Octagon November, 2017

Official Journal of the MG Car Club of Queensland Inc.
ctagon
The
No. 6 November 2017
Rebirth of the T type Register -- The participants and their cars are pictured
at Fernvale, the lunch stop on the inaugural run of the Register.
(Full report inside)
The Octagon - November 2017 1

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Name Phone Mobile Email
PRESIDENT
Richard Mattea (Carly) 3325 0409 0488 224 105 richard.mattea@yahoo.com
VICE PRESIDENT
Ken Wasley (Barbara) 3378 6202 0423 152 723 wasmg11@gmail.com
SECRETARY
Malcolm Spiden 3266 6350 spidenm@yahoo.com.au
TREASURER
Carly Mattea (Richard) 3325 0409 0410 310 452 moffmat@bigpond.com
COMMITTEE
Don Webster (Ann) 3379 2566 0439 526 060 donweb@bigpond.net.au
Dean Tighe 0419 774 441 sales@tighecams.com.au
Flavio Paggiaro (Sue) 0412 985 916 admin@kellands.com.au
Jim Scott 0411 601 711 jim@thenetworkpeople.com.au
OFFICIALS
Position Name Phone Position Name Phone
Event Secretary Fred Sayers 3359 2623
Annette Truscott 0407 494 867
Ev. Sec. Asst. David Robinson 3255 9037
Richard Mattea 3325 0409
CAMS Delegate Gary Goulding 3351 3506
(Alternative) Ann Thompson 3378 1368
Chaplain Ken Trudgian 3886 3409
Club Captain Don Webster 3379 2566
Canteen Convener (Mt C) Vacant
Special Interest Vehicle Paul Strange 3398 1993
Concession Contract pstrange@bigpond.com
Webmistress Glenda Crew 3341 4397
Clubrooms Max Johnson 3201 5836
Regalia Shaun Rankin 0402 450 290
Library David Robinson 3255 9037
Point Score Ian Fettes 3803 3858
Membership Sec. Peter Rayment (Delia) 0407 693 947
National Meeting Noeline Johnson 0437 220 602
Co-ordinator
nlj52@bigpond.com
Chapter Liaison David Miles 3892 2699
Far Nth Qld Chapter John Fransen 0448 658 830
Wide Bay Chapter David Hall 0409 363 889
Bundaberg & Dist Chapter Eric Beckmann 41529206
Darling Downs Chapter Gary Lawrence 4696 8314
Capricorn Chapter Gurney Clamp 4939 4760
Whitsundays Chapter Cathie Meredith 0427 392 829
Octagon Editor Elaine Hamilton 3893 2438 0418 870 782 vprojects@internode.on.net
All enquiries to the secretary:
Headquarters: 8/16 Collinsvale Street, Rocklea
C/o GPO Box 1847 Brisbane 4001
E & OE Hillclimb: Gramzow Road, Mt Cotton
The opinion of the editor, correspondents and advertisers expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the management
committee of the MG Car Club of Queensland Inc. and as such the club accepts no responsibility. Published six times a year members
personal advertisements are free. Club constitution available in clubrooms. Copyright 2013 MGCCQ.
2
The Octagon - November 2017

President’s Report
It seems hard to believe that this is the final edition
of the Octagon for 2017 and that Christmas and
the New Year will soon be upon us. It has been
an extremely busy year. Thanks to all who have in
any way helped with keeping the club ticking along
in 2017. Without people ‘doing their bit’ the club
wouldn’t be what it is today. I’m very proud of the
fact that our club is still run entirely by volunteers.
We had a very interesting AGM this year, the
highlight of which for me was the election of a new
Honorary Life Member in Elaine Hamilton.
I don’t think that there would be a member of the
club who hasn’t had contact with Elaine at some
stage. She has served two long stints on the
Management Committee, and during her most
recent time she took on the role of Secretary
which is probably the most time consuming of all
the Management Committee positions. She also
continues to edit our club magazine, The Octagon,
send regular weekly emails to keep everyone
up to date on what is going on within the club
and recently has taken on the role of heading up
the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the
Mt Cotton Hillclimb. There are so many ways
that Elaine has contributed to our club over so
many years, she is a highly deserving recipient
of Honorary Life Membership. Congratulations
Elaine!
All British Day proved to be a great success for all
involved. This year saw the introduction of a “Rally
Plate” rather than the traditional brass badge; it
never hurts to try something different occasionally.
Last year we suffered a drop off in numbers
brought about through a combination of wet
weather and a date change. This year, numbers
rebounded nicely and we had a great display of
British cars across all the marques and ages.
Congratulations to all involved.
After many hours of hard labour, mainly from Jim
Scott with support from Peter Rayment, it looks
as though we will be going live with an on-line
membership system for 2018. The system will also
deal with new membership applications and allow
members to update their own information etc. thus
ensuring that your Octagon doesn’t get lost in the
mail. I’m also confident that things such as regalia
will also be able to be ordered on-line. Thanks to
Jim Scott, we’ll finally have online renewal.
We are closing in on what will be a very significant
milestone for the club, the 50th anniversary of
the Mt Cotton hillclimb. We will be having a
celebration over the 17th and 18th of February,
both at the clubrooms with the unveiling of the
hillclimb wall and then at Mt cotton on the Sunday
with both static displays and some on track
activities. Planning is well in hand largely due to
the efforts of Elaine Hamilton.
Delia Rayment and her crew of supporters are
making great headway with their planning for the
2019 MG National Meeting despite not having
the same amount of lead in time as normal.
Delia has most if not all of the major activities
locked away already, quite an achievement in the
circumstances.
We are having a change in venue for the annual
Presentation of Awards dinner with a move to the
Alexandra Hills Hotel. This will be held on Saturday
the 3rd of February. Please mark this date down
in your diary and get along to help the winners
celebrate their achievements.
Finally, I’d like to wish everyone and safe and
happy Christmas period. If you are on the roads
please make sure you travel safely.
- Richard Mattea
Ross Kelly 3352 4151
0407 364 543
MG ZR, ZS, ZT Ken Wasley 0423 15 27 23
The Octagon - November 2017 3

Some words from Elaine
Firstly, a big thank you to Owen McNeill for his
quick response re the whereabouts of ‘Gertie’,
Brian Tebble’s TD. How reassuring that the
Octagon is so well read and can provoke such
an immediate response. The good news re
‘Gertie’ is that it is safely in the hands of a
past member and very early competitor at the
hillclimb who even got to compete in it at one
event at Mt Cotton as Brian’s relief driver. The
bad news is that there is no chance that its
restoration will be completed and ready for
display at Mt Cotton on Feb 18 next year.
Inside you’ll find all of your ‘regulars’ along
with a couple of ‘Specials’; however, due to
space issues, there are a couple of articles
which I have had to hold over until the
January issue.
Jim Scott, who will be familiar to hillclimbers
as he has quickly become a key worker in
the timekeeping team, has reponded to the
request to ‘Tell us a bit about you’ with a profile
of himself that you will all find interesting - and
perhaps even inspiring.
Hillclimbers, the annual request for
nominations for the Brian Tebble Award is
published inside. If you have seen anyone
going above and beyond the norm in their
dedicaton to this beautiful venue, please don’t
hesitate to put a nomination in to
Andrew Willesden.
Our wonderful Chaplain, Ken Trudgian, has
a magic way with words and continues each
year to come up with an original Christmas
message for all of us. Thank you, Ken’, may
your words enrich our Christmases for many
years to come. We are aware that you have
taken on a big workload in the Ministry this
year and so I add more thanks for finding time
to nevertheless respond so quickly to
my request.
A treat for all of us is the first episode in
what will be a serial story. Don’t miss Part 1
of the story of ‘Old No 1’ being recreated by
Abingdon Motors’ Matt Spoljarevic. Matt is
also recreating the Abingdon Motors website
to reflect more of its history so make time for
a visit to it.
The rebirth of the T Type register has resulted
in the first club run specifically for older MGs
for many years. It was well patronised and the
story is inside. The following story ‘Roadside
Meetings’ by Ross Kelly is partly a PS to that
story whilst also being a tale of a remarkable
but happy coincidence.
Terry Jones responded to my request for him
to contribute his ‘Story from the Stable’ about
his refurbishing of his TC’s motor. Something
in the tone of my voice ( read the intro to the
article and you’ll know the ‘voice’ referred
to!) made him respond and even meet my
deadline. Maybe it’s a case of ‘old habits die
hard!’ He was rewarded with an assessment
of VHA (Very High Achievement or, in the old
‘language’, 9½ / 10).
Our new Bundaberg Chapter has been very
active, even including a 3 day away event in
their calendar. It extends the length of their
contribution but is reproduced in full because
it could be useful to other Chapters to follow in
their path for their own 3 day event. It certainly
shows how vital and welcoming so many of
our country towns are.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
to you all and I apologise for having to include
another message - that of the deadline of New
Years Eve for contributions for the January
2018 issue.
4
The Octagon - November 2017

Notice Board
The Clubrooms are open on the first and third Friday nights of each month with hot food starting at 6.30
pm priced as low as $4. The goal will continue to be to have something special happening on the first
Friday of each month. Your suggestions are welcomed.
Working bees are held at the hillclimb on most Wednesdays and are therefore not listed below. For
further information, contact Malcolm Spiden.
(P) indicates that the event is pointscoring for Club trophies. The rules for pointscoring for trophies can
be found on the News page of the Club website. The pointscore is updated throughout the year by Ian
Fettes so you can see how competitive you are. Please contact Ian with any queries you may have.
Please consult the online calendar for any update and also for Chapter events to which all members
are always invited. You will also find that motorsport events promoted by other clubs and also events in
regional areas are listed in our online calendar.
Final events for 2017 and coming events for early 2018
2017
DECEMBER
1 Fri Noggin ‘n’ Natter
2/3 Sat/Sun CAMS State Championship Races Rd 3 (P)
at Morgan Park
8 Fri Hillclimb Series presentation of trophies at
the Clubrooms
10 Sun MGCCQ Christmas Party at MGCCQ
Clubrooms starting at 2pm and catered for
by the Club in return for a gold coin donation
towards the costs.
RSVP to zzehamil@gmail.com by Dec 3.
2018
JANUARY
19 Fri Clubrooms reopen for first Noggin ‘n’ Natter
of 2017.
FEBRUARY
3 Sat Annual dinner and presentation of trophies at
Alexandra Hills Hotel (TBC)
17 Sat Celebrations of 50th anniversary of Mt
Cotton Hillclimb at the Clubrooms from 1pm
to 4pm with afternoon tea provided and the
bar open for purchase of drinks.
18 Sun 50th annversary celebration of first hillclimb
at Mt Cotton Hillclimb (check online calendar
for more details as they become available)
MARCH/APRIL
30 March-3 April MG Car Clubs of Australia National Meeting
in Tasmania
2019
19-23 April MG Car Clubs of Australia National Meeting
in Queensland which we are hosting.
New members
We welcome the following new members and wish them
a long and happy association with the Club.
Roger Burnett
Norma Dobell
Owen Douglas
Judith Williams
Russell Cliff
John Rowe
Christine Aprile
And welcome back to
David Aprile
Doug Daniels
This is being centred on the Redlands
area which is adjacent to the south-eastern
suburbs of Brisbane. The speed event
for the National Meeting will be held at
our hillclimb at Mt Cotton which is in the
Redlands area and is governed by the
Redlands City Council.
Those of you travelling from/with our country Chapters
may like to plan to extend your trip to include some time
to visit some of the highlights of the Redlands area, the
top of the ‘must visit’ list being the Bay Islands, particularly
North Stradbroke Island. All of these are easily accessible
by car ferry or water taxi from Cleveland, the ‘city centre’
of the Redlands. The “Explore the Redlands” page of
the Redland City Council website will assist you in your
planning.
Leslie Dobell
Kay Douglas
David Williams
Aubrey Cannon
Ian Ninness
Lee Gordon-Smith
Jason Bowles
The Octagon - November 2017 5

