Club Runs

CLUB RUNS

The Club offers its members the opportunity to take part in two types of runs. One is the Day Run held on various Sundays throughout the year and the other is the Mid-week run held regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month. There is also one weekend away, usually held in July.

These runs are organized to allow time for socializing as well as enjoying a drive with fellow enthusiasts.

Details of meeting times and places for the runs are advertised on the Calendar page of this website and also in the Octagon. A contact name is always given so that you can check on the latest details of the run.

Most participants drive their MG but other makes are not excluded. Below are reports and photos of some recent runs held by MG Car Club.

"Watch the birdie, they say!!??....
I can't see any b....y birdie!!!

MIDWEEK OVERNIGHT RUN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

NOVEMBER 2020

Some months ago I put up my hand to “set an overnight run with feminine flair,”being a little bit of this and a little bit of that, not attempted before but was keen to try my hand. David was a very steadying influence along the way.

Covid was a cause for some alarm but the Miles duo set a run, up hill and down dale, narrow roads, but I definitely did not anticipate a change of course at the last moment due to roadworks on the way to Fernvale. This caused a huge headache for David (I was busy on other projects!!) as he had to reset the first (and subsequent) using Google and Wheris maps – not a pretty sight or sound!!

We met at Rocks Riverside park, the fellas attending to Jan's “B”, signed the attendance sheet, then headed off on the re-planned route via Marburg. Here we met Trevor and Joy Jones, then on to Esk where Michael and Marilyn Keating, Ray, Suzanne and Di Davies were waiting, Di with her wonderful cake for morning tea. It was a pleasant surprise to see Joyce and Allan Tebbitt who drove out to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

With everyone now in tow, we had a short tour of Esk's main street before heading to Crow’s nest via the Esk-Hampton Road until turning off via Perseverance Dam Road, a great drive with amazing views from the mountain heights. After a quick drive through Crows Nest's business centre to see the Art Deco facades of the buildings and we were on the final leg of our drive through scenic farmland with the usual narrow bitumen roads and into Goombungee.

Our stop-over in Goombungee included a visit to the Rosalie Art Gallery where the current art display was a textile collection by Let Van Vonderen. Her work was amazing and very colourful. On this occasion the art gallery opened just for us so we were very appreciative and thank you Karen. Lunch here was either BYO or the Iron Bark Cafe which supplied very enjoyable fare. We were joined here by Darling Downs Chapter members Bryan and June Phillips in their MG TF. A quick stop at “Post and Presents” for a little more retail therapy concluded our visit to Goombungee, then we took the short drive to the Meringindan Pub where many enjoyed a very cold beer after a hot day. We lost a few cars as the Burke “B” still required some attention.

The traditional Happy Hour was a rather noisy affair, where we were joined by Victor and Sue Ranosh from Roma who had taken the opportunity to join us in conjunction with an appointment in Toowoomba the next day.

Also enjoying Happy Hour were the Phillips, Pat Birmingham and Rob and Fern Callow – great to have these Chapter people join us.

Our Christmas dinner saw the migration from Happy Hour to the motel’s Lily's Restaurant dining area. “Christmas Hats” were proudly worn by all, with prize-winners being Jan Burke (she of the overheating “B”) and John Walker. They were deserving winners, too! Everyone received a gift from Santa, enjoyed an excellent dinner and concluded the evening with very bad renditions of carols. Our thanks go to Bruce and Heidi and the wonderful staff at the Highfields Motor Inn.

After a well deserved sleep and breakfast we headed off to Toowoomba West Airport, Wellcamp, now fully operational having been constructed in record time by the Wagner family. Aptly guided by Brian and June, this time in their TC and assisted by Fern Callow, we arrived on time – no “U” turns required!

As requested by Airport Development Manager Timothy Carney, we parked all the MGs together for a photo shoot, then Tim gave a very interesting talk on the history of the development and plans for the future, including an insight into their plans for a motor sport project – very exciting! This was followed by a tour of the terminal, the story of the Virgin Airlines and Tiger liveried aircraft and others. Sadly, two of the Virgin 777 aircraft are destined to be scrapped. Following this, some enjoyed a very nice Devonshire tea whilst others selected from the cafeteria.

Then, as all good things must come to an end, it was time to venture homeward via Toowoomba's Second Range Crossing, although some hardy souls did take the final option to take the short detour into Forest Hill for a final cool drink and chat at the Federal Hotel.

So much fun and laughter and camaraderie, a fitting end the year, but, sadly, some of our good friends are no longer with us, but not forgotten.

Sunshine all-ways,

Meryl Miles.

There were many great photos taken by Malcolm Campbell, of very cheerful people enjoying themselves which are too many to include here. Instead Malcolm has provided a link where all of the photos are available for viewing. The link is …. https://www.flickr.com/photos/motor-racing-photography/albums/72157717102479257

MG CAR CLUB MIDWEEK RUN - 24 February, 2021

February mid week run........ by Denis Thomas

The first midweek run of the year was held on Feb 24 and, as all the happy faces in Malcolm Campbell's photos of the event show, made all participants very happy to be underway with these very popular runs again. Thanks go to Jeff and Pat Heslewood for their overall organisation of these events and especially for the organisation of this one.

Photos by Malcolm Campbell.

VISIT TO ARTHUR MORRIS’s car collection – Report by Jeff Heslewood, photos by Jeff Heslewood and Phil Bryan

On Saturday 14 November, the MGCCQ was very fortunate to be invited to view the 1936 Auto Union GP Car of Brisbane businessman, Arthur Morris.

This is a truly unique vehicle which is being faithfully restored to reflect its heritage. I believe that I can confidently report that all 20 members and friends who attended felt privileged to see and touch this genuine example of motor racing history. Arthur is not just a collector. He is a “been there done that” type of person who obviously enjoyed showing us his wonderful collection of cars, speedway solo bikes & memorabilia which he has gathered over many years.

On behalf of the club, I thank him for this great opportunity.”

Those attending were:-

Jeff & Greg Heslewood – Ford Escort

Phil Bryan – Austin Healey

Errol Hoger – MGB

Don Webster – MGTD

Dennis Kelly - Mazda 3

David Miles – Subaru Forester

Peter & Norma Upham – Ford

Andrew Manfield – MGTF

Ross Kelly – Aston Martin

Di Hiley – RAV4