Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club Inc 2009  - 2010

Meeting Times:

Third Friday of each month at 7.30p.m. at the Range Aged Care Cottage, Flaxton.

In order to promote harmony and fellowship

The club objectives are:

1.   To encourage the preservation, restoration and operation of motor vehicles in the categories of:

• Veteran (up to 31st December 1919)
• Vintage (up to 31st December 1930)
• Historic (up to 31st December 1939)
• Classic (vehicles of special interest)

2. To encourage interchange of technical knowledge between members.

3. To foster expertise and skills required for restoration.

4. To display and create interest in our vehicles.

5. To cooperate with various charitable and civic organisations in fund-raising activities.

6. To publish a newsletter on Club activities and technical information.

History of The Horseless Carriage Club

The idea of forming a local Club on the Range for old car enthusiasts was bandied about by several locals in the mid 1980’s because they wearied of the trip to Brisbane to attend Meetings and Rallies with like minded people.   The group headed by the late Jack and Alison Warren of Western Avenue Montville, met and “tinkered” in their workshop/shed behind their home.

A favourite story told by Ron Hutt is that the “shed” was also home to a number of carpet snakes and Gus (a protective gander) which added a bit of excitement from time to time and that in winter, the forge was fired up for warmth.   Jack and Alison who owned an Austin 7HP tourer were well known identities of Montville and donated the flagstaff and gaslamps on the Village Green.

The history behind the name, “The Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club” is an interesting one.   Many names were put forward.   Jack had a Scottish grandfather who was a prominent grazier and politician living north of Adelaide.    In order to attend Parliament in the city he purchased around 1900’s a Shearer Automobile.    This vehicle was produced in South Australia, had large carriage wheels and a coach-like body, so hence the name.   The “Shearer” is in a motor museum in South Australia.   Ron and the late Joan Hutt of Mapleton, Graham and Alice Hopkins and Michael and Kyleigh Simpson of Montville were early founding Members who are still resident on the Range.

The group met on the third Friday of the month and this tradition has continued, though to-day instead of Jacks shed, B.R.H.C.C. meets at the Blackall Range Care Cottage at Flaxton.    As in the past, the women are an integral part of the Club, either owning a vehicle or sharing the passion and/or in a social role.

The Club has always been proud of the camaraderie of its Members and the support, friendship and fun which they enjoy.  New residents to the Range are made very welcome and quickly assimilate within the Club.

The Club proudly participates in several community events throughout the year, Australia Day Celebrations, Anzac Day street parade and static displays at local schools and historical days at Priscilla Cottage.  

The years’ rally program tries to cater to all Members, including monthly Sunday rallies, midweek rallies, weekend rallies and a social breakfast at a local restaurant. The variety of vehicles which Members own is very impressive, ranging from a replica 1886 Benz Tricycle Motor Car, meticulously built by Rex Redding of Maleny, to more modern vehicles of the 1920 - 60’s era.

It is with a great degree of satisfaction that Members restore and preserve these special cars, the alternative being dumped as landfill or heaven forbid, an altered vehicle (a supermod!).    The Club is in its’ 17th year now with Membership and enthusiasm stronger than ever.

Ode to The Old Car I love my old car almost as much as my wife, When you consider I’ve had them for most of my life. Although one is a car and the other a woman, You realize that really, they’ve so much in common. The back end has sagged from where it once sat, And the carpets are worn and in need of a mat. She’s a mind of her own and is harder to steer, And we now climb the Range in a much lower gear. Her duco’s all wrinkled and could do with a buff, But despite her age, she’s still terribly tough. She’s less fuel efficient and her joints are all stiff, And there’s a horrible rumble somewhere in the diff. The starter does whine, but it still gets her going, And there’s an oil stain on the floor, that seems to keep growing. Her body could do with a tuck and a nip, And whenever she coughs, the radiator does drip. The spark is weaker, than once used to be, But she still turns over, when I turn on the key. I oft lift the bonnet for just a short peak What’s underneath, still makes the knees go all weak, Her lights are now dull and it’s harder to see, But my memories are as bright as ever to me. I’m wedded to them both and neither I’ll lend, Cause we now relish the ride, rather than reaching the end.  Written by Ken Lonie with apologies to his wife Wendy, Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club August 2006.