It was the Australian automotive industry's night of nights on Wednesday, with WhichCar, Wheels, Motor and 4x4 Australia joining VIPs of the motoring industry in Melbourne's Docklands precinct to present four of the country's most important automotive awards.

Not even a spattering of rain and the threat of thunderstorms could dampen the enthusiasm of the 250-odd attendees, and the excitement levels stayed high from the moment Ford's wild Ranger Raptor leapt onto the stage as the winner of 4x4 Of The Year, right up until the Volvo XC40 - the 2019 Wheels Car Of The Year - rolled off, covered in ticker tape.

For a taste of what it was like to be there, and to view a ‘who's who’ of Australia's motoring media and industry, click through our gallery above.