CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON 2024
ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER CHRISTMAS
2024 has certainly gone quickly. It doesn’t seem like 12 months since we met for Christmas 2023 yet here we are, at St. Marys Leagues Club gathering as a Club for the last time this year. A good turnout, 26 in number with all the familiar faces and lovely to see Sabina and Joe again.
Kevin once again contacted the Club and arranged the booking and Steve rounded up the members for noon on Sunday 1st December, the traditional countdown to the BIG DAY.
St. Marys Leagues has certainly expanded and the meals ordered were varied and all looked delicious. Lamb was a feature at our table, I think 50% ordered some type of lamb. The staff as always were efficient and friendly and the service excellent.
The traditional exchange of Christmas cards took place with two innovative ladies, namely Sue and Alma, introducing small gift packs containing all sorts of sweet treats. Thank you both for your gifts which were appreciated by all.
After the meal, we adjourned to the sports bar area of the Club for coffee, drinks, and the raffle. Denise did her usual great job arranging prizes and selling tickets and I know Robert will be delighted with the income generated.
Winners of the raffle: Margaret, Brenda, and Terry Booth. Well done.
A very relaxed gathering and with a storm ominously approaching, it was time to depart.
Our next gathering is the outdoor event at Tench Reserve in January. Steve will advise the date and details in due course.
Wishing you and all your families and peaceful and happy Christmas and good health and happiness for 2025.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024
What a great attendance for our AGM and so many members brought along their Classics.
Rick organised the meeting to be held at the Australian Naval Museum located on the Nepean River at Penrith. What a gem of a venue. Perhaps Robert and Rick were the only two members aware of this great little Museum with excellent facilities for our meeting. The meeting room was lovely and cool on a rather warm morning and as we had the area to ourselves there were no interruptions and everyone was able to hear the various Committee members as they addressed the members.
Minutes of both the general and Annual General Meetings will be forwarded in days to come where full report on matters discussed and election of the 2024/2025 Committee will be advised (however, as there was such a great attendance, I think everyone is aware of what eventuated).
After the meetings, we were offered a tour of the displays in various rooms, and photos of some of these displays appear in this report. Lunch was booked at the Rowers Club right next door and everyone appeared to enjoy their choice of food from the Menu.
Our next event is our Christmas lunch on Sunday 1st December. If you haven’t already booked, contact Steve, as there is a limit to the numbers and bookings appear to be popular.
Great to see everyone and look forward to catching up on 1st December.
ALL BRITISH DAY – SEPTEMBER
MID WEEK MANOUVRE TO THE RUSTY PENNY BREWERY – AUGUST
JULY CLUB EVENT
CHRISTMAS IN JULY 2024
Firstly, some very special thanks. To Steve and Denise for organising the venue (having to book the tables in Steve’s name and Denise’s maiden name, to bypass the need to leave credit card deposits details, this is becoming a trend at many venues).
Next, to Margaret and Rick for their very generous ideas and time to make this Christmas in July extra special. Not only did they put on offer a very substantial gift voucher for the best dressed Christmas participant, they arrived at the venue half an hour early to decorate the tables in a lovely Australian Christmas theme. Photos of the winners and of the tables are included with this report. Thank you both very much for being such Club stalwarts and making this event extra special.
The Australian Hotel and Brewery is a good venue, with plenty of parking, a varied menu with specials, and very polite and helpful staff. All in all a very good choice. Once the food was ordered it was catch-up talk, then a little quiet while eating, then more catching up.
As usual, Denise had organised a good range of prizes for the raffle and thanks to all members who supported them, the funds raised helped offset some of the unscheduled costs that occur from time to time.
Karen was given the unenviable job of choosing the winner of the best dressed, however from the moment they arrived, I think it was evident that Robin and Robert would take out the award. Robin had a lovely “expensive” jumper with MOMMY CLAUS emblazoned on the front and both Robin and Robert sported the most interesting Christmas headwear. Well done Robert for keeping it on for the duration. On behalf of Margaret and Rick, Karen presented the winners with a $50 voucher for SuperCheap. Well done and once again, thank you R and M. The idea of having a best dressed prize certainly inspired some members and congratulations to everyone who got into the spirit.
