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 RUN,
JACARANDA DAY – GOOMBUNGEE TOWNSHIP
SATURDAY, 02 NOVEMBER 2024
By: Marilyn Keating
Our Darling Downs Chapter is rarely asked to display our cars or take part in a special celebration in our local area. However, when I received an email from one of the organisers of the Jacaranda Day being held in Goombungee, I was able to get 8 MGs to participate in the Parade. Those members were eager to be part of the event, and confirmation was made to the organisers that we would be there.
Gene & Fay (MGTD), Brian & June (MGTC), Owen (MGB), Narelle (MGTF), Rob (MGBGT), Trevor (MGB) Michael & myself (MGBGT) met at the Tom Volp Park in Meringandan at 0930, and after our usual greetings and conversation, we left for the reasonably short drive of 18kms to Goombungee. Owen led the way and a special parking area had been set aside for us and other vintage and classic vehicles from surrounding clubs, to park.
Michael Green (MGB), a new member to our Chapter and who lives in Goombungee, met us in the parking area. There was hardly time for a cup of tea before we had to move our cars to the starting point of the parade, at the other end of the main street. There were already tractors, steam engines, school groups and others, ready in line to participate in the parade.
There was much excitement amongst the children as they watched the kites, in the shape of animals, flying in the breeze in the nearby field. As the name of the day suggests, the Jacaranda Trees, which have been planted all along the main street, were in full bloom and are a sight to behold at this time of year.
We were soon on our way, at walking pace, down the main street and back up the other side. We could hear comments along the way, like “my dad used to have a car like that” or “my first car was one of those”. We couldn’t believe how many people were lined up along the street to view the parade. If you want to see how a country event can be run, make a date for next year to go along and check it out. Considering they only have a population of around 1200 people, the organisers did a fantastic job. There were plenty of stalls to visit, with the usual handcrafts, food, information areas and even some gin and mead tasting if you were so inclined.
There was dancing and music and the replica 65 Keyless Dutch Street Organ played away for hours.
A very pleasant day was had by all of us.
MG Run Darling Downs Chapter.
Sunday 27th October 2024
We met at Freyling Park Toowoomba at 9am for a 9.15am start. There was rather a chilly wind on the mountain but it was a glorious sunny day.
We headed down the mountain on the New England Highway winding around the scenic countryside coming out again on the New England Highway. Through Hirstville stopping at Heifer Creek Rest Area (Theiss Memorial) for morning tea.
Morning tea was very relaxing with the bellbirds tinkling in the background and the magpies waiting for any dropped crumbs.
We had fourteen cars on the run to morning tea. Rob Fraser's daughter Taryn joined us in her mini minor then headed home after morning tea.
After morning tea we continured on through Ma Ma Creek (Trevor had to distract Karen to get through there as there was an interesting Antiques and collectable store now in the old bakery shop). Onto Mt Sylvia through Blenheim until we found the turn to Mulgowie and finished at the Mulga Hotel at Mulgowie for lunch.
22 members enjoyed a country lunch before heading home. Thanks to everyone for a very enjoyable day.
Until the next run........Mal and Barb Campbell
and Alison Taylor, Jan Burke and Barry Lutwyche
MGCCQ Darling Downs Maleny 4 day run 14-17th October 2024 organised by Narelle and Rob Fraser
Day 1.
Our trip commenced at Highfields with Brian and June, Derek and Alison (Irish mates of June and Brian) and travelled towards Esk. We collected Marg and John and then Barry and Jan at The spit at Sommerset dam where we had morning tea. After examining the weather for the week before, only to be promised with rain all week, the weather could not have been kinder to us. We travelled to Mt Mee lookout and back to Woodford for lunch then off to Maleny via Commissioners Flat Road and Bald Knob Road. We then settled into our motel where we were met with our last 2 participants, Ron and Judy. After a big day we commenced happy hour, before being chauffeured by the courtesy bus to the Maleny hotel for our evening meal.
Day 2.
Awoke to another glorious day. We headed to Mary Cairncross Park for our smoko. The views from the cafe of the Glasshouse Mountains were magnificent. On our way to Kenilworth via Burnett Lane which had views both sides as the sign said " this is the top of the world ". Reaching our destination, we lunched at the Kenilworth hotel followed by an ice cream for some at the cheese factory. A few were disappointed as the second-hand shop was closed. Our return was by Obi Obi Road to Mapleton, with spectacular views once again. Once back to the motel, it was happy hour again and much laughter.
Day 3.
Maleny Views motel has a name that says it all, the view from there is fantastic. After a late start, we had morning tea, followed by games and a quiz where the winners were June, Judy and Barry who were presented with a bottle of wine each. We arrived at Landsborough to visit the museum and then onto Palmwoods for our lunch at Ricks Garage. Our return trip took us on Hunchy Road to Montville. Before heading back to the Motel, we visited Lake Baroon. With a storm apparently approaching, we set up our table and chairs in the carport for our Thai take away meal and final happy hour together. The storm passed us by.
The owner apologised next day for disturbing us in the early mornings to collect our bottles. As none of us heard him, he was quick to say " A footy team would not have drunk as much as you guys”.
​
It was a wonderful trip with beautiful people who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All made their own way home next day.
Participants:
Rob and Narelle Fraser, John and Marg Boland, Ron and Judy Gillis, Brian and June Phillips, Derek and Alison Taylor, Jan Burke and Barry Lutwyche
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale now in Classifieds
