CentreSpoke

Motor Enthusiasts Club of Central Australia Incorporating The Alice Springs Vintage & Veteran Car Club

PO Box 1506, Alice Springs. NT. 0871 Email: mecca@mecca.asn.au Web site: www.mecca.asn.au

October 2018

Above photo—Russ and Liz Driver’s 1925 Buick— Grand daughter Catherine Driver driving in the Bay to Birdwood with Grandpa Driver next to her and Grandma and family in back Seat—excellent parade and day. Photo below—Dieter Hentschel (looking great) with his MG TD 1950 at Bay to Birdwood—good time was had by all

Bay to Birdwood 2018

MECCA Committee 2018/2019

PRESIDENT: John Hubner VICE PRESIDENT: Allan Campbell TREASURER: Russ Driver SECRETARY: Douglas Draeger PUBLIC OFFICER: Brian Eather COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Neville Heness & John Bridgefoot

VEHICLE REGISTRAR: Col Jarrett EDITOR: Liz Driver WEB MASTER: Tony McKenzie HISTORIAN: Stuart Gear CRANKHANDLE: Alvina Spears CLUB HOSTESS: Marie Gear

LIFE MEMBERs: Dave Simpson, Tony Bullock,

Walter & Alvina Spears, Stuart & Marie Gear.

1

Presidents Report

Hi all,

Well Liz finally got me to put pen to paper so here are a few words from me.

Firstly, I’d like to thank all the committee and members who donate their time to help out with running

of our Club. Without whom we wouldn’t have much of a club and my job would be much more difficult.

This year we participated in the Bangtail Muster, Alice Springs Show, Road Transport Hall of Fame din-

ner and Red Centre Nationals, all of which help promote our club to the general public and attract new

memberships. To all who took part in these events, thank you.

Start getting yourself ready as we’ll be doing it all again in 2019 !!

The committee has been hard at work setting the new club calendar which can be found attached and, on

our website.

Take note that the February 2019 breakfast social will be at the Barra on Todd.

Following the November meeting will be our annual Christmas social at the Gillen Club, all welcome.

See attached flyer. Unfortunately, I’ll be away so Allan will be in charge.

There will be a Chris Cringle on the day after the morning meeting, please remember to bring an anony-

mous gift to the value of $10. Marie and Raelene are in charge.

Following the November meeting there are no meetings in December/

January due to the holiday season (and heat), so I wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy new

year !!

Don’t forget we have a webpage and Facebook page so keep an eye on those for any upcoming news,

Also for correspondence email;

Membership email via. members@mecca.asn.au

Committee email via. committee@mecca.asn.au

If you don’t get the occasional club email it means we probably don’t have your correct email address.

Enjoy the festive season

Cheers

John

The Sec’s Desk

MECCA

MOTOR ENTHUSIAST CLUB CENTRAL AUSTRALIA inc

MEETING SUNDAY 14th October 2018

Meeting Opened: 9:15am

Present: (as per attendance sheet)

John Hubner, Russ Driver, Liz Driver, Allan Campbell, Derek Poolier, Marie Gear,

Clinton Dennison, Tony McKenzie, Brian Eather, Trevor Hyman, John Cooper,

Stuart Gear, Peter Inkster, Mike Thompson, Jasmina Muhic, Lisa Heness,

Michele Thompson, Aileen Kennedy, Douglas Drager.

Apologies: Colin Jarrett, Philippe Freidel, Raelene Baele, Neville Heness,

Fred Twohig, Mark Hangan.

Visitors: Nil

Previous Minutes: Were emailed out to members and moved as r ead

Moved: Lisa Heness Seconded: Trevor Hyman All in favor:

Treasurers Report: Russ Driver gave the Treasurer’s report,

Income was $50,

Expenses were Hall rent $880.00 and Insurance $880.00

Bank balance $5,363.21

Moved: Allan Campbell Seconded: Lisa Heness All in favor:

Secretaries Report:

Correspondence In: Var ious club magazines including, Auto Torque, Bike

Torque, Gawler Car Club, Crank Talk, Steering Column, Austin 7 Journals, Shannon’s

Spring Classic car auctions catalogue – Mon 5th Nov www.shannons.com.au

Letter from Dave “Dyno” Bennett promoting his new book “The YellaTerra Story”, an

autobiography. E.g. His modified engine heads were used on seven of Brock’s nine

Bathurst wins. Invitation from CAMS on topic of affiliation with CAMS

www.cams.com.au

Correspondence Out: nil

General Business:

Today’s run - Bathurst not on today, may be lunch at Gillen

club. Nothing decided.

Website – Tony advised all up-to-date.

New Calendar is on, calendar times need checking, some

members noticed meeting time showed as 10am, maybe

daylight-saving issue, Tony to check.

John reminded members that it’s important to have members

current email address for communication.

CentreSpoke magazine, Members congratulated Liz on a

great job!

Christmas Party – Gillen Club booked, need minimum of 20

people $30 a head Buffet style. Outdoors in shelter area, 12 noon

to 4pm

Meeting as normal prior to lunch Alan to chair in Johns absence

Chris Cringle again $10- gift (Marie and Raylene will organize).

