CentreSpoke

Motor Enthusiasts Club of Central Australia Incorporating The Alice Springs Vintage & Veteran Car Club

PO Box 1506, Alice Springs. NT. 0871 Email: mecca@mecca.asn.au Web site: www.mecca.asn.au

September 2016

Surrounded by all the shiny paint, acres of chrome and bling, was the star of the Red Centre Nats,

Mal Trull’s Austin 7 Chummy, which was creating a lot of interest amongst patrons.

MECCA Committee 2016/2017

PRESIDENT: Col Jarrett VICE PRESIDENT: John Hubner TREASURER: John Syme SECRETARY: Michele Thompson PUBLIC OFFICER: Brian Eather COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Russ Driver Mal Trull

VEHICLE REGISTRAR: Michele Thompson EDITOR: Stuart Gear WEB MASTER: Frank Allan HISTORIAN: Stuart Gear CRANKHANDLE: Alvina Spears CLUB HOSTESS: Marie Gear

LIFE MEMBERs: Dave Simpson, Tony Bullock

Presidents Report

The August meeting and AGM were held at our home on the coldest day of the month. After the AGM we all enjoyed a BBQ lunch, a big thank you to the ladies that prepared salads and cakes and to Fred for cooking the food on the BBQ. It was good to see a large number of members present and their interest in selecting the new committee. Thank you to every one for making the day so enjoyable. I must thank last year’s committee for a job well done and wel-come to the new committee members. At the AGM long term members Wally and Alvina Spears were awarded Life Membership with MECCA, in recognition for their support to the club and members from other club’s that have travelled through town and needed assistance with their vehicle repairs. Wally and Alvina have lived in the Alice Springs area since the mid 1950’s and have worked on cattle station’s, oper-ated a trucking business and Spears Engineering. Over the last thirty plus years they have re-stored a number of vehicles, including their 1921 “T” Model Ford, 1938 straight 8 Buick, the original Austin Truck they bought to the Territory and used in their trucking business, Wally is presently working on an “A” Model Ford and has upgraded the T Model Ford brakes and in-stalled a Ruckstal two speed differential in preparation for this year’s National T Model Ford rally in Victoria. The Road Transport Hall of Fame annual dinner was held in August and as with previous years a few members from MECCA helped with the bar on the night. Thank you to Tim Schubert for organising the volunteer’s for the night. The Red Centre Nat’s took up most of our time this month. A lot of time and effort was put in to vehicle preparation by the entrants and this year we were asked to put in a vintage motor bike display. Many thanks go to the members that displayed their vehicles. We had two gazeebo’s this year, one was borrowed from Neville Henness and Garth from Jet Cor Yamaha has do-nated a gazeebo to the club for future events. The club had eighteen cars and sixteen bikes on display, two bikes were on loan from Greg Taylor and one from Cliff Glover. Thank you to all of those that supported the event. At the Red Centre National’s we awarded Ron and Cheryl Hewett from Port Augusta an Over-lander badge. Ron and Cheryl were with a group from Port Augusta that drove up in August 2015, unfortunately their Ford Cortina developed a problem at Coober Pedy and did not com-plete the journey. The rest of the group received the Overlander Badge and Ron very disheart-ened said he would return for the 2017 Red Centre Nat’s. As promised, they returned this year, driving the Cortina via Ayres Rock on the way up and via Kings Canyon on the return journey. They travelled on their own with no support vehicle and had an enjoyable trouble free journey. Safe Motoring. Col Jarrett.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016

The Sec’s Desk MECCA

Motor Enthusiast Club Central Australia inc. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

14th

AUGUST 2016. Meeting location: The home of Colin & Vicki Jarrett

Meeting opened: 10.45 am Welcome visitors: Jared Bentvelson Attendance: Trevor Hyman, John Hubner, Colin & Vicki Jarrett, Neville & Lisa Henness,

Mark Hangon, Jasmina Muhic, Alan Campbell, Aileen Kennedy, Liz Driver, Fred Twohig, Philippe Freidel, Peter Hilliard, Brian Eather, Mal Trull, Garry Bentley, Marie & Stuart Gear, Alvena & Wally Spears, Trevor Grenda, Ron Kern, Raelene Beale, John Cooper, Karl Smith, Michele Thompson, Ryan Clark and Simone Edney.