Lots more car talk, family talk etc and members who attended were: Brenda and Tony, Laurie, Terry, Robin and Robert, Andrew and Katrina, Yvon, Pat and Don, Sue and Kevin, Lynda and Dennis, Denise and Steve, Heather and Merv, Karen, Margaret and Rick. A great turn out.
A very successful “non Christmas in July” enjoyed by all.
Keep checking the Club website for the next events. Steve will keep you updated and also events will be on Facebook for those members who subscribe.
Stay warm, safe travels Margaret and Rick and happy moving Sue and Kevin.
Heather
JUNE CLUB EVENT
A good turnout for this run, 18 members with four Morries, two MINIS, and several daily drives arriving at McDonalds at McGraths Hill. On arrival, there were two Morries in the car park also enjoying Maccas as a meeting point along with a collection of Rover 3500 sedans.
Most partook of some Maccas fare, coffee a bit so so however everyone seemed refreshed and in good humour and Steve called the group together for a departure along Windsor Road to Castle Hill. In convoy, and full credit to Steve for keeping the group together, we “toddled” along in the impatient traffic to reach our destination intact (except for one hapless driver, no name, who missed the entrance and took a scenic route around the suburb to rejoin Windsor Road and finally making it.) This hapless driver took two other vehicles with him!
The Club visited this venue quite some time ago and the layout and displays have certainly changed. A few were disappointed that the Gypsy caravan and the mouse trap-making machine were no longer on display. The very young staff who were polite and helpful couldn’t offer why, where, or when these displays were now housed. However, there is certainly something of interest for everyone. A comment was made that many of the displays consisted of items from our era, which is quite a statement that they are displayed in a Museum, an indication of the age of many of our members.
We then gravitated to the café for lunch with a very helpful couple providing the food and coffee. They were more than happy to move tables and chairs so we could all sit together and then conduct our meeting.
The meeting was our usual unstructured ramble, however everyone gets their say. The Minutes will be circulated at a later date and will contain details.
Our next event is also indoors (thankfully, especially if the cold wet weather continues). It will be at the Australian Brewery on 20th July, Steve will advise full details closer to the date. It is our “non-Christmas in July, Christmas in July”! which means we order our meals from the general menu. However, there is no reason why we can’t celebrate by wearing decorative Christmas attire. Margaret and Rick appear to be the trendsetters so let’s see what we can do to match them.
Thanks again to Steve for organising.
MAY CLUB EVENT
Steve must have known this winter would be extra cold as he has planned our next few months with indoor destinations.
We met at Panthers for our May get-together with a view to having a run after, however, the day wasn’t all that flash so we had our meeting in comfort after enjoying morning tea and catch-up talk.
Several members chose to stay for lunch with more car talk. Not much to report, the Minutes contain what was discussed at the meeting. It was well attended with a few apologies from members with health issues. Our next event is at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre at Castle Hill on June 23rd. Steve will have details to members via email and Facebook.
APRIL RUN TO FAGAN PARK
Our luck with the weather finally failed us with showers of rain, however, it didn’t stop our hardy group from meeting at McDonald’s McGraths Hill for coffee and catch up and then heading off on the run to Fagan Park.
Thanks to Denise for arriving early and securing a covered picnic area which allowed us to still enjoy our run. Good to see Steve Caunt make the long trip from the South Coast in his flat-top ute. Andrew also had a long trip from Hill Top, transporting Merv in his 1961 bone-shaking Mini.
It was good to see five Morrys turn up on a rather dismal day, that’s a better number than some of our fine weather runs – work that out.
Lunch was enjoyed by the members and Andrew’s wife, Katrina joined us for lunch. The journey home was okay with patchy rain and another day of friendship and fun with our cars was complete.
Our next event is May 25th to Panthers. Steve has sent out information and will send a reminder closer to the date. See you next time.
