The Morris Car Club (Victoria) Inc. was formed in 1986 for lovers of
Morris vehicles (other than the minor), which was well catered for
locally. Recently the club has expanded its charter to include all
Morris, BMC, Austin and Leyland built vehicles.
The founding members came together after a Major Series 2 owner
(Bevan-Rhys James who later became the inaugural President and first
life member) left his car parked at a British display advertising for
interested parties to form a club by leaving a note on his windscreen
for people to contact him if they were interested. He received a
number of responses and a club was formed.
The first meeting was held at a private home in Malvern on 12th April
1986 with 3 Majors and a 1960 Series 5 Morris Oxford. There were 8
people in attendance, the youngest being 16 years old (and he is still
a member today).
The first run was to Barwon Heads a seaside resort close to Geelong
and at our 20 year Anniversary Run/Lunch we retraced the original run.
During the celebrations one of the founding members Glen Whitbourne
(the 16 year old in 1986) produced from his wallet the original note.
A monthly magazine was to be produced under the title The Bulls Eye
(our magazine is now called The Neutered Bull but we are unsure of why
the change occurred).
After the first meeting the Club then met at the home of Nick Donahue
before moving to the Anchor and Hope Hotel in Richmond, owned by the
car racing legend Lou Molino. A perpetual trophy for the best club
member each year is named after the Molino family.
A fire at the hotel forced a move to the Cross Keys Hotel in Essendon
which again had associations with the Molino family. A change of
ownership and renovations forced a move for a short time to the Pascoe
Vale Hotel, then on to the Pascoe Vale R.S.L. - where we are today.
We are made very welcome and enjoy their hospitality with the
opportunity for our members to enjoy a fine meal before the meeting
and afterwards a drink and an opportunity to mingle freely.
Our feature runs of the year are the RACV Classic Showcase at
Flemington Racecourse (formally the British & European Show), our
own Show n Shine at which trophies are awarded to the Best Morris at
the show, a club member only award and the eagerly sort after memorial
trophy voted for by the Ladies, just to name a few. Every two years we
invite the Morris Register to join us for a display day at Federation
Square, Melbourne’s feature display area which is a wonderful showcase
for our cars and club.
The Victorian registration for classic cars has recently been
liberalised allowing greater use of our cars for pleasure touring of
up to 90 days per year previously we were limited to our monthly club
runs and sanctioned events. Many feared an influx of questionable
vehicles would ensue but our experience is that our increase in new
members and lapsed members rejoining is due to the camaraderie and
assistance with maintenance of our vehicles that we offer.
We are a small but happy and friendly club. Recent years have seen a
big change in membership, our established members are staying
providing stability and younger members with families whose children
will be the future leaders of the club are joining and we are still
attracting those of later years with memories of Morris’.
The Morris Car Club (Victoria) Inc. was formed in 1986 for lovers of
Morris vehicles (other than the minor), which was well catered for
locally. Recently the club has expanded its charter to include all
Morris, BMC, Austin and Leyland built vehicles.
The founding members came together after a Major Series 2 owner
(Bevan-Rhys James who later became the inaugural President and first
life member) left his car parked at a British display advertising for
interested parties to form a club by leaving a note on his windscreen
for people to contact him if they were interested. He received a
number of responses and a club was formed.
The first meeting was held at a private home in Malvern on 12th April
1986 with 3 Majors and a 1960 Series 5 Morris Oxford. There were 8
people in attendance, the youngest being 16 years old (and he is still
a member today).
The first run was to Barwon Heads a seaside resort close to Geelong
and at our 20 year Anniversary Run/Lunch we retraced the original run.
During the celebrations one of the founding members Glen Whitbourne
(the 16 year old in 1986) produced from his wallet the original note.
A monthly magazine was to be produced under the title The Bulls Eye
(our magazine is now called The Neutered Bull but we are unsure of why
the change occurred).
After the first meeting the Club then met at the home of Nick Donahue
before moving to the Anchor and Hope Hotel in Richmond, owned by the
car racing legend Lou Molino. A perpetual trophy for the best club
member each year is named after the Molino family.
