President’s Report - December 2022

December already! With the passing of another year our cars are becoming just that little bit more classic and we their custodians just that little bit more distinguished by our advancing years!

Since our last president’s report, we have enjoyed a number of wonderful events including the very successful Tasmanian rally, a lovely run to Steel’s Creek Winery in the Yarra Valley, a fascinating technical section where we were able to bring along another car from our collection and an interesting evening with Len King interviewed by Geoff Shepherd on his career as a Rolls-Royce and Bentley service expert and international test cricket umpire. Quite a full month of activities.

Coming up we look forward to a Sunday drive to McClelland Sculpture Park, our Grand Automobilia Auction at the December general meeting and our annual Christmas and Club Award Lunch at the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club. Please book early for the Christmas lunch.

On a sad note, we record the passing of long term member and generous club benefactor, Lionel Gell,

who passed on October 26 at the age of 94. More details on his extraordinary life and generosity as a major benefactor to a number of worthy institutions and causes including the RROCA are to be found in this newsletter.

Club membership remains healthy and strong and we are receiving a good number of membership enquiries, many of which are coming through our club website which I commend as a great resource for club members. Please visit the website and see for yourselves how good it is.

Finally, as I was filling the car the other day I recalled the legendary story of a Rolls-Royce owner who drove into a service station in the days when an attendant would fill the car for you. The attendant begins to fill the car and a few minutes later he appears at the window to advise the driver “Please switch off the engine. I just can’t keep up. The car is gaining on me” he laments.

Howard Wraight