Illawarra MX-5 Christmas Party 2019
16 December 2019
All the photos click here
Illawarra Member of the Year – Jan Gibson
It was a warm and smokey day in paradise. Here it is, 10 days before Christmas (we missed 12 Days of Christmas by that…………..much). Out of the east came, not 3 Wise Men (probably pushing it to get three that would agree), but a gathering of MX-5ers at the Australian Motorlife Museum, Kembla Grange in answer to a call to Come All Ye Faithful!!!
The lords a leaping and maids a milking were there, all dressed in red and not a Dragons supporter to be seen. Oh Joy to the World!!!It Came Upon a Midnight Clear that Santa Clause was Coming to Town.
Ding Dong Merrily on High and the festivities began – the Illawarra Chapter was having its Christmas Party. In accordance with Christmas tradition, there was no room at the inn, as it was booked out. There was an option of a stable full of cars next door, some of which were replacing the donkey of old and giving rides in something not dissimilar to a one horse open sleigh, in the traditional Jingle Bells style.
The inn was filled by a noisy friendly mob and there was no way that a Silent Night was about to happen or the Merry Gentlemen about to Rest.
Good King Wenceslas (also known as Jeff) looked out over the feast shouting Do You Hear What I Hear into a microphone. Took a Carol of the Bells to quieten the mob to enable Jeff to conduct the official proceedings.
Agh!! My co-contributor has just popped in. “What are you doing? I should remind you that you are to just record the official proceedings and photograph those proceedings!”
But Jan, that would be boring and limits the photographs – “There are also Adele & Brendan photographing and others will also submit photos so we don’t want a lot from you.”
Humpf – what about:
- 70 people attended – get on with it!
- There was a raffle - yes, yes, prizes donated but you can do better.
- Raised $530 for Careflight – yes that was an excellent effort.
- We acknowledge the run coordinators for the year – was well done by them
- The Museum people did an excellent job catering – yes and I noticed that you went back for seconds!
- Should we refer to photos to the Police in case there are any cold driving cases to be resolved? - Do want to get invited back?
- Tenure Badges were awarded – yes but someone else will acknowledge the recipients.
- What about the trivia that was entertaining – were you the fool that called out Bingo!!
You forgot something. ... What? Oh yes!
- Jeff & Pam were thanked for the work as Co-Convenors.
Yes they are excellent Co-Convenors, but not that!
Illawarra Motorsport Member of the Year – Michael Tarrant (on right)
- Our Club President, Keith Monaghan gave a speech and wished us all a Merry Christmas and safe New Year.
Illawarra New Member of the Year – Bill Short (on right)
Yes, but again not that. This is going to be painful. I should say what is missing as it will be quicker and easier.
The major Chapter awards for 2019 were:
- Illawarra Member of the Year – Jan Gibson
- Illawarra New Member of the Year – Bill Short
- Illawarra Motorsport Member of the Year – Michael Tarrant
Congratulations to all three and keep doing what you are doing!
This was supposed to be a brief report. You’d better finish it - and make it brief.
And so it came to pass that the Angels from the Realms of Glory had themselves a Merry Little Christmas.
Thank you to Pam & Jeff Rowe for your personal support and encouragement over the last year & to your team for organising the event.
Feliz Navidad from Round John Virgin, Mother and ….well, best not talk about the child or was it a very happy photo bombing Elf wearing a green hat.
Peace be with you and may your tribe increase in number.