Bits’n’Pieces
VALE BEV COSSOR
News has come to us of the death of Bev Cossor. Bev and the Cossor family were great
stalwarts of the Club both as competitors and as workers with Bev being particularly
committed to working in the canteen with other members of the family pitching in to help.
On her husband Bob’s death, she organised a perpetual trophy in his memory. This was
presented to the winner of Fastest Time of Day at the Ironman hillclimb. Her family wishes
to now rename the trophy in memory of both of them. With the Ironman events no longer
being part of our calendar, the Club will find another significant way to use the Bob and Bev
Cossor Memorial trophy.
The Club extends its sympathy to the Cossor family. Bev is pictured (above) presenting the
Bob Cossor trophy to its inaugural winner, Warwick Hutchinson and (right) Bev is pictured
after the presentation of trophies with members of both her family and the Hutchinson family.
CAMS representative, Sean Fernance, was also there for the presentation of trophies.
The Ibbotson MGC GT - owned by Bruce from new - once again looks like new after a long
process of body repair and restoration. Look for it on future Club runs. You might check to
see if Bruce takes along his innovative quick release bonnet device (patent pending!)
6
The Octagon - November 2017

As cars gathered at the Clubrooms for
the first run by the newly recreated T type
register, advantage was taken of the rare
sighting of a number of MGs outside the
clubrooms in daylight hours to get this
photo.
Following the success of the first T Type
run to Fernvale, Terry and Don are hoping
to organise another one before Christmas
maybe to an air conditioned pub for lunch.
If possible they hope to have a run every
3 months or so if the interest continues.
Please watch the MGCCQ weekly email for
further information.
It could be interesting to watch the ensuing
chaos if we choose to use this 1968 map
with instructions on how to get ‘there’ -
‘There’ being the Mt Cotton hillclimb. Those
of you will long memories MAY be able to
make sense of them.
Midweek runners have become a bit blase about having a Lamborghini or Mercedes AMG
on the run but when the Cranleys turned up to the October run in his recently purchased
McLaren, it quickly became the centre of attention.
The Octagon - November 2017 7

From our Chaplain
You know how it is; you’ve been driving
the family automatic everywhere over the
past few weeks, because it’s been busy
with so much to do. Sure, it’s a nice car and
comfortable, but more important, it is the
one your dear one prefers to be in and the
children can be safely seat belted.
However, just for once, wouldn’t it be nice to
go to work with the top down, sun shining,
wearing a cloth cap and a grin from ear to
ear because it feels like you are driving a
real car and it has a gear stick -- feels like
Christmas!
Opps! It is Christmas, or at least it’s not far
away and the family car will be needed to do
all that shopping. Once again your wallet is
not as fat as usual because everyone wants
more, bigger, better and it all costs so much
more. Oh to be able to spend just a few
dollars on the MG.
Perhaps a gentle hint to your loved ones
might provide that new bit that you’ve
desired all year. Just imagine what it would
be like to open your Christmas present
and find that MG accessary you’ve always
wanted, it would really feel like Christmas.
What about the plans for the Christmas
holidays? Now that the Hill climb
championship are over, the midweek runs
are finished for the year and the last Noggin
& Natter with all the Christmas cheer
indulged, one really does need those few
weeks away to get over it all and relax --
somehow it feels like Christmas.
But what of the year just about gone, what
did you achieve? Seems so long ago that
you made those New Year resolutions to
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make a new start, a change for the better
with more time in the MG.
What happened, here it is, the year nearly
gone and in hindsight it’s no different to last
year. How does one make a change, how
are you going to achieve that one dream
which you tell yourself each year that now is
the time. Only you can do it, think big, plan
big and begi -- that’s what makes it feel like
Christmas.
No, it’s not what you see in the shops or the
television advertising that makes Christmas,
even though they try to make one believe
that is the case. Sure as you rush around
getting hot under the collar, and suffering
under the December, summer sun you can
be forgiven for thinking it feels just like any
other Christmas.
What I like about Christmas is the fact it is
not about me. However it does remind me
that someone loves me so much that all the
past year’s problems are nothing compared
to the love of God. Christmas reminds me
that God desires me to think of others and
how I can help them.
When I sit in church on Christmas Day I am
reminded that God loves us all, forgives us
all and cares for us all. It is a truly humbling
experience but it is also something very
beautiful. It, for me, truly puts all things
into perspective. Yes for me that is what it
means to feel like Christmas.
So may I wish you all a very blessed
Christmas and the happiest of New Years
that you may not only feel but experience
the joy of Christmas, from your
chaplain Ken.
8
The Octagon - November 2017

Introducing our new Management
Committee member, JIM SCOTT
Jim, (whose proper name is James), joined the MG Car Club
in 2014. The motivation behind the membership resulted
from a family birthday gift to his wife, Kathie, of a 1972
MG Midget. To qualify for Concessional registration a club
membership was required and so the MG Car Club was
chosen because of the Marque and its club rooms are local to
where they live.
Wanting to be actively involved in the Club, Jim and Kathie
responded to the call for volunteers for QHC 2015 and
assisted in the canteen for that event. For Jim, Hillclimbing
was a totally new concept and he was won over by the sport
by being at and involved at the event.
Jim had been volunteering at the Gold Coast street races as
an event official since 2007 and had not really considered
being on the other side of the barrier as a Race official.
That is, until speaking to one of the Chief Officials at the
Ipswich Supersprint in 2015 which prompted him to start the
process of getting a CAMS Official licence. Jim completed
his trainee licence at the Mount Cotton Hillclimb in timing
and noise monitoring. While the speciality path of choice
was/is Event Command he has never really left the Timing
Shed. Jim has also participated as a Circuit Official at the V8
Series at Ipswich, Gold Coast, Townsville and the AGP F1 in
Melbourne where his team won the Stewards Cup award in
2017. In aiming for his CAMS Bronze Timekeeper Licence,
Jim has performed timekeeping at Qld Raceway Willowbank
for the V8s and Shannon’s Nationals and at the QLD Circuit
Racing Championships at Morgan Park.
Jim’s interest in motor vehicles was encouraged by his
childhood inquisitive nature to find out how things worked.
Growing up, the family vehicle was a ‘58 Volkswagen which
he used to drive around Cash’s Crossing as a 10 year old
on a Sunday afternoon. The VW was supplemented by a
Holden HK wagon in 1971 which was the start of the family
fleet of cars which included Morris, Austin, Mini, Leyland
Marina, then Holdens (FJ and FX project cars) and more.
This ingrained ‘fleet’ mindset continues today with Jim’s
numerous projects - but with vehicles mainly of European
descent.
Jim’s professional background started in the Commonwealth
Bank in Brisbane and later the family moved to Sydney
in 1986 for Jim to follow a career in IT within the Bank.
Leaving the Bank and starting a consultancy business, Jim
worked for the Australian Stock Exchange and Woolworths
on strategic projects in Sydney before Jim and his family
moved back to Brisbane in 1998. He has since worked as
a consultant in Queensland Government, Energy, Resource
and the Not for Profit industries. Jim’s focus in business is
Business Improvement through Analysis, Process and Project
Management.
Nominations for the 2017 Brian Tebble Award
People familiar with the history of Mount Cotton Hillclimb
will know that the late Brian Tebble, an early member of the
MGCCQ, was instrumental in getting the Hill Climb circuit
constructed. In recognition of individuals responsible for the
ongoing work required for the maintenance and running of
the Mount Cotton Speed Hillclimb Circuit, an annual award in
Brian’s name was formed eight years ago. This year another
person will receive the award.
The award recognises particularly outstanding efforts made by
individuals who tirelessly work, sometimes behind the scenes,
to ensure that the facility’s magnificent grounds are always
Jim at work in
the timing shed
at Mt Cotton
Jim and Kathie have 6 adult children and 14 grandchildren. As
a member of the Management committee 2017/18, Jim aims
to implement some business improvement and efficiencies
in the administration of the club starting with an online
membership renewal process to be implemented for 2018
memberships. More information will be forthcoming. Being
involved in the Hillclimb timing, Jim is also reviewing ways
of automating and improving the race timing systems, event
management and timely presentation of results.
Jim aspires to one day compete at the Hillclimb.
Jim likes to listen to new ideas and encourages members to
bring their ideas to the table that would promote and expand
the services of the Club and positively promote motorsport.
looking their best and that events function smoothly. One
person receives the award each year and nominations for
2017 are currently open.
If you know of any member not on the committee or any
non-member who you feel deserves to be recognised for
their efforts this year please let me know through the contact
details below. Nominations will close on Dec 31 2017 and the
award will be presented at the Club dinner and presentation
of trophies in early 2018.
- Andrew Willesden aswillesden@bigpond.com
0410 059 266
The Octagon - November 2017 9

Project #1
Part 1: Keeping up with Traditions
- by Matt Spoljarevic
Over the years the Abingdon Motors
workshop has seen many rare and historical
car restorations and a number of unique
custom builds. As the new owners, finding
a shop project that would be worthy of
Abingdon’s heritage was always going to be
a difficult task.
The hunt was on to find something the
workshop could get their spanners dirty
on and, by chance, one night an image
appeared on my laptop screen. It was
a partially restored 1924 Morris Cowley
Bullnose.... “If only we could do something
with that!?”
The decision was made to buy the car and
build a replica of Cecil Kimber’s Old Number
One. But this is not to be just any replica;
our intention is to build it as faithfully as
possible to its original specification. The car
will be built as it was when it competed in
the 1925 Lands End Trial, and we plan take
it to the UK in 2025 to compete in the Trial
on the 100th year anniversary.
There are only three photos of the car in
its original specification, and these are
obviously black and white images with low
resolution so much of the detail needed has
come from articles and firsthand accounts
from the time. After months of research,
and a “quick trip” by David Wands to the
British Heritage Museum to see the original
car, we now have enough information that
the search and the purchasing of parts has
begun.
Based on the published account of Mr C
Martin, an employee at the Morris Garages
in 1924, we know that the engine and
chassis for the car were being worked on
in March 1924. Similarly we are starting
our build in the same way with Project #1,
now stripped to a rolling chassis, and a
replacement engine en route from France.
10
The Octagon - November 2017

The standard Morris Cowley side valve
engine was replaced in the original car
with a Hotchkiss overhead valve unit of
which there was approx 200 made for
the short lived Gilchrist Cars (1920-23).
It would appear the engine was a lucky
find by Kimber whilst he was touring the
Hotchkiss factory after it was bought out by
Morris. Certainly the chance of us finding
one of those engines now would be nearly
impossible; therefore we have opted for
a 1920’s Hotchkiss AM2 engine. This has
the closest matching configuration to that
used in Old Number One, and we may look
into the viability of having the cylinder head
remanufactured to match that of the one
used in 1925. That way its overall look will
be the same, although it will increase horse
power which will be handy in 2025.
A standard Morris Cowley chassis was
used, but modified to include swept arches
over the rear axle to allow for the car to be
lowered. We also know that days before
the start of the Lands End Trial, the chassis
cracked behind the rear engine mount and
needed urgent repairs. Our intention is to
have our chassis rails modified to match,
with the inclusion of the plates used to repair
the cracked frame. The plates would not
only be aesthetically accurate, but would
also strengthen a known stress point in the
Chassis which clearly existed in 1925, and
would only be more fragile 93 years on.
The most controversial part of the build will
definitely be the colour. There are several
replicas in the world today and, to our
knowledge, all have been painted red to
match the car in its current configuration.
However we do know that in 1925 the car
was painted only in grey undercoat, which
was standard for Morris Garage prototype
cars at the time.
It was only when the car was restored
decades later that the current red colour was
applied, as the car was to be used by the
MG Car Company for marketing. True to its
1925 heritage, the Abingdon Motors replica
will be painted in a matte finish grey paint
to replicate the undercoat originally used. It
will also be sporting the MG octagon on the
passenger side, as captured in one of the
three original photos, a detail unfortunately
(Top) The Cowley as it was when we bought it, The
Rolling Chassis, now that we have stripped it down and
a photo of the Original Old Number One in the Museum,
taken by David Wands while he was there a few
weeks ago.
now missing on the original car.
We will be updating the progress of the car
with future articles as we progress and invite
anyone who wishes to view the car to stop
by Abingdon at any time.
The Octagon - November 2017 11

