Capricorn Chapter

CAPRICORN CHAPTER
Established 24 May, 2008

Capricorn Chapter MGCC country members living in the Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Biloela and Moura districts can now enjoy more social activities with the Capricorn Chapter being officially recognised following the meeting in Rockhampton.

Founding members from these existing Chapters joined club President David Miles and Assistant Treasurer Kevin Ponting in Rockhampton for the occasion. Gurney Clamp was appointed Co-ordinator of the club's newest regional Chapter, joining Wide Bay and Darling Downs. After holding that position for 10 years, he resigned at the end of 2018 and the role has been taken over by Gary Kunst.

Phil Henry is the Coordinator of the Capricorn Chapter.
His contact details are :
Phone: 0434 017 132
Email: mgcapricornia@gmail.com

Click here for our Facebook page.

Here is the 2026 Calendar. to download in Excel. The committee has made provisions for any changes or additional outings, through listing some impromptu runs.

MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.

Run Report – Koorawatha Homestead, 19-20 September 2026

By: Phil Henry

Photos by: Phil Henry. Narelle Adamson (fog rainbow)

Many of us must have the same experience of Koorawatha Homestead – we drive past it every time on our way to or from Brisbane and think “I wonder what that place is like?”

So a small contingent of MGCCQ Capricornia Chapter members decided to find out. Following (in most cases) a route laid out by Gordon Kelsey, who used to work in the area, they took off from Rockhampton on a delightful spring morning.

The first brief stop was at Mt Larcom, for necessary ablutions, then to Calliope for coffee and cake. We had been joined at Mt Larcom by Robbie and Gary Galloway in their Land Rover, then by Jean and Clem Hill at Calliope in their MX5. After that it was a zoom up the road to Many Peaks for lunch, after another comfort stop at Ubobo, where the tour leader demonstrated his utter ineptitude at choosing the correct route out of a one-horse town.

At Many Peaks, the pub was surrounded by street machine type automobiles, members of the (Gladstone) Harbour City Auto club. Their unmistakable V8 rumbles punctuated our lunch as they departed. The food was copious and tasty and of course some participants couldn’t refuse a (light) cleansing ale.

Then onto the Blackman’s Gap road to Miriam Vale. Suffice to say, some of the gravel sections felt like they hadn’t been graded since construction. Overall though, it’s a great experience in a part of the world that many thought we should explore more in future.

After a bit of a breather, we headed up the Bruce goat track to Koorawatha, where we were efficiently checked in to our rooms.

In no time at all and ignoring some instructions against doing so, the group gathered out the back around an industrial cable drum serving as a table.

Drinks, snacks and chatter quickly ensued, although purchasing lucky number tickets proved too difficult for one member, who managed to drop his ten dollar note into the aforesaid drum. Hence the photo of Gordon Kelsey with a hose – he can explain.

The food was uniformly excellent but it was here that things started to fall apart. No prizes for guessing what was the common culprit and no prizes for identifying who was most like to over-indulge. A “long run” tradition that refuses to die.

The next day started with a “leisurely breakfast” after a generally agreed good night’s sleep. A photo shot for the owners and then onto the road home. A breath test station in Benaraby could have spelled disaster for a couple of the team, who scooted past while the officer conducting the testing was engaged in extended conversation by Gary “Haveachat” Whight. Martin Adamson similarly was pronounced perfectly legal.

The final stop was Calliope for coffee (awarded zero points by the group’s quality arbiter). It was too early to call into the pub at Bajool, so that’s the (interim?) end of another tradition.

The final word goes to Meredith Sutherland, who sent this: “Thank you all for a very happy, fun weekend - enjoyed every minute.”

Lucky number draw – Doris Lisle

Participants:

Ewen and Meredith Sutherland - BMW Z3
Martin and Narelle Adamson - MGB
Gary Whight and Doris Lisle - Triumph 2500TC
Clem and Jean Hill - Mazda MX5
Gordon Kelsey - Mazda MX5
Phil Henry - MGTF (2005)

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MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.

Run Report by: Phil Henry

Photos by: Phil Henry, Gordon Kelsey

A goodly sized group drifted into Fig Tree Creek carpark to commence the August run by starting off with coffee, cake and so on.

With only a leisurely short run to undertake, no-one was in any hurry to get on the road, so a choice was announced: the group could stay, chat and go straight to lunch, or leave on time and do the visit to Raspberry Creek homestead first. As per the run sheet.

The coordinator had ignored one of the key components of coordinating and left the choice on the table. One should never offer choices, should one? Anyway, most members didn’t hear the announcement and tootled past Byfield Store to the homestead which, although closed, offered enough interest to justify the visit.

