Greetings one and all and welcome to my first President’s report. Firstly, I want to extend thanks to our immediate past President Dr Howard Wraight, Howard has done an amazing job leading the club for the last 3 years and every one of us that has worked with him on Committee over this time have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are very proud to call Howard a great friend. I also wish to extend thanks to all the committee and appointees that have worked tirelessly on your behalf over the last year to sustain this wonderful club that we enjoy, it is fabulous for us as a club, that these committed members are also willing to continue in service to keep delivering outcomes that all of us as members appreciate.

There is an old poem that we remember about spring. “Spring is sprung , the grass is ris . I wonder where the birdies is !” Whilst its origins are unclear it appears to be from New York, we should change this to..

Another year has passed since our last AGM our invitation to attend on September 12 is included in this Edition. You may ask why it is important to attend, this year it is very important as it will be an opportunity to thank Howard Wraight for his tireless efforts as President for the last 3 years!

As I conclude my three-year term as President of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club (Victoria Branch), I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. It has been an extraordinary journey, one that has allowed me to connect with so many passionate and dedicated members who share a love for these magnificent automobiles.

As winter is passing and we start to think about Spring, all the growth, the spring blooms, checking in our case the bee hives, cleaning out the house for the new season “Spring Cleaning” it has origins dating back many thousands of years, references occur in biblical times, the Chinese clean before Lunar New Year, Japanese changed from mid-December to December 31.

In the early 20th century, a Rolls-Royce representative in Scotland received a letter from a customer complaining that their car wouldn’t start in cold weather.

Spring is just around the corner! Let’s be positive about the weather it will pass and we all should look forward to the change of season. Not to worry we have an active club and there are some very interesting events coming up, check your diary.

I am writing my President’s Report on June 22, the shortest day of the year and in the middle of a cold snap. However, looking back over the month I can see that our appetite for all things automotive remains as burning and passionate as ever!

The highlight for the merry month of May was of course the recent Federal Rally held in Noosa Heads, where the pristine beaches, vibrant culinary scene, and lush national parks intersect with so many Victorians you would think you were in tropical Armadale or South Yarra!

The year is fast moving into winter conditions and many of us will be thinking of laying up our cars but there are plenty of exciting events coming up where you can still enjoy a run in your PMC.

As we move further into the year, we look back over the great events that have taken place within our club over the past month and look forward to some equally engaging attractions coming up.

Many of us are about to embark on a trip to Noosa for the Federal Rally, some will drive their PMC’s, others will drive a more reliable vehicle and others will fly and hire a car once there, the lucky few will pick up their PMC from a transport company in Brisbane.

March marks the transition from the scorching heat of summer to the milder days of autumn. As the days gradually become shorter, the temperatures begin to cool. It’s a time when nature undergoes a subtle transformation, with trees shedding their leaves in preparation for the cooler months ahead, and the landscape adopts hues of amber and gold. In this context we enjoyed some great events during March. Starting off with a deep dive into the mysteries of the SU Carburettor at a well-attended technical section Sunday.

The past month has shown the enthusiasm of many of the members who have enjoyed a joint run with the Cadillac LaSalle Club a visit to the Healey Factory plus an engaging technical session. Upcoming is the Federal Rally in Noosa, a long drive, or a short flight I recommend considering attending.

As we reflect on the events of February, it brings me immense pleasure to recount the array of enjoyable gatherings and activities that have enriched our club. February began with our technical workshop, led by Noel Baker and Neil Matthews and provided invaluable insights into the maintenance and care of our cherished vehicles. This was followed by a convivial evening at our club’s headquarters, where members gathered to share an enjoyable and informative evening with Rodney Smart from Scotchman’s Hill Winery. More than a few of us were impressed with the quality of the wines, especially their Cornelius Chardonnay!

The weather has turned magnificent, it is an ideal opportunity to get your PMC mobile and attend one of the upcoming events that are on our calendar.

As we embark on a new year filled with the promise of exciting adventures, it is with great pleasure that I welcome each and every one of you to another remarkable year in our illustrious history. The Rolls- Royce Owner’s Club has always been a beacon of elegance, camaraderie, and a celebration of the timeless craftsmanship embodied by our cherished vehicles. In the coming months, we anticipate a calendar brimming with exclusive events, captivating drives, and interesting meetings that will undoubtedly deepen the bonds of our club and our wonderful community.

Another year starts for our Club, it certainly was a great 2023 and looking at the calendar it certainly will be an exciting and active 2024. In this edition we see the launch of the new Spectre from Rolls- Royce, some of our members were lucky enough to see the launch and Ralph Plarre even managed to get a drive, needless to say, it seems he was suitably impressed, the article is in this edition.

After a great trip overseas where Lorraine and I walked the Camino de Santiago, and enjoyed other cities in Spain, the Spanish certainly have a great lifestyle, afternoon siesta, eating late and on Saturday we can testify they party hard!

October was a month packed full of club events, starting with the two day run to Portarlington in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Derby Bentley, followed by our General Meeting also dedicated to the same anniversary.