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The Octagon - November 2017

The Octagon - November 2017 13

Stories from the
Stables
A LETTER TO MISS SWAN
by Terry Jones
Dear Miss Swan
(One of my high school teachers 1964-66)
Hope my homework is not too late!
The Joys of Restoration 2016/17
by Terry Jones
I have owned my 1946 MG TC since 1968.
In 1970 it had a rough rebuild and over
the following years many minor parts have
been replaced. However, in 1972 I broke a
crankshaft and that was the last time I delved
deep into the mechanicals. Since then I
have been happy to keep the car registered
and running whilst building a house, getting
married (we honeymooned with the TC),
having a family and taking up a family hobby
of sailing. Towards the end of 2015 I realized
something serious had to be done about the
engine. It was overheating, pulsating oil and
had very low compression on No.1 cylinder.
More smoke came out of the engine breather
than out of the exhaust pipe, the water pump
leaked and the gearbox jumped out of 2nd
gear and occasionally out of 3rd. But apart
from that it went quite well!!
In 2016 restoration began in earnest. I
removed the engine and gearbox and
degreased and water blasted the whole
horrible mess. After disassembly I wondered
just what keeps XPAG engines going when
in this condition. I discovered that No.1
piston had a bit missing, no top ring and the
second ring was broken. No.2 piston also
had a broken top ring. After removing the
welsh plugs the lower gallery was found to
be almost solid with sediment. The cylinder
head was heavily coked but in reasonable
14
The Octagon - November 2017
condition. The head, block, crank and con
rods were taken to Chilton Engineering in
Deshon St., Woolloongabba. David Chilton
was very helpful and also interested in things
a little out of the ordinary.
The crank and con rods were crack tested;
however, the crank was found to be cracked.
The block had previously been bored to
1390cc and I was advised not to bore it any
further so it was sleeved back to the original
+.040” approx 1290cc. The cylinder head
was skimmed and hardened valve seats
were fitted. It was David Wands at Abingdon
Motors who put me in touch with an old T-type
owner who had a second hand crankshaft at a
reasonable price.
I had this crack tested and found it to be O.K.
and subsequently had it reground. On David
Chilton’s advice I discovered that pistons were
available from JP Pistons in South Australia.
All the components were balanced by Chilton
Engineering before they were returned to me
for reassembly. A full set of valves, bearings,
gaskets, a new water pump, timing chain
and gearbox bearings were obtained from
Abingdon Motors. I could have purchased
these parts on the Internet from overseas
myself but if we don’t support our local
businesses they won’t be here in the future.
During the time the machine work was being
done I fell off a trail bike and broke my wrist,
necessitating an operation to screw it back
together and this put me out of action for
about 3 months. So, although I had just
about everything I needed I was unable to
do very much towards reassembling the
engine. Whilst fumbling about in the garage
I thought that I should inspect the camshaft.
I removed it from its oily rag and for the first
time I noticed the difference in height of
the cam lobes. I subsequently headed off
to Tighe Cams at Wacol, I placed the cam
on the counter and without any prompting
they immediately identified this to be from a
T-Type! When I enquired what could be done
they said replacement was the best option
and to my amazement they took one straight
from the shelf and asked what grind I would
like. It is incredible what they have there and
what records they keep. Meanwhile my wrist
was slowly improving so I thought why not

attack the gear box!
I was aware that when removing the main
shaft the sliding hub should not be allowed to
move (a two handed operation), so I carefully
proceeded but soon realized my weak left
wrist did not have the strength or movement
to hold the hub - with obvious consequences.
I never did find all the balls and springs that
flew all over the garage. Not to be deterred
I took the second and third gears to be back
ground at Zeneth Engineering at Milton.
I could then reassemble the rest of the
gearbox with new bearings and shims
which were made to take up any excessive
movement where necessary. I then welded the
bell housing (which had had a piece broken
out beside the clutch shaft for as long as I can
remember) and fitted a new bronze bush. My
aluminium welding leaves a lot to be desired
but it hasn’t fallen out yet!
The engine reassembly was fairly straight
forward with particular attention paid to the
clearance on the rear crankshaft scroll which,
after 400 miles, hasn’t yet leaked. Next I
removed the bottom radiator tank, cleaned
the core and soldered it back in place then all
was ready to go back in the car. The starter
and generator were checked over by John
Wellings Auto Electrics in Ipswich.
John is a friend from the Historic Motor Cycle
Club and is also interested in all things old. I
also managed to get some 16” radial ply tyres
from Vintage Tyre Sales near the Bribie Bridge
and these have made a big difference to the
steering and road holding after the hard cross
plies which had been on the car for years.
I have now done about 500 miles in the TC
since getting it going again and it is running
beautifully! I never intended to do any more
than a mechanical rebuild, although the body
and chassis could do with some attention
(maybe in the future). However, for now I am
happy to be driving it again.
Terry, well done - for (i) getting your homework
in on time, (ii) your engine reconstruction, (iii)
your prose construction and (iv) your priority in
purchasing an MG so soon after leaving high
school. Overall rating - a VHA! Don’t forget
that your next assignment is due on or before
30th December 2017. E. Swan/Hamilton
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16
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T-TYPE RUN -2017
By Lynn Jones; photos by Terry Jones and Elaine Hamilton
Rumblings of reforming
a T-Type
Register began
earlier this year
when Don Webster
and Terry Jones
discovered they both
shared the same
interest in providing
excursions for the
older club members,
T-Types that is! (Don
& Terry’s T-Type
ownership and friendship began in the late
1960s when the MG Car Club rooms were in
Wickham Street, The Valley).
To test the waters the call was made to all
interested T-Type owners to lift those dust
covers off and venture out together with the
promise of a comfortable speed, minimal
highway travel and the reward of a morning
tea/lunch stop at an historic bakery.
So, on Thursday 21st September a happy
and enthusiastic group assembled at
the club house eager and ready to travel
those “country lanes” in order to reach
our destination at the historic Fernvale
Bakery. There we would be joined by Helen
Goodfellow and her grandson Noah and
Brian Phillips - all from Toowoomba - and
Barry & Lorraine Bauman from Somerset
Dam.
By 9.30 a.m. seven cars were fired up
ready to enjoy the morning drive. We left
the Centenary Highway and headed to
Kholo Crossing via Mt. Crosby. A short
unavoidable stretch of the Warrego Highway
led us to the solitude of Pine Mountain Road
which joins the Brisbane Valley Highway
just 6 km short of our final destination. The
Bakery car park provided ample room for
the cars to pose for their customary photo
shoot; the line up was most impressive!
The bakery courtyard proved just the right
Preparation for the photo shoot, Roll call, Ross’s MG gets
admired, right turn to Mt Crosby, and (page 19)
enjoying the delights of the bakery.
The Octagon - November 2017 17

Mal Ryan Ph: 0419 741 223 - mspa.com@optusnet.com.au - Capalaba, Brisbane.
Check out our website: www.octopusgrip.com to find a distributor close to you.
British Car Specialist & Rover T4 Diagnostics
2 Trade Street
Ormiston Q 4160
18
The Octagon - November 2017

spot for friends old and new to swap T-Type
experiences and knowledge.
The bakery offered all the temptations it is
well known for, along with a display of its
local history. We are pleased to report that
all vehicles behaved beautifully (while on the
run) and all participants arrived happy and
still enthusiastic too. Further T-Type runs will
be organized with an endeavour to include
as many participants as possible bearing in
mind the “tyranny of distance”. We would
like to thank everyone for making this “T” run
a success and we hope to see you all again
next time.
Participants:
Terry & Lynn Jones
Don & Ann Webster
Bernie Pereira
TC
TD
TD
Ross & Shez Letten TD
Helen & Noah Goodfellow TF
Brian Phillips
TF1500
Barry & Lorraine Bauman TD
Ross Kelly
J3
Vern & Elaine Hamilton MGB GT-type
Ian & Kay Wells
Jensen Healey
Roadside Meetings by Ross Kelly
I have always thought driving a pre-war MG
MMM car was an acquired taste; I note that,
after fifteen years of ownership of the J3, I
have not yet acquired the taste.
On the upside I certainly have met many
interesting people whilst sitting beside the
road and wondering what went wrong this
time. It was fortunate that I was a better
landscape estimator than motor mechanic.
My mentor, Norm Goodall, has just approved
my elevation to second year apprentice after
serving fifteen years on level one.
It must have been something to do with my
grasping the nature of the working of the
internal combustion engine – suck, push,
bang, blow. Therefore, if the car stopped,
first check petrol and spark before using the
vintage driver’s best companion, the mobile
phone, to contact the RACQ.
Such was the case after the T series run
to Fernvale recently. After morning tea, it
was back into the J3 for the return journey.
The car was rocketing along till disaster
struck just before Moggill Road at Anstead.
I stopped for a break to clean the radiator
fluid off the aero screens and let the car cool
down a little before the last leg home.
Bill Hutchinson with the J3
“Failed to Proceed” is the best way to
describe the next move -- starter engaged
but no further noise of the J3 bursting
into life. A quick diagnosis by 2nd year
apprentice was that engine or supercharger
had seized.
From experience, any issues with the J3
have always been centred around the
supercharger, from losing its balls (ball
bearings that is) in Italy, breaking the drive
The Octagon - November 2017 19

shaft chasing down a Healey Sprite in
Toowoomba or losing the champagne cork
that was the blow off valve in Tasmania.
Having phoned the RACQ I settled down for
the wait. Shortly after, a SAAB approached,
slowed down and then pulled up across
the road. The elderly gentleman ambled
over and asked, “What is the problem with
the J type?” He was obviously a man
of discerning taste and knowledge so I
explained my predicament and that I was
waiting for help to arrive.
After discussing the merits of various cars,
the discerning gentlemen introduced himself
as Bill Hutchinson. Further discussions
centred on the MG marque and the time
in our history when police and speed limits
meant he could drive his MG TB to its limit.
Bill also informed me he was a founding
member of the MG Car Club of Queensland
and his membership number was 11.
Bill was certainly one of the more interesting
persons I have had the privilege of meeting
whilst waiting for help to arrive: there is
always an upside to breaking down in an
early MG.
Postscript: Seized supercharger now in the
able hands of Peter Tighe.
Photos: (top to bottom) The offending supercharger
(above) the champagne cork in place in the car’s red days
(right) an earlier breakdown of the supercharger in earlier
days in the middle of the outback on a Club run
and the J type enjoying its wait in pleasant surroundings
20
The Octagon - November 2017

September Midweek Run
MG Car Club Overnight Run to Warwick
27 – 28 September
report and photos by Malcolm Campbell
It was a leisurely start to the September overnight
run, beautifully crafted by Denis and Vicki Thomas.
They had assembled “Goodies Bags” for all
entrants with driving instructions, maps for both
days, menus with prices for each of the three meal
stops, even tourist guides and lists of attractions.
Attention to detail was excellent, because the red
bags also carried our room numbers for the motel!
Denis and Vicki, you’ll be a hard act to follow.
So why was it a leisurely start? We assembled
at Logan Parklands Beenleigh at 10.00 am for a
10.30 am start and this provided us time for a lazy
morning tea and pit-stop, even before we started
the run -- such a civilised start to the day.
Stage 1 took us out of Beenleigh in the customary
way through Wolffdene with an easy run to
Beaudesert and then on to Boonah. Finding the
Dugandan Hotel on the southern outskirts of town
by midday was easy. It was a cooler day and the
clouds tended to camouflage the brown grasses.
We are desperate for rain in SE Queensland.
The hotel put on excellent well-priced meals and
quickly dispensed them to our hungry group. Some
found their Goodies Bag even contained a sheet
outlining the hotel’s history -- that was thoughtful
and informative. The big windows encouraged a
wonderful breeze through the dining room, so we all
enjoyed the occasion, and it was hard to get moving
again.
bits of road on this part of the run and I was able to
enjoy a few mid-range second gear power bursts
from my little GTI’s turbo, but they were usually
terminated by the brake lights of the vehicle ahead.
It increased fuel consumption a bit, but it was fun.
The Walkers spiked a coffee stop at Killarney,
although I think they were the only takers, most
preferring a pit stop. It was then a 30 km run to
Warwick with more lovely scenery. I’d say it was
about 3.30 pm when the majority arrived at the
Horse and Jockey Hotel-Motel at the Brisbane end
of town. The rooms were quite spacious and we
were spread out across all areas of the motel.
By 5 pm, noise levels in the outside eating area
increased dramatically as the club took over the
whole area for Happy Hour. It was so civilised but
the decibel levels made listening a much focussed
exercise. There was another poor couple in the
room but fortunately the lady once owned an MG
so she understood our passion for fun. Around
6.30 pm we all drifted into the main dining area
to occupy 3 long tables in the far corner, where it
was quiet. But the serenity was soon shattered
as the corks popped and the excellent food was
consumed.
The wise ones left early but we all were back to
our rooms by 10 pm. The plan was to be down
for breakfast, sensitively planned to be from
7 – 8.30 am. You are so civilised, Mr and Mrs
Thomas. And what a hearty breakfast it was. No
one complained about the variety or quantity, but
it would make finding room for lunch at the Gatton
Pub a challenge. I noticed a marked intolerance for
loud discussion, talking was more hushed after the
spirited evening conversations.
Next stop was the 1870 Pringle Cottage, a
beautifully restored sandstone cottage with
excellent memorabilia and equipment in adjoining
sheds. The museum is run by the Warwick
Historical Society. Admission also included morning
tea. Although many of the delicious slices and jam
scones were consumed, there was an obvious sign
of over-catering, or maybe we still hadn’t digested
the country breakfast?
Some only stayed for lunch but the hardy ones
continued on, to the better part of the run – the
run up to Queen Mary Falls although the planned
stops did not eventuate, because we all reckoned
the Falls wouldn’t be falling. There were some nice
The run through the Allora district was very scenic,
with many emerald green fields reminding us
how hard the farmers work to produce their crops
in such trying conditions. After a short while on
the New England Highway, heading towards
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22
The Octagon - November 2017

