YEAR BOOK

2003

AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUBS

OF AUSTRALIA

YEAR BOOK 2003

Information for Clubs in each State:

New South Wales Club Meetings are held on 2nd Wednesday of each month at The Rydalmere Bowling Club, Park Road, Rydalmere Correspondence: PO Box 2754, North Parramatta NSW 1750

Queensland Club Meetings are held on 1st Wednesday of each month at V.C.C.A. Clubhouse, 1376 Old Cleveland Road, Carindale Correspondence: V.C.C.A. Clubhouse, 1376 Old Cleveland Road, Carindale QLD 4152

South Australia Club Meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month at Mile End Hotel, 30 Henley Beach Road, Mile End Correspondence: PO Box 10, Kent Town SA 5071

Victoria Club Meetings are held on 1st Thursday of each month at Club Rooms, 19-23 Rosalie Street, Springvale Correspondence: PO Box 97, Mulgrave VIC 3170

Western Australia Club Meetings are held on 4th Monday of each month at WA & Vintage Car Club Centre, 265 Hale Road, Forrestfield (cnr Tonkin Hwy) Correspondence: PO Box 70 Maylands WA 6931

FORWARD Fellow Healey Enthusiasts, Welcome to the 2003 Year Book, this year prepared by the Austin Healey Club of NSW Inc. More precisely Christine Lyttle has been responsible for almost every aspect of the project. Our thanks go to Chris for a fine effort. This is the second “electronic” version of the yearbook, following on from the decisions of previous National Delegates Meetings to try and reduce the cost and complexities of producing a full printed version. We trust all that read these pages find them interesting, useful and, in some instances, thought provoking. We have included various submissions from all the clubs around Australia and have added some follow-up information on the Cowra National Rally organised by our club. This was a great event and included some spectacular entertainment supplied by one of our very own. The words to the two songs performed by Alan Whitehouse in Cowra are included for all to read and enjoy. Also included is an article written by Charles Britten, the rally director, and, together with his wife Kay, sole organiser for the Cowra Rally. Like most of us Charlie has some firm views on the future of National Rallies and his article expresses his views. It is up to those who read the article to decide whether you agree or disagree. It is included to stimulate continued thought and discussion on the organisation, timing and general criteria for National Rallies in the future. We wish all Healey members all the best for 2004 and may we all work together to ensure the future of our clubs and our marque. Regards,

Stephen Clark. President AHOC NSW Inc. Editors Note: Views and opinions expressed in articles contained within this publication represent those of the writer only. They do not necessarily reflect those of the committees or members of any club represented.  

 

COWRA NSW NATIONAL RALLY, EASTER 2003 I have been asked to write a few words on the recent NSW Cowra National Rally for the Year Book. Rather than dwell on the minute by minute rally activities, I thought I would write about the organisation of the rally instead. I have also included some of my thoughts on changes and on the future of National events. As you can imagine, it could be quite a daunting task to organise such a get together. I had been involved in organisation of the 1993 and 1998 NSW National Rallies but more particularly leading up Canberra 1998, when I was the club president. For this latter event, we had a quite large rally committee of twenty or so. To my eyes to it was too large and therefore unwieldy. Decisions were often poorly based because of committee “stacking” and then often approved on the basis of what “ we did last time” (bear in mind we also held the event in Canberra in 1993). So if someone had a bright fresh new idea, it was almost impossible to get the committee to even consider the idea let alone get it approved. Furthermore, jobs were being left to the other man so that in essence only a handful of people did any real work towards rally organisation. This is, of course, pretty normal. Based on this 1998 and other committee experiences, I decided to put up my hand to do the job myself with assistance from my wife, Kay. To my surprise, the committee appointed me 2003 rally organiser on the basis that written proposals/suggestions would be given by me to club general committee for approval or otherwise. I was on my way, absolutely undaunted by some members who commented that “it cannot be done”. Incidentally, the support and help offered by the committees was just fabulous. At a number of “National Delegates Meetings” held in the nineties the matter of holding National Rallies away from Easter was discussed and approval given for States to hold a National Rally at any suitable time of the year. Consequently, with a couple of months still to go before the 2001 Adelaide National Rally, I assumed that the National Delegates meeting in SA would rubber stamp our request to hold this event in May or June 2003 (but boy was I in for a shock).