Enjoy some ASMR and artistic reflections from the only dry section of the trip
CLUB RUN TO TRACTOR 828
Except for a brief shower at our meeting place, Macquarie Park Windsor, the weather was absolutely beautiful, typical of early Autumn. After the usual greetings, we held the monthly meeting, admired our newest member’s Panel Van and assembled for the short journey to Ebenezer.
Steve took the lead with Laurie, Sabina and Joe and Robert in their Morries. Andrew had set up his cameras on his BMW motorbike and got some great camera work of the cars, from the front and rear of the bike. Highlights of the journey are included with this report. It was great to see Roberts van on a run and his grandson Dominic who was having a drive for the first time on a Club event. Hopefully this will be a regular event.
Arriving at the venue, a very well-restored former country service station, we were welcomed by very friendly and efficient staff. Orders were placed and food arrived quickly with a variety of dishes enjoyed. Probably the highlight of the food was the Pancakes!! Sue and Merv decided on dessert and what a huge serving. They could quite easily have shared one serving. Anyhow, once lunch was finished it was the usual Morry talk and getting to know Joe and Sabina and their story with Morris Minors.
As the group was preparing to leave, Ken and his son Cooper arrived with Cooper grinning like a Cheshire cat. He has finally purchased a Mini, which he will restore. I didn’t actually see the photo however it’s fantastic to see young ones interested in the Classics and again, hope to see Dominic again, maybe in his own Morry or Granddads.
The group included Steve and Denise, Kevin and Sue, Merv and Heather, Joe and Sabina, Rick and Margaret, Laurie, Robert and Robin and Dominic.
Our Next event is Saturday 20th April to Fagan Park.
Look forward to seeing more members at the next event and wishing everyone a very Happy, safe and peaceful Easter
Video From the day
MID WEEK MANOUVRE TO MANLY
Mother Nature was very kind to the seven “adventurers “ who enjoyed a beautiful Sydney day. Our usual meeting place of City Extra was as always very busy with good coffee and service. Robin and Robert, Denise and Steve, Heather and Merv and Alan made their way from home via various forms of transport, all for the amazing fare of $2.50, thanks to Seniors Opal Card. Woe betide any Government who attempts to take that one away.
After enjoying a catch-up chat, coffee and watching the passing parade of Circular Quay, and being in awe of the size of the Cruise ship, Celebrity Edge, moored at the Overseas Terminal, we ventured to the wharf and boarded the ferry to Manly. Beautiful on the Harbour, yachts racing, Naval ships at Garden Island, and another huge Cruise ship moored in the harbour (Virgins Resilient Lady). The quick 20-minute or so trip is always enjoyable, more so when the weather is Autumn and beautiful.
On arrival in Manly, we wandered down The Corso (with the hundreds of other wanderers = lots of overseas tourists) to our lunch destination, The Steyne Hotel. Steve had reserved a table which on arrival seemed unnecessary. However after about 30 minutes, the place was jumping. The choice from the Menu was varied and reasonably priced and service was excellent with friendly staff. After a leisurely lunch we ambled out front and across the road for a walk along the beachfront. Plenty of people basking in the sun, board riders, and in the southern corner between the iconic red and yellow flags, heaps of people enjoying the Pacific.
After our walk it was back along the Corso where ice creams and gelatos were purchased and back on the ferry for the first part of the journey home.
Another great day with Club friends and thanks to Steve for arranging lunch bookings and meeting place (and of course the beautiful weather).
It was agreed that some time in the near future we will have another MWM in the City with some interesting venues on the list. So keep your eye on the coming events list.
Our next outing is Saturday 16th March at Tractor 828. REMEMBER, you must let Steve know if you are coming as he has booked for certain numbers.
Details on Face Book and Events on website.
CLUB RUN TO AVON DAM – SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2024
Membership representation was at record levels on our second event for 2024 with 26 members enjoying the opportunity to give their beloved Classics a good workout.