Toowoomba, we dived off right on our way to
Gatton, and the View Hotel. More food – thanks
Denis!
Well, the temperature on Thursday was now over
370C and we and some of the cars were feeling the
heat. Sadly the pub’s air conditioning couldn’t keep
up so the thought of eating more food was less
appealing. We joined the tail end of a large seniors
group and I don’t think the caterers had caught up,
or maybe they were on a lunch break themselves
because we had a long wait for the food. Thinking
positively, this allowed more time for conversation
and also more time to digest what had gone down
before lunch!
We left Gatton View Hotel around 2.15 pm to drive
home. I saw the outside temperature crest 400C
as we passed the Ipswich area but fortunately 45
minutes later it was only 32.50C, when we arrived
home at Forest Lake.
A big “Thank You” must go out to Denis and Vicki
Thomas. The two days went off with military
precision. The handouts provided were not only
useful for the run but will serve as useful guides for
future MG Car Club mid-week runs. Good thinking
Denis!
PS Unfortunately Barry Lutwyche’s MGB
succumbed to the heat and completed the second
day of the run on the back of a tow truck with Barry
Evan’s MG Automotive as its destination where
Barry identified the radiator as having the original
December 1979 core and has since replaced it.
The Octagon - November 2017 23

Participants:
Nick & Gwynne Holman MG TF
Alan & Joyce Tebbutt
Audi A4
Denis & Vicki Thomas MGB
Errol & Wendy Hoger
Ford
Territory
Jeff & Pat Heslewood Subaru WRX
Malcolm Campbell & Kathy Burford VW Golf GTI
John & Pat Walker
MGB GT V8
Kerry & Dane Horgan Ford Mustang
Val Horgan
Mazda MX5
Alex Cairney
MGB
Brian Cranley & Kep Coughlan MGBGT
Bruce & Gail Bayliss
Volvo 242 GT
Dave & Anne Ferro
MGB
Will Charlton
Ford Mustang
David & Meryl Miles
MG Magnette
Ian & Kay Wells
Jensen Healey
Bruce Mutch
Subaru Forester
Barry Lutwyche & Jan Burke MGB
24
The Octagon - November 2017

October Midweek Run
Day Run October 25th 2017
by David Miles; photos by Malcolm Campbell
and Bruce Mutch
A tasty lunch was served as tall tales (some true)
were exchanged as drivers and passengers re-lived
the more exciting aspects of their day.
The novelty of a fine sunny day seemed to have
encouraged a big group of 24 drivers (and their
cars, of course) and a total of 13 passengers to
assemble at our Ferny Grove assembly point, while
Denis Thomas and his passenger joined en route
at Esk.
The all too familiar Brisbane traffic this particular
morning dictated a later than scheduled departure,
but, once clear of red traffic lights, it was a spirited
drive up Mt Glorious and down to the morning tea
venue (White Cedar Picnic ground) on the western
side of the mountain where all arrived safely. A very
nice morning tea was enjoyed in an area of freshly
mown grass with clean toilets and a clear running
stream which could have tempted many to “Linger
Longer.”
There were more roads to travel, however, so we
traversed the remainder of Northbrook Parkway,
turned right and enjoyed the roads and scenery
before arriving in Esk, turned right and up-hill
again to Hampton. A busy New England Highway
took us through Carbalah and Highfields, before
encountering the steep downhill run to Murphy’s
Creek, now showing little evidence of the disastrous
floods of a few years ago.
Travelling on to Postman’s Ridge, we were able to
see work on the second range crossing progressing
very well, then we joined the Warrego Highway for
the final leg of the journey to Helidon and our lunch
venue, The Floating Cafe at Grantham.
It was great to see the country we traversed looking
so green after a week or so of rain, and to see how
communities like Murphy’s Creek and Grantham
are now re-born.
Participating were:
David Miles
MGB roadster
Brian Purvis & Alan Milligan MG TF
Alex Cairney
MG6 GT
Colin Fox
Landrover
Dennis & Diana Kelly MX 5
Bruce Mutch
SUV
Bill Humble
MG F
Brian Cranley
MGB GT
Allan & Joyce Tebutt
MGB Roadster
Val Horgan MX 5
Jeff & Pat Heslewood Subaru
Barry Lutwyche & Jan Burke MGB roadster
John Davidson
MGB GT
Sue Panucco & Trevor Pelson Audi
John & Pat Walker
MG A
John & Trish Cranley
McLaren 570GT
Gary Lawrence & Bob Niblett MGB GT
Dane & Kerry Horgan Mercedes Benz
Malcolm Campbell & Kathy Burford VW Golf
Mal Kelson
Lotus Elise
Dennis Hemoley
MGC
Kevin Strower
Audi S8
Nick & Gwen Holman Subaru
Ray & Sue Edwards
Outlander
Denis Thomas
MG B
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28
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CHAPTER Chatter
BUNDABERG & DISTRICT CHAPTER
8-10 Sept-- 3 DAY COUNTRY SOJOURN – by
Jacqui Mutton
Excitement was definitely in the air when 10 little
MGers met at our usual meeting spot on Quay
Street, Bundaberg, for the start of our 3 Day
Country Sojourn. Robyn & David, Leigh & Jacki,
David & Sonya (from Hervey Bay crew), Peter &
Margaret, Adrian & Denise, Jenny & David, Clive
& his Mum, Beryl, holidaying from the UK, Steve
& Tracy, Steve & Teena and Jacqui & Ray – all
eagerly waiting for take off!!! And off we went down
the highway for our first rendezvous at Biggenden
to meet up with Gary & Meryl in their red ‘B’.
Morning tea taken care of and all very eager to hit
the road, it was time to point our pride and joys
down the Burnett Highway towards our first night
camp at Gayndah. A small pause in the trip at
Ban Ban Springs to check out the ‘Springs’, and of
course a photo shoot, the first of several!!
It was lunchtime as we arrived at the orange capital
of Gayndah. Some chose to picnic under a tree
beside the Burnett River and others chose to find
the local bakery for some delights. Eventually we
all made it to our motel and after settling into our
rooms, we met at a centrally placed table and chairs
with either a cold ale or a cuppa in hand. Later on
in the afternoon we all headed off to Peter Huth’s,
a resident and retired Mayor of Gayndah, who just
happens to have a small collection of approximately
20 vintage & veteran and rare Citroen cars. It was
like walking into Aladdin’s cave and everyone was
suitably impressed with not only the cars but the
wonderful stories that accompanied them. How
very honoured we were to have been shown this
unique, worldwide collection. Many thanks to Peter.
Peter did mention at the time that he was going to
start selling some of his collection, beginning with
the more later models. One of our group, who
shall remain anonymous, as I would live in fear of
retribution, decided to take him up on his offer!!!!
His wife heard about it after!!!! Well, as much as we
were in awe of Peter’s collection, Citroens just don’t
have the ‘style’ of an MG, not that I’m biased!! So
needless to say a fair bit of s..t was thrown at Steve
– oops our anonymous member!!
After the Citroen collection and leaving our beasties
at the motel, we walked up the main street and
headed to the Grand Hotel for a lovely dinner, a
few drinkies and a lot of laughter, which continued
on well after we got back to our motel - the new
Shitroen owner being the prime target!!!!!!
Up in the morning and off to Mundubbera today.
The Old Gayndah Mundubbera Road was to be
our route, which took in a scenic, meandering path
along the Burnett River and plentiful citrus orchards.
These scenic views were thanks to the devastating
floods in this area 4 years ago, when huge, aged,
old gum trees were toppled, allowing the river and
surrounds to be seen how it is today.
It was cuppa time just as we drove over the Burnett
River at Mundubbera and we pulled into the park
right on the river banks. As our next function wasn’t
until midday, so as soon as cups were washed,
wiped and put away, everyone adventured off on
their own, to inspect the thriving metropolise of
Mundubbera. At midday we all congregated at
the Mundubbera Museum, where Faye Whelan,
Deputy Mayor, was introduced to all and was going
to reveal to us a small snapshot of her district and
town. And this started off with a luncheon, put on
by the Mundubbera Historical Society, presenting
some of the local produce, including the Australian
Award Winning Sausages. Everyone was most
impressed with not just the splendid food but by
the diversity of it in this district. After thanks to the
ladies and gentleman of the Mundubbera Historical
Society, Faye took us down to the old railway
station where the locals are trying to restore this
past important link in their town. This was where
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all local produce left for the markets and goods
needed to keep the town viable were railed in. All
has changed and they are working hard to keep
their heritage as a Railway Museum.
Faye then took us for a self drive out to a blueberry
farm and after tasting some of these little gems on
our lunch table, we were salivating for more. On
arriving at the farm, I think we were all awestruck
at the enormity of the plantings. In front of us were
220 acres of blueberries, all under shade cloth.
We were taken, or should I say, we all drove, right
through the blueberries, stopping for an extremely
interesting, information session and a big blueberry
pigout!!!! The utterance down through our mob
was, ‘I have never eaten blueberries as juicy and as
sweet as this!’ We were all most impressed.
On the way back to Mundubbera, we drove through
acres and acres of table grapes and orchards of
pecans and fields of asparagus. Back in town at
the Information Centre we were presented with
a video on another Mundubbera icon, ‘Bugs For
Bugs’. Dan Papachek, a local entomologist, grows
good bugs to sell to orchardists, not just locally but
Australia and worldwide, to kill the bad bugs. This
replaces nasty and poisonous chemicals. Good
onya Dan! With a huge and extremely grateful
thank you to Faye Whelan we said our farewells
and meandered down the road to our motel.
Finally booked into our motel after a delightful
driving day! And while we had a couple of hours
before dinner, which was at the motel, there was
time to see what might be the problem with a rather
noisy engine on one of the ‘B’s. And of course,
how many men does it take to lift a bonnet on an
MG?????? 1 of course, but you need at least 10
assistants and at least 4 supervisors and of course
some sympathisers!!!! The problem was a bit more
serious – like a cam shaft going through the hard
facing on the cam shaft lobes – serious!!! Could we
fix it? No we couldn’t but it’s an MG so it will make it
home. Well at least to Bundy!!! And it did!!
The pre dinner drinks and nibbles was a quietly
raucous affair in the pleasant restaurant courtyard.
The motel’s restaurant showcased all the food
grown in the area, so once again we dined on
magnificent food and by all the ‘yum’ sounds around
the table, all were duly impressed. Soon after
dinner, we lost Clive and Beryl as an impending
Rugby Union game was to unfold. A few die hards
brought their drinkies to a centrally placed pergola
to continue on with the exercise of laughter!!!
It wasn’t long before we all raced back to our
rooms to don something a bit warmer as the temp
dropped. A few bailed out when the temperature
dropped to single digits and we had no more wine
to fortify us. Those who remained, voicing how
tough they were, were found out to have had a
blanket over them!!!!
Sunday morning – breaky in the dining room for
most of us and then try to pay our bill so we can
hit the road! All sorted out and all assembled for
our next little jaunt. This was our last day on the
road so unfortunately we wouldn’t spend any more
time in the next little town of Eidsvold other than
popping into the RM Williams Learning Centre.
On arrival we were greeted with an enchanting
placard welcoming the Bundaberg MG Club. How
good was that!! We were directed out of the normal
parking area so we could line up for another photo
shoot. And quite a lot of locals came to check us
out and to have a chat. We were greeted by Laurel
Bales, the RM Williams Centre Coordinator. Once
inside we were offered morning tea by the Eidsvold
Historical Society, with a scrumptious array of home
baked goodies and while feasting out, Laurel gave
us a comprehensive talk on RM Williams, who
used to live on a property at Eidsvold and where
his family still resides. Laurel also discussed other
highlights of the centre and its future. After morning
tea we were free to walk around and check it all
out including the interactive screens strategically
placed. We thanked Laurel and her assistants for
not just opening up the centre much earlier, just for
us, but for the invaluable information passed on and
we wished them all the best with their plans for the
future.
Time to head off and point our cars, for the first
time, towards the east across the easy, winding,
mountainous road to Mt Perry, for lunch and
farewells. It struck me, as we were cruising along,
how the weather had been so kind to us. Cool but
not too cold. Warm but not hot. And we had all
gone topless, those that could go topless, for the
entire trip. You couldn’t ask for anything better.
We arrived at Mt Perry and had our final meal
together then, after our final photo shoot, said our
farewells. I so enjoyed the drive, the scenery and
the people we met, but what I most enjoyed was
seeing our motley crew intermingling with each
other, all the time, laughing with and at each other
and sincerely being there for each other. Proud to
be in the Bundy MG Club – thanks guys!!
30
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of Moorepark Beach for lunch at the Beachside
Cafe. It was a well patronised run with 12 cars in all
plus and some members already seated, around 27
people plus a couple of possible newbies.
17 Sept - Moore Park Run by Adrian Titchmarsh
Well being the first run I have attempted I hope I did
not stuff up too bad. Mind you a driver in a small
white car is still wondering what was going on.
Starting at our usual spot at 0900 we travelled
down along the river to the beach. On arriving at
our morning tea spot on the Hummock, it was very
pleasant to find we were not going to be blown off
the top as usual.
After a cuppa and another chat [we are very good
at that] we let Eric and others get some photos.
We then drove off past the house made of
containers to South Kolan Hotel for a brief stop for
some lunch time supplies and on to Bullyard.
A right turn and 30 km later we drove into the North
The Octagon - November 2017 31