Breakfast on route to the Rally in Cowra

In early 2001, Kay and I visited, e-mailed, telephoned and generally pestered about 12 coastal properties ranging from Nowra south of Sydney to Nelson Bay in the north for a price for our 2003 event to be held in May or June of that year. Some of the deals were unbelievably good. For example, Rafferty’s Resort on the Lake Macquarie waterfront south of Newcastle made an off season price of only $70.00 a head per day dinner bed and breakfast i.e. ONLY $210.00 per person for the three rally days plus cost of drinks and daytime functions etc. Rafferty’s is a 41/2 star establishment set on 35 acres of Australian gardens and bushland on the waterfront 90 minutes from Sydney. It regularly hosts conferences for many of Australia’s biggest companies and but for the National Delegates meeting in Adelaide in 2001 it could well have had us! Naturally, we also received other fabulous off-season deals.

Kay and I did not attend the 2001 SA rally but when our NSW delegates informed me that the National Delegates decided that we MUST hold our NSW at Easter, I almost committed suicide. With the benefit of hindsight I should have gone to the rally and just reminded the delegates that a decision had previously been taken (on a couple of occasions) to allow these rallies to be held on a date decided upon by the host state. So it was back to the drawing board.

Healeys at the breakfast stop on route to Cowra

I re-contacted all twelve of the properties that we had previously sought prices for a fresh “Easter” price. In they came. The minimum increase was 100% and some went up by 200%. One property even insisted on a minimum five nights booking at hugely inflated rates! A rally in and around coastal Sydney at Easter was (and will forever be – a billeted rally aside) out of the question unless members want to pay through the nose!

A couple of our NSW members had suggested Wagga Wagga near the NSW/VIC border but frankly having previously stayed there the suggestion left me cold. Amongst other things it was too far from Sydney and Brisbane. Then out of the blue, I received a comprehensive written proposal from the Cowra Tourist Authority specifically targeted at car clubs. It suggested that Cowra has all the features needed to stage a large car club event. I already knew that it had been used as a launching point for competitive sporting rallies. What I did not know was that lots of car clubs had also held national style rallies in Cowra.

Subsequently, we travelled to Cowra where we had discussions with the Tourist office, local tour operators, motel owners, the Cowra Antique Car Club and motel managers’ etc. After two full days in Cowra we came away most impressed with what this small town could offer us. Consequently, I proposed to the club committee that we should consider both Cowra and Wagga Wagga as venues for the rally. The then club president John Kent and his wife Carolyn travelled with us to Cowra for an appraisal. Suffice to say John liked what he saw, the committee approved and the venue for our 2003 was thankfully decided. We now had less than two years to go before kick-off.

Group listening to Terry Bancroft at the Friday night function

Healeys lined up outside the Fun Museum

Healey owners enjoying lunch outside the Fun Museum

Leading up to Easter 2002 (the Warwick Qld National Rally) Kay and I travelled several times to Cowra, made heaps of phone calls and sent dozens of e-mails but we had the bones of our 2003 event locked away. Accordingly, we were able to report our rally venue to the assembled troops at Warwick. We also handed out “an intention to attend the Cowra Rally” form to all Warwick participants. This was to my memory, the first time this had been done. About sixty of these forms were returned – an excellent result. With about 7 months to go a rally application form was e-mailed or despatched by snail mail to those who had expressed an interest in attending our rally and a copy sent to interstate editors. I prepared and despatched monthly advertisements for the event from May until January to our sister clubs editors in Australia – another first but probably of limited value. Still people could not complain that they were unaware of what to expect in Cowra. By Christmas 2002 we had 115 of the final tally of 150 starters in our hands. An excellent result, and far better than for our 1998 rally when we had less than 100 at the same time for a final attendance of 170. I think the better early response can be put down to our intention to attend form and constant advertising of the event. The final 150 turnout was never the less disappointing and I will comment on this later. From the outset I decided that we should involve both businesses and social style clubs in our rally. Accordingly, we were entertained by the Cowra Musical Society (twice), ate a Red Cross afternoon tea, lunchtime catering, babysitting (and breakdown service) by the Cowra Antique Car Club, drinks in Young served by Lions, a train trip to Young for dinner by Lachlan Valley Railway, hall decorations in Young by the Young pre-school and finally, of course, lots of advice and help from the Cowra Tourist Bureau. For accommodation we booked four motels and one hotel – overnight rates ranged from $60.00 to $100.00 per room per night (most less than $80.00) with a few special suites up to $135.00. Evening meal catering by Town House Hotel (two) and Zouches Restaurant, Young (one). Meals were of excellent quality and value. Farewell breakfast was at the Town House Hotel. Other important commercial enterprises included the Cowra Council for the car display venue and the Cowra Japanese Gardens adjacent to the display, Cowra Fun Museums, Iandra Castle (including draught horse dray rides for young and old, commentary and poetry reading) and Cowra Overnight Couriers (we shipped stuff to Cowra rather than take another car). Others included two bands and River Park Winery. Balloon rides were an optional extra (from nearby Canowindra). Pat Bancroft did a fantastic job in organising this for the club. I also arranged a dinner party at a renowned Cowra BYO Restaurant (rated at one HAT by the experts) called Neila on Easter Thursday. Over thirty attended (from all over Oz) and enjoyed the most gorgeous meal and tremendous fun – Neila even arranged for two local wineries to treat us to a (free) wine tasting – fabulous.

