RUN REPORT – Breakfast at Beaches - 01/03/2020

Hi everyone,

It was a beautiful, sunny autumn day for ‘Breakfast at Beaches’ Run. The service, the food and the company were all superb and an enjoyable morning was had by all. It was a bit of a split day with only a few stayers from breakfast driving through to Emu Park for the lunch. There was a nice show-up of cars over the day with a total of 11 cars and Paul Lynam brought along his 1949 Norton S2 (British Bike) for a leisurely ride. Akane and Mayuri, two Japanese Exchange Students joined us on the drive. They are both currently staying with Jo and Katie Emmert.

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Part A – Brekkie and Wreck Point Lookout

Gathered at the breakfast and for the brief update from Jim were:

Jack & Rae Cowie, Rick & Michelle Taylor, Phil Henry, Laurie Chetter & Beth Dunlop, Martin & Narelle Adamson, Julie & Gary Kunst, Jim & Sandra Armstrong, Paul & Clare Lynam and Jo Emmert, Akane & Mayuri (Jo’s Japanese Exchange Students).

While waiting for our breakfast to arrive, Rae Cowie publicly thanked Jim Armstrong for the work he has done to fix (resuscitate) her MGF. She is most grateful to be able to drive her MG again without issues.

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The Coordinator, Jim Armstrong also provided members with the following updates:

• An invitation to all members from the Rockhampton Sports Club to attend their annual dinner. Cost is $75 if MG members would like to attend and this includes food and drinks.

• Invitation from the Wide Bay Chapter for MGCCQ members to attend an ‘All Chapter Meeting.’ This is a Mini National Meeting and will be held from 11th -14th September. For anyone who is interested in attending from MGCCQ accommodation will need to be organized for these dates in Maryborough.

• Summer Nats are being held in Rockhampton from June 26th -28th this year. Our club has been invited to participate in some way.

• Capricornia Historical Motor Club are having a rally in Gladstone June 13-14th

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Paul Lynam won the Poker Run with a Straight. Narelle and Martin Adamson won the Rusty Door Prize and Gary was the runner-up.

After our breakfast feast, club members in attendance proceeded to Wreck Point for a quick chat and a few photos of the MG’s with the spectacular vista of Keppel Bay as our backdrop.

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It was at this point that a few members (Jim & Sandra, Phil, Laurie and Beth, Martin and Narelle and Jack and Rae) left the group to fulfil other commitments. Jim and Sandra left us to continue to Bagara to catch up with some fellow MG enthusiasts from the Brisbane area.

As the number of cars was dwindling and the weather was warming up quickly, it was agreed to shorten our journey and stop at the Ross Creek Markets for a short time instead of driving to Emu Park via Farnborough/Bungundarra.

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Part B- Lunch at Pine Beach Emu Park

After a short stop at the markets, four cars and Paul on the Norton drove through to Emu Park via Tanby Road.

 Once arriving at the ‘Piney’ we were joined by a fresh group of members and their cars, including an MGT and a Daimler. Members enjoyed the air-conditioning, ice cold drinks and delicious lunch. Many members tried their luck at winning a meat tray. Jo desperately wanted to show Akani and Mayuri what it was like to win a meat tray. Unfortunately, all that was won was a 1kg bag of Snake lollies by Clare. After the raffles were drawn around 1:10pm everyone went their separate ways to return home for a welcome reprieve from the heat.

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Members who gathered for lunch were:

The Stayers – Gary Kunst, Rick & Michelle Taylor, Paul & Clare Lynam, Jo Emmert,  Akane & Mayuri

The Newbies - George Ganter, Gurney & Gloria Clamp, Trevor Anderson & Glenis , Neville & Barb Funch

Kind regards,

Clare Lynam

Run Report; “A Touch of Class” - Friday, 13 March 2020.

By Jim Armstrong, Chapter Coordinator.

“Good Venue, Good Company, Excellent Cuisine” was the feedback we received from participants of our Friday night’s dinner run.
 

An unexpected venue change was thrust upon us at the last minute when one of our diligent members, Robert Holbeck informed me that our original venue was no longer opening on Friday evenings. A quick call to that establishment soon confirmed this.

Thanks to our assistant coordinator, Clare, who did a reconnaissance visit to CocoBrew and with the endorsement of the run committee, the new venue of Cocobrew was selected.

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Cocobrew’s building, was originally a Hotel that was patronised by some of the attendees in the past and was also a Masonic Club and was in recent times very well and tastefully renovated. It was the topic of conversation early in the evening for our Capricorn Chapter members who were there fondly reminiscing. After seating was rearranged to suit our needs, attention was soon focused on to the fine faire on offer. Expectations were soon realised on receiving our dishes. They were delicious. Not one grizzle or complaint was heard as the meals quietened our members as they enjoyed their meal. Desert was equally as good. Who would have thought the spring rolls and coconut vanilla ice would be so scrumptious.

Our little function was held in the “Whiskey Room” (which we had to ourselves) and very shortly after dinner several of our male MG enthusiasts sampled what was on offer at the bar, whilst others retired to the comfy lounge area for a friendly chat, mainly about secret women’s business.

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The last lager waltz was called all too early it seemed as everybody in attendance were enjoying themselves. Then all paid their bill, said their goodbyes  and made their respective way home after a good evening’s get together. Let’s hope that this dreaded virus that is threatening our great planet is soon eliminated so that we can have continued good times such this evening.