29, 30 Sept, 1 Oct -- MINGO CROSSING
CAMPOUT by Jacqui Mutton
It started off as a once a year camp at Mingo
Crossing, but we all enjoy it sooo much that we had
to make it twice this year and take advantage of
the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Eight happy
campers turned up, with their vans and Winnebago
-- The Tickmarshs, Ninnesses, Gilfoyles, Elsoms,
Prassers, Gables, Beckmans and the Muttons, and
of course their pooches!!
Absolutely beautiful weather until pack up,
when it decided to rain. But in the meantime we
entertained ourselves with lots of talking, laughing,
eating, laughing and just for something different, the
Beckmans introduced a couple of whacky games,
more laughter.
One minute you are in possession of 8 marbles
then after what you think is a convivial conversation
with someone you thought was a friend, you are
down on your marble count, simply because they
cajoled a ‘yes’ out of you.
Tracy Gable won a bottle of wine out of that!!!!
Maltesers, a straw each and a dice were introduced
later one evening and the winner of that bottle of
wine, who was Tracey Ninness, had to transfer
Maltesers via a straw from one bowl to another
before a 6 was thrown.
The following night just happen to be the Grand
Final of the NRL, so both winning bottles of wine
were shared amongst all, whilst we sat out under
the stars watching the big game, on a flat screen
TV, with a generator quietly humming in the bush
behind us!!!
Yet again it was a great camp shared with super
people!!! Will we do it again?? You bet we will and
we would love for you to join us.
32
The Octagon - November 2017

CHAPTER Chatter
CAPRICORN CHAPTER
by Gurney T Clamp
Sept 17 - Mt. MORGAN - WESTWOOD
What a beautiful day to be out touring around in
an open cab MG sports car! And that was how the
day started out with the coastal group meeting
at the Oaks on Yeppoon road then calling into
the Headricks Lane coffee shop in East Street
Rockhampton on their way to meet up with the
Central Group at the Southside Tourist Information
Centre.
After the usual chatter it was off to Mt. Morgan via
the popular range road with Gurney’s 72 MG B not
taking well to the challenge of going up the steep
climb of the range road as it started to cough and
splutter but nevertheless made it to the top lookout
car park where it came to halt only to find that
Stuart and Ada Clark had a similar type of problem
but only made it half way up the range.
Laurie Chetter came to the rescue and discovered
that Gurneys’ MG B had no spark from the
recently fitted Electronic distributor. As Gurney had
experienced this problem before he had brought
along the old distributer which allowed Laurie - with
a large selection of tools provided by a number of
members - to make the change over. Laure and
Phil Henry then returned back down the range
to get Stuart and Ada back on the road while the
remainder enjoyed morning tea in their absence.
After a short time Stuart, Ada, Laurie and Phil made
it to the top and joined the group. Shortly after it
was off to Westwood via Mt. Morgan and then onto
Dululu where it was noticed Gurney & Gloria were
missing. A phone call from Phil Henry found that
they were still in Mt. Morgan at an RACQ garage as
their car had continued to play up.
After a short break at Dululu the group headed off
to the Westwood pub for lunch and once contact
with Gurney was made to find out where he was, it
was discovered that he was back on the road and
planned to meet them at the Westwood pub where
members expressed their delight at the meals of
good value.
While there the hotel management took some of us
back a few years when she brought out the large
black and white photograph of our cars parked
outside the hotel when our club visited there several
years ago.
After a bit of confusion Ian Carleton took home
Gloria’s $10 poker run voucher with 3 sevens.
The Octagon - November 2017 33

Touring to-day
Ian Carleton 76 MG B Jim &
Patty Burgess
68 MG B
Gurney & Gloria Clamp 72 MG B Phil &
Margaret Henry
70 MG Midget
Laure Chetter & Bev Dunlop 69 MG B
Ian Wilhemsen
73 MG B
Garth Barnes & Jo Emmert 64 MG B
After doing a circuit to the applause of the crowd,
we dropped off our VIPs and headed to the Strand
for some refreshments and a very nice ending to
what had been an excellent day.
Saturday 23rd September -- Opening of
Panorama Drive, Yeppoon
The Capricorn Chapter of the MG Car Club joined
other car and motorcycle clubs for the official
opening of Panorama Drive on Saturday the 23rd of
September. Members who attended the event were
Ian Carleton, George Ganter, Phil Henry, Trevor
Andersen, Ric and Michele Taylor, Mick and Shirley
Condon, Jenny Hill, all from Yeppoon and the sole
Rockhampton member, Ian Wilhelmsen. The event
was well patronised with buses ferrying people
from St Benedict’s primary school to the event site.
With free sausage sizzle, coffee and ice cream
and entertainment provided everyone thoroughly
enjoyed the day.
Eventually the official speeches were conducted
and the ribbon cut and our members with their
dignitaries onboard led the procession of vehicles to
do a lap of the newly opened road. Trevor Andersen
had the privilege of carrying the Member for Keppel,
Brittany Lauga, the Livingstone Shire mayor Bill
Ludwig took the wheel of Phil’s Midget, George had
aboriginal elder Aunty Sally Vea Vea and Ian had
the director of JRT, Jason Thomasson as his guest.
34
The Octagon - November 2017

The Octagon - November 2017 35

Sunday 22 October - BONDOOLA & BYFIELD
After having to cancel the Sunday 15 tour due to
rain, a number of phone calls were received from
several members keen to do a club tour so it was
decided to go ahead with the proposed club run to
Byfield event with a sky that appeared to be full of
water but the radar website told a different story
with no rain in sight or predicted for Yeppoon or
Rockhampton.
The tour started with Rockhampton members
gathering at the Junction of Yeppoon and Norman
roads before heading off to the Bondoola Golf
driving range to meet up with the Coastal members
and to experience Lyn’s cooking and coffee at the
Range café.
As numbers of other visitors started to arrive at the
café, we decided that it was time to depart and left
the café on time at 10am and headed off to Byfield
for lunch via Neils road into Limestone creek road
through the new traffic lights into Panorama Drive
where on arrival at a most coastal scenic spot
we parked to get a view of the coast and the new
retainer wall that in itself was quite amazing. From
there we headed off to Byfield via Farnborough
road, Browns Lane and into Woodbury road whilst
viewing how beautiful the country side was along
the way was after the recent rain.
they went on to the Byfield store to find that the
traffic police were waiting for them and were pulled
up for a breath test. Eventually the members who
went to the pottery ended up at the Byfield store in
small groups to enjoy the always good tucker to be
had at there.
Gloria’s Poker run was won by Richard & Michelle
Taylor with two pair 5s & Aces a clear winner, Brian
& Glenis Russell made the trip from Biloela giving
the recently rebuild of their 63 MG B a good run and
reported that all is well, with Jo Emmert borrowing
her daughter Kate’s MG for the day, just to give it
a run.
Touring group:
Stuart & Ada Clark MG TD
Terry Dwyer & Anne Burbidge 66 MG B
Brian & Glenis Russell 63 MG B
Jo Emmert & travelling companion
Trish Gulely
MG F
Ian Carleton
78 MG B
Gurney & Gloria Clamp 72 MG B
Gary Kunst
71 MG B
Richard & Michelle Taylor 75 Corvette
As we were well ahead of time, the leading MG
made a quick decision to call into Nob Creek
Pottery for a quick look. All but 2 cars followed and
36
The Octagon - November 2017

CHAPTER Chatter
DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER
by Gary Lawrence, Chapter Coordinator
By the time this edition of the Octagon reaches our
mailboxes, the Darling Downs Chapter’s MG year
will be done and dusted. A mid-week lunch run to
the Glenvale Club followed by an end of month
breakfast run will round out the runs for November
and for 2017.
We are in the throes of getting organised for 2018
with the development of our run calendar and
changes for our chapter leadership group.
After five years as chapter coordinator, Gary
Lawrence will be handing over the reins to Glen
Hadfield. We will also say goodbye to our hard
working mid-week lunch conveners Ron and Judy
Gillis after ten years in the role. Phil and Marilyn
O’Brien will be our new lunch run conveners.
Lunch Run 13 September
While enjoying a self-catered picnic for our midweek
lunch run is not new to our group, enjoying
it at the residence of one of our members is
something a little different.
We must say a big thank-you to Phil and Marilyn
O’Brien for inviting us to lunch at their home. We
all appreciated the spectacular views from their Mt
Marshall property. I do like Marilyn’s description of
their car on the attendance sheet, as ‘brick house’.
After an inspection of Phil’s sheds and the many
cars housed therein, mainly by the men, we
regathered for lunch and a longer chat about the
state of the world, and of course, cars.
Marilyn’s freshly baked scones, with jam and
cream, were very well received. They disappeared
very quickly.
Participants: Owen & Kay Douglas; Bob & Mavis
Marsh; Phil & Marilyn O’Brien; Kev & Sylvia Johns;
Ron & Judy Gillis; Gene & Faye Lucas; Gary &
Janis Lawrence; Helen Goodfellow.
Monthly Run 24 September
Grantham, a beautiful hamlet in the Lockyer Valley,
was the starting point for our September run
through the Lockyer and Somerset Regions.
Commencing with morning tea at the Floating
Café where the Toowoomba and Warwick groups
converged, John and Betty Gosper developed a
run that provided a great range of scenery and a
variety of roads. The effects of the long dry period
were very evident throughout, with the usually lush
countryside covered in a blanket of brown.
In a ‘follow the leader’ format, participants departed
the café, traversing local rural roads through the
The Octagon - November 2017 37