Listening to the music at the winery…where do you think your off to Athol?.....

Without including the optional balloon flight or the Neila dinner, the rally covered an amazing thirteen separate events but apart from the evening activities they were short and sharp – no time to get bored. Astonishingly, nearly everyone went to every activity and yet people told me at the time and afterwards that it was a very relaxed, friendly and happy rally. Driving miles at Cowra totalled only about 50 (miles). I feel that if you drive a long way to (and from) a short weekend event such as a National Rally you do not want to be driving hundreds more miles to take part in organised activities (unless a moving rally – see comments later). As someone pointed out to me after the event we did not split people up at this rally into various mini-rallies (Eg motor racing, bus trips and shopping trips on the one day) and this was one of the strengths of Cowra 2003. We got way from the polo shirt thing for Cowra rally regalia because Cowra is a cool climate town and we were of course coming onto the 2003 winter. Instead we went for rugby shirts and polar fleece jumpers. I left the embroidery of the items until the last moment and as a result I nearly had stroke with late moment problems. Consequently, we did not have to guess numbers of items and only added a very modest number of extras to the order for sale at rally. I am very pleased to say that 7pm on Easter Friday all rally regalia had been sold at marked prices (a total of about 80 items were ordered and sold). The navy blue rugby shirts with white collars were very, very well received. Incidentally, rally badges were also ordered and made at the last minute with extras being kept to a minimum and these were also sold out by Friday evening.

Healeys parked in the grounds of the winery

We tried to get back to basics with this rally by offering a wide range of accommodation and not having any “giveaways” or expensive extras such as official rally tickets, car stickers, fridge magnets, gifts etc. Consequently, a couple could attend this event for three nights for $600.00 (i.e. $100.00 a person per day) and for that you got three nights accommodation, three dinners, two lunches, drinks (at night – almost unlimited), two afternoon teas, one breakfast (for two) and two rally badges. In addition, you also received two tickets to enter, the (world famous) Japanese Gardens with car display alongside (ours and others), Iandra Castle (with entertainment), the incredible Cowra Fun Museums, return (amazing) train trip to Young (with nibbles on board), wine tasting and afternoon tea at River Park Winery (with entertainment). And I have not even mentioned the sensational bands nor the mind blowing floor show put on by our own Allan Whitehouse and his team of dancers at the “formal”. Incidentally, the children were looked after, as well! As I mentioned above, despite the (relatively) modest cost for this event (in $ terms less than for our Canberra 1998 event despite inflation and GST!). For Cowra, we offered a wide range of interesting and varied activities and we still only attracted a modest crowd (138 adults and 12 children compared with an also modest 160 adults and 17 children for Canberra 1998). Why – we cannot blame lack of information – for months press releases were sent to editors. I think the answer is quite complicated. Certainly the motor racing in Adelaide at Easter did our Cowra event no favours whatsoever and the WA club decided to heavily promote NZ rather than NSW – there prerogative NSW foolishly did the same thing in 1994 this time at WA’s expense. Consequently, we saw NIL attendance from WA, 5 from SA, 25 from Vic, 28 from Qld (fantastic roll-up) with the remainder from NSW. Easter is expensive and often includes school holidays. A clean break should be made from this time of the year – WA in 2004 has but the event is only a week away from the Easter break (so that entrants to the rally may go to Adelaide for the Easter motor racing). As a movement in Australia we are by and large “baby boomers’ (and in many cases older) and as a consequence many of us are staring retirement and its financial problems well and truly in the face. In the past couple of years stock markets have taken a pounding (fortunately this has recently changed) and as a result so have our retirement funds. I feel that many members are reluctant to spend hard-earned dollars at National Rallies, particularly at expensive times of the year. Compared with a two week tour of Tasmania (organised by Terry Bancroft and others) or a week away on the runs organised by me every year (for the last ten years) then these National Rallies offer pretty ordinary value basically because they are held at Easter time and for donkey’s years have all basically been the same type of event.

