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MG’s, blue skies and sunshine - always a great combination! Here are just some of the lady club members pictured at the start of the Breakfast Run to Rockingham |
We had a great turnout for the first run of 2007, with 31 cars leaving the clubrooms at 8.30am. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely drive down to Rockingham using the very easy to follow instructions set out by Dennis Fair. The weather was great for driving in the morning but was a bit warmer for the drive home. Most of the cars were parked in the car park of the Rockingham hotel, and looked terrific gleaming in the sunlight. It was nice to see a few new cars and members enjoying the morning. As we had approx 60 people, Winston’s Bistro closed the restaurant for our use only. The food was beautifully cooked. To be expected with such a large group, a couple of tables had to wait a while for their orders but with free coffee, offered by the Bistro management, MG talk and the usual good natured banter among the gathering, this was of little concern. “Paparazzi” David was running around with his camera at the ready as usual and Margaret was busy selling raffle tickets. A very big thank you must go to Dennis Fair for organizing the run and also to Carl Fox and all his staff at Winston’s Bistro in Rockingham. Report by Kevin Ball.
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2007 Concours
d'Elegance
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More than 50 MG’s were on display at the annual Concours d’Elegance Picnic held at Hinds Reserve, Bayswater on Saturday 24th February 2007.
Models on display included :TC, MGA, MGB, MGTF, MGZS, MGF, MG Midget, MGJ2, MG Magnette, MGRV8 and several MG specials.
With owners meticulously preparing their cars the judges had a difficult job. Our thanks go to John Bell and his team (especially the marshals and judges who were out in the heat most of the afternoon) for a very enjoyable event.
Numbers were down on previous years but it was pleasing to see so many non-competitors enjoying the social side of the event.
By the way, as John anticipated, the dolphins did arrive. Nobody told them about “day light saving”, so right on time at 7.30pm, they put on their show.
Class Winners:
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AHG Driver Training
Day
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Eighteen members of the MGCC participated in the AHG Driver Training Day held at the AHG Training Centre Complex at Grogan Road, Perth on Sunday 4th March 2007. Organized by Brian Griffin with the assistance of marshals John Barraclough, John Bell and Ron Fabry the event was a great success with all the participants having a lot of fun, whilst at the same time, learning in a safe environment more about the handling of their car and also their own capability. After the driving tests the two AHG Instructors, Morgan and Carley, gave a debriefing of the event and complimented the club members on their effort. Following this, the two awards of the day were presented by Brian and everyone enjoyed a sausage sizzle on the shady grassed area. Our thanks to Brian and his team and also to Jim Thomson, Margaret Griffin Dawn Fabry AND Jill Bell for the barbeque lunch and Peter Robinson for transporting all the club equipment to the venue. Report by David Pitcher. |
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Whiteman
Park Classic Car Show
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The Classic Car Show was held on Sunday, 18 March at Whiteman Park. As often happens, it was a hot day (37°C) but Peter Robinson was there early to select a shady spot under some trees, together with the MG Car Club Gazebo, the BBQ and some Regalia.
Only seven MG’s from our club were there but the models were well represented with the following MG CC cars and their owners, together with friends and family:
ZA Magnette - David & Marion Blaxall MG A - Jim Thomson MG B GT - Will Schomaker MG B Roadster - Don Wylie Midget - Shaun Moore MG F - Michael Gusterson MG TF - Phil Pettit
A lot of interest was shown by the general public with several people interested in becoming members and some Regalia sales. The organization of the event was first class and there were approximately 1,000 cars exhibited. We all enjoyed our day!
Report by Jim Thomson
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24th & 25th March 2007.