environs of Atkinsons Dam, Coominya Township to
Logan Inlet on the shores of Wivenhoe Dam, for a
well-deserved 15 minute comfort stop.
Well, it was supposed to be 15 minutes anyway…..
in true MG fashion the desire for social interaction
overtook the run convenor’s desire for a timely
departure. Like a well-rehearsed ballet scene, as
soon as engines stopped, participants coalesced
into 4 distinct groups and distributed themselves
across the broad extents of the carpark. With 30
minutes down, and the waving of arms failing to
prompt any movement towards cars, John decided
the only way to get the group moving was to start
driving. That worked!!
After plenty of discussion over our various lunches,
several members decided to take a short walk
along the 900 metre track which forms part of the
park. Brown snakes have been known to regularly
frequent the walking track environs; however, this
time there was no sighting of said reptiles.
Participants: Ron & Judy Gillis; Kev & Sylvia
Johns; Phil & Marilyn O’Brien; Gene & Faye Lucas;
Gary & Janis Lawrence, Rod & Audra Pugh
After crossing the dam wall and dropping into the
Cormorant Bay and Spillway rest areas, the tour
circumnavigated Wivenhoe Dam via the Brisbane
Valley Highway, Wivenhoe Somerset Road and Esk
Kilcoy Road to Esk Township. We were greeted with
a very warm 36 degrees which contributed to some
overheating issues on the ensuing run up the range
to Toowoomba.
The run up the range via the Esk Hampton Road
is always great fun as it has all the lovely curves
and tight corners to bring out the hidden Fangio
in all of us. After a drive through of Ravensbourne
National Park to Gus Buetel Lookout, we headed
to the Highfields Tavern for a slightly late, but very
enjoyable lunch.
Following lunch, a number of the group adjourned
to Brian and June’s residence for coffee and an
inspection of progress on the TC restoration.
Participants: John & Betty Gosper, Delia Morey,
Rob & Narelle Fraser, John & Marg Boland, Barry
Lutwyche & Jan Burke, Phil O’Brien, Brian & June
Phillips, Andrew & Susan Willesden, Allan & Deb
Maskin
Apologies: Tony & Leigh Wright, Michael & Marilyn
Keating, Gary & Janis Lawrence
Lunch Run 11 October
An even dozen of us gathered at Federation Park
for our lunchtime ‘chew and chatter’.
Federation Park, one of the many council parks in
the Toowoomba Region, is located on the southern
outskirts of Toowoomba. There was quite a variety
of vehicles – MGB, Ford Ranger, TR7, Mercedes,
MGTF and a ring-in Datsun 1600 which rekindled
memories for Phil of his rallying days. Nice to know
that we are not tunnel visioned and can only see
MGs.
Monthly Run 29 October
Jimbour Homestead was the destination for
October monthly run organised by Rob and Ferne
Callow.
I was initially concerned that the ‘longer than usual
run’, some 270 kilometres with a few kilometres
of gravel roads, may have deterred some of our
regular participants. My concerns were short lived
as we soon amassed 27 enthusiastic participants in
14 cars eager to hit the road to Jimbour House, our
lunch time destination. It was great to have David
and Meryl Miles join us for the day in their MGB
roadster.
Starting at Peacehaven Park in Highfields, we soon
found ourselves on country roads that wandered
through the rural communities of Meringandan
and Goombungee. The positive effects of recent
rains with the brown and parched plains of a few
weeks ago now showing lush green pastures as
far as the eye could see. Picking up the Pechey
Maclagan Road in Goombungee, we skirted the
eastern boundary of the Acland New Hope Mine
before arriving at our morning tea stop in the park
at Quinalow.
Departing Quinalow we headed towards Maclagan
before turning west towards Dalby. Off to our right,
the beautiful Bunya Mountains loomed large and
majestic in the distance, shrouded with a deep
purple blue hue. This sight continued to dominate
as we climbed from the black soil plains to the
rolling hills leading towards Kaimkillenbun and Bell.
38
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Both of these towns form a rich part of the early life
on the Darling Downs.
The first impression on entering the grounds of
Jimbour House is what is a magnificent residence
like this doing out in the middle of nowhere?
Jimbour is a heritage listed homestead on
one of the earliest stations established on the
Darling Downs. It is important in demonstrating
the pattern of early European exploration and
pastoral settlement in Queensland. The building
is associated with the development of the Darling
Downs and of the pastoral industry in Queensland
and is important in demonstrating the wealth and
ambition of early Queensland pastoralists. Jimbour
House was an ambitious structure in terms of size,
style and finish and was intended to support the
social and political aspirations of Joshua Peter Bell,
an important politician and businessman as well as
grazier.
It is unique in Queensland as the only genuinely
grand country house in the English manner to be
built in the state. (Wikipaedia 2017)
Our group soon gravitated to the shade of one of
the magnificent Moreton Bay Figs and the adjacent
rotunda to enjoy a casual self-catered picnic.
The Octagon - November 2017 39

Lunch was followed by a self-guided tour of the
gardens and out-buildings that demonstrate much
of the local history including details of exploration
by Ludwig Leichhardt and the establishment and
subsequent ownership and early life of Jimbour
Station.
The return trip to Toowoomba took us back through
Kaimkillenbun then to Irvingdale before joining
the Warrego Highway at Bowenville for the final
leg to Toowoomba through Jondaryan and Oakey.
Passing through Irvingdale we noted the ‘little white
church’ which is of sentimental significance for Rob
and Ferne Callow as the wedding venue for their
youngest daughter.
Participants: Darryl & Yvonne Bell, Gaye Hawkshaw
& Faye Lucas, Gary & Janis Lawrence, Rob &
Narelle Fraser, Delia & Judith Morey, Glen & Bev
Hadfield, Ron & Judy Gillis, Jim Carsten, Andrew
& Susan Willesden, David & Meryl Miles, Denis &
Imelda Logan, Owen & Kay Douglas, Rob & Ferne
Callow, Brian & June Phillips.
Apologies: Phil & Marilyn O’Brien.
40
The Octagon - November 2017

CHAPTER Chatter
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND CHAPTER
by John and Cherie Fransen
Saturday 23rd September - Gordonvale to
Currajah Hotel, Wangan
Attendees – David and Val Murray White MGB
and John and Cherie Red Midget
So today was a bit of an odd one. We had
missed a previous get together due to where
we were going being booked out (Horse Race
weekend), so last minute plans ensued, in
addition to a number of Members having other
things on (see pics following of our Members
doing what they love, but km from Cairns).
So it was a gorgeous day, although some clouds
were luring, but nothing to stop these two pairs
going out amongst the cane fields and having a
lovely open top drive, enjoying the countryside
scenery.
First meeting point was Trolley Coffee café at
Gordonvale on the south side where we sat
and enjoyed our initial beverages and a bit of
morning tea, chatted and then we were off.
Choosing to take the eastern backroads as
much as we could, rather than the highway, we
meandered through the growing green fields,
crossing the cane tracks with caution and then
continuing our journey. The fuel indicator on the
Midget was showing empty, even though it was
filled to the brim at the service station before
the trip, so a quick detour to the Fishery Falls
servo was necessary, just to check it was a faulty
gauge rather than petrol leaking all down the
highway. Well what do you know? Faulty gauge!
Have to hit that with a hammer when we get
home then it will be working again! hahaha
Wind in our hair and sun on our faces, we
continued today’s drive until we reached a really
nice refurbished pub at Wangan, the Currajah
Hotel. It still has the heritage frontage features
that we all appreciate, in the bar area too, but the
more modern section at the back was spacious
and well set out and the food was not half bad
either.
With full bellies it was time to hit the road again,
but the Midget had a blown fuse, so rather than
leave it until home, David offered a spare he had
on board (thanks David!) and we were good to
go again. We travelled home to Cairns in the
afternoon sun, ready to do it all again in a couple
of week’s time when the rest of the Chapter was
back in town.
Sunday 22nd October 2017 - Tinaroo Picnic
run...turned into
Jacques Coffee, Mareeba and Yungaburra
Hotel lunch
Attendees –
John & Cherie
Red Midget
Alan & Aileen Bielefeld Maroon MGF
Cynthia & Derek Bevan Silver MX5
Steve & Maureen Girardi White Triton
Kim & Fiona Halloran Black MX5
Brendon & June Hammersley Black MX5
Graham & Pauline Hepburn Maroon Daimler
Bob & Patty Ingram White Hilux
Lynnette & Wayne Morgan Hey what were you
guys driving? Or did you fly on a magic carpet?
The Octagon - November 2017 41

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42
The Octagon - November 2017

John F’s Midget amongst the Sunflowers, John Fransen getting ready for the
Gentlemen’s ride, Picnic Tinaroo Dam Cancelled, Tony B in Ballina - Pre war
get together and June H at the Tsv V8s recently.
The Octagon - November 2017 43

44
The Octagon - November 2017

Harvey and Kay Williams – Brown Mini
Originally scheduled as a Picnic run up to
the Tablelands, lunching at Tinaroo Dam, the
heavens opened the night before and it was
not looking ideal for our Sunday jaunt. When
Members decide their dailies might be a better
option due to the inclement weather, it can often
mean a clear day for the rest of us ironically.
(Yes it happens quite a lot) But today was a little
different and it still appeared that this Sunday
was going to include some precipitation, on
and off admittedly, but cloudy all the same.
Starting at Tom Dooley Park Smithfield it was
agreed to change the plans to Jacques Coffee
plantation on the outskirts of Mareeba and then
we would work it out from there. Heading up the
Kuranda Range we went in convoy; however, on
reaching the township turnoff Graham’s Daimler
blew a radiator hose, which meant peeling
off and waiting for some assistance from the
trusty RACQ - the end of their drive for today
unfortunately.
The rest of the group continued onto Jacques,
where we had coffee and a chatter. Being that
quite a few of our FNQ Members had been on
other adventures in the past few weeks, and
some still away (Pre-war Meet Yamba, Austin
Healey group function, International Charity
event - Distinguished Gentlemen’s Motorcycle
Ride and Motorclassica -The Australian
International Concours d’Elegance & Classic
Motor Show and Auction, Melbourne) there was
plenty of ‘show and tell’.
Weather remained steady and we were good to
go again; however with it looking a little dubious
it was decided Hotel for lunch was preferred
rather than a Picnic by the Tinaroo Dam. Across
the Tablelands we went and into the flower lined
streets of Yungaburra, where we enjoyed a
hearty, noisy lunch at their heritage Hotel.
Wow their meatballs and sausages where
HUGE!
It was a bit of a wet trip home down the Range,
wipers needing to be on the whole way, but all
in all a successful day and some fun company
to boot!
Also more to come on the Motorclassica and
Gentlemen’s ride and Healey event, these are all
the pics that are external events, which you may
want to make much smaller, as not MG Chapter
things.
Just see what you think, John will try and send
the others when he gets them organised.
The Octagon - November 2017 45

CHAPTER Chatter
WIDE BAY CHAPTER
by David Hall and Lyn Hayward
Saturday 2nd September 2017 MGCCQ Wide
Bay Chapter display at Riverfest, River Heads
- Contributed by David Hall & Photos by Lyn
Hayward
Nine cars assembled at our home in River Heads
for 9.00am and after a welcome chat we headed
off to assemble at the Riverfest venue where a
spot was waiting for us to park and put up our
Banner to advertise our Chapter.
There were all sorts of things going on with
Market Stalls, Art displays, Bands and whatever
else you could think of. One person who took my
fancy was a Manufacturer of a musical Harp and
what’s more he knew how to play it!
Our members settled in to having a coffee and
some home made cakes which I was thankful
they shared with us. Our display was certainly
enjoyed by so many people from everywhere. I
was talking to a man who used to work in the
same department of GMH as I did before coming
to Queensland and he has kept in touch with a
lot of my old mates of 40 years ago so we had
interesting conversations and have swapped
addresses so that we can keep in touch.
From interests in our displays there were at
least two prospective members who I will follow
up - one has an MX5 and one a Cobra Replica.
I believe they will join and I have given them the
appropriate forms to fill in and also invited them
to check out the Website of MGCCQ. We will be
inviting them to the next couple runs that we are
doing this month.
A good time was had by all our members who
attended and I would like to thank them for
supporting the Chapter as they always do.
Wednesday 13th September - by David Hall
and Photos by Lyn Hayward
On Wednesday the 13th it was lucky for some!
The sun was shining and the tops were down
as eight cars set off from Pialba and out through
Hervey Bay for a lovely run through the Cane
Fields. We nearly didn’t make it past the Anglican
College when a 7 foot giant male kangaroo
hopped out right in front of our lead car. Good
job we had the later TF and the brakes worked
well - it might have been a different story if we
had been driving the TC.
We continued on to let the members catch a
glimpse of the new developments taking place
in the area - one being a new RV Village and
the other a giant Sports Complex, an interesting
sight with a lot of earth works going on. I myself
liked the cane fields better - I suppose it’s all
progress.
46
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A trip along the Esplanade to Pt Vernon bought
us back to earth with the crystal clear turquoise
waters of the Bay gleaming in the sun as we
arrived at our destination for coffee and a scone
to be greeted by Peter and Jocelyn Marie and
David already enjoying a coffee as the rest of us
rolled on in. Young Stuart also joined us taking
time off his photography work to join the fun.
.
A great day was had by the members of our
club. You could tell that everyone was enjoying
themselves as the laughter and chatter took over
the whole coffee shop. It was good to be out in
our cars with such a friendly group of members.
The great weather is just a bonus!
Sunday 24th September Picnic run to Burrum
Heads and Anzac Park Maryborough --
Contributed by David Hall & Lyn Hayward.
Photos also Contributed by Peter Dore
Photography
We woke to a beautiful morning which was
just right for top down motoring. Arriving at our
departure point in Pialba, there were 6 cars
waiting. We were running late due to an escaping
dog who would have liked to come with us and
she was just trying to make life difficult for us.
Gleaming in the sunshine was the most
gorgeous Metallic Red Cobra owned by Peter
and Joy Dore our special visitors for the day and
hopefully new members for our Chapter. We all
enjoyed a run out to Burrum Heads where we
were having morning tea. You could not believe
the difference in the weather! Last time we were
here the water was turquoise and flat with boats
galore enjoying their fishing expeditions.Well this
time the wind was gusting at 50 knots, the waves
were crashing on the shore and there were no
fishing boats in sight -- what a difference a day
makes!
Some of the ladies returned to the comfort of
their cars while others braved the weather to
socialise and meet some new members from
Burrum Heads - Roger & Jacky Burnett in
their MK1 Marine Blue MGB and Les & Norma
Dobell in their Black MGB LE Roadster also
accompanied by their Border Collie who fitted in
nicely behind the front seats.
The Octagon - November 2017 47