Charlie Britten at the Railway Station waiting to board the train from Cowra to Young

As a movement, lets begin to look outside the square. Let’s leave Easter to the other car and bike clubs (and the cops). Why not think about travelling rallies – Victoria has the high country and the Great Ocean Road – SA the Great Ocean Road also and could tie the rally in with the best old car event in Australia “the Bay to Birdwood Run”. Qld has the Gold and Sunshine coasts and their “Hinterlands” – just heaven. WA what about Kalgoorlie – and its closer to the East Coast. NSW – too hard! Finally, lets also think about our present aging membership. Proof - only 65% of people attended Cowra in an Austin Healey – we had 30 modern cars out of 72 cars in total. Could we perhaps consider making the event a user pay style rally – they do elsewhere and you only pay for what the entrant wants to do. Its more organisation but it may get more interstate and local people to our national events. Does it need to be held every year? – try bi-annual. Forget the past – think to the future Charles Britten    

Some pretty smooth moves there Colin & Delwyn Goldsmith and John & Jill Dowsett

 

GREW SICK OF THE SPRITE

From “Tantrum of the Ocker” by Andrew Lloyd “Triple” Webber (To the tune of “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera)

Driving, Dreaming, in my Austin Healey, Down Hume Highway to the National Rally, Held this year in Cowra so why am I in Nowra? I should have made a right at Mittagong But what the hell my Healey’s right on song.

HEALEY SONGS FOR NATIONAL RALLY

EASTER 2003

(Performed by Allan Whitehouse)

There’s a Bug Eye coming up behind me, Headlights flashing trying to overtake me, He can just get nicked ‘cause my overdrive I’ve flicked and 100 miles per hour you say ain’t right, just listen you I grew sick of the Sprite. Now there’s a strange high-pitched siren sounding in my ear and a blue flashing light I can’t ignore And a voice says “pull over” - it’s the Law. Its times like this I wish I drove a slow hundred four. Speeding ticket, Just about completed, Easter weekend double points are meted, That’s when I remember Those magic words of splendour, I cry out to the officer “please wait” Do you know Terry Bancroft ……. he’s my mate! The cop just smiles and says “why sir that’s great, But Bangers has retired …. You’re too late!”

Introducing Big Al on fiddle supported by the “Healey Four Boys” comprising Craig “I’m not from New Zealand” Sheppard, John “Clark” Kent, “Judge” Judy and “General” John Sherman, Well life with a Healey’s kind of alright I love driving round when the cops are outa sight Careful in the daytime reckless at night Thank God I’m a Healey boy I’m a member of the club and attend the monthly meetin’ And its great to hear the comp reports when Hundreds take a beatin’ One day I’ll win the raffle if they ever stop their cheatin’ Thank God I’m a Healey boy ********************************************** Chorus Well I got me a fine car, I got a Big Healey When I put my foot down I can chuck a huge wheelie And life ain’t nothin’ but a race and rally really Thank God I’m a Healey boy *********************************************** I’ve got a BJ7 which I love more than life I drive it very fast and get into lots of strife, It gives the kinda thrills I only I get with my wife Thank God I’m a Healey boy It has a balanced motor and a Dennis Welch head with triple carburettors and I don’t need lead, I can drag off an MGB, leave it for dead Thank God I’m a Healey boy Chorus

THANK GOD I’M A HEALEY BOY

(with apologies to the late John Denver)