Sorry, no images available
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Perth to Bunbury takes what - two, two and a quarter hours tops, even in an MG. But let two fine fellows like Denis and Kevin set the route -six hours, but I couldn't think of a better way to spend it. Altogether ten vehicles travelled to Bunbury on what turned out to be an excellent weekend away, one could not of asked for better weather conditions. Leaving the club rooms we made our way (the back and long way) to Keysbrook Store where we stopped for morning tea. After we were watered and rested it was onward to Harvey. More travelling on roads we've never been on nor likely to be on again and roadwork's thrown in for good measure, saw us at our lunch destination the Harvey Ag Visitors Centre. A shady spot on a lovely grassed area made an excellent place to have lunch. The sound of cascading water coming from a nearby water feature only enhanced the tranquillity of the chosen site. After a walk for some through the centre's lovely gardens it was onward to Bunbury, again on roads that we'll probably never see again. But I must say that it was very scenic and we saw things, animals and places that one won't have seen otherwise. I must mention on behalf of all what a good job that Kevin Ball and Dennis Fair did in organising the event and complying the run sheet, the directions were excellent and the mileages worked out spot on, the proof of that was that no got lost. (But then I just followed Kevin). On arriving at the Lighthouse Beach Resort we were met by Dennis and Julie, after booking in we had a couple of hours free time before gathering for the five minute trek to the Marlston Chinese Restaurant, where we were joined by Vern and Marg, Dave and Ann our Bunbury based members. The meal served was magnificent and plentiful, the BYO superb, the company excellent and a good time had by all. After the meal a walk down the main drag for an after dinner coffee and/or ice-cream seemed to be the order of the night. After coffee, most made our way back up the hill ( fifteen minutes - steep hill) and off to bed to make the most of the extra hour thanks to daylight saving. But a whisper, just a whisper (I heard it through the grape vine) that some might have carried on at the nightclub?. After breakfast it was off through the town centre and on our way to the Dardanup Heritage Park, where we travelled back in time in one of Australia's finest collections of heritage items from our pioneering past. One massive shed houses an incredible display of International tractors, bulldozers and other implements. Other items of interest-included sheds crammed full of rare unique tractors, traction engines, stationary engines, Military display, Gemstone collection and other memorabilia. The highlight of the park (for me at least) was the starting of the two 100 year old Tange engines, these engines where looked after by Fred and Ron Smith who coincidently just happen to be Sue Ball's uncles. I would recommend a visit to this park to anyone. That now brings us to the end of the organised part of the weekend and after fond farewells we all parted company and went our separate ways. Again on behalf of all congratulations to Kevin and Dennis on a well organised event. Someone once said "it's a good day if you learn something new", the one thing the writer has learnt from the weekend – don’t be last at the clubrooms! Report by Mitch and Kerry Radicevic
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Report by Jon Cearns
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It was a great day on the 1st, though some may have thought that there was some connection between the date (1st April) and the time (7.00 am) that 28 MG enthusiasts turned up at the clubrooms for their annual pilgrimage to Northam.
What was forecast to be a day with “occasional showers” turned out to be very pleasant. Anyway, after disclosing, name, number and rank we filed our way to Northam along the Great Eastern Highway, which at places resembled an Autobahn - well done the Main Roads Dept.
Our arrival in Northam was greeted by a smiling Eric and Karon who had organised an exclusive spot for the MG’s to line up in all their splendour - and wasn’t it a spectacle! For the period prior to the actual event, there were more spectators around the MG’s than the entire groups of “other cars”. It wasn’t long before Dennis set up shop and was doing brisk business, while Peter in his “mock MG” rocked up and erected the club marquee and MG signs to let spectators know that we didn’t just drive great cars, but were also well organised. Thanks guys…you did a great job.
The serious part of the day was filled with excitement as members of the Vintage Sports Car Club of WA took on the task of putting their spectacular vehicles through their paces in the ninth annual Flying Fifty.
There were events for all types of cars, 60s/70s sports cars, classic touring cars, space-frame racing cars, MGs, open wheelers and many other categories. For many of the un-initiated including myself, we just enjoyed seeing these terrific cars hurtling around the town circuit. It’s a credit to the drivers and officials that the events proceeded without serious incidents, much to the enjoyment of the drivers and spectators alike.
Our congratulations go to Brian Griffin for winning the MG Tomlinson Trophy event (for a moment however I thought that he and two others were having a friendly, “I’ll win this lap, you the next and so on”) and Richard Gusterson for his “afternoon drive in the country”. Mind you, if I had just had my car engine re-built I’d be doing the same. Well-done Richard for “having a go”.
For those of us who wanted to keep our adrenalin under control and yet enjoy the day and show off our prized MG's, there was the Grand Parade, which covered 3 laps of the circuit.