In all, 19 of our chapter members attended the evening along with Gary and Julie’s daughter Shannon and her two younger daughters Paige and Imogen.

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In attendance were; Gary and Julie Kunst, Clare Lynam, Tom and Janelle Coe, Jack and Rae Cowie, Laurie Chetter and Beth Dunlop, Robert and Yvonne Holbeck, Phil Henry, Rick and Michelle Taylor, Pat and Stephanie Sullivan, Jo Emmert, and Sandra and myself and of course, the three guests previously mentioned.

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Jim Armstrong,

Capricorn Chapter Coordinator,

MGCC of Qld inc.

MGCC of Qld, Capricorn Chapter - Run report “Crocodilian Adventure”, Sunday 22nd March,2020

By Jim Armstrong.

Well, the COVID-19 definitely influenced the numbers but 15 eager souls showed up for this run but no shaking hands, hugging and the like dampened the greetings.

The Rocky Group gathered at the Government Buildings’ Car park but one member initiated a quick phone call when he was a little late. Fears of a breakdown were quickly eliminated when John turned up very shortly later. The group then headed off to the junction of Dairy Inn road and Yeppoon road to meet up with the Yeppoon contingent who had previously gathered at the Oaks service station.

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Shortly after our hellos (again no handshakes hugs etc) we headed off up Dairy Inn Road through the little township of Cawarral  and on to the Koorana Croc Farm. After the recent rain the countryside was absolutely stunning with lush pastures and green fields.

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We arrived a little early for the Crocs, so we parked along the entrance road for a photo shoot and as you can see by the photos, we were in total isolation. How’s that Scomo? Jo drew her first Rusty Door Prize and it was won by Gary Kunst and the second one by Martin and Narelle. Both parties soon shared their winnings around and it Fantails and Turkish Delights for everybody.

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Anyway, the gates soon opened and we were greeted by Adam Lever son of farm founder John Lever. A short drive up to the buildings revealed three huge Kangaroos simply grazing on the side of the road. Must be good paddock!

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On arrival, we all paid our fees for the tour and thanks to Adam who gave us a discount. The tour commenced with a video explaining how John established his farm and how he acquired his breeding stock and how they manage the incubation of the eggs and how the temperature affects the sex of the new born crocs. Then the tour stared in earnest with a walk out trough the breeding pens where some crocs were fed. Adam explained how the most dangerous croc is the one you don’t see, giving us a demonstration with two crocs that were only about a meter from us (but behind a fence thank goodness) . None of us saw these crocs until Adam hit the water and they lunged out making us all jump back. Our group all had a turn at nursing a young croc. Some were braver than others, hey Judy? From here we walked up to a pen that had two American Alligators whilst Adam explained the differences between them and our Salties. He said it was like comparing a Tiger to a Tabby house cat. Next pen was the Australian Fresh Water Crocs and then across the big Monsters. And weren’t they big! All of them bigger than 5 meters in length. Before we got to the last pen, John, Adams dad, appeared holding a crocodile egg.

A baby croc was about to hatch and we were treated to witnessing the birth of a crocodile. Now that’s something you don’t see on your average MG run! The tour completed with the viewing of the biggest croc on the farm, he was huge weighing in at over a tonne, this monster was caught at the Ingham Sugar Mill pond, where it used to be common for mill workers to swim during their lunch breaks.

Well that ended the tour and we were saying our goodbyes to our hosts, when John Lever told us something different about Mgs other than his uncle once had one etc. Apparently when he was in New Guinea, he had an MGB that he used to deliver crocodile meat in its boot. Beat that!   

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Ok, from here, our next leg was on to the Keppel Sands Hotel through some more lush country side. Just one little hiccough though, when I, as the lead car, turned left, no one followed me. A quick U turn and as I was making my way back, here they all come so, another quick U turn for me and we were all on our way again. Apparently, some were a bit slow leaving the croc farm so Jo in the second MG waited for them. Well done, very diligent of you Jo.

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On arrival at the Keppel Sands Hotel with undercover parking for some, it was pleasing to see our ex Coordinator and chapter founder, Gurney and his wife Gloria waiting for us. After settling in we then ordered our lunch and a cold refreshment and chatted amongst ourselves for the next hour or so. Jo adjudicated “Jo’s Poker Run “the prize this time was a MG key fob and it was won by John Rowe. Phil Henry, in between his Chamber of Commerce and local election phone calls got talking to a chap who owns a TD2000 which is a modern retro vehicle that resembles a MGTD.

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With full bellies, we departed for our respective homes. We all agreed, a good day in times of gloom.

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Those who attend from Rockhampton: 
Clare Lynam;  Jo Emmert; Gary and Robbie Galloway (good to see you two on a run again) and John Rowe.

From Yeppoon and surrounds: 
Gary Kunst; Phil Henry; Martin and Narelle Adamson; Ian and Judy Hamilton; Gurney and Gloria Clamp and Sandra and Myself.

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With this COVID -19 virus affecting the country so much, our proposed Annual MG Run Calender will have to be severely edited. Future runs will be in doubt but will be considered dependant on conditions. If runs are proposed, they will be strictly drives and bring your own food and drinks .