THE BIRTH OF THE CAPRICORN CHAPTER

by founding Chapter Coordinator, Gurney T Clamp

 

After purchasing my 1972 MG B in Brisbane and shipped back to Yeppoon, I started driving it on every opportunity I got in and around Yeppoon and its surrounding area.

Then, one day I came across a couple driving  in their  red MG B doing as I was, so I caught up to them and found that they were from Rockhampton and doing a cruise around Yeppoon. Their names were Dale & Margaret Volling. I told them that I was going to try to form a MG Car club in Central Queensland and asked them if they were interested in joining a club such as  I was trying to form.

 

They agreed that they would be interested, gave me their contact details and I told them that they would be number 2 members. On arriving back home, one of my neighbors, Robert Hanson, called over to  have a good look at my MG and told me that he knew of another MG owner, Trevor Williams, who lived in Yeppoon. He agreed to take me to meet him and this visit turned out to be very important as he tried unsuccessfully to form a MG car club several years ago. He had a list of names and contact details of people that owned an MG in Central Queensland, which he gave to me.

 

I returned home and started making contact with everyone on the list, asking them if they were interested in forming an MG car club in Central Queensland. The response was just what I was hoping for so then, I had to contact them all again informing them that on Sunday, 4 May 2008,  a meeting of all interested MG owners was going to be held at Beaman Park Yeppoon at 9.00 a.m.

 

On Sunday, 4 May I was overjoyed by the number of MG’s and their owners that arrived at Beaman Park. They had come from as far away as Moura, Biloela and Rockhampton. All present indicted that an MG car club should be formed. I was elected as chairman and spoke on how we should go about forming the club.

 

Jim Armstrong and Gary Kunst who were current members of the MG Car Club of Queensland, suggested that we should seriously look at becoming a chapter of the MG car club of Queensland if this club had any chance of survival. The MQCC of Qld already had two chapters operating quite successfully called the Darling Downs and Wide Bay Chapters. In doing this, we would  have the back up of the MGCC of Qld’s support in legal liability, financial matters etc., if successful and accepted by the MGCC of Qld. All present agreed that this was the path that we should take and indicated that I should continue as an unofficial chairman of this fledgling organization.  

 

On Monday, 5 May 2008, I contacted the MG Car Club of Queensland’s then President, David Miles,  informing him of the outcome of our meeting at Beaman Park in Yeppoon. I then asked him what steps needed to be done for the MG owners of Central Queensland to become a chapter of their club.

 

The response was an overwhelming “We will be glad to welcome you into our club”.  He indicated that information would be forwarded to me and he asked me to call a meeting of all interested MG car owners to attend another meeting at a time and venue suitable to all concerned.

It was agreed that a meeting should be called on Saturday, 24 May, 2008 at the Rockhampton Golf Club, and the club president David Miles would attend.

He was supported by Brisbane members, Val Horgan, Kevin Ponting, Wide Bay chapter coordinator Ian Bryant and Darling Downs coordinator Trevor Watkins, all arriving in Rockhampton on Friday, 23 May in their MGs. My wife Gloria and I were invited to attend a dinner at the motel they were staying at in Rockhampton. And of course we attended.

 

On the day of the meeting at the Rockhampton Golf Club premises, David Miles addressed all present on functioning and policies of the MG Car Club of Queensland and what was expected of the chapters that are affiliated with them.

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These discussions were well supported by the Brisbane members and the chapter coordinators, the late Ian Bryant and Trevor Watkins.

 

A vote was taken to accept that all Central Queensland MG owners become a chapter of the MG Car Club of Queensland, the result was unanimous. Next step was that we now need to find a name for our chapter. A few names were suggested but Capricorn Chapter was selected.

 

I was then elected as the coordinator for the newly formed Capricorn Chapter, the next step was to select a suitable time of each month to have a get together of members, once again a number of suggestions were put forward with the 3rd Sunday of each month be adopted, which was duly voted on and passed.  

 

David Miles indicated that the results of this meeting would have to be approved by the MG car club of Queensland and I would be notified of the result by mail, A letter dated 28 May, 2008 was received from MG Car club that the management committee of the MG Car Club of Queensland had accepted our application to join as the Capricorn Chapter.

 

After a couple of years at a Christmas function, Ian Wilhelmsen and Phil White suggested that we all should find interested members to assist in the running of the chapter, to which I agreed. Ian Wilhelmsen was elected as assistant coordinator, Phil White and Terry Dwyer as event committee members. Since then I have found that this to be of a great assistance to myself, as we now prepare the following years calendar in November of each year with suggestions of places we should tour to coming from individual members.