I take it down to Eric’s when it’s coughin’ and a-spittin’ Say “I don’t care what it costs here’s a blank cheque that I’ve written, Just make sure that it’s quicker than that Four of Charlie Britten” Thank God I’m a Healey boy When I’m cruisin’ with the top down I’m as happy as can be And the looks from other drivers say they wish they were me, But I hate it when they call out “that’s a lovely MGB” Thank God I’m a Healey boy Chorus Though we’re both gettin’ on a bit I still can brag it We can catch the old sheilas and we don’t need a dragnet, ‘cause my car is just a great “Chook Magnet” Thank God I’m a Healey boy When the end its gettin’ near and I succumb to dimming light I’ll look back on my life and consider what was right, I’ll be glad I bought a Big Healey - not a bloody Sprite Thank God I’m a Healey boy Chorus

   

THE NATIONAL RALLY IN COWRA

Thirty two of us who travelled to Cowra on the Thursday and joined together for dinner at the well reported Neila Restaurant, where the contemporary menu offered a selection of fine food. Two of the local wineries provided us with descriptions and tastings of both reds and whites which jollied the evening along. Friday saw the arrival of the rest of the participants for the rally registration and the opportunity to catch up with friends during the informal drinks.

Saturday started with a visit to the Cowra Fun Museums. A weird and wonderful collection of bric-a-brac with a little bit of everything ranging from wartime memorabilia to farm machinery and railway carriages. After a sausage sizzle lunch we headed out to River Park Winery, were we were entertained by the local choral society while enjoying afternoon tea and a selection of wines to taste. In the evening, dressed in “Bad Taste”, we strode off to the Cowra Railway Station to board the train for our trip

Friday night get together, a group of our American visitors at the table

Some of the bad taste outfits were truly “BAD”

to Young. With the help of selection of the local wines we were all in a jolly mood for the walk to the Town Hall in Young where we enjoyed a smorgasbord dinner. Live music enticed the revellers to the floor before we retraced our steps to the train station for the trip home. There were many sleepy heads among us, especially those who faced an early morning start for the balloon ride on Sunday morning. The Balloon travellers ventured out before dawn for their drift across the country side with just a few bumps and scrapes on landing. (I hope the bruises have faded now).

The rest of us made the most of the sleep in.

“Up, up and away”, here goes the first group!!!

Sunday was our display day and while all the cars looked a picture on the grassy verge opposite, participants roamed the paths of the Japanese Gardens. With the many varieties of conifers and a strong stream surging through the landscape, it truly is a beautiful place.

After a lunch of pizza in the park, we drove to Iandra (Castle). It was a lovely drive in the Healeys along sweeping country roads, to a quite remarkable establishment. We were treated to afternoon tea before the history of the home was explained to us and were then free to roam throughout the 57 room mansion. Unfortunately very little of the original furniture remains, however, one’s imagination take over, with visions of four poster and sleigh beds and elegant sittings rooms looking out to the distant ranges. A sturdy Clydesdale pulled a wagon loaded with children around the grounds, as the men eyed off the old stables with a view of converting them into garages for Austin Healeys.

The Japanese Gardens was such a beautiful place The Healeys on display at the Japanese Gardens

Sunday evening the crowd joined together for the formal dinner dance, starting with some repartee from the leader of the choral society who then went on to perform a number of musical items. However, the show stealer of the evening was Allan Whitehouse with his witty Healey adaptations of two well known musical pieces (the words are printed in this edition for your enjoyment). Along with his four sidekicks, he drew peals of laughter from the assembled throng. A band provided dance music to round out the evening before weary souls wandered off the their various abodes.

As is tradition, Monday morning was the last official gathering at breakfast and there were many farewells and promises to meet again next year at the National Rally which will be held in Albany, Western Australia. Our thanks to Charlie Britten for his coordination of this year’s rally.

