By CASEY NEILL
JOHN Fabian watched his son Luke accept the trophy for best original EH Holden on his behalf at last year’s Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills All Holden Car Show.
The Blind Bight man suffered a fatal heart attack just one week later.
Luke, 12, will present the same award to this year’s winner on Sunday 12 April.
Berwick man Steve Marsden, who’ll be showing his FX Holden at the event, organised the tribute.
“Luke’s rapt, he’s really looking forward to it,” he said.
“It’ll mean the world to him.
“He’s had a hard year and a half. He lost his mum about a year beforehand. She passed away from breast cancer.
“We’ve tried to do what we can for him.”
Mr Marsden said John was very well known in the car scene.
“He owned a big collection of EHs so he was in several different car clubs and went to a lot of shows,” he said.
Luke shares his dad’s passion.
“I think he’s probably the smartest 11-year-old I’ve ever met,” Mr Marsden said.
“He’s taught me things about cars I’ve never known.
“He learned everything from his dad. He used to do all the polishing for his dad before all the car shows. He’d get all the cars cleaned and ready for him.
“I’m sure he can’t wait to work on the cars and drive them himself on day.
“I took him for a drive in the FX a few nights ago and he was so happy because he used to go out every weekend with his dad.”
The Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills event raises funds for aid, including the club’s flagship project Disaster Aid Australia.
They create survival packs complete with a tent, blankets and other items needed by people after a major disaster.
The 7th Annual Dandenong Valley All Holden Street Car Show will be held from 9am to 3pm on Sunday 12 April at Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong.
Entry is $5 for adults and is free for children aged under 16 years.
There’ll be activities for children, food vendors and more.
