Illawarra Annual Meeting - October 2023

electric mx5
electric mx5 electric mx52 phil 80 phil 802

12 October 2023 / Senia Gaunson Photos: Phil Belcher and others

ILLAWARRA CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING 5TH OCTOBER 2023

 

Illawarra Chapter held their Annual Meeting on Thursday 5th October 2023 at Figtree Bowling Club.  41 Members and 2 guests joined in a busy night.   

We were privileged to have Walter Cola and his wife, Cornelia, join us to showcase his MX-5 NB electric conversion.  Walter is an electrical engineer who took on the challenge of converting his MX-5 to a fully electric vehicle in 2008, the same year the Tesla car was launched by Elon Musk.  Walter has taken his little car through a number of changes in the last 15 years, including upgrading the batteries to the current, lighter, although more flammable, lithium-ion batteries.  The meeting was most impressed with the technology. 

Following Walter’s “show and tell” tech-talk, we convened our Chapter Annual meeting, where the following were elected uncontested:

Senia Gaunson and Ann Hicks as Illawarra Chapter joint Convenors / Run Co-Ordinators

Franchesca Fenn as Illawarra Chapter Regalia Officer

Brendan Barr as Illawarra Chapter Webmaster

Bryan Shedden as Illawarra Chapter Motorsport Rep

 

We are most grateful to Lena Hill as our outgoing Run Co-ordinator.  Lena has carried out this position with enthusiasm and great commitment for the past two years and while she couldn’t commit for the coming year, we look forward to Lena and Wes organising and leading some fun runs next year.

Our regular meeting ended with Cake and Birthday wishes!  Our long term Mazdas in the Mist leader and regular Motorsport volunteer, Phil Reid turned 80!  We shared a cake, some laughs and off tune rendition (me) of Happy Birthday and presented Phil with a small cup cake with a candle to blow out, followed by a giant (red and white of course) birthday cake, including a cut out of a black MX-5 NC made for him by our outgoing Co-Convenor, Bob Gaunson.

Our 2024 calendar is starting to take shape, we look forward to lots of fabulous drives and social events in our great little cars, hope to see some of our “silent” members come join us next year.

 

Sincerely 

Senia Gaunson