Carolyn Kent

Afternoon Tea at Iandra Castle

Sunday nights formal dinner dance saw Paddy & Jeanette Hearne listening intently

AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF NSW INCWallace Ina Albion Park NSW 2527 02 42571288Watson Steve Cooma NSW 2630 02 64525338 0409929532 GRJ472 100 BN1 1B/50886 BN1/154137Watson Steve BKY 877 100 BN1 1B/207019Watson Steve BAB 25W 100 BN1 1B/221006Watson Jan Cooma NSW 2630 02 64525338 100 BN1Wells Murray Lindfield NSW 2070 02 94164123 100Wells Murray 100Welsley David Beauty Point NSW 2088 02 99699411 0418965742 100 BN1 1B/221861M BN1/L221861Welsley David 3000 Mk111 BJ8 29K-RU-H/9964 H-BJ8-L/35328White Athol Wang Wauk NSW 2423 02 65502351 56 100 6 BN4 26D-RU-H/60910 8649White Heather Wang Wauk NSW 2423 02 65502351Whitehouse Allan Mortlake NSW 2137 02 87658708 0418477962 AH3000 3000 Mk11 BJ7Whitehouse Allan 3000 Mk111 BJ8Williams Anthony Church Point NSW 2105 02 99798739 0412252436 100 BN1 1B/213830 157164 47813803Williams Brett Gymea Bay NSW 2227 02 95310847 0415233730Williamson David Concord West NSW 2138 ,02 97433689 3000 Mk111 BJ8 H-BJ8-U/42586GWolrich George Little Mountain QLD 4551 07 54926937 254GYB 3000 Mk1 BT7 29D-RU-H/4810 H-BT7-L/8867Wolrich Sandra Little Mountain QLD 4551 07 54926937Yell Michael Newport NSW 2106 02 99993127 3000 Mk111 BJ8

Presidents Prattle. South Australia. 2003. Just where did 2003 go? Only seems like yesterday that I was putting the 2002 report together. South Australia started the official year off with the Annual Display Day in conjunction with the Sprite Club. An annual event where both clubs combine to display our vehicles to the public. Those familiar with the SA National Rallies will know Glenelg’s Wigley Reserve and its suitability for public displays. It was a very good day weather wise and due to our advertisement in the local papers we had an excellent public response. Some 20 Healeys turned out on the day and the annual “judging” of the best cars took place with much gusto with regards bribery offers. Noel Volk won the 100/4 category. Noel started restoring his ex John Hindson racing wreck in 1987 and on the day of judging it had only been on the road for 3 months and 17 miles. It would have taken some beating as it is a very good restoration now and was in pristine condition. Paul Bradley’s 100/6 was the only 6 on display so that was an easy win for him although I did hear words like ”unroadworthy” used by the judges. Obviously the right bribery changed hands to clinch the deal. Lyndon Rodgers won both the 3000 category and Peoples Choice with his recently restored BJ8. Considering that Lyndon travelled to the Warwick National Rally, including the flooded roadways around Goondawindi, I think he did a sterling effort to present the car in such a pristine condition. Talking National Rallies, only 5 people attended Cowra from SA this year. Personally I thought it was a great and relaxing event and as it was only a day and a half drive from Adelaide I thought more would have attended. My thanks to NSW for their efforts. The Annual Dinner was held in June at a restaurant on the South Parklands. Modris Bekeris, Social Director, won the Luke Trevonavick award for the club’s most active member. Ralph Boord once again won the Club Champion award for the most attendance at club events during the year. The last event worth commenting on was a border meet between Victoria and S Aust in Mildura during October. Bob and Robyn Upton organized the 3-day event and in usual style no stone was left unturned. 80 people attended this great weekend and with a combination of winery stops, museums and dinner on the river no one went home unfulfilled. A big vote of thanks from those who attended to both Bob and Robyn. It was certainly an event to remember. All in all 2003 was a busy year for the AHOC SA and with membership hanging in the low 80s and a small influx of new members things a looking good for the future. Best regards to you all from all the SA members. Ian Hay.

Name Address Email Tel No Hm Model Engine No Chassis No

AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

Upton Bob & Robyn Littlehampton uptondowns@picknowl.com.au 08 83886142 BN2 100/4 1B229687 BN2229687

Veale John & Bronwyn North Brighton 08 82984954 BN1 100/4 1B213348 156139

Volk Noel & Valerie Novar Gardens noelvolk@yahoo.com 08 83766665 BN1 100/4 IB224015 BNI224015

Wade Derek & Raelene McLaren Flat banksia-ridge@bigpond.com 08 83830061 BN1 100/4 1B139745 BN1147439

Watson Ian & Vicki Blackwood wativbbj@senet.com.au 08 82788482 BN1 100/4 S81126P BN1219108

BN1 100/4 1B219221 BN1219221

Woodforde Colin & Jill Highbury 08 83376046 BJ8 3000 29KRUH7177 HBJ832680

Young Peter & Carol South Brighton pmsyoung@chariot.net.au 08 82966166 BN1 100/4 1B227398M 149631

Zacher Darren & Lisa Seaview Downs lmzacher@hotmail.com 08 82968967 Ex Owner

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Once again 2003 was a very busy year for the Victorian Club

Our Club Rooms had its 10th Birthday in March , so we celebrated with our co-tenants, what a great party we had sponsored by the Club Rooms Committee which was greatly appreciated.

