Club run. 14th June 2009 - Coochin Coochin historical homestead.

 Although the majority of Queenslander’s feel they live in the best place in Australia, I think the club run on Sunday morning confirmed this fact. Leaving the Gold Coast at 7.30am, we headed North on the M1 in bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Admittedly it was rather chilli to start with, but as the sun rose we enjoyed the pleasure of driving a Morgan on a perfect sunny winter’s morning. 

Meeting up with the rest of our club group at Blacksoil, (west of Ipswich) we enjoyed a warming coffee before heading of on our run.

Heading west from Blacksoil, we then turned south through Walloon and skirting Amberley, driving through pleasant open countryside to Boonah, from here it was only a short run to our destination, Coochin Coochin Homestead.  

The name Coochin Coochin comes from the local indigenous dialect which means “Black Swan”. The homestead was first built in 1843 ten Klms away and then moved to it’s present location in 1871. When one considers this was done by Bullock and Dray, it was quite a project to undertake. The original building is made of locally cut Cedar, and this can be seen in the main building of the homestead. The Bell family purchased the property in 1882 and the present owner is the great grandson of James bell the original owners. As time went by the family gradually increased the size of the homestead by adding additional buildings, until today there is approx 100squares of home. 

The property is still a working property, but over the years parts have been sold off and to day there is approx 850 acres left from the original 450,000 acres.  

Over the years there have been many distinguished guests visit Coochin Coochin. The Prince of Wales 1920, Agatha Christie 1922, Sir Lauwrence Olivier and Vivian leigh 1948, HRH the Queen Mother 1958, and Sir Joe Bjelke-Petersen 1992. These are only a few of the many distinguished guests that have stayed here, and each of these guests has planted a tree in the grounds. Walking around the grounds it is very easy to imagine how  much this wonderful old homestead has featured in Queensland’s history. 

After enjoying a very pleasant morning tea, and a most informative talk by Jane Bell on the history of the property, we headed back to Boonah and northward to the quiet country town of Roadvale. Here we enjoyed country cooking at the Roadvale pub together with good conversation and a drink or two. After lunch we said our farewell’s and enjoyed a pleasant drive back to the Coast via Beaudesert and Canungra. 

I would like to thank Joe and Bev Wilson for organising a very pleasant day out in the country, and those member’s who participated in a great club run. 

Safe Morganeering. 

Gerald Snelling. V/P MOCA/Qld.

Club run 8th March 2009

After a week of rain and inclement weather, Marcel and I made an early start on our journey to meet other MOCA/Qld club members for the clubs March run. Leaving home a little after seven with the top down, we enjoyed a beautiful cool morning in bright sunshine on our run North to our meeting point. It took a little over two hours to get to our meeting place and although it was necessary to travel on main roads, it was a great start to the day.

The meeting place was a small historic township called Woodford. This is located thirty Klm west of Caboolture on the D’Aguilar Highway, North of Brisbane. When we arrive several of the other members were already there enjoying a coffee or other refreshments. Barry and Heather, together with  Ralph and Wanda had organized today’s run, and so they gave us a brief rundown on our mornings journey through the beautiful countryside before departing.

After leaving Woodford, we drove west on the D’Aguilar Highway before turning right onto the Kilcoy-Beerwah road and then joining the Maleny-Staney river road. Our journey then took us through some of the most pleasant countryside in the Sunshine Coast hinterland area, passing through the townships of Bellthorpe and Reesville. We drove on through Maleny and onto Montville and finally to Flaxton for lunch.

Our lunch stop today was a restaurant well known to most of our members and also some Sydney member, who may remember it from their trip to Qld, “La Relais Bressan”. We were warmly greeted by our host Thierry Clerc, who had kept an area for our Morgan’s to park. As usual, the food was excellent and the company the same. Our host Thierry has now accumulated quite a collection of interesting vehicles, there is mainly a European theme but most importantly Thierry is now the proud owner of a 1974 Morgan 4/4

The collection includes, 1921 Citroen Cloverleaf, 1953 Citroen Traction, 1958 Renault Daphine, 1961 Renault Floride, 1974 Citroen DS Balas, 1976 Ferrari Dino 308GT4 and a 1988 Citroen 2CV.

Part of the front of the building has been converted to display all of the cars, and has  become another attraction in its own right in that part of the Sunshine Coast.

Another very pleasant club run with thirteen cars in all. As we had a fairly long drive home we said our goodbyes and headed off to do battle with the Sunday afternoon traffic heading south to Brisbane on the M1 motorway. 

Safe Morganeering. 

Gerald Snelling. V-P Qld. 

Hot Chilli Run 18^th January 2009

We have a number of new members so decided to once again hold the Hot Chilli Run at Mt Mee, even though many of us have been there twice over the last three years.  

The morning of the 13th Hot Chilli Run dawned auspiciously -- light cloud 25°C -- but not so auspiciously because the @#*@#* possums in Cornubia had eaten the whole crop or chillies!  So for the first time in all these years -- no chillies (we found out later that Fred too had none). 

 A pleasant run through an unnaturally quiet Brisbane's CBD took us to the appointed meeting place in Samford Village where a rainbow cavalcade of Morgans soon assembled.  No three wheelers this year, but diverse +4, 4/4 +8  and V6 cars assembled in both two and four seater forms.  Only mishap (if you can call it that) was that Vernon's suss battery dictated a downhill start. After many "Happy New Years" all 14 MOGs (from the South) and an itinerant MG set off on one of the most pleasant drives in south-east Queensland; up to Mount Mee through Dayboro and past Ocean View. The road was clear (apart from an ageing Holden) and we indulged ourselves on the uphill bends clearly designed for Morgan's capabilities. 

