CAPRICORN CHAPTER
Established 24 May, 2008
Capricorn Chapter MGCC country members living in the Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Biloela and Moura districts can now enjoy more social activities with the Capricorn Chapter being officially recognised following the meeting in Rockhampton.
Founding members from these existing Chapters joined club President David Miles and Assistant Treasurer Kevin Ponting in Rockhampton for the occasion. Gurney Clamp was appointed Co-ordinator of the club's newest regional Chapter, joining Wide Bay and Darling Downs. After holding that position for 10 years, he resigned at the end of 2018 and the role has been taken over by Gary Kunst.
Phil Henry is the Coordinator of the Capricorn Chapter.
His contact details are :
Phone: 0434 017 132
Email: phil@ph7consulting.com.au
Deputy Coordinator Gordon Kelsey will be leading the Chapter until 24 May, 2025
Click here for our Facebook page.
MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.
Run Report – Keppel Sands 13/4/2025
By: Gordon Kelsey
Photos by: Darryl & Kylie Lindley, Gordon Kelsey
Members were greeted by a very windy Sunday with a promise of scattered showers that fortunately, didn’t eventuate. The Rockhampton group were first to arrive at our morning tea rest area in Cawarral with the Yeppoon contingent arriving fashionably late! The gathering attracted a local police patrol or perhaps because of one car’s driving history.
In the absence of our coordinator due to overseas travels, the temporary coordinator discussed the value of the recent men’s mental health meeting that was presented by Chris Schick and the possibility of another meeting if there is sufficient interest in the future.
Gary Whight presented the broken MG award for 2024 to Bob Schoevaart as he had missed the Christmas party awards. Bob owns a very nice MG model, a MustanG.
Gary also provided details of the next Friday night gathering on 2nd May. It will start with a professionally guided tour of the southside cemetery in Rockhampton followed by dinner at Punjabi restaurant. Full details will be provided shortly.
Gary Kunst suggested that in future, the Yeppoon group gather at Ross Creek rather than The Oaks. This was agreed by all present and it was also proposed that the club gather there before departing to Classics by the Coast.
This was agreed by all present and it was also proposed that the club gather there before departing to Classics by the Coast.
Following recent rain, the drive to Keppel Sands was particularly attractive. The convoy cruised along the beachfront much to the pleasure of many locals. There is no “Lost MG” award yet so no names will be mentioned. The fragmented club eventually found its way to the coastguard lookout where a warm welcome was given by the on site caretaker who happily provided information about the location and the surrounding islands.
It was then off to the Keppel Sands Hotel for generous meals and happy conversations. It was a great day out.
Run members were:
Martin & Narelle Adamson - MGB
Jack & Rae Cowie - MGBGT
Paul & Clare Lynam - MGB & Bike with unpainted tank!
Gary Whight & Doris - Triumph
Bob Schoevaart - MUSTANG
Richard Hughes - MERC
Gary Kunst - MGB
Ewen & Meredith Sutherland - BMW
Phil White - MGB
Jim & Sandra Armstrong - MGBGT
Darryl & Kylie Lindley - MGF
John Rowe - MGA
Henia Mitchell & John - VALIANT
Pat & Lyle Fielding - AUDI
Gordon Kelsey - E TYPE
MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.
Run Report – Mt Morgan and Kabra, 16 March 2025
By: Phil Henry
Photos by: Phil Henry, Gordon Kelsey
After a few weeks of rain, storms and a passing cyclone, the weather gods relented for run day, with overcast skies making it a pleasant drive with the hood down. Leaving from Yeppoon it was smooth sailing until we got to the Rockhampton meeting point.
What was this? Thousands of mamils (middle aged men in Lycra) and their cars taking up the designated area. Not to worry, Gary Whight called to say there was plenty (well, enough) parking around the corner and so, eventually, everyone was present and accounted for.
After the usual initial pleasantries, it was time to head off. As this was a kind of navigation run with specific distances between turns, the change in route could have been disastrous but in fact the difference between the designated first sector and the actual route taken was insignificant.
Not so insignificant was what happened at the first turn where lead car Paul and Joanne turned one roundabout offtake too early. Now, subsequent discussions did not fully explain how this – yes, alright, quite minor – mistake occurred. Wiser heads would say it should be left buried in the mists of time, so that’s what we’ll do. Until it inevitably pops up again sometime in the future. You know it’s true.
Anyway, from then on it was very pleasant driving through green woodland and pastures all the way to the Mt Morgan Big Dam. I hear it was also a good motorbike road. On the approach road to the dam Wayne Bergin, who had previously reported his MGA had been reluctant to start that morning, let us know he was heading into the town centre for petrol.
