DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER
Established September, 2005
The MG Car Club was formed in 1954, the club is composed of motoring enthusiasts who enjoy all makes of motor vehicles, not just MGs and provides activities for all aspects of motoring, sporting, and social.
The Darling Downs Chapter was formed in September 2005, and since that date the chapter has grown strongly with a growing list of members in Toowoomba, Warwick and as far west as Roma, who, enjoy access to all the benefits of the parent body at a reduced membership rate.
MG Car Club of Queensland promotes sporting and concourse events at a State and National level in addition to a strong calendar of club activities, technical and historic information can be accessed from the club web site.
Darling Downs' members enjoy regular monthly day runs and midweek lunch meetings, (organised by our Midweek Run Conveners). Day runs commence on the last Sunday of the month from various locations. Details of all runs are included in the "What's On" link on the MG Car Club website.
For further information contact Darling Downs' Conveners:
Marilyn Keating - Coordinator
Email: ddc.mgccq@mgccq.org.au
Mobile: 0427 573 048
DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER
Marilyn Keating
OAKEY RSL LUNCH 10/06/2026
What a day we encountered for our June lunch meet. Very thick fog and drizzly rain greeted us as we arrived in Toowoomba on our way to our lunch meet at Oakey RSL Club. It’s not unusual to see that much fog at the top of the range, but unusual for us to experience such thick fog almost all the way to the western outskirts of Toowoomba, and then clearing as we neared Oakey. I do feel sorry for those who live at the top of the range, looking out over the valley with magnificent views and then having to experience white-out quite often at this time of year.
​
Needless to say, there were only two MGs amongst the group of eight cars who rolled up for the lunch at noon (extra Brownie points to Ken & Sue, and Owen). The Oakey RSL is always a safe bet for a nice lunch and you rarely have to wait long before your meal is served. It was interesting to note that on the menu for seniors, was a “corned beef and white sauce pie”.
That’s the first time I have ever seen that version of a pie on a menu, or indeed, in any pie shop. I decided I would be brave and try it, and I can say it was very nice indeed. Something a little different to the usual fish and chips, crumbed chicken etc.
Following lunch there was the usual catch up with fellow members and after solving the world’s problems (and there are a lot of them), it was time to head home. A very pleasant couple of hours taken care of.
PARTICIPANTS:
Michael & Marilyn Keating (Jaguar XJ6), Ron & Judy Gillis (travelled with the Keatings), Jim Carstens (Falcon), Ken Shead & Sue Craig (MGBGT), Gene & Faye Lucas (Honda), Helen Goodfellow and Del Jensen (Corolla), Bill & Del Fischer (Honda), Owen Douglas (MGB), Trevor Martin (Nissan).
DARLING DOWNS
Brian & June Phillips
Blackbutt Run - 31 May, 2026
As the years pass by, finding a new run for the MG Car Club is often a challenge. When we heard that the gravel road from Crows Nest to Blackbutt had been upgraded to a sealed road, we decided to investigate this option for a possible "MG Run ". We heard rumours of a pie shop that is so loved by locals and tourists, that we had to accept the challenge and investigate the "rumour".
We set off to check the condition of the road and found it to be "twisty and windy" with many dry creek crossings and very little traffic. Perfect for an MG run in the making. So, on a chilly morning in May, a total of 13 cars fronted up for the run starting at Pioneer Park in Highfields.
Included were 3 new members, Steve Evett, Mike & Yvonne Wade and Wallace Hunter and his grandson Charlie, who we welcomed into the MG family. Our route took us out onto the highway at Cabarlah, with the destination for morning tea at Bullocky's Rest Park in Crows Nest.
This route eliminated pesky traffic lights and kept everyone together. The bullocks used to take 2 days to do this trip, we did it in 30 minutes.
With morning tea and comfort stop completed, we ventured on through Crows Nest to try out the new road. Little traffic was encountered between Crows nest and Blackbutt. The road is in good condition and the cars went scooting through the hills and gullies making MG driving very enjoyable. We lunched at the Blackbutt Hotel and gave the drivers three choices for the return journey – west to Yarraman, back the way we came or east via Esk.
Rumour has it that some members, prior to leaving Blackbutt, took our advice and checked out the bakery, however, we’re not sure if it was pies or vanilla slices that were purchased! We hope everyone enjoyed the run, especially our new members, as we did.
PARTICIPANTS:
Michael & Marilyn Keating (MGBGT) Mike & Yvonne Wade (MX5) Steve Evett (MGF) Janis Lawrence (MX5) Bill & Del Fischer (MGA) Brian & June Phillips (MGBGT) Wallace Hunter & Charlie (MGB) Ron & Judy Gillis (CX3) Susan Willesden & Trevor Martin (MGB) Helen Goodfellow & Del Jensen (Corolla) Narelle & Rob Fraser (MGTD) Owen & Kay Douglas (MGB) Barb & Mal Campbell (PT Cruiser).
DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER RUN
26 APRIL 2026
By Gene & Faye Lucas
A small group of cars met at Ernest Peak Park in Drayton in readiness to attend the SG Markets at the University of Southern Queensland Campus in Toowoomba. It was a very short drive from our meeting place to the University. Car park spaces had been set aside for our MGs to take pride of place on display for all to view. The SG Sunday Markets, in partnership with the UniSQ Student Guild, launched on 5th October last year, and features around 30 stalls with fresh produce, handmade crafts, many varieties of food and artisan goods to name a few.
There was quite a bit of interest in the cars from the general public and many photos taken during the morning. There is a possibility we might even gain another new member.
After we settled into our designated area, morning tea was next on the agenda. The coffee lineup was a little wait but worth it.
Next stop…. something sweet. Shall we say the “Bakers Duck” did well from our members who walked away with lighter pockets but yummy food to accompany our coffee. A few of the ladies wandered around the market and I think they will agree there were a lot of beautiful things on offer. Some of us may have purchased a little too much, but all for a good cause. Across the street from the markets, in the University grounds, was a great representation of muscle cars which also attracted a good deal of interest.
Our visit ended around noon and the day was concluded with a very enjoyable lunch at the Westbrook Tavern.
PARTICIPANTS:
Gene & Faye Lucas (MGTD), Owen & Kay Douglas (MGB) Trevor & Karen Martin (MGB), Anthony & David McNamara (MGB), Susan Willesden & Cherine Lawer (MGB)
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale now in Classifieds
