Club Events 2020

TERRIBLY BRITISH DAY (TBD) 6 December 2020

Queanbeyan Central Park, Queanbeyan

presented by the Triumph Car Club of the ACT Inc

by Allan Boyd

The weather on the day suited the British occasion changing from 29C on Saturday to 19C on Sunday, so jackets and scarves were appropriate for the chilly and windy conditions.

Many British vehicle marques were represented, ranging from the smaller ones, Morris and Mini Minors, to the grander ones, Bentleys, Rolls Royce and Aston Martins, and with everything in between. Total count was approximately 230 vehicles.

In addition, British motorcycles ranged from BSA Bantams, Triumphs, Nortons, AJS, Ariels to a Brough Superior, with a total of approximately 36 machines. Not be outdone, one Grey Fergie tractor was on display also.

Catering was in keeping with cool and windy conditions with a hot food outlet and a hot & cold drinks van – all popular.

Presentations were made at 1pm; Shannons Insurance was the major sponsor.

Ladies Choice trophy was selected and presented by QPRC Councillor Trudy Taylor to Phil & Rose Turner for their Triumph TR3A.

Gentleman’s Choice trophy was selected and presented by ACT motoring enthusiast Mick Gentleman for a Morris Minor Low Line.

Best Motorcycle went to Peter Davey for his 1939 Brough Superior.

Best car selected by the Triumph Car Club Committee and presented by “Victor the Viking” went to Ian Kenny for his 1928 W.O. Bentley.

The “Club Shield” was selected and presented by the Triumph Car Club Committee to the MG Car Club of the ACT.

Selected charity for the event was ‘Respite Care for Queanbeyan’ which had several volunteers collecting donations on the day.

In all a most enjoyable day, and the public took the opportunity to get out and about to wander amongst the many British vehicles on display and chat with their owners.

Thank you to the Triumph Car Club of the ACT for presenting the TBD display, especially to Horst Kirchener for his major role.

STHARC Roll Call (as spotted by Allan):

Allan Boyd 1949 Ariel Motorcycle

Paul Cunneen Ford

Chris Forsey Jensen Interceptor

Brian McKinley Morris Minor

Ray Malam Jaguar

Albert Neuss Grey Fergie

Chris O’Rourke Rolls Royce

Ian & Tina Oliver Bentley

Not so much an event but a STHARC tribute to Max de Oliver

Max de Oliver’s funeral Guard of Honour Monday 11 May 2020

Queanbeyan Lawn Cemetery

by Chris Hillbrick-Boyd and Lawrie Nock

Following Lawrie Nock’s extensive research to ensure STHARC kept within the Covid 19 requirements, a fitting farewell for Max was organised – a Guard of Honour of STHARC vehicles and members.

We woke up to a cold, clear Monday morning that progressed into a warm, blue-sky day. By 11am there were a number of STHARC vehicles and members lined along the cemetery road from the Cemetery gates. Everyone maintained the social distancing rules, but were still able to share memories of Max. As the hearse turned into the cemetery there were up to 35 vehicles and around 50 members; in addition to our own members, we were joined in the Guard of Honour by some of Max’s relatives. The hearse was followed by Max’s blue Mini Moke “Max” driven by a relative with Maree Burke as passenger. The allowed number of funeral mourners followed Max’s Moke past the Guard of Honour. Despite her grief, Maree gave an acknowledging wave to the STHARC members and relatives who were standing at attention beside their vehicles.

STHARC vehicles followed the funeral procession to near where the minister waited for the mourners and Max’s coffin, and parked along the roadway. Although we could not hear what was said, we could ascertain what was happening. At a given signal, the STHARC members tooted their vehicles’ horns as a final farewell to a loved and respected friend and STHARC member.

One by one the STHARC members left the cemetery, many driving past the funeral pavilion at a slow pace in honour of Max. However, one owner found himself stranded with a flat battery, but luckily another member carried a charger and willingly lent it to start the car. And so we left the family to grieve Max’s passing.

We do hope Max enjoyed what we were able to do in his memory.