President’s Report – November 2024

I’m writing this report on the morning after we welcomed guest speakers from the Australian Electric Vehicle Association to our Monthly General Meeting.

AEVA SA Branch Chair Sally Knight and SA Board Member Mike Polljonker were the speakers, Sally detailing some of the history of EVs, where we are now, what the future may hold, and the advantages they offer – which include big cost savings as well as environmental considerations.

Mike is an experienced hillclimb and rally driver and based his talk around how much more fun he now has driving a (very hot) EV than he had driving (very hot) petrol cars. He summed up his message: don’t ever think EV’s have no soul – with the right EV it’s all about fun. Mike’s MG4 X Power (430hp) was one of the display cars – along with AEVA Event Manager Eric Rodda’s EV conversion he did himself nearly 14 years ago. Mike has also constructed a KIA EV which does 0-100 in 2.8 second. It was a great night and there was certainly a lot of food for thought. Thanks, Sally, Mike and Eric.

For more details go to www.sa.aeva.asn.au

One of the decisions reached at the October Committee Meeting was that all Monthly General Meetings will start at 7.30pm, not 8.00pm, effective from January. In practice, that means from now on because the November 12^th MGM will also start at 7.30 as once more, we have a guest speaker.

She is Cub member Lisa Dallow, a survivor of the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand nearly five years ago in which 22 people died. Lisa has a fabulous, bubbly personality and has agreed to be a guest speaker in conversation with me this month. Lisa’s red MGB will be the display car that night and she will talk through the adjustments that have been made to it for her to drive it. Light supper will follow.

Please also note a change of date for Peter Cundy’s motorsport night, which will now be on Friday 29^th November (not the 22^nd) as the old date was found to clash with an event at The Bend. Our Patron will detail his fun and games around the racetracks of the UK, with photos and videos, in this special night hosted by Motorsport Secretary Steve Bowra. Light supper that night too.

The December MGM moves from the clubrooms to Lobethal to take in the Christmas Lights on Tuesday December 10^th, to be followed by the Club’s Christmas Event in the Clubrooms on December 14^th.

We have a new sponsor/advertiser for our magazine – Grays Motor Auctions – welcome aboard.

I finish this report on a sad note to report the passing of club member John Kemp, who’d been a member of our club since 1978 and will be remembered as a competitor, keen owner and restorer, Committee member and dedicated active member.

Many thanks to Bev Waters for jumping into the breach despite her distress at losing a friend and organising an interim solution to the website management. At the time of writing this report, all material for the website should be sent to Bev, clearly identifying where on the website it should be placed, and she will manage/liaise with eHost who are doing the uploading/downloading.

Safety Fast!

Stephen Marlow

President.

PS: Work on my MGB is proceeding slowly. At the age of 74 I’m learning to do all sorts of things I never dreamt of . . .