The day dawned fairly positively weather wise, with variations during the run to the dam, however overall it was a beautiful late summer day with a definite autumn feel. Meeting at Camden Showground in their Classics were, Karen, Laurie, John and Alma, Heather and Merv and Andrew joined by Robert and Robin and Tony and Brenda in their daily drives. We set off for the run through South Camden, Cawdor, Razorback, through Picton, Tahmoor and Bargowith fairly light traffic most of the way, with the occasional 4WD being impatient and honing past (when safe of course) Making the turn from Bargo to head East towards our destination there was very little traffic and as we crossed the Hume freeway, three more classics joined us with Deanne and Steve Caunt in a ute and Traveller and Terry in his convertible. On arrival, Steve and Denise, Dennis and Lynda, Rick and Margaret and Terry Chesters headed straight to the venue and secured the “best” picnic area. We were joined later by Ken and Amanda (and their daughter Imogen) and Dennis and Mary Ashton.
Great to catch up with new faces joining the Club for a run for the first time. Morning tea was the first item addressed and then the meeting which saw some positive input. Details will be in the Minutes of the meeting.
Terry Chesters, regalia boss, brought along samples of our stock and it was decided that our former tradition of Club Cap and key rings for new Members (which had lapsed in recent times ) be reinstated, so new members who were in attendance were the recipient of these items.
Lunch was a delicious assortment of goodies and combined with the usual chat about cars, life, family, cars, cars! A very relaxing and convivial gathering. After lunch, a small group made the trek down the dam wall, it was definitely worth the walk. Special mention goes to Steve and Dennis for their effort doing the walk and they even made it back up the hill without any assistance.
It was a long trip, definitely a good test for our Classics and the cooler weather is certainly appreciated when there is no A/C in the cars.
I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did and had a safe trip home.
Special thanks to Steve and Denise for organising and arriving early to secure our tables. Also, and as always, any of the Dams visited are Impeccably clean with hot water and good toilet facilities provided.
You will receive reminders from Steve regarding our next events, Thursday 7th March to Manly and Saturday 16th March to Tractor 828
Video From the day
Photos from the day
FIRST CLUB EVENT FOR 2024 – TENCH RESERVE, PENRITH
As has been the tradition dating back more than 25 years, the first meeting is an outdoor evening meeting. You may ask why an outdoor meeting is mentioned. Well, way back in the Club’s history, monthly meetings were held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Victoria Street Cottage, Werrington and the Tench Reserve meet was reserved as an outdoor event. Long-time members will recall the Cottage, hot in summer and cold in winter until the Council installed air conditioning. Sadly the cottage suffered fire damage and could no longer be used and we were then offered another Council venue nearby, which wasn’t a patch on the cottage. As with many things, Covid finally ended these meetings and our membership age group meant many were not comfortable with night driving it was decided that our meetings be held in conjunction with our Club runs, which has been the tradition now for quite a few years
Anyhow, back to our meeting on Wednesday 10th January. Amazing, the day was fine, not a threat of rain and sixteen members made the trip at the Reserve on the river. It was quite hot on arrival, about 33 degrees however as the sun set, the evening was quite pleasant. No mozzies!! Or flies!! Could this be summer in Australia? Plenty of boats,jet skis on the river.
Merv conducted the meeting welcoming everyone to 2024 and thanked Kevin and Steve for organising the Christmas lunch in December, which was most enjoyable and well attended (see separate report). The meeting flowed freely with the usual lack of structure (informality plays a large role in the success of our Club) and Steve reported he has organised runs for February and March with a mid-week event also scheduled for March. Details of all these events are on the events page and facebook.
Don McBrien returned to his winning ways and took the “chocolates” in the raffle. Can he get on a run again?
After the meeting, everyone enjoyed social chatting while enjoying the various picnic goodies that appeared from hampers and coolers. Heather tried to move some of the excess chocolates received at Christmas, quite successfully and came home with less than taken. It was good to see a good turnout and lots of stories exchanged regarding Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations.
Two stalwarts turned up in their Morries, Ken and Amanda and Yvon. It’s good to see Tony on the improve and he is hoping to be back driving his Morry sometime soon.
Hope to see you at our next event, Saturday 10th February, to Avon dam. Details on the events page.
