Minutes of the AOMC Delegate’s Meeting held on
Monday May 24th 2021 at the Veneto Club, Bulleen.
Meeting commenced at 7.30pm.
There were 77 delegates present, representing 65 clubs.
Chairman Iain Ross (AOMC President) welcomed delegates to the May meeting, noting it was the first face to face meeting since February 2020.
1 Apologies: Michael Cooper (Murray Heritage Motorists), Deborah Haydon (Northern Peninsular Classic Car Club), Bob Taylor (Good Times Motoring Club), Lawrence Glynn (BMW Drivers Club), Alan Stork (Classic Rides & Drives Club), Allan Fabry (MG Car Club of Victoria), Bevan Fenner (Victorian Military Vehicle Club)
2 New Delegates: Graeme Vaux (Maserati Owners Club), Alan Lavis (GVMV Drivers), Tony Hall (Nissan/Datsun), Ruth Wood (Ballarat Vintage & Classic CC), Martin Goodwin (Vincent Riders Vic.)
3 Guest Speakers:
Iain introduced the first speakers for the evening, Megan Ballantyne and Nicole Ballina from RACV Motoring Interests.
Nicole began by saying that there is some false information circulating about RACV and the Historical Motoring Movement. RACV still have a commitment to historic motoring.
The Motoring Interests program has been running for 15 years, and over $3 million has been put into the movement. The RACV has now made the process for accessing funding easier.
Megan noted that she has been at the RACV for 27 years. She also acknowledged the brilliant job Daryl Meek had done in getting the Motoring Interests Program up and running. The heritage vehicle fleet is still a proud part of the RACV, with 17 heritage vehicles.
Megan would like to hear stories from people about their cars.
Questions from the floor:
Q: Rick Cove (GHAC) What are you going to do for us?
A: Megan responded that there will be the same investment as the RACV has always done.
Q: What is the criteria for funding?
A: Preference will be given for regional Victoria supporting local communities. Melbourne based clubs can get funds and support for running events in regional areas.
Q: Is there a limit on how many applications a club can make?
A: RACV would like to share resources as wide as possible, so no strict limit but would like to ensure as many clubs as possible are catered for first.
Q: What is meant by community support?
A: When clubs do runs and events there is a monetary value on what they put into a small community, be it catering, accommodation, entrance fees, etc.
Q: Len Kerwood (Austin 7) Why did the RACV abandon the Maryborough Energy Breakthrough event, which contributed greatly to the local community and was a great educational event for students?
A: Megan acknowledged that this had been a fantastic event over the years, but RACV has changed its focus to mental health and community support.
Q: Will the RACV still run the Florence Thompson Run for women drivers in classic cars?
A: Iain Ross responded that the AOMC will be guiding the event with RACV support.
Q: Talking of supporting mental health issues, historic car clubs are mobile men’s sheds and contribute to well being and mental health.
Q: Iain Ross asked on behalf of the group, what assistance can RACV give for a small club to run a rally?
A: They need to put in a proposal on the on-line form.
Q: Will the RACV still provide merchandising material for clubs to put into rally packs?
A: RACV are trying to steer away from this form of merchandise.
Q: If an increased amount will potentially be going to clubs, where is it coming from?
A: Megan responded that she will keep asking for the funds. She reiterated that when stories can be told of what the events will support in the communities, it will make it easier to get the funding.
Q: Can member clubs have access to view the historic vehicle fleet?
A: Yes. It is housed in Noble Park and can be arranged by contacting Nicole.
One delegate thanked RACV for the fantastic Total Care service.
AOMC will circulate the link for applying for RACV grants.
Chairman Iain Ross thanked Megan and Nicole for their time and they received generous applause from the delegates
Iain then introduced the second speaker for this evening, Leon Sinnot from Beyond Blue.
Leon started by saying that Beyond Blue speakers have all either suffered from mental health issues, or care for someone who has them.
Beyond Blue strive to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Leon quoted some statistics - 3 million people in Australia suffer from anxiety or depression.