Mt Mee Forest Park is beautifully situated at the top of the ridge with many cool breezes and light cloud work welcoming us to the Gantry. The Gantry Park is a State Forest Park with good facilities.  The Park is a great venue in mid summer as, being high up in the mountains, it is usually nice and cool.  It also has plenty of room for parking, shady trees, toilets, tables/bench seats, BBQ’s and best of all, at the end of a narrow winding mountain road.  Good Morgan territory.

First there were Fred and Jenny sitting benignly looking on as we all drove in. Those arriving from the North met us in the park. The total attendance was 18 Morgans, covering all the years between 1951 and 2007 even a hardtop of recent vintage. All 18 Morgans attracted a lot of attention from other visitors to the park.

Three other cars attended with our group (an MGB GT, VW Jetta and a beautifully (hand) built, aluminum bodied, three wheeler based on a Citroen 2CV mechanicals.  The Citroen engine/gearbox, front suspension etc. was straight out of a 2CV, the single rear wheel was one side of a 2CV rear wheel assembly.  It even had a large boot!  Peter, the owner of the Citroen based 3-wheeler also has a Series 1 Morgan under restoration. 

We didn’t get all the number plates, but a large selection shows the obvious MOG influence.  Those attending in no particular order were: MOG81, 06 MOG, MORGN1, OZZ221, NSR444, 430HRM, MOG, MOG69,  05MOG, 75MOG, 90MOG, EDS02, 44MOG, 00MOG, 858LHC, 792FIK with supernumerary 805CII (MG) and PGO00 (three wheeler). 

Although smoke and fire in the picture showed the BBQ was ready for those who like to cook, most just mixed the smoke with their cold lunches. 

With much talk about Morgans, the gathering contributed to a delightful day. 

 The Hot Chilli Run has a bit of history attached to it.....

 The name, ‘Hot Chilli’ came about from Michael’s previous experiences in Scotland. 

The run grew out of a tradition where Michael, in more northerly climes, joined with others taking a drive in an open top car on 1st January, snow hail or rain.  At first in MGs thereafter in MOG 81 (although it wasn't called that then!) sometimes with chains on the wheels.  Because temperatures were usually on the wrong side of freezing the run was called the ‘Chilly Willy Run’ with awards of Willy warmers to those who participated. 

The first Hot Chilli Run was on 01 January 1996 and was attended by two of our current members, Michael Moore and Fred Birkbeck (accompanied by wives Alice and Jeanette).  The run came about by instigation from Michael over a few contact emails.  At the time both Fred & Michael were unaware of other Morgan Owners in Queensland so no other Morgan contacts were sought.

The first Hot Chilli run was to Binna Burra.  Although mid-summer, it was wet, raining heavily and cold (it was the start of that year’s summer monsoon rains) so the four, wet, enthusiasts scrambled into a dry Restaurant and indulged in hot soup.  A great day was had talking Morgans and past experiences. 

The participants decided that a more appropriate name for a new run was needed. Agreement that in the warmer climes of Queensland ‘Chilly Willy’ was not appropriate.   So, notwithstanding the rain, the best term would include 'hot' and, because of a ready supply of chillies (from Fred's garden - brought along for garneshing lunch), that the word chill(y)i would still remain appropriate.

And there you have it - the genesis of the Hot Chilli Run. 

We have now had 13 consecutive Hot Chilli runs.  May the tradition continue. 

Michael Moore and Fred Birkbeck 

It seems to be something every body is saying at the moment, “where has this year gone”. On Sunday the 14^th December MOCA-Qld held its annual Christmas lunch.  

This year, we were again invited back to the Royal Queensland Yacht Club, at Manly. This is a wonderful venue due mainly to the location right on the foreshore at Manly, and it also has a large grassed area for us to display our Morgan’s. Following a week of mixed weather, Sunday dawned with bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Great we thought but soon found out just how hot it was going to get, you guessed it 30c plus. 

We had a pleasant but rather warm run from the Gold Coast, taking the back country route rather than sit on the motorway with all the heavy traffic. Unfortunately our friends from the Sunshine Coast did not have the same option. There were two Morgan’s that experienced some overheating problems, but nothing that could not be sorted out.  

When every one had arrived there were sixteen Morgan’s lined up in front of the Yacht Club on the lawn, a great sight in a great setting. The sight of the Morgan’s lined up brought plenty of attention from members and visitors to the club that day, 

As we were located on the water front, a nice fresh breeze coming off the water kept the temperature to a comfortable level, which enabled everyone to enjoy their lunch without getting to hot. I think a good supply of drinks from the bar also had something to do with it as well. 

Once again Peter Andrews did a magnificent job organising this years Christmas lunch. In addition to organising the lunch, Peter arranged for every member who attended, to bring a gift for a child under the age of twelve, these were then taken by Peter to the Brisbane Children’s Hospital, for distribution to children in hospital on Christmas morning by the staff.  

Another calendar year is coming to a close, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all MOCA/Qld members for their support and assistance with organising events and runs over the last year. Trusting every one had a great festive season, safe Morganeering in 2009.