Events
Club Christmas Breakup
Sunday Dec 11th 2011
Orleigh Parki West End
Austin 7 Christmas Run - Sunday, 11/12/11
The day started bright and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky, but unfortunately it did not end that way.
We had a great turn out for the last run of 2011 with the following people attending:
Austin 7's: Trevor & Elaine, Mike & Kathy, Jack Hynd, Tim, Justin McCarthy & Matthew with his boys, Martin & Trent and Amanda & myself.
Modern: Colin & Nancy, Peter & Nell, Ian & Valda, Lindsay, Alan, Neil & Karyn, Grant & Jackie and Doug & Robin.
We all gathered at Orleigh Park at around 10 am for a chat and morning tea. Trevor had gotten there early & reserved 3 tables under a shelter that was to prove its worth later on in the day. Valda spread the Christmas cheer with a bag of chocolate bite size bits (you know the little bite size Picnic's, Flakes & Dairy Milk things). She even catered for those that aren't supposed to have sweets too - when Amanda put her hand in the bag to select a sweet she pulled out a Crunchie wrapper which didn't have anything inside it much to everyone's merriment. After a few short speeches we had lunch and Peter cracked open the traditional water melon followed by some more chat before a storm hit. With a bit of quick footwork some managed to get to their cars & leave for home before the worst of it hit. Whilst others, us included, were a bit slower & got caught in the downpour. Trevor, gentleman that he is, was helping Alan, the walking wounded & had taken some of his stuff up the hill for him but unfortunately the skies opened up before he could get back for the rest of the things. So Trevor took shelter in the Austin while Elaine & Alan were stuck in the park under the picnic shelter. Alan rang Trevor on his mobile to ask why he hadn't driven down to pick them up. We didn't get to hear the answer but I have a feeling it might not a have that polite. Eventually the rain eased up enough for us to make a dash up the hill to our cars but we still got a bit wet on the way and as we drove back home we passed through a couple of waves of rain which made us quite a bit wetter. At one stage we had to pull off under an awning of one of the factories along Fairfield Rd as it was bucketing down & we all know what exceptional wipers the Austin's have, as it was raining so hard that we couldn't see the road we decided it was better safe than sorry & in about 5 minutes it had passed & we were able to hit the road again. Mind you when we got to Oxley the Ipswich Motorway was dry. The rain had missed it entirely. It did, however, catch up with us after we got home though.
It was a good morning out for the Austin 7, for the public to see our cars and for us to enjoy our cars. We had a long chat with old friends and made some new friends, it was good to see our new member Grant there & to meet his wife, Jackie & also to see Jack out in his Austin. So have a look in the Austin 7 newsletter for the next event & come join in the fun and get your Austin 7 out on a run.
Having fun in an Austin 7
Brett Wilson
Club Run Toowoomba
10-11th Sept 2011
Brisbane to Toowoomba
TOOWOOMBA WEEKEND RALLY (DAY 1)
The morning of Saturday 10 September was cold and VERY windy. We congregated at a park in Goodna, and awaited the arrival of the organiser of the rally, John Que. And we waited, and we waited, and we waited. Despite having presumably driven the route numerous times prior to the rally, John somehow managed to miss the exit from the highway. But he was in good company, as our illustrious President, Lindsay Jordan, managed to miss the exit as well. (Good Ferret fodder!)
We set off in our cars, some old and some modern. In A7s were Lindsay Jordan, the Wilsons and Justin McCarthy, and in moderns were the Moores, the McGuills, John Que and the Thyers. We headed for Laidley, via the townships of Walloon, Rosewood and Grandchester, stopping at a park just outside of Laidley for morning tea. After morning tea we farewelled Justin, who was returning home. We then visited a church craft fair, set up to capture those passing by en route to the Laidley Festival. While we did not go to the Festival, it appeared to be big affair with roads blocked off and lots of people.
We continued our drive, visiting Lake Dwyer and passing through Forest Hill to Gatton. In Gatton we visited the Lights on the Hill Trucking Memorial. This Memorial, which is dedicated to truck drivers who have lost their lives, is a sad reminder of the dangers facing truck drivers on our roads.
Lunch was in a shelter nearby, with most people munching on hot pies from the local bakery. Lunch was a short affair due to the wind, and everyone happy to get back into the shelter of their cars. It must have been one of the windiest days all year.
The next leg of the rally took us through the town of Grantham, which was badly hit by the January floods. There was little indication of the devastation that the floods had wreaked on the town, just the odd flood water line on a house or remains of police tape across a fence.
From Grantham we headed on a scenic route through Lilydale, Fordsdale, West Haldon and Hirstglen that took us gradually up the Great Dividing Range. We then turned northwards towards Toowoomba and headed to the Japanese Gardens at the University of Southern Queensland for a peaceful stroll through these beautiful, traditional Japanese gardens.
From there the Thyers said goodbye as they headed back down the Range to Brisbane for an evening commitment, while the remainder of the group headed for their accommodation to rest up before getting ready for a big night out.
At this point, Neil and Karyn thank John for organising an enjoyable and interesting rally. We wish we could have stayed for the whole weekend!
Neil and Karyn
Toowoomba Run - Day Two, Sunday
After a very pleasant dinner at the Golf Club it was off to bed to awake to a very chilly, though thankfully not as windy, Sunday morning of around 3deg at 8am. With the meeting place being outside our caravan park at least we didn't have too far to travel.