Apologies:Don McInnes, Helena Napolitana, Trevor Jacob, Dieter & Jennifer Hentschel,

Derek Poolier, Michael Wait , Mike Thompson, Ivan & Heather Bain, Richard & Jill Cope, Laurie & Heather Trimper, Russ Driver, Douglas Draeger, Tim Schubert, .

Tony Smith, Tony O’Brien, Chris and Coralie Boyd. Minutes of AGM held 9

th August 2015:

The minutes were read and accepted with the amendment of Ron Hubner to Kern. Moved: Alvena Spears Seconded: Wally Spears Carried Business arising from minutes: None Financial report 2015 / 2016.

The finances, which were audited by Brian Knapstien, were read and accepted. Moved: Ron Kern Seconded: Marie Gear Carried

Auditor for 2015/2016:

Brian Knappstien was appointed as Auditor for 2016/2017. Presidents report:

The President’s Report was read and accepted. Moved: Raelene Beale Seconded: John Hubner Carried

Review membership fees for 2017/2018

There will be no change to the fee structure for 2017/2018.

Election of new committee:

President to declare all positions vacant for 2015/2016 and elect a returning officer for the election of the new committee:

RETURNING OFFICER: John Hubner PRESIDENT : Colin Jarrett Nominated: Marie Gear Seconded: Raelene Beale Carried VICE PRESIDENTS: John Hubner Nominated: Raelene Beale Seconded: Marie Gear Carried SECRETARY: Michele Thompson Nominated: Ron Kern Seconded: Raelene Beale Carried TREASURER: John Syme Nominated: John Syme Seconded: John Hubner Carried REGISTRAR: Michele Thompson Nominated: John Cooper Seconded: Raelene Beale Carried PUBLIC OFFICER: Brian Eather Nominated: Tim Schubert Seconded: Trevor Hyman Carried EDITOR: Stuart Gear Nominated: Colin Jarrett Seconded: John Cooper Carried WEB MASTER: Frank Allan Nominated: Allan Campbell Seconded: Raelene Beale Carried HISTORIAN: Stuart Gear Nominated: Stuart Gear Seconded: John Hubner Carried CRANKHANDLE: Alvina Spears Nominated: John Cooper Seconded: Raelene Beale Carried COMMITTEE MEMBER: Russ Driver Nominated: Liz Driver Seconded: Colin Jarrett Carried COMMITTEE MEMBER: Mal Trull Nominated: Marie Gear Seconded: John Hubner Carried CLUB HOSTESS: Marie Gear Nominated: John Cooper Seconded: Trevor Hyman Carried Next AGM: 13th August, 2017

2015 AGM Closed: 11.15 a.m.

MECCA

MOTOR ENTHUSIAST CLUB CENTRAL AUSTRALIA inc

MEETING SUNDAY AUGUST 14TH, 2016 AT THE HOME OF COLIN & VICKI JARRETT

Meeting Opened: 9.25 am Present: Trevor Hyman, John Hubner, Colin & Vicki Jarrett, Neville & Lisa Henness, Mark Hangon, Jasmina Muhic, Alan Campbell, Aileen Kennedy, Liz Driver, Fred Twohig, Peter Hil-liard, Philippe Freidel, Brian Eather, Mal Trull, Garry Bentley, Marie & Stuart Gear, Alvena & Wally Spears, Trevor Grenda, Ron Kern, Raelene Beale, John Cooper, Michele Thompson, Karl Smith, Ryan Clark and Simone Edney.