A fire at the hotel forced a move to the Cross Keys Hotel in Essendon
which again had associations with the Molino family. A change of
ownership and renovations forced a move for a short time to the Pascoe
Vale Hotel, then on to the Pascoe Vale R.S.L. - where we are today.
We are made very welcome and enjoy their hospitality with the
opportunity for our members to enjoy a fine meal before the meeting
and afterwards a drink and an opportunity to mingle freely.
Our feature runs of the year are the RACV Classic Showcase at
Flemington Racecourse (formally the British & European Show), our
own Show n Shine at which trophies are awarded to the Best Morris at
the show, a club member only award and the eagerly sort after memorial
trophy voted for by the Ladies, just to name a few. Every two years we
invite the Morris Register to join us for a display day at Federation
Square, Melbourne’s feature display area which is a wonderful showcase
for our cars and club.
The Victorian registration for classic cars has recently been
liberalised allowing greater use of our cars for pleasure touring of
up to 90 days per year previously we were limited to our monthly club
runs and sanctioned events. Many feared an influx of questionable
vehicles would ensue but our experience is that our increase in new
members and lapsed members rejoining is due to the camaraderie and
assistance with maintenance of our vehicles that we offer.
We are a small but happy and friendly club. Recent years have seen a
big change in membership, our established members are staying
providing stability and younger members with families whose children
will be the future leaders of the club are joining and we are still
attracting those of later years with memories of Morris’.
The Morris Car Club (Victoria) Inc. was formed in 1986 for lovers of
Morris vehicles (other than the minor), which was well catered for
locally. Recently the club has expanded its charter to include all
Morris, BMC, Austin and Leyland built vehicles.
The founding members came together after a Major Series 2 owner
(Bevan-Rhys James who later became the inaugural President and first
life member) left his car parked at a British display advertising for
interested parties to form a club by leaving a note on his windscreen
for people to contact him if they were interested. He received a
number of responses and a club was formed.
The first meeting was held at a private home in Malvern on 12th April
1986 with 3 Majors and a 1960 Series 5 Morris Oxford. There were 8
people in attendance, the youngest being 16 years old (and he is still
a member today).
The first run was to Barwon Heads a seaside resort close to Geelong
and at our 20 year Anniversary Run/Lunch we retraced the original run.
During the celebrations one of the founding members Glen Whitbourne
(the 16 year old in 1986) produced from his wallet the original note.
A monthly magazine was to be produced under the title The Bulls Eye
(our magazine is now called The Neutered Bull but we are unsure of why
the change occurred).
After the first meeting the Club then met at the home of Nick Donahue
before moving to the Anchor and Hope Hotel in Richmond, owned by the
car racing legend Lou Molino. A perpetual trophy for the best club
member each year is named after the Molino family.
A fire at the hotel forced a move to the Cross Keys Hotel in Essendon
which again had associations with the Molino family. A change of
ownership and renovations forced a move for a short time to the Pascoe
Vale Hotel, then on to the Pascoe Vale R.S.L. - where we are today.
We are made very welcome and enjoy their hospitality with the
opportunity for our members to enjoy a fine meal before the meeting
and afterwards a drink and an opportunity to mingle freely.
Our feature runs of the year are the RACV Classic Showcase at
Flemington Racecourse (formally the British & European Show), our
own Show n Shine at which trophies are awarded to the Best Morris at
the show, a club member only award and the eagerly sort after memorial
trophy voted for by the Ladies, just to name a few. Every two years we
invite the Morris Register to join us for a display day at Federation
Square, Melbourne’s feature display area which is a wonderful showcase
for our cars and club.
The Victorian registration for classic cars has recently been
liberalised allowing greater use of our cars for pleasure touring of
up to 90 days per year previously we were limited to our monthly club
runs and sanctioned events. Many feared an influx of questionable
vehicles would ensue but our experience is that our increase in new
members and lapsed members rejoining is due to the camaraderie and
assistance with maintenance of our vehicles that we offer.
We are a small but happy and friendly club. Recent years have seen a
big change in membership, our established members are staying
providing stability and younger members with families whose children
will be the future leaders of the club are joining and we are still
attracting those of later years with memories of Morris’.
