PRESIDENT’S REPORT
From Fred Neild
PRESIDENT’S REPORT AUGUST 2008 How’s this for good news! I was trolling through the other MG Club websites and came across this article on the Geelong website dated 15/7/08. It reads in part: “The recently relaunched MGTF, a.k.a. the new MGTF LE500 has taken the UK by storm with it selling most of its limited 500 car run already. Cost is 16,399 pounds, 700 pounds cheaper than its predecessor.” Looks like the Chinese have sorted out the quality control issues that delayed its initial release in the UK; maybe it will be sold here in a couple of years, you never know. In the July edition of Unique Cars there was an article “Aussie Crawl” with David Dowsey writing about “Our cars are getting older and so are we..so what’s the future”? It mainly focused on pre-war cars, but it’s a concern we have discussed from time to time. Most of us bought our MG because we saw, liked, or had one when we were single, the family is now off our hands and we are in a position to buy the MG we always wanted. Maybe the ride seems harsher than we remember, the brakes scary, and we feel our stiff joints when we arrive, but we overlook that because our MG makes us feel young again, even if only in our minds. But who past the baby boomers is interested in buying our cars and continuing our passion for the MG marque. The Y generation will be lucky to see a pre-war car on the road, and only MGB’s and MGF’s are driven enough to be recognised by most. I have encouraged my 23 and 21 year old children to drive my MG’s, and hopefully one day the cycle will come full circle and they will buy an MG because they enjoyed one in their youth. On most Club runs, be it breakfast, mid week or Sunday lunch runs, the few numbers present of pre-MGB cars is always evident. We need to get them on the road, display them, and maintain the public’s interest in out cars. As Neville Daniel, the previous T Register Co-ordinator used to always say “Drive ‘em, don’t hide ‘em”. The next MSCA meting at Mallala on the 17th August is being manned by the MG Car Club, so if you want to come and watch, or help, or enter, please support your Club. Entry is also free, and it’s not to late to enter, closing date is 8/8/08. Hope to see you there. One last thing. Do you waive to other MG drivers? Yes some don’t seem to waive back these days, but that’s their loss. We are the marque of friendship, and we share a common bond in driving MG’s. Keep on waiving. Fred Neild…... |
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT JULY 2008
The annual motorsport MG Challenge between Victoria & South Australia at the Queens birthday long weekend, comprising a hill climb and sprints, is over for another year. There is a detailed report in this issue, but I would like to add it was satisfying for the motorsport committee to see so many first timers to the sport join in, have a great time, and come home with stories and smiles, and no bent cars! Thanks to their efforts we retained the Challenge trophy for another year.
I would like us to focus now on Motorkhana’s, the safest form of motorsport, and encourage more participants than we currently have. I have spoken to our Patron Ed Ordinski, a keen supporter of motorkhana, who is willing to give up his time to help with driver instruction, for which we thank him. I’m trying to arrange for the Club to have exclusive usage of the facilities at Monarto, for a Club day, and I will keep you posted.
August’s monthly general meeting will be followed by a Special General Meeting, called to vote on a proposed increase in annual fees for all members, commencing the 1st January 2009. (Refer notice of Special General Meeting in this magazine.) Our membership fees have not increased for 4 years, but in that time magazine production costs, insurance, light/power, postage, rates & taxes, together with tax we now pay on interest we earn on our deposits, and GST have all had a negative impact on our operating margins. As an example GST now payable on the current membership fee of $80- reduces the net figure to just under $73-00.
The National Meeting group under the leadership of Tim Edmonds meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the clubrooms, and we are working to complete the agenda and finalise event bookings by the latter part of this year. I cannot stress enough how important this event is to the MG community Australia wide and this Club. We have to be ready to take bookings by the upcoming Nat Meet in Geelong 2009, one year out from our event. We still need assistance on the various sub-committees, and specialist areas like advertising, printing, and sponsorship. If you can help please give myself, Tim or Bev Waters a call.
I have received various feedback on my article last month regarding Club runs, all of which were welcome. Most was positive, others required clarification, and in the end all agreed we are a club, for the benefit of all members.
Feedback can only improve the Club. Keep it coming. I have a thick skin.
See you out in your MG
Fred
PRESIDENT’S REPORT JUNE 2008
We are now into that time of the year when roof’s go on our cars and we hope the heater & wipers still work! And the Club just keeps putting on more activities to test your resolve to bring out your MG on those wet & cold mornings.
I went down to Penola/Coonawarra at the beginning of May to meet up with the MG Car Club Geelong social members who were on a tour and stopping over in OUR wine region for 2 nights. Coincidently the MG Car Club of Victoria were also at Coonawarra one night, on their own tour. The Geelong crew of 28 MG’s, 56 members made me feel very welcome, and it was a great opportunity to speak with their President and others, on social & club matters. They have a simple rule when on a social run: do not discuss politics, religion, money & CARS. And it seems to work.
I’m keen to promote a yearly Border Run with other MG Clubs, and it’s a great way to meet other MG enthusiasts. Geelong will be organising another run in November and if you are going to the Nat Meet in 2009 what better way to socialise with the hosts before you go there next year. I will keep you informed.
Our first meeting for the Nat Meet 2010 here in Adelaide will be on the 21st. May (tomorrow night!) to start organising this major event for the Club.
But don’t think it’s too late for YOU to help. If you only ever volunteer to help with one event in your time with the Club, then this is it. Roles will be major & minor; some will be one off, other a provision of services to help defray costs. Just tell myself or Bev Waters how much you are willing to help and we will be most grateful.
The Nat Meet website is being designed by Peter Coulson and his sub-committee, and we must have all venues booked and in place by late this year, so we can start promoting Adelaide’s event at the Geelong Nat Meet next year.
Hopefully you will receive the June magazine before the Queens birthday long weekend. Whilst it’s too late to enter the MG Challenge, have you considered the Come & Try aspect of the event, at Mallala, on Sunday 8th June. Enter on the day. For the cost of $30- entry fee and a CAMS day licence for $25- you can have a controlled run around the track behind a pace car. Experienced drivers can give you advice from the passenger seat on the first session, and then you can try it yourself in the next 2 sessions. Helmets will be provided. Just provide yourself and your MG.
Quick, don’t think about it, give Bev Waters a ring and she will fit you in.
I have had feedback from various members about runs being organised by the Registers. They feel, and from my observations I tend to agree, the idea of a Register promoting an event, instead of the “Club” gives the impression to some members it’s only for those particular cars. We are a Club, and everyone is equally welcome at any event run by the Club. Breakfast runs for example, were always run by a sub-committee who set the runs 12 months in advance. This year the Committee tried allowing individual Registers organise a breakfast run to suit their cars, be they modern and fast or old and slow. We are now starting to see changes which were not envisaged, and as such the committee has decided to delete any reference to a particular event being organised by a register.
All other events (except of course Register nights) will also fall under this decision, that is they will be Club runs, not a particular Register run.
And a reminder I value your feedback or criticism of the Club. We can’t improve our services to our members if you don’t tell us what you want or see as being wrong.
Some members like to drop a comment but will not explain or expand on their reasoning which is frustrating for myself and the committee.
I won’t take offence, because like you I want to make our Club the best MG Club.
See you out & about in your MG
Fred Neild
PRESIDENT'S DAY 2008
HERE ARE SOME PHOTO'S TAKEN BY JIM & FAY
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