Apologies: Don McInnes, Helena Napolitana, Trevor Jacob, Dieter & Jennifer Hentschel, Derek Poolier, Michael Wait , Mike Thompson, Ivan & Heather Bain, Richard & Jill Cope, Laurie & Heather Trimper, Tim Schubert, Russ Driver and Douglas Draeger, . Visitors: Jared Bentvelsen Previous Minutes: No official minutes were taken for July. Business Arising : No business arising Treasurer’s Report: Ron Kern presented the report. Moved: Wally Seconded: John All: Carried

President’s Report: Colin thanked John and Michele for attending the Red CentreNats briefings in his absence. Michele gave a rundown of discussions at the last briefing.

John gave a rundown on the July run to Stuarts Well. It was small in numbers but a very

pleasant day out. Colin encouraged all members to attend the planned events if possible.

Colin thanked Neville for coordinating the clubs display at the Alice Springs Show. Colin will be attending the Australian Historic Motoring Federation AGM which is being held in Alice Springs this year, as an observer. The meeting is held in each state on rotation and local clubs were invited to have a representative attend. Fred had some questions he would like raised and Colin will follow up either at the meeting or with MVR and report back to him. Trevor was able to advise Fred on what happens if vehi-cles don’t have a Vin/Chassis number and John will provide him with a number of a contact at the Darwin MVR. The Christmas Party last year was cancelled as we did not have enough people able to at-tend. The new committee will look at planning this year’s event. The Calendar for 2016/2017 will also be planned at the committee meeting.

The Sec’s Desk

Upcoming Events : Lunch today at Colin and Vicki’s Sept 2

nd – 4

th : Red CentreNats

Sept 11th : 9 am meeting at the Masonic Lodge followed by a run to Standley Chasm for

lunch. Moved: Stuart Seconded: John All: Carried Correspondence In: Newsletters from other clubs Alvena & Wally Spears – Notifying the club that they will be taking their T Model Ford to a

rally in Gippsland and will be out of the state and not at the club for about 6 months. Every-one wished them safe travels. Correspondence Out: Nil Moved: John Seconded: Trevor All: Carried

General Business: Brian told us about his trip in the Camry. Alvena presented two great jokes for us.

The AGM & BBQ at the home of Col & Vicki Jarrett, on the 14 August. 2016

Old Matchless Military Motor Cycle

At the Red Centre Nats

If you like plenty of noise other than the engine. A well done rod complete with chess board.

A very nicely modified Holden. The Peoples Choice What you can do with a Morris 1100

Russ Driver’s Buick which won an award in the vintage class A very nice Holden with a plethora of speakers

Should get enough air into this Holden Our President’s Classic trophy winning Jaguar

Run to Standley Chasm O ur September meeting held on the11th, at the Masonic hall was very well

attended with many topics being discussed. (The minutes are printed on the last page.) Our Hostess Marie provided the usual MECCA pie and cuppa before members departed on the run to Standley Chasm. The run was very well attended on a glorious sunny day of 30º. A large con-voy of cars and motor cycles made their way along the very scenic route to the Chasm where sticky buns, pies and cups of tea were consumed with plenty of conversation. We had an excellent day with no break-downs recorded. John Cooper had a minor problem with fuel being ejected out of the right hand tank of his V12 Jaguar. He may need some specialist info to solve this. Any takers? Below is a selection of photographs of the day taken by our president

Ron and Cheryl Hewett standing in front of their 69 Ford Cortina being presented with their

Overlander Badge and certificate by Stuart Gear at the Red Centre Nats.

The Cortina did not quite make the journey to last years Red Centre Nats due to an engine

problem and Ron and Cheryl missed out on their Overlander Badge. The engine was

rebuilt and the Cortina easily made the distance this time and Ron and Cheryl were

presented with their belated badge and certificate.

