President’s Report - October 2023
Another year has passed since our last AGM and I am pleased to report that the club continues to thrive and grow. We have elected a new committee to steer the club through the next twelve months with current office bearers being elected unopposed. One major change to note, Brian Williams having assumed the position of Federal Secretary, has vacated his role at the Victorian Branch after 10 years as Club Secretary. We join to thank him for his professional and dedicated service to our Branch. I am very pleased to welcome Larry Picker as our new Club Secretary and wish him every success in this very important role.
Our major September event was of course Drive and Be Driven and this year’s event witnessed an excellent turn out of pre-war cars along with some very interesting post war cars. Although down on our usual numbers, we made up for this with enthusiasm and engagement. All participants enjoyed the opportunities afforded to ride and drive in the excellent array of cars. At the end of the morning, the party continued around to LGSI for a barbecue where conversations continued on well into the afternoon.
Coming up we have a very busy October commencing on Wednesday 4th with a run down to Portarlington via Scotchman’s Hill Winery for lunch and then the opportunity to head back home or to stay overnight at the Portarlington Grand Hotel. Thursday 5th provides for a special ferry trip to Geelong for lunch and ferry back to Portarlington. This event is to honour the 90th anniversary of the Bentley Derby model and we are expecting a number of Derby’s along for the ride. Later in the month, we are off to Lang Lang Proving Ground for a unique opportunity to experience driving around one of the world’s most advanced automotive proving grounds. We do have some spaces still available for this not to be missed event and are opening these up to club members who might like to bring along a non marque car. If you would like to attend please book through the TryBooking link which is available on our website and via the various emails sent out promoting this event.
This month our general meeting is dedicated to the Derby Bentley model as part of the celebration of its 90th anniversary and our guest speaker, Wayne Fitzgerald, will be talking about this wonderful model series and bringing along his award-winning Derby Bentley as our display car. He may even slip in a story about performing root-canal surgery on a tiger!
Commencing this month, we are starting our General Meetings at 7:30pm. Please note this change of time and remember to arrive early.
Howard Wraight