Canberra Chapter News : MX-5 Club of NSW

NatMeet - Concours at Josef Chromy Winery

13 March 2016 / Words by Craig Morrison, Photos by Peter Hilkmann, Grant Webber, Josh Fitzgerald & Tom Wilde.

Under threatening skies, the first day of NatMeet XII kicked off with a brisk top-down drive from Launceston Country Club through lively, twisting roads to the picturesque grounds of the Josef Chromy Winery - our venue for Concours d'Elegance, Show & Shine and a superb lunch.

On the marshalling grid at Baskerville - photo by Josh Fitzgerald

NatMeet - Baskerville track day

13 March 2016 / Words by Phil Donnelley, Photos by Grant Webber & Josh Fitzgerald

The 2016 NatMeet in Launceston was a very special week of activities for everyone. However, at the top of my list was the track day at Baskerville, just north of Hobart. It is pure MX-5 heaven! Valentines Day was a perfect date to fall in love with this place after the straight-line blast at Symmons Plains the day before.

NatMeet - Symmons Plains track day

13 March 2016 / Words by Peter Barnwell, Photos by Grant Webber & Josh Fitzgerald

Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania was the venue for the NatMeet track day on Saturday 13 February. Our club was strongly represented on the day, making up half of the entire field of drivers!

Date change for Tech Day at Spinning Wheel

08 March 2016 / Michael Soulos

The wheel alignment day has been moved to Saturday 2 April 2016. Places are still available for a discounted wheel alignment.

Wear A Silly Hat to Brunch Run

16 February 2016 / BreakFast Club

Change of lunch venue to Nerriga Pub on Sunday 28 February for the "Wear A Silly Hat to Brunch Run".

Five Hills Run

02 February 2016 / Leaders Norm and Roz Barker, Photos Roz Barker

This was the first run for 2016, our annual Five Hills Run, on an overcast but warm day. Good conditions for the tops down on a cruise around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, going up and down five of the hills.

CareFlight Donation Presentation

27 January 2016 / Words by Glenn Thomas, Photos by Bryan Shedden

A donation cheque of $2715 was presented recently to CareFlight by Glenn Thomas (Vice President) and Bryan Shedden (President), on behalf of the MX-5 Club of NSW. Thank you to all members and sponsors who contributed to the various charity fundraising activities held throughout 2015, and made this generous donation possible.

Mazda MX-5 is the 2016 Wheels Car of the Year

22 January 2016 / Wheels magazine

On Wednesday night at a gala ceremony in Melbourne, and followed enthusiastically via social media, the Mazda MX-5 ND was declared as the 2016 Wheels Car of the Year. It is the third win for the popular sports car, with previous generations having won the prestigious award in 1989 and 2005.

2015 - A Year of Membership Records

15 January 2016 / Bryan Shedden

Our 25th Anniversary year broke all records for Club membership. A couple of graphs tell the story.

Bryan Shedden being presented with Honorary Life Membership by Vice President Glenn Thomas on 27 September 2015 at the Club 25th Anniversary celebration

New Life Member - Bryan Shedden

12 January 2016 / Words by Glenn Thomas & Mel Keller, Photo by Mel Keller

To spring a surprise on our famously well-organised President is no mean feat and so the presentation of Bryan’s Honorary Life Membership at the Club’s 25th Anniversary celebration was planned in the deepest secrecy.

ND Day 2.0

29 December 2015 / Story by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Mel Keller

The latest arrival of the 2.0L version provided another opportunity for a launch event for MX-5 Club members and visitors. Sutherland Mazda hosted the event in their brand new showroom at Kirrawee. And I hear that at least a couple NDs were sold on the day!

Bob Judd is 2015 Member of the Year Runner-Up - presented by Tony & Iris McDonald at the Canberra Chapter Christmas Function on 13 December 2015.

Canberra Annual Presentation and Christmas Lunch

29 December 2015 / Tony & Iris McDonald

On Sunday 13th December, 44 members and three guests attended the Chapter’s Annual Presentation and Christmas Lunch function at Grazing at Gundaroo.

2015 Member Of The Year

11 December 2015 / Words by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Bryan Shedden

The winners of our annual Member of the Year awards were presented last weekend, and the runners-up will be presented this weekend. And the winners are ...

Get your Team NSW NatMeet regalia

04 December 2015 / Bryan Shedden

In the fine tradition of our Club’s strong attendance at NatMeet, our Regalia team has designed a special range of "Team NSW" clothing for NatMeet XII in Tasmania.

Soft Tops Online Christmas Special

03 December 2015 / Soft Tops Online

Our Major Sponsor, Soft Tops Online, have wished us all a happy and safe Christmas. They have a small Christmas special on offer that members might be interested in.

Fish And Chips Run – Steampacket Hotel – Nelligen

27 November 2015 / Malcolm Bernhardt

The SteamPacket is your atypical country pub, but their fish and chips lunches had been recommended, and they have an excellent outdoor beer garden.

The Great Gippsland Gallivant

27 November 2015 / Bob Judd and Bricet Klören

On Saturday, 24 October, our gallant band of Gallivanters departed from Hume for nine day, eight night, 2,200 km trip around the Gippsland region of Victoria.

Canberra Chapter Movie and Dinner Outing

27 November 2015 / Bricet Klören

On Friday, 20 November the MX5 Club of NSW - Canberra Chapter Social Committee organised another dinner and movie outing for members and friends.

Lunch in the Hills of Hall

12 November 2015 / Story: Ken Keeling; Photos: Tony McDonald & Ken Keeling

This year our “Gourmet Gallop in Spring” moved to The Hills of Hall with the Vineyard Café at Brindabella Hills Winery the venue.

Marques in the Park

12 November 2015 / Words & Photos: Tony McDonald

Once again, the annual Marques in the Park (MITP) event was held in glorious Canberra early summer weather, with just a few clouds around later in the day to help keep the temperature down.