It was good to see a few new members line up with our club MGs. I saw a red MGB and a black MGB that were new to the club. Welcome guys, here’s hoping we see a lot more of you and your cars at future MG outings. A very big thank you to Michael Gusterson for organising the day and to all our MG Club members for supporting the event by just being there. |
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Winter Woolies Social Run Sunday 24th June Report by David Pitcher
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Another wonderful “roll-up” of members and their cars at the Club Rooms on Sunday 24th June for the Winter Woollies Run – 30 MG’s in total!
Everyone who participated in the run appreciated the time and effort put in by the organizers of the event – Patsy and Errol Russell-Lane, Pam and Bernie Dorizzi and Betty and Reg McKinley – it was certainly a job well done and they were rewarded for their hard work by the buzz of happy conversation and laughter at the end of the run.
Starting from the Club Rooms, the drivers and their navigators followed a “Tulip” style route through Midland, along Gt. Eastern Highway, across to York for morning tea break at the town’s picnic area by the river.
The weather forecasters had predicted rain, but as usual they did not get it quite right, so everyone was able to enjoy their “cuppa” in brilliant sunshine during the break.
Suitably refreshed everyone started the second leg of the run via back roads through picturesque farmland to Northam, on to Toodyay and finishing at the Jennacabbine Pub where a tasty roast lunch was served before the awards and prizes were presented.
It was laughingly reported that there were a couple of “domestic disputes” over the map reading and quality of driving enroute, but the good food and wine at the lunch venue curtailed any divorce proceedings!
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Club
Rooms Busy Bee Saturday 30th June
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Digging, weeding, sawing, pruning, raking, sweeping dusting and washing—there was certainly plenty of hard yakka going on at the “Busy Bee” at the Club Rooms on Saturday 30th June. A big thank you to the willing volunteers:
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Festival of Motoring Sunday 15th July Report by Basil Rose
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We were not quite the last to arrive, but somehow Pete had me “volunteering” to write this report. Like other members I'm sure I owe Pete the odd favour, so here goes! Nineteen cars arrived for an early start, and it was good to see a couple of the "racers" there, namely Brian Griffin and Rami Brass with daughter Erica keeping him company. The weather was cold but clear and fine. A couple of soft tops braved the run with hoods down, however, I heard remarks at York that it was a very "cool" trip! The day turned out great with the number and variety of cars comparing favourably to the British Car Day at Gingin. I'm not a strong walker, so Genni with Ann Elfgren made a shopping foray to the main street and came back a bit poorer but happy. I enjoyed the company of a lot of club members and passers by. The Heritage Motorbike Club was parked nearby and most of the bikes brought back memories of my youth in Kalgoorlie. I really enjoyed talking to the owners about their bikes. The Torana Club won the Display prize. I heard they had a well set-out show on the grass. We, with several other clubs were "in the bush". After a very enjoyable day out most members began to leave by about 3pm for the return run home. Many thanks to Peter Robinson for his usual enthusiasm and efforts on the day. Basil Rose |
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Christmas in July Social Night Saturday 28th July
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY Once again the annual “Christmas in July” party was a great success with good food, good wine, and good company. The party goers revelled in the music of the talented duo Ebony and Ivory whose repertoire included ballads and songs from the sixties and seventies, with rock and roll as a finale for the more energetic club members. The beautifully prepared meal included baked ham and turkey for the main course and mouth watering sweets including Christmas pudding, apple and blueberry crumble and pavlova . A big thank you to Karon and Erik for a superbly organized event.
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Economy Run Sunday 12th August
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It is ‘reported’, that those who missed out on the ‘Economy Run’ event, really did miss a great day. The sun was out and the wind calm as we covered approx 75 kilometres of highway and back streets, travelling through a varied landscape of sub-tropics/open country & farm land to end up at our destination, the magnificent Lake Leschenaultia. A BIG thank you to Bruce Simpson, who gave up the best part of his ‘lunch break’ to do all the calculations.
Numbers were down for the annual Economy Run this year—only 15 cars were entered. However, those participating enjoyed a beautiful scenic drive with ideal weather conditions that ended with lunch at Lake Leschenaultia. The run, which wound its way through John Forrest National Park and also included morning tea break at Mundaring Weir, was organized by club stalwart Peter Robinson with Bruce Simpson once again volunteering his computer and mathematical skills to decide the winners.. Our thanks to both of them for all their efforts.