Our social activities started early in January with a Natter Night at Brian and Annette Aitken’s, a week later 40 Vics an South Aussies headed to Tasmania for 12 great days tripping around the Apple Isle.

We had Fun Runs, Breakfasts, Winery Runs, Night Trials, Spud Runs, Motorkhanas, Sausage Sizzles,

A Beautiful Dinner on our Famous Tramcar Restaurant, a Weekend at Paynesville , a long Weekend with our South Aussie Mates , our Annual Presentation Dinner Dance at the Williamsontown Yacht Club and of course not forgetting the National Rally at Cowra.

The Club Competition was very busy with a Driver Training Day, Healey Racing at Wakefield Park, Historics at Sandown . The Concourse de Elegance which was once again held at the Southbank on the Yarra where 71 beautiful Healeys were on display for all to see. This is a great place to hold this event, the attendance by the general public was fantastic.

This year we decided to have our very own Web Site. The work in setting this up has been tremendous. Quite a few club members have put a lot of time and effort into making this a very professional operation.

I would like to welcome all the new members who have joined this wonderful club, we seem to have an average of 400 members . The friendships that are made all over this great country “Australia” is just fantastic .

I hope everyone enjoyed this years’ activities and are looking forward to another exciting year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the New South Wales Club for their hospitality to all our members who headed north for the Annual Rally, unfortunately Ron and I were unable to attend but by all reports it was an excellent event.

As we go to press 29 Victorians are heading off to Albany for the 2004 National Rally arranged for us by the Western Australians. We know we will all have fun as usual.

Happy Healeying and love to you all

Noeleen (Mick) Smith

 

 

The Austin Healey Club of WA Inc. Organisations and Clubs come and go as members change their interests and priorities to fit in with their own lives and families. This has happened in our Club and we now have some newer members who are unaware of the history of the Club. I, as current President, am one of those. I asked one of our longstanding members, Frank van der Worm, to write a short history of our Club so we all could share in our Club's history. John Rowe President AHCWA

The Austin Healey has generated almost an unprecedented following in the one marquee car club scene around the world and so far has had an enduring effect on 2 generations of enthusiasts. Who knows what the future holds for the marquee and the clubs? The future I cannot foresee but the past history of the club and of the cars I have some knowledge. Our little Austin Healey Club of WA was formed in 1967. It was largely a sprite club with a few big Healeys in it, a breakaway group from the MG Car Club including luminaries such as Alan Richards, Richard Ashton, Graham Shearer and Colin Cleaver amongst others. When I joined in late 1969 the big Healeys that were around were, Daryl Manning's Black V/8 Chev-Healey, now Graham Shearer's BN1, John Creer's bright blue BT.7-MKI, which found its way to Toowoomba last I heard, Rick Davies, also had a BT.7-MKI a Red with black flash, factory hardtop leige boot badge car, which, last I heard was with Henry Toivanen in Brisbane and Keith Smith's BN4, now resting in Lindsay Haywood's garage. There were several other big Healeys kicking around Perth in a million pieces and several others not in the club. Ian Thompson and I did take photographs in 1975-76 of most of these cars and copies of these shots I still retain today and I think copies remain in the club library. The club was deeply immersed in motorsport in the early days through to about 1978 or so when slowly the fire started to go out for belting the hell out of Healeys in a muddy paddock in favour of a rebuild, bitumen driving and car displays.

I don’t say that the evolution from competition to breakfast runs was a backwards step, it was just a reflection of the times, the value of the cars and probably the age of the drivers.