Trailer update – Mike Thompson – Application submitted.

Copy of application, quotes and brochure were circulated. Mike

advised the general specs, might need to modify to carry

motorbikes. Price used was best from Alice Springs.

Club events calendar. New Calendar has been set and

distributed, Item of note;

Feb 2019 Breakfast social at Barra On Todd, cost $20 per head

subsidized by the Club at $10 per head for club members.

Calendar discussed and attached below.

Note no meetings in December / January due to Christmas

holidays

A plaque of life members to be investigated for record/display purposes.

Bay to Birdwood Run – Russ gave a report on this year’s run.

Following there was a general discussion on Club runs and differences of

club rego in SA and other states.

Michelle advised there was a new manager at SuperCheap who may be

interested to join the Club.

Correspondence Emails:

Membership email via. members@mecca.asn.au and

Committee email via. committee@mecca.asn.au

Today’s Run; no Run

Next General Meeting @ 9am at the Masonic hall – Sunday 11th

November

Then Gillen Club for Christmas lunch 12 noon.

Meeting Closed: 9:50am

MECCA

MOTOR ENTHUSIAST CLUB CENTRAL AUSTRALIA inc

CLUB Calendar 2019 start 9am

February 10th 9am Social Breakfast at Barra on the Todd

(Mercure Hotel) No Meeting

Cost $20- per person (Residents) but club will subsidize @ $10- per head

for Club members

March 10th, Club meeting followed by run through White Gums and Hon-

eymoon Gap and ending for lunch at Star of Alice, Palm Circuit (The Gap)

April 14th, Club meeting followed by shed run, destination tba

May 6th Bangtail Muster

May 12th Mothers Day – meeting 9:00 am / No run

May 19th National Motoring Day, Run starting at Masonic Hall 10.30 for

11am start, run to Aviation Museum for BBQ lunch

June 9th Club meeting followed by run to Tropic of Capricorn and return,

followed by lunch at RFDS Café (Noted FINKE weekend 7-10 June)

July 5th and 6th – Alice Springs Show

July 14th Club meeting followed by BBQ at Russ & Liz Driver’s property

August 11th – Club AGM, followed by lunch at Golf Club

August 24th – Sat night, RTHF Reunion dinner, members work bar

September 19th – Club meeting followed by run to Standley Chasm for

lunch

Details to follow / suggested:

Social Night – BBQ / Film Night – members property – details tba

Weekend run / Glen Helen – Sat night stay and / or Sunday morning tea run

Joint run with Aces and Eights (club calendars to be shared to organise a joint run)

What is the world coming to??????

Daughters text to Dad

Daddy, I’m coming home to get married soon, so get your cheque book ready. LOL! ! As you know, I am in Australia and he’s in the U.S . We met on a dating site, we came friends on Facebook, and had long chats at Whatsapp. He proposed to me on Skype and now we have had a two month relationship on Viber. Dad, I need your blessing, good wishes, and a really big wedding. Lots of love, Lilly xxx

Dads reply

My dear Lilly, like wow! Really? Cool! Whatever………. I suggest you two get married on Twitter, have fun on Tango, register for your stuff on Amazon, and pay for it all through Paypal. And when you get fed up with this new husband, sell him on Ebay Lots of love, Dad xxxx

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at

anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the

other ten?" And God saw it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them

laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How

about I give you back ten like the dog did?" And God, again saw it was good.

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day

long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I

will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty

and I'll give back the other forty?" And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For

this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow

gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next

forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks

to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at

everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information.

If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

Life as it is

Remembrance day 11/11/18

According to the Australian government’s Cultural and Recreation portal,

Remembrance Day, which was originally called Armistice Day,

commemorated the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I), the signing of the armistice, which occurred on November 11, 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute's silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. After the end of World War II in 1945, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day as an appropriate title for a day which would commemorate all war dead. Red Poppies were amongst the first plants that grew from the battle fields of Northern France and Belgium during World War 1. Poppies were believed to be rich in their redness because they blossomed from rounds that were saturated with soldiers blood. Almost 62,000 Australians died fighting for our freedom and in service of our nation.