Winners were: 1st Phil Pettit TF 2nd Michael Gusterson TF 3rd Errol Russell-Lane MGB Organizer Peter Robinson (TF)sportingly requested his very good result be excluded from the awards.
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MGCCWA
Quiz Night Friday 31st August
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The Quiz Night, organized by David and Marion Pitcher and held at the clubrooms on Friday August 31st had been promoted as a social fun event and that certainly appeared to be true by all accounts from those who attended.
Six teams, totaling thirty-three club members and friends took part, engaging their brains to search their “memory banks”. Inevitably several answers to the questions were not correct but some Wags gave hilarious answers.
It wasn’t all “head down” stuff and everyone enjoyed chatting and joking between rounds and during the interval when the raffle was drawn.
Due to the success of the evening the committee may consider this as an annual social event during the winter months – your thoughts on this idea would be appreciated.
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Caversham
Grand Prix Run Sunday 2nd September
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The 1957 Australian Grand Prix anniversary event organized by the VSCC, was not an official MGCC run but several members attended and enjoyed a social day out including a tour of the old circuit driving their own MG’s.
After a lot of hard work by willing volunteers over preceding weeks, the badly time-ravaged track was made drivable in time for the day.
Shrubbery was removed, pot holes filled and metres of gravel were spread. Unfortunately, a change in wind direction caused heavy red dust, stirred up by the demonstration racers, to be deposited over spectators and their parked cars alike but nobody seemed to mind. The day at Caversham put on by the VSCC celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1957 AGP was a resounding success albeit a dusty one, with over 3000 people attending and for those that entered to drive the circuit what better way to spend Fathers Day. It was extremely pleasing to see so many MGCC members not only enter for the event but also those that ventured out as spectators to have lunch and enjoy the day looking at the old and some not so old cars, being able to talk to some of thee drivers that participated in the original event and to view close up some of the cars that actually ran in the 1957 Australian Grand prix. Well done to the organising group in the VSCC for a memorable day - the MGCC looks forward to other events at Caversham. |
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Social Run
- Breakfast Sunday 23rd September
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This photo just about sums up a perfect day —An MG, a scenic drive, beautiful weather and good company, not to mention a hearty breakfast!
Terry Banton organized a great run on Sunday 23rd September 2007 with twenty-nine cars and fifty-eight participants.
Departing at 08.15am from the clubrooms the convoy proceeded to Hazlemere, Goosberry Hill, the Zig-Zag at Kalamunda, Mundaring Weir and finishing at the Mundaring Hotel.
It was probably a bit early in the day for the “grey matter” of some people to cope with Terry’s tricky quiz but the results were quite good and everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
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Safety Fast
Run 2007 Weekend 13th - 14th October
click here to go to Safety fast page
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It was a bright and sunny morning on Saturday, 13th October, when 67 MG’s, one Humber and one “MG Ute” assembled for the start of this year’s Safety Fun Run to Busselton. The start venue was perfect, a large grassed area with plenty of space for the cars, adjacent to the Swan River in Victoria Park. Three entrants had come from the Albany / Denmark area, we had four solo drivers and one all female team!
Mike Smith started the first car off through the arch at 8.30am and we were soon headed southwards on the freeway. Once Anketell Road was reached, we got onto the country roads. Until you take part in a run such as this, you do not realize how many “back” roads there are and we were able to travel all the way to Busselton with the minimal use of highway roads. Morning tea was taken at a reserve in Waroona, which fortunately was situated a little way out of the town because the Waroona Show was in full swing.
Back on the road with the “tulips” (which proved to be very useful in finding our way) found us arriving at Donnybrook Oval for lunch. Some really scenic driving through the Ferguson Valley and Nannup and Balingup areas marked Saturday’s drive, with many people stopping at Gnomesville, Nannup and Balingup to see the sights. A final, fairly highspeed run (the observation questions had now finished!) brought us to the Bayview Geographe Resort. This venue is beautifully situated on Geographe Bay and after settling into their accommodation, some people walked on the beach and even had a swim in the ocean.
The Saturday dinner dance progressed smoothly with good food, good company and entertainment provided by the duo “Ebony and Ivory”. The prizes for the first day were awarded together with a table prize for an MG Quiz that took place during the evening. Even though it had been a long day, people were still dancing at 11pm!
