Illawarra Chapter News

Illawarra Passionate Christmas 2024

16 December 2024 / Words: Senia Gaunson | Photos: Brigid McCarthy and Bryan Shedden

The heat was on at Passionate Palate for Illawarra's 2024 Christmas bash....

MX-5 NA Register Run

21 November 2024 / Story & Photos by Louis Serret

The NA generation MX-5 started it all for us, manufactured by Mazda from 1989 to 1997. The Club has had a Historic Register for a number of years with almost 60 cars currently on historic or classic registration. This run was aimed to bring out as many NAs as we could, and by the turn out we succeeded!

Yet another year draws to a close come join your MX-5 friend to share a Christmas Lunch.

Book now for your Chapter Christmas Party

09 November 2024 / Words by Bryan Shedden

The silly season is almost upon us, which means it's time to get your booking in for your Chapter Christmas Party and Awards Presentation.

2024 Annual General Meeting

06 November 2024 / Story by Ian Combes, Photos by Rob Wilko & Senia Gaunson

The 2024 AGM of the Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW was held at the Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club on Friday 25 October. It was a fabulous evening, attended by 60 members in person, with a delicious canape dinner and lots of awards presented. Read on for a recap of the evening.

2024 Presidents Picnic

27 October 2024 / Ian Combes

Report on the 2024 Presidents Picnic

photo by Rob Wilko

Steampunk Victoriana Fair

24 October 2024 / Story by Bryan Shedden (& ChatGPT), Photos by Zan Dimovski, Rob Wilko

What on earth is Steampunk all about? That was the question on everyone's lips.

2025 Mazda MX-5 35th Anniversary revealed

22 October 2024 / drive.com.au

Mazda is blowing out the candles on another birthday special-edition MX-5, this time a beige-over-red colourway to celebrate 35 years. Rumour has it that Blue Mountains Mazda have taken an order from at least one of our Club members!

Natmeet XVI 2026 Save the Date

21 October 2024

Natmeet XVI 2026 in the Hunter Valley NSW Save the Date notice Follow the Event notice for the latest updates.

Twenty Twenty TAFE Restaurant

08 October 2024 / Senia Gaunson

There were people at this event, but I didn't see them, the food was the star!

Big Budderoo Loop

24 August 2024 / Story by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Ann Hicks, Rob Wilko, Bryan Shedden

The temptation of sampling the Illawarra's best chicken schnitty at Albion Park Pub was enough to draw a crowd for a fantastic drive, looping around Budderoo National Park and ending up back where we started.

Eling Forest Winery

21 August 2024 / Story: Chrissie Zaremba Photos: Senia Gaunson

A mid-week run to a winery awaits! Eling Forest Winery, Sutton Forest. Fabulous drive and a beautiful destination.

Women Behind the Wheel

17 August 2024 / Story: Zan Dimovski and Senia Gaunson Photos: Ann Hicks, Zan Dimovski and Senia Gaunson

The Women Behind the Wheel concept was Honie Boyd’s brainchild, with the first one organised by Brigid McCarthy, High Tea in Kiama in 2023.   This was the second event, with Illawarra, South Coast and RPM joining in at Peppers, Sutton Forest and Hunter with a run to the Chocolate Factory at Pokolbin on the same day.

Brass Monkey 2024

14 July 2024 / Words: Zan Dimovski Photos: Zan Dimovski and Phil Betts

Did you chase the Brass Monkey? Zan and Phil did for the first time and this is what they thought.

A Carwash Story

25 June 2024 / Words: Jeff Rowe

Sick of a dirty car? Try this!

Planting Bee with Chrissie and John

25 May 2024

Chrissie and John Zaremba moved into their home in Thirroul a few months ago and were struck by the April 6 floods. Their cars and garden were decimated!

Pedro's Run to the Border

23 May 2024 / Words: Jeff Rowe and Jan Gibson Photos: Senia Gaunson and Ann Hicks

Did Pedro take us across the border into Mexico? ‘Not Quite’.

22 April 2024 - photo by Bryan Shedden

CareFlight Charity Donation

04 May 2024 / Story and Photos by Joe Kovacic and Bryan Shedden

A small group of Committee members were invited to the CareFlight base at Westmead Hospital to meet the crew and inspect the new Airbus H145 helicopter. We presented CareFlight with our Club's donation from fundraising over the last six months.

Cars and Coffee in the Southern Highlands

30 April 2024 / Senia Gaunson

An early start, but definitely worth it for the Cars and the Coffee!

Natmeet 2024 Report

25 April 2024 / Ian Combes

Summary of 2024 Toowoomba Natmeet

One thing we can’t control – ‘The Weather’

08 April 2024 / Words: Jeff Rowe

A case of 'Not The Nine O'clock News!' OR "How the 'End of Daylight Saving Run' ended.