The Big Dam was full and being used actively by some families with a jetski and a power boat, but the picnic tables were vacant so in no time everyone was tucking into their morning tea and coffees, and the conversation level and enjoyment rose.
Gary Whight and Doris Lisle conducted the poker run, won by Gordon Kelsey who donated his bottle of shiraz back into the prize pot. Let the record show that this was the first time in history that Gordon has been known to refuse a bottle of red. The rusty door prize was won by Ian Hamilton who generously did the rounds to offer everyone some chocolates.
We then had a group chat about the April run. With Easter coming, a couple of the committee about to leave on long scheduled holidays, and Gordon advising he would not around for the whole weekend, the original destination of overnight to Theodore could be problematic. We canvassed options and agreed upon a short run to the Keppel Sands pub. Details will be advised as usual.
Around this time Wayne Bergin called to say that he was stuck in Mt Morgan with his recurrent engine problem. RACQ were on the scene and had diagnosed a dead battery. Wayne advised that he would get himself back home. Points have been awarded, Wayne.
Eventually it was time to leave and so the group moseyed on down the hill, with most heading for the Kabra Pub. Wayne called again to say he was mobile and heading home.
The Kabra does a pretty good job with their food but as some of us learnt, you do have to stand in the right place to order a beer. So after a good feed and a shandy or two it was time to head home after another successful and enjoyable Capricorn Chapter run.
Participants:
Gordon Kelsey Jaguar E-type
Paul and Joanne Davey MGB
Gary Whight and Doris Lisle Triumph 2500 TC
Nev Funch MGB
Kev and Yvonne Carr BMW Z3
Ian and Judy Hamilton Holden Calais
Clare Lynam MGA
Paul Lynam Norton Commando 750
Ewen Sutherland BMW Z3
Wayne Bergin MGA
John Rowe MGA
Rae and Jack Cowie MGBGT
Phil Henry MGTF (late model)
MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.
Run Report – Byfield Brunch 16 February 2025
By: Phil Henry
Photos by: Kylie Lindley, Phil Henry
The week leading up to run day had been characterised by unstable weather, including a couple of massive storms. This, combined with the Coordinator’s inexplicable failure to put a run sheet out until the prior Wednesday, led to varying amounts of uncertainty amongst the membership. The end result was a brunch run, rather than lunch, and a choice of meeting points.
All was forgotten, however, as everyone arrived – eventually – at the Woodbury Rural Fire Station. Those with air-conditioning seemed quite calm and composed, not to say smug. Everyone else was covered in sweat and looking decidedly uncomfortable, particularly knowing that our brunch venue was similarly not air-conditioned.
However, what it lacks in air conditioning the Byfield Store makes up for in friendly, highly efficient service and yummy food and drink. The Store regularly services various groups of motor cyclists every Sunday, along with the occasional group such as our Chapter as well as individual customers. So, the staff’s ability to get lots of food and drink out in very short order is little short of amazing. Especially when aided by one of our members – see photo. They did it again today – full marks!
All that aside, it was a quite uneventful run. Some cloud cover helped the transit sections and it’s always a pretty drive. Wayne Bergan took out the rusty door prize and Paul Lynam again snagged the poker run.
An update on Richard Hughes (Mercedes A45AMG) who a few months ago had an unfortunate accident with – or perhaps without – a ladder, breaking his ankle in two places. Currently the doctors have his right leg in a brace to prevent movement so the tendon hopefully will reattach to the ankle joint. Once this happens there will be a lot of physio as the ankle is frozen from lack of use, it will be a few months before he will be fully back to his old self. He’s hoping to join us on next month’s run, albeit as a passenger.
Participants:
Jim and Sandra Armstrong, MGA
Gary Whight and Doris Lisle, Triumph 2500TC
Martin and Narelle Adamson, MGB
Darryl and Kylie Lindley, MGF
Paul and Joanne Davey, MGB
Gordon Kelsey, Jaguar E-type
Wayne Bergan, MGA
Meredith and Ewen Sutherland, BMW Z3
Rick and Michele Taylor, Chevrolet Corvette
Ian and Judy Hamilton, Toyota
Phil White, MGB
Pat and Lyle Fielding, Audi TT
Yvonne and Kev Carr, BMW Z3
Clare and Paul Lynam, MGA
John Rowe, MGA
Nev Funch, MGB
Phil Henry, MGTF (late model)
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale now in Classifieds
