PRESIDENT’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2023

Octagonal greetings!

As always, plenty to report this month.
We now have a substantial calendar of events lined up to commemorate 100 years of the MG marque.
Those events are:

Kimber Run – Nov 12 (finishes at Gawler)
Adelaide VAILO 500 – Nov 22-26 (Victoria Park)
Xmas lunch – Dec 9 (Clubrooms)
All MG Day – Feb 18 (Glenelg)
All British Day – March 3 (Echunga)
British Classics Tour – March 17 (Adelaide to Victor Harbor).
Centenary National Meet – March 29-April 2 (Tamworth NSW)

Other events are likely to be added by various Registers and event organisers – these will be added to the Centenary Calendar on the website. The Calendar is accessible by clicking on the banner on the Home page or from the News page, so keep an eye on the website. Click here

At the Adelaide VAILO 500 at Victoria Park we’ve been given absolute prime real estate right by the front gate so this will be a major Centenary event for the Club. The organisers have increased our ‘quota’ to 60 cars, so if you’re still considering it please let me know. Full details are in the Centenary section of the website.

The Committee agreed at its August meeting to form a partnership with the Historic Motor Vehicle Club of Victor Harbor in staging the British Classic Tour next year. This collaboration will form part of our centenary, we’re sharing the organisation by providing volunteer assistance and it’s not costing the Club anything. Ken Burke, Stephen Spong and I are working with the Victor Harbor group.

Alan Cardnell’s Centenary Subcommittee has come up with a range of regalia and merchandise to help commemorate the centenary, including shirts, caps, and a commemorative calendar for 2024. Again, watch the website and Facebook for details and ordering details. There are also ‘teardrop’ banners, conventional banners and handouts for events and free car stickers for all members. Thanks to John Kemp and Lynden Burns for the designs.

Apart from the Centenary, the Committee has agreed to support the MG Racing SA proposal drawn up by John Illingworth, which will use motorsport to promote the MG marque and increase membership and engagement with the Club. MG Racing has existed in Victoria for more than 30 years and it’s exciting to be bringing it to SA, with its home to be at The Bend. This will be funded by an allocation from the Ian Curwen-Walker Bequest, which the Committee agreed was an entirely appropriate use of funds. Jason Edwards will be working with John on maximising this opportunity for the Club, watch out for details.
Our August guest speaker, car book author Don Loffler, updated us on the project he’s currently working on, a sequel to ‘Cars You Used to Drive’. Don is looking for Kodak colour slides of MGBs (and other cars) up to 1967. If you can help out you can email Don at loffleradelaide@gmail.com Turns out Don was also Ian Buckley’s Latin teacher!
And Neville Daniel reminds us that volunteers are needed to assist with the Shannon Adelaide Rally 2023 to be run November 17th-19th. Registration at https://www.adelaiderally.com.au/volunteers or contact Neville at neville.daniel@bigpond.com
Elsewhere, the Constitution Review run by Arthur Ruediger has also updated the job descriptions for Committee office bearers and other appointees; and the Club Activities Booklet given to all new members. These reviews are being considered by the Committee.
Last – but by no means least – Alan Cardnell has presented a forward budget to the Committee which shows we are in good shape but like everyone and every organisation, we have to watch the pennies.

Safety Fast!
Stephen Marlow, President.

Email: president@mgccsa.org.au
Mobile: 0409 600 557