Addendum by Brendan Barr
How many people donate their time to organise our chapter? This spreadsheet list below shows the amazing dedication of members in 'getting things done.' Of course this is all made possible through the tireless efforts of our Illawarra coordinators Jeff & Pam Rowe!
| NAME | DATE | STORY AND PHOTOS ETC. YEAR 1ST NOVEMBER 2018 TO 31ST OCTOBER 2019 |
| Heather Sedman | Mar. 2019 | Go Karts-Picton-Photos |
| Brendan Barr | Mar. 2019 | Shoalhaven River Cruise-Morning Tea-Photos |
| May. 2019 | Valleys and Vines Run-Story and Photos | |
| June. 2019 | Marks Meander to Mogo Zoo Weekend-Photos | |
| Aug. 2019 | Detective for a Day-Story and Photos | |
| Jan Gibson | Feb.2019 | Rangers Twisters Run-Photos |
| Mar. 2019 | Go Karts-Picton-Story | |
| May. 2019 | Ten Pin Bowling-Photos | |
| Jul. 2019 | Loaded Dog Hotel Tarago (Lunch)-Story | |
| Aug. 2019 | Ten Pin Bowling and Lunch-Photos | |
| Sept.2019 | Tulip Time-Bowral-Story and Photos | |
| Byran Shedden | Jan. 2019 | Kangaroo Valley Twilight Run-Photos |
| Jan. 2019 | Australia Day Run-Story | |
| John MacIntosh | Nov. 2018 | Southern Sights Run -Story |
| John Zaremba | Nov. 2018 | Southern Sights Run-Photos |
| John and Chrissie Zaremba | Feb.2019 | 30th Anniversary Release MX-5 Run-Photos |
| Senia Gauson | Dec. 2018 | Christmas Party 2018-Photos |
| July. 2019 | Christmas in July-Photos | |
| Wesley Hill | Dec. 2018 | Christmas Party 2018-Story |
| Bob Downing | Jan. 2019 | Kangaroo Valley Twilight Run-Photos |
| Jeff and Pam Rowe | Aug. 2019 | Go Karts-Picton-Story and Photos |
| Aug. 2019 | Ten Pin Bowling and Lunch-Story | |
| Sept.2019 | Wollongong Mazda Sponsorship-Story and Photos | |
| Sept.2019 | Illawarra Chapter Day at the President's Picnic 2019-Story | |
| Jill Feutrill | Feb.2019 | 30th Anniversary Release MX-5 Run-Story |
| Jun. 2019 | Marks Meander to Mogo Zoo Weekend-Photos | |
| Tony and Jenny Heathwood | Feb.2019 | Daylight Saving Run-Story and Photos |
| May-19 | Valleys and Vines Run-Photos | |
| Kim Ranger | Feb.2019 | Rangers Twisters Run-Story |
| Trevor and Mary Gillett | March. 2019 | Shoalhaven River Cruise-Morning Tea-Story |
| Jennifer Keenahan | Apr. 2019 | Convenors Picnic-Story |
| Bill Short | Apr. 2019 | Convenors Picnic-Photos |
| July. 2019 | Loaded Dog Hotel Tarago (Lunch)-Photos | |
| July. 2019 | Christmas in July-Photos | |
| Aug. 2019 | Ten Pin Bowling and Lunch-Photos | |
| Mark and Hella Underwood | May. 2019 | Ten Pin Bowling-Story and Photos |
| Robert and Robyn Simms | June. 2019 | Common Ground Bakery/Café Run-Story and Photos |
| Garry Williams | Oct. 2019 | The Amazing Chase to Braidwood-Story and Photos |
| Adele Weatherall | Oct. 2019 | Day out for an Award Winning Seafood Lunch-Story and Photos |
| Lena Hill | Oct. 2019 | Day out for an Award Winning Seafood Lunch-Photos |
| Peter Feutrill | Nov. 2018 | Helped Plan Runs/Events for 2019 |
| Jan Gibson | Nov. 2019 | Help Plan Runs/Events for 2019 |
| Apr. 2019 | Helped Organise the Convenors Picnic | |
| Wally Wojewski and Pat Porceddu | Apr.2019 | Convenors Picnic-Helpers |
| Heather and David Sedman | Nov. 2018 | Heather made Flow Chart on Computer |
| Apr. 2019 | Convenors Picnic-Helpers | |
| Greg Tunks | Yr. 2018-2019 | Helping with Phil Reid Order/Report Regalia on Computer |
