essential workers during the pandemic.

To support Beyond Blue’s vision, Macquarie Mint will donate a portion of the proceeds from every coin purchased in the Thank You Collection to Beyond Blue.

Say ‘Thank You’ with the Thank You Collection!

The Holden Torana remains a centrepiece in Holden’s impressive portfolio of iconic vehicles.

Mental Health is an issue that impacts the lives of every Australian in one way or another.

With everyone around the world having experienced some sort of change in their life as a result of the ongoing pandemic, looking after ourselves and reaching out to friends, family, colleagues and even casual acquaintances is the key to getting through this.

This is especially true for our workers on the frontline of this crisis, working selflessly to get us through to the other end of this.

In Australia, we’re lucky to have dedicated not-for-profits such as Beyond Blue to help us through tough times. Beyond Blue‘s vision is for everyone in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health. Their mission is to equip Australians with the skills they need to look after their own mental health and wellbeing and to create confidence in their ability to support those around them. This work is crucial in supporting essential workers during the pandemic.

Macquarie Mint is proud to be supporting Beyond Blue in their mission to change lives for the better.

To help support these critical mental health initiatives that benefit essential workers and all Australians, we’ve developed the Thank You Collection.

A portion of the proceeds from every coin sold in the collection will be donated to Beyond Blue.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

The Thank You Collection is a way of honouring the efforts of Australia’s essential frontline workers during the pandemic.