The Shannons Club was deeply saddened by the recent passing of Australia’s legendary motor show announcer ‘Pinky’ after a long battle with illness. He was 76.
His name was Gordon Fellows but to countless showgoers who enjoyed his entertaining and informative announcing style for nearly a quarter of a century, he was just ‘Pinky’. He earned the nickname early in his career when wearing a succession of pink outfits in magic shows and club circuit appearances, but the endearing title stuck.
From the mid-1990s Pinky combined a life-long passion for anything mechanical with a natural flair for talking about it and engaging showgoers like no other. With his roaming microphone, Pinky’s booming voice was heard on PA systems at venues across the country, from hyping up the crowd at a Summernats dyno shoot-out in Canberra, to off-street drag race meetings at Eastern Creek, to the more relaxed ambience of numerous 4x4 or caravan and camping shows.
Because he was so adept at tailoring his announcing style to suit different audiences and sponsors, show promoters warmed to the unique sense of occasion Pinky could bring to any event. As a result, there was strong demand for his services which usually resulted in encore performances, as he boasted an enviable re-booking rate of almost 100 per cent.
Young Gordon appeased his early need for speed with late night street racing aboard his father’s FJ Holden (without his magistrate dad’s knowledge of course). He later raced motorcycles in dirt track speedway, earning sponsorship from a Sydney motorcycle dealer and being selected for the Australian short track team that competed against England in 1974. However, after deciding he did not have the win-at-all-costs commitment required, he happily walked away.
Pinky admitted that he literally stumbled into his motor show announcing career after starting out as a spruiker demonstrating cookware for major retailers, along with many other sponsored gigs. This developed an innate understanding of how to entertain people and look after sponsors. Combined with his strong automotive background it was put to good use when, purely by chance, he was offered the role of announcer at the 1997 Easter Street Rod Nationals at which he excelled.
That led to the first of many annual appearances at the Summernats the following year, with bookings and sponsorships building as word spread of his unique brand of showmanship. Those proudly included Shannons Insurance, which became synonymous with Pinky in a successful partnership that spanned more than 15 years.
Another big factor in his promoter appeal was that he came equipped with his own mobile accommodation and PA system. He started out towing a caravan, complete with announcer’s booth and mixing desk, behind a Falcon wagon with 351 V8 power and a wild flame paint job, in which he covered around 80,000km a year. He later upgraded to a minibus and ultimately a larger purpose-built Toyota Coaster proudly displaying Shannons signage.
Sadly, Pinky was forced to hang up his microphone forever in 2020 due to ill-health. During his decorated career he was recognised as Australia’s Leading Motor Show Announcer by Street Machine magazine, became one of only ten Honorary Life Members of Just Auto Legends and appointed a Life Member of the Australian Entertainment ‘Mo’ Awards.
Gordon ‘Pinky’ Fellows’ enduring legacy is that he made a great show even greater and the sense of occasion he brought to each of his appearances will be sorely missed. To his family, friends and many fans, the Shannons Club extends its sincere condolences. You did a great job mate. Rest in Peace.