 

FOUNDATION MEMBERS

ARMSTRONG   Jim & Sandra - Moura / Yeppoon

BREED  Peter & Tracey - Rockhampton  Past members    

CLAMP  Gurney & Gloria - Yeppoon

CLARK  Stuart & Ada - Goovigin

DWYER  Terry - Rockhampton

FOX  Bill - Yeppoon  Past member

GUBBINS  Tony (Deceased) & Merilyn WEST- Rockhampton Past members

KIRWAN   Wayne - Biloela

KUNST   Gary & Julie - Moura / Yeppoon

MADDEN  Don -Yeppoon   (Deceased)

O’DEA       Tom & Kathy - Yeppoon   Past members

PIDCOCK  Ted & Margaret - Yeppoon   Past members

RUSSELL   Brian & Glenis - Biloela

SULLIVAN Pat & Stephanie - Rockhampton

VOLLING  Dale & Margaret - Rockhampton  Past members

WHITE       Phil & Pam - Rockhampton

WILLIAMS Trevor - Rockhampton  Past members

MGCC of Qld. Capricorn Chapter

Run Report; Byfield Brekky, 21 February 2021.

By Jim Armstrong

 

What a glorious day! It all started when the Rockhampton contingent gathered at the Qld Govt car park on the corner of Norman and Yeppoon Roads at 7:45am as planned but no John Rowe, so the group waited a bit, 5 minutes then 10 but still no John.  So, after a few phone calls with no answer tour leader Jo decided to wait no longer and headed off toward Byfield to meet the Yeppoon group.

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Meantime, the Yeppoon group had started to muster at the Woodbury Rural Fire Brigades’ car park. Rick and Michell were there in their sparkling red Corvette when Rick notice that his right-hand front tyre looked a bit “doughy” so after procrastinating for a little while decided to head off to Byfield before it went flat altogether. The rest of the group chatted amongst them selves and watching the steady stream of motor cycles passing by headed for Byfield as well. We all commented about how unusually slow they going when two motor cycle gendarmes also went by. Ah, that explained it.

In due course, the Rocky group arrived and the welcoming greeting again were in order and the first round of the Poker run cards handed out. Shortly after we all then headed to Byfield for our brekkie.

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On arrival we were surprised to see John and Rick both chatting to the motor bike coppers. Rick was getting questioned over his left-hand drive vehicle and whether it was legal or not. John on the other hand quickly came across to us to explain that he had misread the run sheet and had been there an hour already.

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Anyhow, the Byfield store had reserved quite a large area for us and so we settled in for our brekkie. Breakfast was served and eaten by all and how delicious it was too. The poker run was run and won by Tom and Janelle and the rusty door prizes were won by Gloria, Nev, Ian and Gordon. Soon we were all eating chocolate, straight after breakfast. 

After a quick address by yours truly, we were on our way once again this time to Nobby Creek pottery, however because of the rising temperatures, some elected to return home.The ladies of the group ventured inside whilst the men patiently waited outside and fed the local mosquitoes.

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Shortly afterwards, we were on our way to the Waterpark picnic grounds where a group of young 4X4 were inflating their tyres after a trip to Five Rocks along the beach so we were relegated to the area over the road which as it proved was even nicer.

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After a cool drink and some lovely home-made chocolate slices by Judy, Lyn and Michelle, it was time to leave once more but not before we witnessed two large Goanna’s taking a stroll past our rotunda and up a nearby tree.

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Those who attended were:

Tom and Janelle Coe

Gordon Kelsey

Laurie Chetter and Beth Dunlop

Robert and Yvonne Holbeck

Phil White

Clare Lynam

Jo and Katie Emmert

Neville Funch

Daryl and Joy Penridge

John Rowe

George and Lyn Ganter

Paul and Jo-Anne Davey

Rae and Jack Cowie

Rick and Michelle Taylor

Gurney and Gloria Clamp

Ian and Judy Hamilton

Myself

MGCC of Qld Capricorn Chapter.
 

5 February, 2021

Friday night dinner at the Pacific Hotel Yeppoon

By Jim Armstrong

Photos by Phil Henry

 

It was a balmy tropical Queensland evening when we held our first Friday night dinner which was very well attended. We all started to arrive to a very crowded and rowdy venue at around 6:30pm and soon were all settled in for our evening meal in the open-air beer garden where the noise was somewhat subdued. Given the number of patrons at the venue the meals were very quick in being served and were quite large. It seems like the Pacific is the “in place” for Friday afternoon beverages. After a while the crowd dissipated and the noise level came back to normal. 

 

It was pleasing to see Ian and Judy Hamilton back on deck after Ian’s spate of serious operations in Brisbane over the Christmas break.

