Illawarra Chapter News : MX-5 Club of NSW

Rate the Plate

13 December 2016 / Story by Mel Keller; Photos by Rob Wilkins, Helen Green, Grant Webber, Paige Wilson, Alexandra Breitsameter

When our young drivers appear in the media, it is too often the result of tragedy. The headlines are full of hooning, drink driving, texting P-platers who are a danger to themselves and others. With no good news stories to provide some balance, it is a far too easy to form a negative impression of all young drivers. Club Torque caught up with two of our young MX-5 drivers to discuss the issues and challenges they face. In doing so, we found the good news story. They are capable, thoughtful and dedicated to developing their skills. Like the majority of young drivers, they are just trying to get from A to B. They are successfully undertaking a complex task in an ever changing environment. They are exactly like you and me. Only younger.

Shoalhaven Explorer Run

02 December 2016 / Words by Andrew Gray, Photos by Julie Farquhar, Adele Weatherall & Andrew Gray

The Illawarra crew enjoyed a picnic at the new landscaped BBQ area at Greenwell Point, via some well-known but twisty fast roads with superb views over Kiama and a visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum along the way.

NatMeet XIII SA 2018

01 December 2016 / Words by Hans Oldenhove, Chairman NATMEET XIII

Read on for a letter from Hans Oldenhove outlining the current position of registrations and numbers available for NatMeet in 2018.

Membership Portal Issue Resolved

23 November 2016 / Bryan Shedden

Have you been having trouble renewing your membership this month? You're not alone! All links have now been fixed and the security certificate issue is resolved.

High Tea Mystery

09 November 2016 / Words: Julie Farquhar. Pictures: Julie Farquhar & Brendan Barr

Top secrecy surrounded the planned adventure to a high tea. Our meeting point at the end of a royal driveway had some participants dreaming of James Bond leaping from an E-Type Jag to serve some shaken but not stirred English Breakfast Tea. Would our dreams come true?

Life Members - Pam and Ray Estreich. Awarded at the 2016 AGM on 21 October 2016.

New Life Members - Pam & Ray Estreich

28 October 2016 / Words by Bryan Shedden, Photo by Mel Keller

Congratulations to our newest Life Members - Pam and Ray Estreich.

Annual General Meeting & Awards Presentation

28 October 2016 / Words by Bryan Shedden, Photos by Mel Keller

The AGM of the MX-5 Club of NSW was held on Friday 21 October 2016 at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club. Read on for all the reports, new Committee members, and awards recipients. There was a BIG SURPRISE in store with the awarding a two Life Memberships!

Signing the One Millionth MX-5 in Philadelphia USA

MX-5 Fan Fest

04 October 2016 / Mazda Australia

Mazda Australia are hosting an MX-5 Fan Fest on 21 January 2017 at Sandown Raceway in Victoria. The one-millionth MX-5 is doing a tour of the world and it will be in Melbourne in January for this event. You will have the chance to sign the car and be part of history! Register your Expression of Interest now!

Central Coast Mazda becomes new Major Sponsor

04 October 2016 / Glenn Thomas

We are pleased to announce that Central Coast Mazda has joined us as a new Major Sponsor of the MX-5 Club of NSW. The sponsorship funds received from Central Coast Mazda will be put towards the production for our Club Torque magazine.

President's Picnic 2016

28 September 2016 / Words by Michael Soulos, Photos by Mel Keller, Rob Wilkins, Grant Webber, Helen Green

Another successful President's Picnic was held at Ebenezer Church on Saturday 24th September 2016. About 120 MX-5s lined up on the grass and they all looked stunning on a warm spring day with clear blue skies overhead. We fed lunch to over 200 people and the opportunity was taken to present CareFlight with over $4000 in donations. What a day!

MX-5 Fan Fest in Melbourne

20 September 2016 / Mazda Australia

Mazda Australia are hosting an MX-5 Fan Fest on 21 January 2017 at Sandown Raceway in Victoria. The one-millionth MX-5 is doing a tour of the world and it will be in Melbourne in January for this event. You will have the chance to sign the car and be part of history!

Illawarra Chapter Karting Practice

18 September 2016 / Story and photos: Brendan Barr. Video: Geoff Pollard

a final race to decide the representatives destined to sweep all contenders aside in the upcoming annual Interchapter Jinba Ittai Karting Challenge.....

Go West - NotMeet

28 August 2016 / MX-5 Club of Western Australia

NatMeet in WA is not a viable option, but why not join a less formal "NotMeet"? The MX-5 Club of WA has developed a brochure that outlines five modules that take you through most of the south west of the WA. The West is waiting for you!

Twice In One Day

21 August 2016 / Words Ken Tuckey; Photos Tony Heathwood

If you are too old to imagine a 'Twice In One Day,' scenario, here is how to accomplish it ....

Illawarra Christmas in July Run 2016 - photo by Bryan Shedden

Illawarra's Christmas in July Run

03 August 2016 / Words & Photos by Bryan Shedden

The plan for Illawarra Chapter's Christmas in July was that we'd drive to Grazing at Gundaroo for lunch with the Canberra Chapter and help them celebrate their 20th Anniversary. So just a simple 2.5hr run down the Hume Highway, right? Not a chance! We're in MX-5s and only the best driving roads will do us.