Remembrance Poem

They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun And in the morning

We will remember them

HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR BIKES HISTORY

Harley-Davidson is the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded out of a small shed in 1903 by William S. Harley and Brothers Arthur and Walter Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Motor Company produces traditional cruiser motorcycles utilizing air-cooled V-Twin engines. When Harley and Davidson produced and sold their first motorcycle in 1903, they were one of many small motorcycle marques springing up across the country. Flash forward more than a century and the Harley-Davidson brand is so rooted in American culture that the history of the company intertwines with the history of America itself. Harley-Davidson incorporated in 1907, with William Davidson officially joining forces with his two brothers and Harley. Setting down roots in Milwaukee, Harley -Davidson began hiring employees and by the end of the decade were producing bikes using its signature 45-degree air-cooled V-Twin. During the next decade H-D continued to expand. Many sales were generated by Uncle Sam, with the American military sourcing Harley motorcycles during the First World War. The Bar and Shield continued to grow and by the early ‘30s, its only surviving domestic rival was Indian. Again H-D expanded in peacetime and found itself producing high quantities of bikes for the American military during World War II. Harley-Davidson press material cites its wartime motorcycle production at 90,000 units. Post-war Harley-Davidson developments include the introduction of the Sportster in 1957, the oldest production model in the current H-D line-up, as well as other signature H-D models. Harley experienced changes in ownership in the ‘60s, going public in 1965 and eventually merging with American Machine and Foundry (AMF) in 1969. A decline in fortunes saw AMF sell its stake back to current ownership, which included members of the founding families, in the early ‘80s. The Davidson family’s involvement in the day-to-day running of H-D continues, with direct descendent Willie G. Davidson serving as President of Styling.

Since the turn of the century, Harley-Davidson has retained its image as a classic American icon. But the Motor Co is reaching out to other riders with the introduction of more performance-oriented models, like the V-Rod – significant as the first liquid-cooled production Harley. As the riding demographic ages, H-D is also realizing it must break into the younger market with the release of edgier makeovers of its classic models like the Cross Bones and other members of its Dark Custom line like the Iron 883. Harley-Davidson has also been working hard to improve the riding quality of its touring bikes. In 2009, it did away with the stamped and welded single -piece frame that anchored Harley touring motorcycles for the last 30 years and replaced it with a cast, single-spar, rigid-backbone frame. It also went with a wider, longer swing -arm. H-D also introduced a new three-wheel motorcycle called the Tri Glide that has the classic styling and popular touring features of its best -selling Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Most would guess that it was probably some guy named Harley and his partner Davidson, which would be pretty close to the truth.

A more complete version is that Harley-Davidson was founded by William Harley and the three Davidson brothers: Arthur, William and Walter.

General Information

Rare Spares in Adelaide give club members a10% discount when ordering however you

need to be on Mecca Club Loyalty program to benefit - see Executive Committee

re signing up if you have not done do.

When renewing Club Vehicle Registration, you require 2 x R42 Application forms

( which can be downloaded from Mecca website, or Mvr website), fill out and get

application signed by Mecca Executive Committee with Mecca stamp, roadworthy

certificate, vehicle log book and of course money.

Also note if you a un- financial member your club registration will not be valid.

Overlander Badge - for people who want the challenge to drive from interstate to Alice

Springs in their Veteran, Vintage, Classic or Special interest vehicles. Kilometres range

from 500 to 3000km’s pending which category if applicable. Application form on

Mecca website.

Recycling - helpful hints from Liz

Since we sold our business I am continually seeing what I can recycle to reduce waste

to Landfill.

You can recycle glass jars - without lids and these can we delivered on Saturday

mornings to Alice Springs Tip shop Rediscovery Centre where they have a bin to

deposit glass and plastic bottles free of charge you can also collect 10 cents per wine

and spirit bottles just show your NT identification. Also old books, furniture, household

items, toys.

At the Tip free of charge- steel cans, paper, cardboard and magazines as long as they are

clean. You can check on Alice Springs Council website on recycling.

Deposit scheme - soft drink bottles, alloy cans, fruit juice and any containers with

10cents deposit recycle at Envirobank now located at 309 Santa Teresa Road

Connellan - which is past the airport on the left the old customs shed.

Soft plastic eg strawberry plastic, plastic bags eg bread comes in or vegie bags, frozen

vegetable bags etc at Woolworths near trolley entrance. You can also pick up good

vegetable boxes to put your shopping in - save you paying for bags

Interstate up coming events

All British Day at Echunga South Australia Sunday 10th February 2019 see details on

website www.allbritishday.com for details - this is a magnificent day you will not be

bored lots to see including stationary engines, food galore and plenty of parking -

guarantee your feet will hurt by the end of the day.

National Motoring Festival Albury/Wodonga 28/3/20 to 3/4/2020 - event open to

Veteran, Vintage and Historic vehicles more than 25 years old—cars, caravans,

Motorcycles and Commercial vehicles check out website ahmf.org.au/2020tour

Back to the Track 2020 details to be advised by Douglas Draeger

Editors Page

Good Meeting at our temporary meeting room very cosy as our normal meeting room was taken with visitors for the Masters Games. Excellent weather for the Masters Games, plenty of athlete’s and lots of fun -excellent economy for Alice Springs. Pedder’s open day - many thanks to Russ Driver, Cole Jarrett, Neville and

Megan Hennes, Allan Campbell and Aileen Kennedy for displaying their

vehicles to promote Mecca. Interesting display featuring new and modern techniques to diagnose modern vehicles and parts for vehicles enhancing protection for your motor for reliable service. I would recommend getting a comprehensive vehicle check at 8 Kid-man St Alice Springs for peace of mind. Excellent display many thanks to all. That’s all from me this month - see you all on 11/11/18 at our next meeting and don’t forget Chris Kringle present before Christmas lunch. And then we go on holidays until February 19.