 

Welcome back folks and it won’t be long until Ian is his old bubbly self once more. Also pleasing to see our two new member couples of Paul and Jo-Anne and Bruce and Virginia there as well and Ian and Chrissie after quite a spell.

Our group enjoyed a friendly chat after our meals and most stayed for some time enjoying each other’s company before heading to their homes once again.

 

Those in attendance were:

Robert and Yvonne Holbeck

Gurney and Gloria Clamp

Jack and Rae Cowie

Terry Dwyer and Anne Burbidge

Laurie Chetter and Beth Dunlop

Paul and Jo-Anne Davey

Rick and Michelle Taylor

Ian and Judy Hamilton

Trevor Andersen

Ian Henricks and Chrissie Johnson

Bruce Acheon and Virginia Smith

Phil and Margaret Henry

Lloyd Armstrong and his three children James, Elisabeth and Nicholas

Sandra and Myself

CAPRICORN CHAPTER

Run Report 31/01/2021 

 Mt Archer Bar- b- que.

By Jim Armstrong

 

After a rain delayed start on the planned date of the 24th Jan, the run up the mountain was well attended. The day started with scudy showers but had cleared by lunchtime which was enough to stop one couple of the group from coming, however the Yeppoon group met at the Oaks Servo at 3:00pm as planned. It was very pleasing for me to have to introduce two new members (couples), Bruce Acheon and his partner Virginia Smith and Paul and Jo-Anne Davey. Paul and Jo-Anne arrived in their just completed immaculate 1969 Indigo Blue MGB, a real stunner. Bruce is currently in the process of rebuilding his MK11 MGB but in the very early stages so welcome to these two (new) couples, we all hope you enjoy the trials and tribulations of owning MGs and the fellowship that goes with the club membership.

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After the usual greetings and inspection of Paul’s car, it was off to Rockhampton to meet the Rockhampton contingent. Worthy of note was that the Henry’s were enjoying the luxury of their newly purchased shiny black TF (ex Cathy Bartley).

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After a safe and uneventful trip to Rockhampton, we met the Rocky group at the Frenchville school where most had already gathered. Again, more introductions and chatter while we waited for a few more to arrive right on the planned departure time. It was good to see John Rowe who recently had to make a quick dash to Brisbane with his wife, Stella after a medical scare. We all hope things are now on the improve.

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During our usual pre-run discussion and introduction meeting when the new members were being welcomed, we had a very inquisitive by stander who joined our meeting who was asked if he too was a new member. He said he wasn’t but loved MGs and that he had previously owned an MG.

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Anyhow, up the mountain we go and as I recall there were no boiling radiators this year, we all seem to be improving with the maintenance of our cars. Well done all!!

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It was a little disappointing on our arrival to see that our usual spot had been taken by other locals enjoying the cooler temperatures of Mt Archer in the Summer. The council also had completed a lot of restoration work to the park adding to the ambience of the park attracting more people.

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Soon we had settled in to another location and the Barb-e-ques were lit.

Forward-thinking Laurie Chatter had also bought his portable Barby complete in a really presentable Laurie built polished wooden case. Thanks Laurie.

 

In the meantime, Jo and Katie were busy organising and running the poker run and the lucky rusty door prizes. The poker run was won by Joy and Daryl  and the rusty door prizes were won by Virginia and Bruce, Jo-Anne and Paul, Katie, and last but not least Gloria. Good to see newcomers winning and joining in the fun.

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Soon, everybody was eating their dinner and chatting away with each other but as the sun was setting, a few choose to walk the new hilltop pathway around the park overlooking Rocky in its glorious sunset hues. By now a very cool breeze had sprung up and so it triggered the end of the picnic as people loaded their cars and headed back down the twisty mountain road and headed for home.

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Unfortunately for Paul and Jo-Anne, their beautiful MGB slowed and came to a stop just past the Oaks Servo. Jack and Rae were with them and as we pulled up. Paul had managed to get going again so Rae drove off however the MGB going was only short lived as stopped once more. After several attempts and by passing the battery isolation switch, it still would not play the game so Paul called in the RACQ who loaded on a tilt tray and took them the remainder of their way home. Never mind Paul and Jo-Anne, it happens to most of us, this is the joy of MG ownership.

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Attendees for the day were:

Robert and Yvonne Holbeck

Daryl and Joy Penridge

Clare and Paul Lynam

Jo and Katie Emmert

Tom and Janelle Coe

Pat and Stephanie Sullivan

Phil White

Laurie Chetter and Beth Dunlop

Jack and Rae Cowie

Bruce Acheon and Virginia Smith

Phill and Margaret Henry

Paul and Jo-Anne Davey

Martin and Narelle Adamson

Gurney and Gloria Clamp

John Rowe

Sandra and myself