Another fine day greeted us on Sunday and we once again set off at 8.30am, in a not so orderly pattern for our run up the coast to Bunbury. We provided a motoring spectacle for people having a coffee in the “Cappuccino Strip” in Bunbury. Morning tea was taken at another beautiful spot by the Leschenaultia Inlet at Australind, after driving through the Tuart forest. A final highway section (with a general knowledge quiz for the navigators) saw us drive through the finishing arch at Leonda Receptions in Mundijong for our lunch. An excellent barbecue lunch was served and formalities were kept to a minimum. Prizes for the Day 2 quiz were awarded together with the trophy for the hard luck story, which went to Julie Fair and Maureen Smith, whose car had to be left in Bunbury because of electrical problems. The “Peter Gent Spirit of the Event” trophy was then awarded to John and Wendy Hudson, who had not only travelled up from near Denmark to take part in the event, but had completed the 600kms or so in their 1934 MG “P” type. During the lunch, $306 was raised for cancer research by raffling a weekend away at Wanjedda Hilltop B & B and some MG regalia from the UK, together with an autographed Safety Fast T shirt.
Finally, David Lambert of Shannons awarded the 5, 10 and 15 year badges to those eligible participants to complete another successful Safety Fast Run.
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Have a Go
Day Wednesday 31st October
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The Seniors Recreation Council, in conjunction with many sponsors, held the annual “Have a Go Day” in the grounds of Burswood Park on Wednesday 31 October 2007.
For the second time, the MGCCWA was invited to put on a display. This event is a totally free day for seniors and others to explore and experience some of the many activities and services available to seniors in WA. There is also ongoing entertainment and raffle prizes during the day.
Thirteen members displayed a superb range of beautifully prepared MGs, which were a credit to their owners, and our Club. The weather was perfect and I am sure we all enjoyed the day and the opportunity to talk to the many visitors who showed a genuine appreciation of the cars.
My thanks to all those members who volunteered to display their cars.
Val Goff
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AHG Spirited Driving Day Wednesday 7th November
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Well, the God’s were smiling on us on Wednesday 7th November when 20 MGCC members and their cars arrived at the AHG Driving Centre for the “Spirited Driving Day”.
The weather was fine, sunny and not too hot - and what a great venue for the event. All the feedback I received from those who attended was positive with everyone saying they had enjoyed themselves. Some people certainly blew the cobwebs out of their cars.
Not to be out done by anyone, our “mad
midget driver” Shawn Moore found a snake on the track and went bush to see
if there where any more. John Bennington also brought out his midget for a
last blast before it moved on to it's new home. He had a couple of hairy
moments, but he and the car survived and I'm sure both Dennis and Kevin
(the new owners) will have a great time with this very fast little Midget.
Karon Townley showed-up many of the men with
her driving skill and kept the light burning for the ladies. (I think next
time some of the MG girls, who pay half the bills, should shift the “old
man” out of the seat and have a go themselves!) We had a couple of small hiccups with processing the initial paperwork and locating a recovery vehicle, which cost us some time but I'm sure we could tighten this up at any future event.
With AHG letting us use the complete long track it made the viewing better and the driving challenging.
I would like to thank all the competitors for being on time with the correct paperwork - It really helped to make the day run smoothly. Also, thank you to everyone who assisted me.
Footnote: Those Midgets impressed me so much I went out and bought one last weekend. I must have had brain seizure! |
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Social
Lunch Run KEV'S LUNCHEON LIAISON Sunday 18th November
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Under cloudy but fine weather conditions twenty-one MG's, one Corolla hire car and one Hyundai left the clubrooms at 9.00am for Kev’s Luncheon Liaison on Sunday 18th November 2007. The Corolla hire car was driven by Doug and Catherine Bush who were visiting Perth from the UK.
Doug is the chairman of the South East
Centre of the MGCC of the UK. It was great to have them on the run with
plenty of MG stories from the UK.
It was nice to hear some positive feedback from members who came along and I am looking forward to many great MG runs next year. Thanks to Dennis Fair who helped me with the run and the questions. Kevin Ball.
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Annual General Meeting Tuesday 11th December
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Awards and trophies for 2007 were presented at the AGM.
All award recipients are listed in the Club Awards page.
Click here to view.
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