Canberra Chapter Christmas Lunch and Presentations

14 December 2022 / Words and photos: Rod & Maryanne Nicholas

A change in venue to the Ainslie Football and Social Club may have been the impetus for a surge in attendance at our Christmas Lunch this year. Or it may have been the warm sunny day. Or even the chance to catch up, again, with friends (new and old). Whatever, 52 of us had a ball! 

The company, the food, the entertainment, the excitement! 

Kicking off proceedings, Convenor Rod Nicholas welcomed those present and said the turnout represented about a third of our Chapter's membership, which was growing and was one of the largest Chapters in the Club. He exhorted members present to take up the challenge to convince any MX-5 owner/driver they meet to become a member of the club, because he more, the merrier (obviously). With some possibly unreliable sources suggesting there were several hundred MX-5s in our city environs that were not in some way associated with the Club, Rod said there was plenty of opportunity to rope in the stragglers and boost our membership!

On the subject of membership, congratulations go to the following members who this year achieved a milestone with their love of MX-5s and membership of our Club:

20 years

•       Paul and Margaret Beerworth
•       Dave Bolton
•       John and Jan Broughton

15 years

•       Norm and Roz Barker
•       Phil Long
•       Dennis and Jill Wicklander

10 years

•       Barry Matson

5 years

•       John Chapuis 
•       Denis Hackney 
•       Peter MacDonald 
•       Jon Millard 
•       Jeffory Mitchell 
•       Nick Satsia 
•       Josh Zwar 

Tenureship badges were ceremoniously handed out to those who were present for the lunch.

Rod offered a brief recap of the 2022 year, noting that we had scheduled 43 events and actually held 39, the cancellations occurring this year due to rotten weather and rotten roads. There were still another two events planned – a run to the coast next Thursday and a small show ‘n’ shine on 18 December.

We have had 667 attendees at our events – clearly, we don’t have that many members, but information provided by our membership secretary shows that some 57% of our chapter members were involved in an event at some stage in the year. That compares favourably with other chapters, but a way behind the ‘top performer’ (South Coast) with their 69%. We had 26 visitors from other chapters attend our events, mostly from the South Coast.

Our events have been a mix of social events and runs – the social events chiefly being Coffee & Lies (which wrapped up beautifully last Saturday with 37 attendees – our biggest turnout for the year).

Planning and holding so many events doesn’t happen by wiggling the nose or clicking the finger. There is a good deal of effort involved in conjuring an event, especially a run, and even more if it is a multi-day run. That they work out so well is a credit to the planners, organisers and leaders, and a testament to their interest in having a good time in their cars and with their friends.

With that in mind, a few people were singled out for particular thanks.

Firstly, our most recent convenors, Peter and Annemie Wilson, who steered us through the first eight months of the year.

Thanks also go to our event/run leaders:

•       Norm Barker
•       Bob Judd & Bricet Kloren
•       Steve & Cecelia Wakeling
•       Mike Lawless & Jo Blackburn
•       James & Giulia Schiemer
•       John Chapuis
•       Ken Keeling, and
•       Rod Nicholas (who holds the distinction of having planned three of the four cancelled runs).

Thanks were also due to those who have taken on ‘administrative’ roles in the Chapter like regalia coordinator, runs committee members and website and social media coordinator. Help from these members significantly reduces the strain on the convenor and the stress they inevitably face. 

Rod noted that when he and Maryanne took on the Convenor’s mantle from late August, we also saw a change in the guard with most of those ‘administrative’ roles, but delightfully it proved fairly easy to coax, cajole, threaten and bribe members into the jobs. Thanks go to all. 

After a delicious entrée and main course, and much chatting, Rod rose once again to discuss the much anticipated Member of the Year awards. He outlined the way in which theses were awarded, with points as members participated in our events, depending on the level of involvement (further details are on the website). All this is tallied by the membership secretary in Sydney based on information we supply.

This year’s award recipients are:

Member of the Year

•       Mike Lawless & Joanne Blackburn

New Member of the Year

•       Adrian Meijer

Motorsport Member of the Year

•       Stewart Grigg

Clapping, cheering and stomping of feet ensued as Mike and Jo were handed the perpetual trophy and individual trophies commemorating their achievement.

Members of the Year Mike Lawless & Jo Blackburn with Convenors Maryanne & Rod Nicholas

Adrian was almost speechless and thoroughly delighted. He voiced surprise that you could be rewarded for ‘just doing something you enjoy’. 

New Member of the Year - Adrian & Monique Meijer

Raffle draws filled in the time before our dessert, and many members went home with a little extra to remind themselves of a great day. The final draw had everyone standing and upturning their chairs to find the special symbol marking the final prize. 

The Lunch pretty much wrapped up a full year, that saw many members out and about in their fun machines. Hopes are high, and fingers crossed for another great year in 2023! 

Special thanks go to the staff at the Ainslie Football & Social Club who did a great job with presenting the room, service throughout the day and the meal.