President’s Report - June 2025
Greetings everyone
Can I start by extending congratulations to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Car Club of New South Wales on the completion of the 67th Federal Rally in Newcastle. Australia is a land of contrasts and from a weather perspective the NSW team were faced with extremes, but they had a back up plan for everything and managed to keep everything just ticking along, just like a PMC.
Could I also congratulate our Federal Concours winners from Victoria. David Phillips winning Class 2 with his 1933 Phantom 2, Howard Wraight winning Class 8 with his 1955 Bentley S and Wayne Fitzgerald taking out Class 13 with his 2016 Bentley GTC. Victoria was certainly well represented on the winners podium. Also of note was the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Apprentice of the Year award. James (Jimmy) Bache who has been employed and mentored by Tony Sammut of UK Motors was the very proud winner of prestigious award and we as Victorian members are certainly fortunate to have young people like Jimmy enjoying and making a career within the Bentley and Rolls-Royce marques. Jimmy has also been given complimentary membership of the Victorian club for the term of his apprenticeship.
We did learn some sad news whilst in Newcastle and it is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Peter McBeth. Peter has been a longterm enthusiastic member of both our and the 20 Ghost Club and absolute car enthusiast across many marques. Peter will be greatly missed by us and our thoughts are with Barb and their family.
Thank you to everyone who attended our May meeting and movie night – The Yellow Rolls-Royce certainly kept us all entertained and was a most enjoyable evening. A big thank you as always to Robert Craig who not only fed us but also found popcorn to make it a true movie experience. It is my pleasure to report no Jaffas were seen rolling down the aisle.
I also thank everyone who participated in the technical section survey – Simon Roberts certainly has some great feedback and we can schedule things over the next little while that cater for your wishes.
Now for the hard sell. Our club is only as good as what members put into it and we need you help. At present we are looking for a Club Secretary, a vital role which the club can’t function without. If you feel you or your partner/family member have the skills and interest required to serve in this role, please contact me directly. We are also in need of a Social Coordinator to assist the committee – if you enjoy the runs and events that club puts on, please consider being a part of this vital process – I can assure you that this is one of the most enjoyable roles within the club and you will get plenty of support from the committee. Probably the most important role that we need to fill is that of Assistant Newsletter Editor. Wayne has done an outstanding job of our newsletter and this is our prime communication tool in staying in touch with all members. So again, if you or your partner or a family member has skills in this area please get in touch as your club needs you.
As for coming events our June meeting has one of our own speaking. The newest member of the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Trustees and our past president Dr Howard Wraight will entertain us with some tales from the archives. It is amazing what they have in that big back room and some of it is quite surprising and entertaining.
We will also get a run in before the end of May albeit leaving it to the last day, by this time we hope many of our members have made it home safely. Saturday 31st May sees us having another earlyish morning run, this time starting at 8.00am with Breakfast at Robs British Butcher (truly PMC themed). Looking forward to seeing many of you for Breakfast at 177 Lonsdale Street Dandenong – plenty of local parking.
Till then, Drive Safe and stay well
Keith Mortimer