In 1975 Ian Thompson an intrepid Healeyite from NSW migrated across the Nullabor in his BN-1 towing a trailer. This car is now in the hands of Paul Kestel in Dalkeith. Ian encouraged us to join other Austin Healey clubs at the annual Austin Healey National rally so when the South Australian Government finally bitumized their half of the Nullabor in late 1976 we thought it appropriate to mount a sojourn to Brisbane in 1977 for the inaugural Queensland National Rally. Four big Healeys made the trip in 1977: Ian Thompson/Dennis Wraight BN-1 Mike Griffiths/Paul Robertson BN-1 Frank van der Worm/Alan Caddy BN-6 Charlie Mitchell/Linda Mitchell BN-4 We also had several other members get there by various means, Rob Richards, Dave Curnell, Lindsay and Karen Haywood. When we arrived in Brisbane, I will never forget the thrill of seeing more than 6 Healeys at once for the first time in my life. It was at the late Carl Stecher's lace in Brisbane on Good Friday, and after being in the WA Club for 8 years I had still only ever seen 3 or 4 cars together at the one time. Amongst the cars in Brisbane at Carl’s house was Rick Schouller's then magnificent BJ-8. I had never seen a BJ-8 and the moment lingers in my memory every day as that is the Black & Red car that lives under my house to this day! In 1978, we had 7 Healeys in the Sydney convoy. So the convoys were to continue year in, year out across the “Paddock” as the truckies call it, the famous Nullabor plain. The Nullabor trip can be fun and those of us that have done it once or twice can attest to the camaraderie created by sharing meals and accommodations, fixing cars late into the night etc. These are the things that cement friendships over and above the relationships you can generate by attending the odd club meeting, a cobweb run or two and the annual display day. Like any relationship whether it is with your next-door neighbour or your kids, you only get out of it what you put into it and that has been true of the Austin Healey Clubs and our National Rally escapades.

Many other car clubs don’t, or won’t drive across the Nullabor, have never billeted interstate guests etc and although I understand the thinking in the travel and accommodation area, of quality and quantity, if you never push the envelope you will never know how rewarding it can be.

Like many other members around the country I have used a Healey to: Drive to work daily – year in year out Participate in all manner of club motorsport, Hill climbs, Motorkhanas, trials, etc. International rallys such as Repco Mountain Rally, Targa Tasmania, Range Rally, and local

Classic Rally etc. Raced in Street sports and Historics in WA, Qld, NSW and Vic. Circumnavigated Australia and 24 Nullabor crossings. Used them as Wedding cards, tow cars, picnic tables, etc. Somehow the bulk of Healey tales told around a fire late at night in a backslapping and bullshit session seem to revolve around convoy stories more so than activities associated with the pursuits listed above. Some of the notable ones being; a) Charlie and Linda leaving Perth late to go to the Qld National Rally because their 100/6

was vandalised in a panel shop the week before Easter. They arrived in Brisbane on Easter Monday after having driven non stop from Perth after panel beating and respraying the car for the second time in two weeks.

b) Mike Griffiths finding an old Austin A70 in the bush near Balladonia, removing the cylinder head and fitting it to his BN.1, which had dropped a valve seat, and then driving his car 800 kms to Perth.

c) A team effort to put a piston into Charlie Mitchell’s BJ8 overnight in country S.A. We left Saddleworth at 8.00am the next morning as planned.

d) Mike Griffiths and I rebuilt my 100.6 motor in Adelaide. Ran in a new motor en route to Perth after running a bearing on the Sydney-Newcastle expressway and driving on Wynn’s friction proofing for 1500 kms.

It is funny how the problematic trips are the ones emblazoned in the memory. Time has the unique ability to soften the miserable memories and improve the ambivalent ones. I think the lesson for me has been that you are a long time dead and not to have done these things seems like an enormous waste.

I made many friends in those early years when most of us were very young and just out of school. We have all grown up, got married, had children and forged careers. Thirty five years later I still enjoy driving my Healey and although much water has passed under the bridge or bitumen under the chassis, the pleasure of driving along the highway in my Healey has not been diminished by the years.

I can recommend a Healey convoy across the 3500kms to the East Coast to anyone and hope to be doing it myself for many years to come. Frank van der Worm  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winterbottom Bob &

Carolyn

Claremont 9383 3347 3000 Mk2 29DRUH3213 HBT78557

Williams Max Gooseberry Hill 6293 1105 3000 Mk1 29DRUH9248 HBT76828

Wookey Ian Mandurah Sprite Mk1

3000