Male Logic Woman: Do you drink beer? Man: Yes. Woman: How many beers a day? Man: Usually about 3. Woman: How much do you pay per beer? Man: $5.00 which includes a tip. Woman: And how long have you been drinking? Man: About 20 years, I suppose. Woman: So a beer costs $5.00 and you have 3 beers a day which puts your spending each month at $450.00. In one year, it would be approximately $5400.00, correct? Man: Correct. Woman: If in 1 year you spent $5400.00, not accounting for inflation, the past 20 years puts your spending at $108,000 Man: Correct Woman: Do you know that if you didn’t drink so much beer, that money could have been put in an interest bearing account and after accounting for compound interest for the past 20 years you could have bought yourself a new Jaguar? Man: Do you drink beer? Woman: no Man: Where’s your Jaguar? Perhaps not the best place to seek treatment

Overlander Badge Presentation

MOTOR ENTHUSIAST CLUB CENTRAL AUSTRALIA inc Meeting 11/09/2016

Meeting Opened: 9.20 am

Present: Liz Driver, Russ Driver, John Hubner, Raelene

Beale, Jasmina Muhic, Mal Trull, John Cooper, Jared Bentvelzen, Peter Hilliard, Fred Twohig, Marie Gear, Stuart Gear, Lisa Heness, Neville Heness, Megan Heness, Trevor Grenda, Trevor Hyman, Mike Thompson, Helena Napolitana, Garry Bentley, Karl Smith, John Syme, Vicki Jarrett, Tony O’Brien, Michele Thompson, Colin Jarrett and Mark Beetham (late) Apologies: Tony Smith, Brian Eather, Wally & Elvena Spears, Ivan & Heather Bain, Laurie & Heather Trimper Visitors: Kacey Crowley & John Smulders

Previous Minutes: Minutes presented

Business Arising : Colin has information for Fred

Moved: Helena Seconded: Trevor All: Carried

Treasurer’s Report: John Syme presented the report. A motion was put forward : John Syme to have bank rights on behalf of the club.

Moved: Mal Seconded: Liz All: Carried

Correspondence In: Gawler Veteran Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club June & August Trevor Bellchambers Collector of number plates Crank Talk September Newsletter Shannons Spring Auction National Motor Racing Museum Changing to electronic newsletters

President’s Report: AGM : Colin thanked everyone for a great turn up for the AGM. The weather wasn’t the best but it was a great lunch. Transport Hall of Fame : Thanks to Tim for co-ordinating volunteers for the bar. Red CentreNats : Vintage Bike Display, that Colin had been asked by the organizers to co-ordinate, was well supported, Thank you to Neville, Peter and Fred for looking after the display. A special thank you to Garth Thompson, from Jetcor Yamaha, for donating a tent to the club. Unfortu-nately the organizers asked that the Yamaha tent not be put up next to the Harley truck. The tent was used with club members cars on display. The Club members had 18 cars and 16 bikes on display. Congratulations to Russ & Colin who both won trophies for their vehicles. Other trophy winners included a 20 year old right through to a couple in their 80’s. Ron Hewett, whose car had broken down last year, was able to be presented his Overlander Badge at the Red CentreNats after making the trip on his own this year. This year’s event had 730 entries with 450 vehicles in the parade. Most participants respected the opportunity to be able to have permits to drive their vehicles in Alice Springs which enables so many people to see their cars. Russ said that he had towed 4 cars which were impounded by Police. Website : Our website has been updated by Frank. Frank and Marilyn will be in Alice Springs for the Masters Games and it would be good if we could arrange a catch up with them. Jasmina is interested in helping with the website. Motoring Council AGM : Colin attended the meeting representing our club. Shannons : John Palamountain has a listing of vehicles that are insured in the Alice Springs area which may be eligible for club registration. John and Colin will discuss the possibility of holding a joint event to encourage new memberships. Bunnings Display : Unfortunately, this was cancelled due to the bad weather. Fred’s questions : Solo and Sidecars have different codes on the vehicle inspections forms. A sidecar is a modification which needs to be notified. Helena: Helena requested assistance in fixing her 1966 Vespa. Mike offered to help. Visiting Rallys : The Citreon Rally and the Variety Club Bash have recently been through Alice Springs. Colin had sent out emails to alert members.

Todays Run : Standley Chasm for lunch. Meeting Closed: 10.05 am

The Sec’s Desk

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