MGCC of QLD., Inc. Capricorn Chapter.
 

MGCCQ – DARLING DOWNS ALL CHAPTER GATHERING - TOOWOOMBA - 23 - 26 AUGUST, 2024
 

After a very foggy start, at 9am sharp on Thursday 22 August, a group of six intrepid Capricornia Chapter members and one interloper headed off in the general direction of Toowoomba, which was where the 2024 All Chapter Meeting of the MG Car Club of Queensland would be held.
 

The seven were Martin and Narelle Adamson, Gary and Robbie Galloway, Gordon Kelsey and his brother Ralph, and Phil Henry.
 

The first stretches of the Bruce Highway were uneventful if busy, and soon the group stopped in Benaraby for morning coffee.  This necessity dispensed with, it was onward to Miriam Vale and then Gin Gin for lunch at the bakery.  Pies all round, well received.

After that, the group continued south until hanging a right towards Biggenden.  A circuit of the town and then on towards the stopover in Nanango.  As we passed through Goomeri we were joined by Wayne Kirwan and Megan Perrett in their 4WD towing the van with Wayne’s (proper) MGTF inside.  As you’d all know, Wayne is the Coordinator of Coordinators at MGCCQ.

It was along this stretch the first “incident” occurred, with the lead car – an “improper” MGTF, as it transpired – failing to correctly interpret instructions at some roadworks and following a truck west, until instructed by the road traffic bloke that if we wanted to go where we were supposed to, we should have gone straight ahead.  The mistake and correction were embellished over dinner.
 

The remainder of the journey was fine, we checked into the motel to be met by Brian and Glenis Russell, who then joined the rest for dinner at the RSL.  The Nanango RSL never disappoints.
 

As it is only a short hop from Nanango to Toowoomba, a fair amount of farting about ensued the next day to fill in time before we could check out in Nanango and check in at the Toowoomba motel.   Morning tea/lunch at My Little Blueberry in Crows Nest was delightful, as were the gardens at Spring Bluff, just outside Toowoomba.
 

On arrival at our Toowoomba motel, the size of the weekend’s events quickly became apparent with the dozens of MGs already checked in, along with some much more exotic machinery (a McLaren).  A quick beer, now having been joined by Gary Whight, his brother Kevin and sister Jennifer Adams, and then up to Picnic Point, where we beat the rush for registration.

We returned to the motel for a few more bevvies and to book taxis.  And that is where the story really begins.
 

The supposed tour leader reckoned he’d navigated the online taxi booking system satisfactorily, so a number of others did similarly.  As time was slipping away, some precautionary bookings were made with Uber, whose vehicles began to arrive, with taxis not yet in evidence.  When one eventually appeared, we enquired of the driver about the original booking.  “Oh yes, you are in the system”, he replied.  On reflection, we should have made more detailed enquiries.
 

Taxis and Ubers came and went, no sign of the first booking.  The booker rang again, to be advised – by automatic response - that indeed the booking was still being held.  But for 6am the next morning.  That booking was cancelled and another Uber called for the unlucky trio.  Now you can guess who that was.

But we all arrived safely for the noggin ’n natter, compered expertly by Wayne Kirwan and with plenty of prizes for lucky ticket holders.
 

An early start the next day for the Kimber Runs.  Of those that our members experienced, long runs through the country were a great introduction to this beautiful part of the world. 

 

The Jondaryn Woolshed trip was briefly interrupted by the “tail end Charlie” MGB beginning to misfire into Goombudgee.  As it turned out, a new arrival in the district, who owns an MGB, arrived to make a preliminary diagnosis and suggest further investigations.
 

That group also paid a visit to a Canberra bomber in the middle of nowhere, before spending a couple of pleasant hours at the Woolshed, then arriving for a massive, tasty lunch at the Oakey RSL.

Everyone who attended the Kimber Run to Glengallan Homestead felt lucky! Our guides took us there via back roads that could never be retraced!

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This fascinating property is a sad example of boom and bust with the magnificent unfinished homestead finally abandoned and then ransacked by thieves.  Happily, thanks to government grants and the generosity of wealthy locals and volunteers it is being slowly restored.

 

Following the tour and filled with scones, jam and cream, we drove to Leyburn and all took part in a (slow) race around the sprint circuit before lunch. The publican then gave an address about the amazing history of the town and explained that the hotel has been licensed for a year longer than the Nindigully Pub! Leyburn gets rather busy when the sprints are on and the pub recently served 1,600 meals in one night. It was a great run.

 

While some afternoon activities had been organised for those still keen, the long morning and big lunch put paid to some energy.  A showing of the original Italian Job movie at a local cinema proved popular for many. 

 

However, the occasionally dusty run from home meant that our vehicles needed some attention to be presentable for the next day’s show ‘n shine, so out came buckets and cloths.  Except for those who somehow keep their chariots spotless without using water.  It’s just amazing.  It is particularly amazing for owners who locate and drive to a close by car wash – only to find their phone on the boot lid on arrival. 

Dinner that night was free choice, our mob headed over the road to the Great Southern pub which, contrary to advice received, had plenty of seats available.  And delicious food, particularly the butter chicken.

It was another early start for the show ‘n shine, which attracted lots of local onlookers.  There was a good range of MG models on display, along with the McLaren, an Aston Martin DB11 and a – cough cough -Jaguar E-type.

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Lunch was held at the nearby Cobb  Co museum and it was excellent, with hot and cold food.  The afternoon was scheduled as free time to explore Toowoomba and preparations for the Carnival of Flowers in the local parks.  Members were also given the opportunity to visit a local member’s early MG collection.
 

Having learnt from the Friday night taxi debacle, Uber got a good workout on Sunday night, taking a motley crew of bizarrely outfitted MG owners to the gala evening, which had a “Flower Power” theme.  Words do not suffice, just look at the photos.  Again, Wayne acted as MC to distribute the prizes, based on holders of lucky “cent sale” tickets.  With one table hosting all ten occupants as winners, some questions were raised about methodologies, but everything was above board.  The photos certainly show that we all had a great night.
 

The final daystarted with a very early breakfast back at the Cobb and Co museums and again the venue provided a hearty menu to start what would be, for some, another long day on the road.
 

Our Chapter representative then went on to the Coordinators’ meeting, chaired by Wayne and with reps from Darling Downs, Mackay (by phone) Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.  The groups reviewed the weekend’s events with an eye for improvements.  Of interest to our Chapter, there was agreement that Capricorn had set a high bar in 2022, which Darling Downs had equalled.  That said, the group also agreed that continually trying too hard to “lift the bar” could potentially be at the cost of everybody just having a good time.  It’s a delicate balance.
 

The group did agree on a new methodology for the next All Chapter Meeting, but I will leave it to Wayne Kirwan to report officially on the outcomes of the meeting.
 

Capricorn Chapter Run members were:

Wayne Kerwin & Megan Perrett - MGTF (proper one)

Gary & Robbie Galloway  - MGB

Kevin Whight                                                    

Jennifer Adams  - Triumph Stag

Gary Whight  - Triumph 2500 TC

Brian & Glenis Russell - MGB hardtop

Martin & Narelle Adamson -MGB

Gordon & Ralph Kelsey - E type Jag

Phil Henry - 2004 MGTF (late model)