Club History

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

 

Doug Linklater back in 2009 felt a need to have a local multi-marque club, not to compete with established clubs, but to provide a parochial motoring base for those who no longer wished to travel longer distances in Sydney's traffic.  He then organised with a Director of Cronulla RSL Club to become a sub club of the RSL.  A letter was sent out to interested parties inviting them to the first meeting, which would be held on 20 August 2009 at 7.30 at Cronulla RSL in The Sir Franics Drake Room.  At this time, to become a member of this new car club, you needed to join Cronulla RSL for $15 per annum and then join the newly established car club for $5 per annum.  To ensure that the club could be up and running, the sub club needed to have 20 members.

An article in the Cronulla RSL magazine in September 2009 reporting on the sub club read as follows:

"By the time you read this the Motoring Enthusiasts Group will have held their first meeting. This group has come about through a desire to create a local regional motoring club and a fortuitous meeting with AOC President Peter Scott brought about an offer to have us a sub club.

The aims of the group are to bring together members with a kindred interest in motoring of any form. The prime target is to provide a supportive environment for the waning Classic Vehicle category of vehicles over 30 years of age. But membership is open to anyone with an interest on the basis that it is an enthusiast group and to belong you do not have to own a vehicle.

For the time being we will be meeting in the Sir Francis Drank Room on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm. Big thanks to Peter Scott and Alan Cameron for their help and guidance in setting up the group.

Doug Linklater - Coordinator"

An article in the Cronulla RSL magazine in 2010 reporting on the sub club read as follows:

"MEG is now 12 months old and, by the time you read this, we will have had our first AGM and election of officers. In the 12 months our membership has increased to at least 45 and the enquiries continue to come. It is very pleasing to me as the inaugural president to see the goals we set so hopefully at the start mostly fulfilled. We have provided a much needed regional motoring club with a solid core of enthusiasts who enjoy each others company and who also happen to have some interesting vehicles.  Our range of marques owned cover Goggomobile to Porsche and just about everything in between.

Our biggest news is that we now have our own Website at www.motoringenthusiasts.com.au which will be linked to the Cronulla RSL site and many of the important motoring sites. This has happened due to the initiative of one of our longer term member, John Kinnane who volunteered his experience and time to provide us with the essential communication tool. This will enable Group members and non members alike to view coming events, news, photos and more, so check us out at your leisure. John's effort is representative of so many more of our members who have identified a need and pitched in the make the Group what it has become.

We have now established our identity with windscreen banners and badges just in time for the spring motoring shows. These have been snapped up by the Meggers (as the Group's members have become known) and prominently feature the new Cronulla RSL Logo which will give extended exposure around the region.

RSL members should remember that we are an enthusiasts Group and to get involved you don't even need a vehicle. What you will need is an interest in motoring in general, otherwise we will bore you to tears. From now on, when ever it is possible, thanks to Ron Henson our Publicity Director, we will be having speakers at our meetings who will broaden our motoring horizons and possibly reminisce about pre electronic motoring. We would be pleased to have you come and check us out on the third Thursday of each month at 8.00 pm in the Sir Francis Drake Lounge.

Doug Linklater"

COMMITTEE'S ACROSS THE YEARS

All years to be added

2025 President – John van Voorst, Vice President – Frank Baliotis, Secretary – Keith Cleary, Treasurer – Phil Escott, Event Coordinator – Jenny Adair, Membership Registrar – Keith Cleary, Conditional Registration Registrar – Steve Ioannou, General Committee – John Adair, Alex Koutzoumis, Peter Tsattalios

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

 

JOHN KINNANE TROPHY - CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR

 

This trophy is awarded annually by the President to the MEG member who contributed the most to further the hobby and sport of restoration, display, and use motor vehicles of all ages and has contributed to and participated in club activities, all for the betterment of the Club in the style and tradition of JK.  It is presented in memory of John Kinnane, President of MEG 2017 until he passed away in 2024.

2012 - Peter Cox, 2013 - Ken Tucker, 2014 - Michael Cahill, 2015 - Mark Harty, 2016 - Peter Tsattalios, 2017 - Phil Escott, 2018 - Col Wickens, 2019 - Sanchos Kalcev, 2022 - John van Voorst, 2023 - Peter Tsattalios, 2024 - Steve Garlick, 2025 - Paul and Ramona Kinder

ANNUAL SHOW AND SHINE

Best in Show Award Over 30 Years

 

2013 - Ron Henson - 1978 Mini Van, 2014 - Colin Wickens - 1965 Mustang Coupe, 2015 - Trevor Boyle - Falcon GT, 2016 - Paul Nash - Split Window VW Kombi, 2017 - Kevin & Lois McAndrew - 1973 Porsche 911, 2018 - Trevor Boyle - Falcon GT, 2019 - Ken Miller - 1968 Lotus Elan +2, 2022 - Boyd Symington - 1961 Volvo P1800 Coupe, 2023 - Ian Reeves - 1960 Sunbeam Apline, 2024 - Frank Baliotis - 1981 Morgan Plus 8, 2025 - Howard Prestney - 1970 Datsun 1600

ANNUAL SHOW AND SHINE

Best in Show Award Under 30 Years

 

2011 - Doug Linklater - 1960 Humber SS, 2012 - Ron Henson - 1978 Leyland Minivan, 2013 - Peter Cox - 1995 Mazda MX5, 2014 - Peter Cox - 1995 Mazda MX5, 2015 - Gary Kilgour - Mazda MX5, 2016 - Gary Kilgour - Mazda MX5, 2017 - Rob Green - 2013 Porsche Cayman, 2018 - Rob Green - 2013 Porsche Cayman, 2019 - Ian Marchant - 2008 Porsche Cayman, 2022 - Alex Koutzoumis - 2022 Ford Mustang, 2023 - Rob Green - 2013 Porsche Cayman, 2024 - Kevin McAndrew - 2000 Porsche 911, 2025 - Roger Le Claire - 2013 Mercedes-Benz 350SL

ANNUAL SHOW AND SHINE

People's Choice Award

 

2023 - Frank Baliotis - 1981 Morgan Plus 8, 2024 - Mark Donnelly - 1934 Plymouth, 2025 - Lindsay Patience - 1955 E Type Jaguar OTS