Once assembled the remaining 5 cars set off to Picnic Point for a look around where, after the winds from the day before, we felt sure we'd have a pretty good view, but alas it was not to be as the outlook was still quite smoky. So after a brief pit stop, we all jumped back into our vehicles & headed off to Kevin & Dianne Drew's place where we were greeted to the sight of Dennis Gillbard's '29 Tourer parked out the front of the drive. After getting the formalities out of the way (the inspection of Dennis's car that is) we proceeded up the driveway to be greeted by Kevin & Dennis. Kevin then led us past Pussy Willow Pond & Viagra Falls on a tour of his magnificent garden - Kevin advised that they'd planted approximately 19,000 plants in their yard this year. They started planting in March & once they have all finished flowering then they would all be pulled out again as most were annuals. After navigating the garden beds we finally arrived at Kevin's toy shed where we were able to view his wonderful collection of cars displayed in his immaculate & very well organized shed. Dianne arrived back home while we were inspecting the toy shed & in very short order had everyone organized with a cup of coffee or tea and a choice of cake, scones or biscuits - very tasty indeed. After an extended chinwag we had to make tracks & we finally bid our Toowoomba hosts goodbye. We also bid farewell to Trevor & Elaine as they were heading off up the coast to be with Elaine's Mum. So the remaining 4 cars set off to our lunch stop in Esk. We paused briefly at Hampton for a comfort stop where we encountered a large group of Alpha Romaeo's of various years (plus 1 Rolls Royce) also out for a Sunday drive. Suitably relieved we continued on & other than a couple of seemingly suicidal bike riders who thought nothing of passing on double lines we had a pretty uneventful trip down the range. We stopped at the bakery in Esk for hot pies & sausage rolls for lunch & then we each proceeded home at our own pace.
All in all it was a very enjoyable run & thank you John for organizing it. We hope to see you on the next one.
Brett & Amanda Wilson
2012 A7 National Rally Update No 2
Barossa Valley SA
2012 NATIONAL A7 RALLY
BAROSSA VALLEY SA
Monday Oct 1 to Friday Oct 5
Hosted by; Austin 7 Club of SA
262 Tapleys Hill Road, SEATON S.A. 5023
ABN: 85 770 577 863
UPDATE NUMBER 2
As you may recall the Austin 7 Club of SA is hosting the 2012 National Austin 7 Rally in the picturesque Barossa Valley to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Austin 7. It will run from Monday 1st October to Friday 5th October 2012.
As previously advised the dates were selected to coincide with the renown Bay to Birdwood event which will be held on Sunday 30th September so that the rally entrants can participate in the Bay to Birdwood with the other 1700 vehicles. They could also participate in the events organised by the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs of SA during the week leading up to the big event. This means that rally entrants could, if they wish, stay in Adelaide for up to a week prior to the rally then move from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley on the Sunday night or Monday morning. It has been confirmed that Austin 7's will be the feature vehicle of the 2012 Bay to Birdwood which is a big plus. The program for the week leading up to the Bay to Birdwood will not be available until early 2012.
However, although the 2012 National A7 Rally is still 3 years away, the itinerary which is subject to change has been has already been planned.
Accommodation will be available at a minimum of 3 Motels & 1 Caravan Park in Tanunda. Details of these venues will be issued with the Entry Forms which we expect to be mailing out in Oct 2011. Trailer parking will be available for all entrants at 1 of these venues regardless of whether the owner stays at that venue or not.
The Headquarters for the National Rally will be at the Tanunda Show Grounds Hall which is in a very nice setting and has plenty of parking available.
P.T.O.
Registration will be held on the Monday (day 1) at the Headquarters. After registering, entrants will then be escorted in small groups on an orientation tour of around the 3 main towns of the Barossa Valley. A Welcome dinner will be held that night.
On day 2, after a briefing at the Headquarters we will depart on about a 55 miles (110 miles round trip) drive to Mannum on the River Murray. After a cruise on the Murray we will return to Tanunda in time for an optional Noggin & Natter at one of the accommodation venues.
Day 3 starts with a Boot Sale at the Headquarters, followed by a Street Parade then a run around the Valley. That evening we are planning on having a film night.
On day 4 we plan on having 2 runs. One will only go as far as Kapunda, an old mining town, whilst the other carries on further to Clare, a nice regional town set in the Gilbert Valley (another great wine region). The 1st option is about a 50 miles round trip, whereas the other is about another 90 miles further (140 miles). That night there will be another optional Noggin & Natter.
After a briefing on Day 5 we head off to the Roseworthy Agricultural College & Machinery Museum which is a round trip of about 40 miles. That evening we will have a Farewell Dinner.
Obviously we will need to get an indication on how many people are likely to enter the 2012 National A7 Rally before preparing & issuing Entry Forms. Consequently we will be sending out Expression of Interest Forms late next year (2010). When we do, we plan on supplying each club with 2 DVD's (one on the Barossa Valley, prepared by the Tourist SA, the other has snippets of the 2004 & 2008 Bay to Birdwood runs).
If you have any queries or concerns, or would like any more information, please don't hesitate to contact one of the following 2012 Rally Committee Members;
David Grear (Chairperson) 08 8296 1689 dgrear@optusnet.com.au
Lyn Clerke (Treasurer) 08 8853 7191 tnclerke@picknowl.com.au
Ralph Drage (Secretary) 08 8251 2637 rdrage@bigpond.net.au
Scott Appleyard (Runs Coord) 08 8295 3431 scapple@bigpond.com
Bronwyn Stephens (Social Coord) 08 8365 1343 kasznik@e-access.com.au
Regards
Ralph Drage (Secretary)