Lunch time (as per the run sheet) arrived soon enough and, consistent with every visit we have made there, the Byfield Store had our yummy food and drinks out very quickly. This was even though we were a large group and there were plenty of other customers.

It looked like this would be a run with no incidents, but on the way back to Yeppoon the coordinator, travelling behind Martin and Narelle Adamson in their MGB, noticed it slowing. Eventually Martin pulled over and diagnosed a lack of petrol at the carbies.

A few knocks on the fuel pump restored flow, only for a repeat further down the road, by which time more members had arrived. We believe Martin made it home satisfactorily but with another job to do. The photo of Wayne Bergan with his bonnet up was – we are reliably informed – not related to any problems.

Lucky number draw – Wayne Bergan. Hmmm, coincidence?

Reminder – September run to Koorawatha. Book the motel and let Gordon or me know.

Participants:

Gordon Kelsey - Mazda MX5

Gary Whight and Doris Lisle - Triumph 2500

Jack and Rae Cowie - MGBGT

Wayne Bergan - MGA

Martin and Narelle Anderson - MGB

Jo Emmert - MGB

Ian and Judy Hamilton - Subaru BRZ

Rick and Michele Taylor - Chevrolet Corvette

Ewen and Meredith Sutherland - BMW Z3

Lyell and Pat Fielding - Audi TT

Richard Hughes - Mercedes A45 AMG

Phil White - MGB

Brian and Glenis Russell - MGB

Paul and Joanne Davey - MGB

George Ganter - MGTF

Phil Henry - Hyundai Kona

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MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.

Run Report – Treetops Cawarral/Eric Clamp Residence - 19 July 2026

By: Phil Henry
Photos by: Phil Henry, Gordon Kelsey

A glorious Central Queensland day greeted both Rockhampton and Coast groups as they gathered at their respective starting points. Not long after, both groups arrived at Treetops Tavern Cawarral, at which time some deficiencies in run planning soon became apparent. These included no smoko type food in the store and only one miniscule coffee maker and one operator. I must take responsibility for these egregious oversights.

That said, the beer was as refreshingly cold on Sunday as it had been on the exploratory journey, although this may not be sufficient consolation to those not imbibing. Thank you for joining me on the road to ruin, Doris.

Anyway, it was a pleasant enough way to spend an hour or so. Discussions yielded agreement on how best to navigate to Eric’s place at Bungandarra. The agreement proved insufficient, as a last-minute decision to do a lap of Emu Park CBD was probably not heard by everybody. Those who did the lap soon found out it was market day, with commensurate traffic jams in the small village.

Fortunately, most of the lead group pulled over at Kinka, allowing the others to catch up and rehash the arrangements. Heading north to Yeppoon two slow vehicles, a truck and a caravan, ensured there was no indiscriminate driving at the speed limit.

The group pulled up at Farnborough where it emerged that we’d lost a few people. John Rowe’s exhaust had parted way and several others had stopped to help – this was successful, as they joined us at Eric’s place.

Eric’s father Gurney, inaugural Coordinator of the Capricorn Chapter, met us and directed parking, carefully separating open top cars from others!

In no time a posse of volunteer short order cooks were on the tools and not long after, the fruits (meats?) of their labours were served up and tucked into. Many thanks Paul Davey, Gordon Kelsey, Gary Kunst and Gary Whight.

Eric and Karen’s place has a fabulous location looking out to North Keppel Island and up and down the coast.

Eric gave a comprehensive history of the place and explained all the work he and Karen have done to build their house while also landscaping the block, maintaining fire safety and maximising water storage

Our newest members Kim and Darren Craig did their first joint run with the Chapter, Kim in her 850 Mini and Darren on his Vespa.

It turns out that Darren’s parents once owned a 1925 Bullnose MG that had previously been owned by none other than Cecil Kimber. As MGCCQ members would know, Kimber was an engineer with Morris Garages and designed the first MG sports models, thus establishing the brand that owners know and love. See picture, this car now lives “down south” somewhere, other MGCCQ members will no doubt know where.

As proceedings wrapped up, the lucky number draw was won by Robbie Galloway. Gary Whight informed participants of a charity car show in Biloela (please see Gary for details) and Gordon reminded everybody about the need to book early for Koorawatha on 19/20 September. Byfield details coming soon.

Thanks again Eric and Karen for hosting and everybody for coming. Especially all the MGBs, it was almost like the “old days”!

Participants:

Gary and Julie Kunst - MGB

Neville Funch - MGB

Jo Emmert - MGB

Gurney Clamp - MGB

Paul and Joanne Davey - MGB

Trevor Andersen - MGTF

John Rowe - MGA

John and Gail Newton - E-type Jaguar (very shiny!)

Gordon Kelsey - Mazda MX5

Gary Whight and Doris Lisle - Triumph 2500TC