Darling Downs Chapter

DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER
Established September, 2005

The MG Car Club was formed in 1954, the club is composed of motoring enthusiasts who enjoy all makes of motor vehicles, not just MGs and provides activities for all aspects of motoring, sporting, and social.

The Darling Downs Chapter was formed in September 2005, and since that date the chapter has grown strongly with a growing list of members in Toowoomba, Warwick and as far west as Roma, who, enjoy access to all the benefits of the parent body at a reduced membership rate.

MG Car Club of Queensland promotes sporting and concourse events at a State and National level in addition to a strong calendar of club activities, technical and historic information can be accessed from the club web site.

Darling Downs' members enjoy regular monthly day runs and midweek lunch meetings, (organised by our Midweek Run Conveners). Day runs commence on the last Sunday of the month from various locations. Details of all runs are included in the "What's On" link on the MG Car Club website.

For further information contact Darling Downs' Conveners:

Marilyn Keating - Coordinator

Email: ddc.mgccq@mgccq.org.au

Mobile: 0427 573 048

DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER

COMBINED RUN - GOLD COAST MG CAR CLUB, MGCCQ BRISBANE AND DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER TO WIVENHOE DAM AND GATTON – SUNDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2025

Our Darling Downs Chapter members had an early start from Toowoomba to meet at the John Norman Hedges Park in Helidon at 8.00am. We had a very good roll up of 9 MG’s and 3 Modern vehicles, and in all 20 people. We left the Park at 8.30am and travelled via Helidon township the back way to Grantham, due to road works on the Gatton Helidon Road. Our route then took us through Placid Hills and into Gatton and onto Eastern Drive, exiting at the Esk roundabout.

We chose a route through the countryside to Coominya and then on to the Brisbane Valley Highway and eventually into Cormorant Bay picnic area at Lake Wivenhoe.

Unfortunately, the large shelter at the top of the car park had already been taken, so we made do with 2 smaller shelters. It wasn’t long before everyone had their cuppa in hand and stories were being told. It was great to meet some familiar faces from the other clubs, as well as meeting new like-minded people.

As there were more than 26 cars involved in this run, and after discussion with the Gold Coast MG Club run organisers, it was agreed that the Darling Downs Chapter would return to Gatton the way we came, thus reducing the number of vehicles travelling in convoy on the Esk Gatton road.

Lunch was booked at the Colonial Café in the Cultural Centre at Gatton. (Bill Fischer (MGA) & Noel Cambell joined us for lunch)

The Café had asked that we pre-order our meals to make for easier and quicker delivery to the tables. Some people did this, others were a little bamboozled by technology and just ordered on arrival. Whatever the case, everyone got their meal and I didn’t hear any complaints about the food.

A big thank you to Ken Shead and Sue Craig for organising the run and to the Gold Coast MG Car Club for inviting us to join them. Our members had a very enjoyable day.

PARTICIPANTS:
Michael & Marilyn Keating (MGBGT)
Malcolm & Barbara Campbell (PT Cruiser)
Delia Morey (MGB)

Mike Green (MGB) Gene & Faye Lucas (MGTD)
Gaye Hawkshaw & Debbie Schier (Camry)
Ben Jewell (MGA)
June Phillips (MGBGT)
Owen & Kay Douglas (MGB)
Ian & Jenny Roberts (MGB)
Trevor & Karen Martin (MGB)
Andrew & Susan Willesden (VW Passat)

1/1

DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER RUN - 12 February, 2025

What better place is there to meet for a BYO lunch than the Japanese Gardens in Toowoomba. Parking is easy and a new pavilion has been erected beside the lake which made for a beautiful cool place to have lunch. There is something special about Japanese Gardens, they are scenic, peaceful and tranquil and the running water and lakes makes for a great place to relax.

If you have never visited a Japanese Garden, it is well worth the time to take a look next time you come across one in your travels. The ducks and turtles in the lake were quick to realise they might get a tit bit if they hung around the edges of the pavilion.

We had 17 people attend the lunch, and it wasn’t long before the pavilion was filled with the usual meet and greets, and the lunches were produced and eaten.

We welcomed new members to the Darling Downs Chapter, Gary and Judy Tucker, who have moved to Toowoomba. It was great to have you join us, Gary and Judy, and we hope you enjoyed your first meet with our Chapter. We look forward to seeing you at many more of our events.

Unfortunately, the organiser forgot to take some photos during the lunch but did manage to get one photo of 3 MG’s just before we departed for home.

PARTICIPANTS: Michael & Marilyn Keating (MGBGT) Gene & Faye Lucas (Honda) Trevor & Joy Jones (MGA) Ron & Judy Gillis (MGB) Bill Fischer (MGA) Trevor & Karen Martin (Nissan) Andrew & Sally Sainsbury (Toyota) Gary & Judy Tucker (Mazda) Gaye Hawkshaw & Debbie Schier (Toyota)

1/1

DARLING DOWNS CHAPTER RUN,

19 January 2025

By Brian & June Phillips

A nice clear sunny day greeted us as we prepared to kick off the run season for 2025. A record number of people and cars turned up for the occasion, 35 members and guests and 18 cars.

As we had so many cars, we had to choose a route with the least amount of traffic lights to get out of the city. We met at the Great Southern Hotel in Ruthven St, Toowoomba, where a lavish breakfast was enjoyed by all. There were only two traffic lights to negotiate, so we all managed to stay together as a group.

The route took us down the steep Flagstone Creek Road, testing our brakes and gears, then back up the range to top camp testing our gears, clutch and engines.

We then travelled along the escarpment near Preston Peak winery before we again descended towards Flagstone creek via another steep hill.

The road then followed the meandering Flagstone creek for several miles as it twisted and turned with many creek crossings, then through the vegetable growing area of the Lockyer Valley with a flat run through the tunnel, under the highway to finish up at Soldiers Memorial Park in Helidon township where we indulged in morning tea and great chatter. We then returned up the range again and home.

Participants were:
Brian & June Phillips (MGBGT) Narelle Fraser (MGB) Rob Fraser (Mini) Trevor & Karen Martin (Nissan) Bill Fischer (MGA) Helen Goodfellow & Del Jensen (Corolla) Andrew & Susan Willesden (Passat) Gaye Hawkshaw & Debbie Schier (Camry) Gene & Faye Lucas (MGTD) Ian & Jenny Roberts (VW) Ben, Hayley, Nick & Harry Jewell (Porsche), Ray & Susanne Edwards (MGB) Peter & Jenny Wild (Daimler) Owen & Kay Douglas (MGB) Malcolm & Barbara Campbell (PT Cruiser) Pat Bermingham & Peter (MGB) Michael & Marilyn Keating (MGBGT) Andrew & Sally Sainsbury (Tesla)

1/1