didn’t jump inside the car as the roof was down
and she could have come off second best! We
had a look around the area but that Big old Fella
was long gone it would take more than a little
MG to pop him off.
Arriving at our start point seven cars and their
thirteen owners were champing at the bit to
get going as the run to River Heads is always
popular!
Paul and Yvonne led the run to arrive at RV2, the
Craignish Golf Club car park, where we picked
up another 3 cars and 6 Members,.We were
then in for a treat as Paul who belongs to the
local cycle club took us around some of his back
roads finishing at the Cafe in River Heads. It was
a great choice of roads Paul!
The owners of VK’s Cafe made us very welcome
with home made Scones baked especially for
us, this was enjoyed by all present and the view
over the Susan and Mary River entrances was
very beautiful. The sparkling waters with the
boats enjoying the waterways bordered by the
Mangroves was a picture to behold.
Some prospective new club members, Rod &
Leonie Freund, had followed us there and we
had the pleasure of meeting them. They have
since purchased an MGB and they took papers
to join the Club on the day, a Big Welcome to you
both. We look forward to your company over the
years.
12 October - Midweek Run to VK’s Cafe at
River Heads -- Contributed by David Hall &
Lyn Hayward
This was the same day we were doing a Charity
Fund Raising Sausage Sizzle at Bunnnings! Paul
& Yvonne had agreed to host the run; however,
they had only returned from a holiday on Fraser
Island the night before.
A great morning had by all thanks to Paul &
Yvonne for leading us on a great day once again!
Well it’s back to that Sausage Sizzle to finish of
the day for us! Well some dents in the bonnet
but even so a great day out with our car club and
the BBQ raised $550.00 for charity.; I guess the
dents can be fixed and the Kangaroo survived to
hop another day. Hope he stays away from our
cars in the future!
We needed to leave home at 6.30 am to get the
Sausage sizzle underway and once that was
done the plan was to meet the members at RV1
for 9.00am start. Lyn was driving the TF and I
was following in the Station Wagon loaded with
BBQ gear and as we were approaching Ghost
Hill a Giant Male Kangaroo decided to jump
right in front of the little MG. We both stopped
and expected massive damage to the little car;
however we must have got a little lucky as the
damage seemed to be mainly a few dents in the
bonnet and some scratches from his paws down
the LH side of the car. Lyn was very lucky he
48
The Octagon - November 2017

all about!
We arrived at the Bowls Club to be greeted by
another 5 Cars and a Motor Bike - yes, another
eleven members decided to meet us there for
lunch. After the meet and greet Darrell produced
a great big bag of MG Magazines for us to take
our pick of and he informs us he has many more
where they came from.
The Burrum Heads Bowls Club put on a lovely
reasonably priced meal which we all enjoyed to
the full; the social interaction for the whole day
was extremely good and it was very good to see
John and Annie there after John’s long Battle. He
is looking so well and we are so happy they are
able to come out with us once again. Lindsay will
be on his way to NZ to spend some quality time
with his sick Mother. We wish him all the best
wishes from the members and look forward to
him joining us again on his return to Hervey Bay.
29 October Run to Queens Park Maryborough
and Burrum Heads Bowls Club for Lunch -
Contributed by David Hall & Lyn Hayward
Great day had by all, a good roll up and a
Special Guest Richard Collier from Whitsunday
Chapter topped it off for us. We look forward to
next month’s outings.
There were seven cars and fourteen owners
looking forward to today’s run on which we
headed out to Maryborough, our destination
being Queens Park for morning tea, However,
when we arrived, I realised that there were
celebrations going on and no parking spots for
us with people everywhere. Instead we did find
a nice little park looking out over the Mary River
with the train station nearby where people were
boarding the Mary-Anne for steam train rides
around the park. After morning tea Warren and
Margaret decided to go for a tour of the park on
the train which they thoroughly enjoyed while the
rest of us just chilled out enjoying one another’s
company and enjoying that view. It turned out to
be a lovely spot for a break sometimes when a
plan doesn’t come together, the alternative can
be better than the original idea!
After an hour had passed it was time to move
on as dinner was waiting for us at Burrum
Heads and we didn’t want to be late for that. We
headed back towards Hervey Bay turning off
towards Torbanlea and Howard and then to our
destination for lunch - the Burrum Heads Bowls
Club. The Countryside was a picture after the
recent rains and it was a pleasure to be out in
our cars enjoying life, isn’t that what it is
The Octagon - November 2017 49

CHAPTER Chatter
WHITSUNDAY CHAPTER
by Cathie Meredith
Dads Day in the Valley, Sept 3.
Once again, the Pioneer Valley Classic Car
Club’s annual Fathers’ Day Car Show was a
great success. Jimmy and Johnny had a great
chat with Mal Sykes who brought his TD down
from Cannonvale for the show. Richard and
Lyn’s TF, “Mistress” was taken off the trailer at
home and actually drove to Mirani for the show.
Richard and Mal also had an opportunity to swap
notes.
A great selection of cars spanning more than a
century were on display, from a 1910 Renault to
a 2017 Mustang. A great day of entertainment
was had by all who attended with proceeds of
the day going to the Mackay Alzheimer Society.
There were slot car races, mini fire truck rides,
Old MacDonalds Farm, Belly Dancers, a Pin Up
Parlour and Pin Up competition for the ladies,
Helicopter rides and 180 beautiful vehicles
to admire.
Monthly Run, Sept 10.
After the monthly Old School Breakfast at the
Harbour, we did a “New and Old” run to visit the
new lookout at Lamberts Beach and then on to
the iconic old Eimeo Pacific Hotel for lunch.
The Council redevelopment of Lamberts Lookout
has greatly reduced the car parking space at
the summit, so we had to park half way up and
trek the rest of the way to the top of the hill.
Unfortunately it was too windy and rough to spot
any whales from the lookout, although they had
been seen all through the week.
With the Eimeo Hotel listed for sale for
redevelopment, we thought we should visit while
we still had the chance to enjoy the views from
this landmark location. A delicious lunch was
enjoyed, as was the company and conversation.
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Cars for Kids, Sept 17.
The Mackay & District Holden and GM Club held
a very successful “Cars for Kids” car show at
Canelands Shopping Centre Multi-level Carpark
to raise money for the local PCYC. Among the
beautiful vehicles on display was Lynn and
Richard’s MGA “Princess”.
At the end of the day, Richard took home 2
trophies, one for the Best European Car and the
other for the Vice President’s Car of the Show.
Dinner Meeting, Sept 28.
Our inaugural mid week dinner meeting was
held at Harrup Park Country Club. It was a very
enjoyable evening, highlighted by great food and
great company. Pre dinner conversation included
grease nipples, faulty horns and loose wires.
Discussions after dinner included locations for
future runs, with a suggestion of Clairview for
a lunch run and Airlie Beach for overnight run.
Bathurst Sunday was deemed not a good day
for a run, so we stayed home and watched the
action from Mount Panorama on TV.
52
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Competition Corner
QUEENSLAND by Ace HILLCLIMB
Reporter
CHAMPIONSHIPS 4/5 JUNE
On track HSCCQ photos Bitumen are by Steve Khanacross Johns; 15
presentation of trophies October are by Brad Stratton
Sunday was wet and continued to be wet. Most
of the field 2016 had the EUREKA luxury of being LANDSCAPES
in sedans;
however there QUEENSLAND were some participants HILLCLIMB who
braved the elements in their CHAMPIONSHIPS
open cars proving
their spirit could not be diminished. by Ace Reporter
Weather Pauline Graham played won a role her on class, Friday was with fastest rain MG
resulting member as in well very as few the taking best on up the the day. offer The
of day additional depended practice. on good driving Rain on and Saturday the number
saw of pirouettes only the you adventurous performed or come did not out perform. to
try Other the MG conditions. members This were rain Ken washed Graham (third any
rubber outright) from Malcolm the track Spiden surface and Chrystelle and even Semple.
though Sunday gave a brilliant winter day
the track INTERCLUB surface was a HILLCLIMB
dry yet cold track
surface so - Photos the possibility by Steve of record Johnstimes
looked The event uncertain. attracted The members entry from attracted Holden
Malcolm Sporting Car Oastler club, Historic current Racing Australian, Car Club, New
South Porsche Wales Club, and MX5, Queensland Lotus Club, VW champion Drivers
in Club, his Ipswich OMS 28 West again Moreton with the Auto Hayabusa Club, Alfa
turbocharged Romeo Owners engine. Club, Fiat, BMW, Queensland
Superkart Club, and MG. Visitor David Harris
DA on holidays and BJ from COTTON South Australia SPONSORED (Sporting Car
CLASSES
Club of South Australia) also joined the entry list
driving his Subaru WRX.
First class of each run was for the Holden
HQ All Wheel group Drive which Induction was won Sedans by Anthony class went Toft
with to Trent a best Nolan run (Mitsubishi of 56.01 Mirage, seconds. 46.35 Barry
Smith seconds) (Ford from V8 Noel Special) Caplet took (Subaru the Liberty, Group K
(Post 47.06 seconds), Vintage Thoroughbred John Burrows (Mitsubishi cars 1931 Evo to
1940) 5, 47.25), with Cameron a 61.64 Bolt run (Skyline from John 350 Anderson GT, 47.94)
(Woltri, and David 63.87). Harris Production (Subaru, 49.35 Touring seconds). Cars
(1958 Gavin Taylor to 1972) won Group the Sports N up Sedan to 2000 class cc in his
went Volkswagen to Ken Golf Freeburn with a best (again run down of 46.86 from from
Cairns Daryl Morton for the (Morris championships) Cooper S, with with a best a 53.70 run
time of 48.34 from before Paul the Shergold steering (54.35) broke and both ended his
driving day) and Ford Ross Cortina Mackay models. (Ford Escort, Noel 51.16). Wicks
won the over 2 litre class in his Holden
Torana The Historic GTR Sports XU1 and (50.91 Racing sec). Cars Fred class Sayers went
took Vyvyan the Group Black in O his for Lotus Sports Elan Sedans Plus 2 with a
(Historic best run of Racing 55.68 seconds. and Sports Racing cars
1966 to 1969) in the ex Don Holland
lightweight Production Sports Morris Cars Cooper up to S 2000 in 52.03 cc was sec won
whilst by Gregory Steve King Purdy with Group a 53.05 S in (Production
his Toyota MR2
Sports ahead of Cars Peter 1941 Andrews to 1977) (Volcano MG coloured Midget MGF,
49.87 53.21 seconds), sec. Roy Adam Davis Shipway took the (Mazda Group MX5, T
52 The Octagon - July 2016
(Production 53.65) with Stephen Sports Callaghan Cars with (MGB, a Competition 59.13
History seconds). 1941 The to over 1981) 2 litre in capacity his Triumph class GT6 was
running the Porsche a 49.13 class time with the with quickest the Group being U Bruce class
(Sport Simpson Sedans (Porsche up 934 to 1985) Rep) in going 47.42 to seconds Chris
Johns from Paul in his Dalitz Ford (Porsche Escort 991 with GT3, a best 47.83 run of
47.54 seconds), seconds. Bill Black (Porsche 911, 48.15), John
Samios (Porsche 911, 50.60), Flavio Paggiaro
CARRIC (MGB GT ACCOUNTING V8, 51.29) and Trent AND Humphries BUSINESS
SYSTEMS (Porsche Cayman, SPONSORED 55.57 seconds). CLASSES
The Ken All Graham Wheel took Drive the Improved Forced Induction and Series
class Production went Cars to the in multiple the Datsun Queensland 1600 SSS with a
Motorkhana best run of 45.12 Champion, seconds Noel with Pauline Caplet, Graham in
the (Datsun Subaru 1600, Liberty 47.64) turbo followed with by a Terry best Scharf run
of in his 48.21 Nissan seconds Skyline and with Derek a 50.69 Grant seconds in his run.
Subaru Ken’s and Liberty Pauline’s turbo day GT ended with after a 57.79 run 4 time. when
Mark the differential Pryor was decided quickest not to of continue the Hyundai and this
Excel is after X3 only Series 30 years cars of with Hillclimb, a 51.85 Supersprint, run which
was Motorkhana only 0.08 and sec Khanacross outside the events. class record
with Bradley Smith (53.68) and Tony Walsh
(55.35). Phillip Dalton was quickest in the under 2 litre
Road Registered Cars recording a 49.69 time in
BRAD his Honda KIMBERLEY Civic with Harry CARS Doling SPONSORED
(Toyota Levin
CLASSES
BZR, 50.01 seconds) next from Daniel Zeimer
(Toyota Corolla, 53.81), Karl Reinke (Hyundai
The Excel, smaller 58.30), engine Audrei Vishnershii capacity class (Alfa in Romeo
Improved 156, 58.59) Production with Jo Reinke cars in was the Hyundai won by
Grant Excel with Liddell a 60.55 (Datsun second 1200 time. Coupe, The over 52.74) 2000
from cc class Karl saw Reinke Pedro (Hyundai Tan fastest Excel, in his 61.28) Honda
slightly Civic recording ahead a of best Jo Reinke run of 54.97 (Hyundai seconds
Excel, with Robert 61.63 Bowers seconds). (Subaru Dave Liberty) Sidery next (VW in
Beetle, 55.56 seconds 50.61) and finished Lindsay ahead Derriman of Karlie in his Alfa
Buccini Romeo Mito (Proton with Satria, a best run 50.76) of 58.51 in the seconds. 1601
to 2000 cc class whilst the 2001 to 3000 cc
class Dick Reynolds saw a tussle took the between Clubman Ken Sports Graham Cars in
(Datsun his Caterham 1600 Super SSS,45.93) 7 with a and 48.30 Pauline second run
Graham followed by (Datsun Shane 1600 Murphy SSS, (Lotus 46.33) 7, 50.67) with and
Troy Jon Young McGrogan recording (Mitsubishi a 51.08 in Lancer, his Caterham 48.45)
and Super Martin 7 clubman. Egglesfield (Ford Fiesta ST
turbo, Brian Wild 49.41) won completing the Superkart the class class. in his Ken PVP was
quickest Superkart over with a the 47.41 first time. 2 runs until Pauline
grabbed the lead with a 46.33 run to hold
this Michael position von Rappard until the tested fifth and the repairs final climb to the
with differential Ken recorded of the Dallara the winning Hayabusa run recording with a a
45.93 best run time. of 38.43 Paul seconds. Buccini took Martin the Egglesfield over 3 litre
capacity (OMS Hornet, class 41.10), with a Chris run of Johns 47.13 ran secs the ex in
his Shaun BMW Marshall 135i from Empire the 001 Holden (GSX Commodore
1000 cc
of engine) Noel as Preston a trial ending (51.27 up seconds). recording a 44.53
time with Chris Lake running the Suzuki Escargot
The Octagon - November 2017 53

Phone or fax for a
FREE
54 PAGE
CATALOGUE
54
The Octagon - November 2017

Photos below: Chris Johns took advantage of the event to have his first competitive run in the
Empire openwheeler which now resides in his garage and the nature of the Interclub had a range of
competitors new to the hillclimb happy to be out there representing their Clubs.
INTERCLUB CHALLENGE LATEST POINTS: Porsche 130 points; Lotus 107; HSCCQ 106; MG 91;
BMW 89; MX5 83;
The Octagon - November 2017 55

to a 46.42 time. Chris Lake completed all eight
runs on the day attributing this to acquiring the
best chain to drive the Suzuki as well as having
the ECU re-tuned.
CARRIC/TIGHE CAMS HILLCLIMB
SERIES ROUND 5 - 9/10 Sept
REGULARITY
Andrew Willesden lost the least with a score of
minus 9 points in his MGB to win the day from
David Jackson (Mazda RX7, loss of 12 points)
then Don Webster (MGTD, down 14 points)
Lindsay Derriman (red Toyota Paseo, down 19
points) and Flavio Paggiaro (MGB GT V8) with a
loss of 59 points.
SEDAN CARS
Harry Doling won the Road Registered Sedan
Cars up to 1600 cc in a time of 49.92 seconds
driving his Toyota Levin BZR from Daniel Zeimer
(Toyota Corolla, 53.70) and Robert Martin in
his Daihatsu Handi with a best climb of 60.60
seconds. The 1601 to 2000 cc class went
to Richard Marken (Peugeot 205GTi, 56.04)
whilst the larger engine capacity class went
to Christopher Balhatchet (BMW 325i, 51.35)
followed by Paul Milevskiy (Ford Falcon, 53.41)
and Ray Balhatchet (Nissan Skyline, 54.28).
In the Modified Production Sedan Cars classes
the under 2 litres round went to Karl Reinke
(Hyundai Excel, 58.08) with Jo Reinke (Hyundai
Excel) recording a 59.18 time whilst Brandan
Merrick captured the over 2 litres class in his
Datsun 120Y with a best run of 48.98 seconds.
The Circuit Excel Class saw Mark Pryor take the
win with a 51.16 from Brad Smith (51.99), Gary
Goulding (52.69), Shane McAndrew (54.42),
Ross McAndrew (56.90) just 0.01 from Gloria
McAndrew (56.91) and junior competitor Ewan
McGarry (57.06)
Sebastian Black took the All Wheel Drive Forced
Induction class with a 46.24 time in his Subaru
WRX turbo ahead of Cameron Bolt (Skyline
350GT turbo, 47.18), John Burrowes (Mitsubishi
Evo 5 turbo, 47.37), John Stuckey (Subaru
Impreza turbo, 51.93) with Rhonda Stuckey
(Subaru Impreza turbo, 56.93).
Ray Evans (Escort, 53.42) in winning the PRC
Rally Car class had the braking marker lodge
onto the body of the Escort when accelerating
out of the hairpin the second time (obviously
a wide line) and transported our marker up to
the finish line. Fortunately this is a lightweight
structure thus causing no damage to the vehicle
just requiring a ready replacement to be installed
at the appropriate point.
The first of the Improved Production Sedans
classes went to Waco Hamlin in his Honda Civic
(53.07). Dave Sidery took the 1601 to 2000 cc
class in his Volkswagen Beetle (51.47) followed
by Greg Cameron (Hyundai Excel X3, 53.86),
Wayne Ferguson (VW Fastback, 55.25), Greg
Ashe (Fiat 124, 56.58) and Ian Dalgleish (VW
Fastback, 57.16). Ken Graham was the quickest
in the over 2 litre engine capacity class in his
Datsun 1600 SSS (46.14 seconds) with Troy
McGrogan with a best time of 47.69 seconds
in his Mitsubishi Lancer and Pauline Graham
recording a 48.45 time run in the Datsun 1600
SSS.
The Escorts of Tyson Cowie and Ross Mackay
lined up again in the Sports Sedans up to 2000
cc class Tyson proved quicker of the two with
a best run of 45.52 seconds in his Ford Escort
Mark 2 with Ross a 45.71 time in his Ford Escort
Mark 1. Next was Gavin Taylor (Volkswagen
Golf, 46.06) with Daryl Morton (Morris Cooper S,
47.68) and Jason Martell (Ford Escort Mark 2,
51.79). In the over 2000 cc class David Malone
(Holden Torana) took the win with a 45.96 time
from Glenn Anable in his BMW 2002 turbo
(47.86 seconds) and Scott Anable in his BMW
325i with a 48.51 second climb.
FORMULA CARS
Jim Heymer won the Formula Vee category in
his Hornet Formula Vee with a best run of 52.05
seconds.
The Superkarts went to Nathan Quelch (Arrow
Honda, 47.34); however, on his first run on
Sunday morning the Arrow Honda slid sideways
into the Queensland Nut barrier first time into
the hairpin. No damage to either Nathan or the
Arrow Honda, the cause being the left front
wheel detaching itself from the stub axle. It then
bounced over the nuts, leaped over the catch
fence, and ran between the trees in an attempt
to seek freedom. However the momentum was
arrested as the wheel was found resting in the
shrubbery just short of the boundary creek. It
was soon re-united with the Arrow Honda soon
56
The Octagon - November 2017

to enable Nathan to run again that day.
Formula Libre up to 1300 cc went to Michael
von Rappard (Dallara Hayabusa, 38.00
seconds) until the splines on the flange into the
differential broke forcing an early day, with Martin
Egglesfield (OMS Hornet, 41.46), David Quelch
(Honda DPQ Special, 43.85), and Mitchell
Allwood in his Energy Firecat with a 44.84 time.
Steven Woodbridge took the 1301 cc and over
class in his Dallara F396 with a 41.59 second
run.
HISTORIC CARS
Group wins went to Vyayan Black (Lotus Elan
Plus 2, Group S, Production Sports Cars, 56.16),
Barry Smith (Ford V8 Special, Group K, Post
Vintage Thoroughbred Cars, 56.95), Alan Telfer
(Lotus 7, Group Q, Historic Racing and Sports
Racing Cars, 56.88), Gregory Tebble (Van
Diemen FF2000, Group R, Historic Racing and
Sports Cars, 43.21), and David Dumolo (Vernon
Formula Vee, Group V, Historic Formula Vee,
54.87) forsaking his Triumph TR3A for the Vee.
SPORTS CARS
Zaid Latif took the Production Sports Cars 1601
to 2000 cc class with a 47.10 run in his Lotus
Exige with Gregory King (Toyota MR2, 52.89),
Andrew Lake (MGF, 55.14) and Ian Finglas
(Mazda MX-5, 62.17 seconds).
Sports Cars (Open) under 2 litre went to Chris
Johns (JRF Suzuki Cappuccino turbo, 47.65)
then James Driscoll (Jaguar D type replica
powered by 2 litre Ford engine) in 52.58 seconds
with the over 2 litre class going to Jeffrey
Graham (Mazda MX-5 supercharged) in a best
run of 48.57 seconds. Steve Torpy took the
Sports Cars (Closed) up to 2 litres class in his
Mazda RX7 with a 50.63 time.
In the Clubman Sports Cars Brian Pettit was
quickest in his Westfield SE clubman in 45.21
seconds followed by Ainsley Fitzgerald (Arrow
Clubman, 46.52), Jason McGarry (Caterham
Super 7, 48.72) and Jon Young (Caterham Super
7, 51.16 seconds).
TOP SIX
Steven Woodbridge (41.09), Martin Egglesfield
(41.33), Gregory Tebble (42.75), Tyson Cowie
(45.80), and David Quelch (DNF).
Fastest Time of Day: Michael von Rappard;
Most Improved: Ian Finglas
Best MG 1601 to 2000 cc: Andrew Lake; 2001 cc
and over: Flavio Paggiaro
Photos by Peter Buchanan
The Octagon - November 2017 57

Photos by Peter Buchanan
Photos by
Rob Talbot
58
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Hillclimbs
60
or by email to vprojects@internode.on.net
The Octagon - November 2017