- 8 Australians take their life every day – 6 of them are men.
- Behavioural (withdrawing, lack of concentration)
- Physical (sick and run down)
- Feeling (unhappy)
- Think (I'm a failure)
- Family history of mental illness,
- A single traumatic event,
- Long term difficulties, living with long term stress.
Leon then outlined his own journey with mental health.
He is a retired secondary school principal. His job was stressful, but he did not come down with agitated depression until 5 years after he retired. Not looking after his mental health while under stress led to his depression.
Beyond Blue ask speakers to talk of their own experience to show Hope, Recovery and Resilience.
First steps to getting support: - Contact family or a friend.
- See your GP.
- Visit a mental health website or phone a help line.
- Ask if they are OK,
- Tell them why you are asking,
- If they are not ready to talk, let them know it is OK,
- Resist the temptation to give advice or diagnose.
- Manage stress (learn to say no!),
- Exercise regularly,
- Develop a good sleep routine,
- Limit alcohol and drugs,
- Make time for hobbies,
- Volunteer or participate in community / social activities.
Iain Ross noted that we all need to look at our club membership and look after them.
4 President’s Report: Iain Ross reported nothing much as been happening, so not much to report. Several zoom meeting have been held for delegates and the committee have been meeting via zoom until recently
.
5 Treasurer’s Report: Angelo D’Ambrosio reported that it has been a challenging 12 months. The AOMC have received great support from their landlords and government grants which has enabled the organisation to maintain a break even position. Costs have been cut without diminishing services.
Current cash on hand is $229,800.
Questions from the Floor:
Q – How many clubs are members of the AOMC?
A – Angelo responded that there are currently 245 member clubs.
6 VicRoads/CPS report: Iain Ross reported that the full review of the Club Permit Scheme has been postponed, and no review is expected in the near future.
There has been an issue with the supply of CPS log books, and VicRoads actually ran out of them at one stage. AOMC will aim to get John Lewis from VicRoads along to a delegates meeting.
Tony Hall (Nissan / Datsun Club) reported that his club obtained a list of their Club Permit holders from VicRoads, and it showed that 8 had expired, even though they had paid their renewal. This was due to a problem with over the counter renewals where the operator needs to add information onto a second screen to finalise the renewal, and this sometimes gets overlooked and the renewal does not get logged.
Q – Is there any truth to the rumour that CPS is on the way out?
A – Iain Ross responded that we have heard nothing about any threats to the CPS, but perceptions of ‘Older polluting cars’ is a threat.
7 AOMC Events:
- Club Management Seminar. Keith Mortimer reported that this seminar will be held at the Jaguar / Healy room in Nunawading on Saturday July 10th. There will be several speakers on the following topics:
- Accounting Procedures,
- Social Media,
- Club Governance.
- Country Delegates Meeting, Saturday August 14th: Will be held in North East Victoria. Still talking to various clubs in the region about hosting. Will advise further when details are confirmed.
American Motoring Show Sunday September 26th at Yarra Glen Racecourse. Iain Ross reported that Shannon’s have agreed to sponsor the event. Due to Covid requirements, it will be a booked only event for display vehicles. Driver and occupants need to prebook via TryBooking. Spectators will need to use QR code at the gate.
8 Current Issues:
- VicRoads VSI 33 review and feedback. Submissions have been put into VicRoads, but no word has been received back yet.
The World Scene and Historic Motoring. Several major cities around the world are imposing restrictions on vehicles entering them (Ultra Low Emissions Zones). This started in Europe and has spread to the U.S. There is a growing attitude of the public towards our vehicles as ‘polluters’.
- FBHVC survey. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs conducted a wide ranging survey on the worth of the movement to the British Economy, which gives the peak body good statistical facts to back them up when lobbying government. Something similar needs to be done in Victoria.
9 Engine Number Records: Philip Johnstone reported that demand is continuing for the service. Searches have been completed for a 1924 Buick ute, a 1923 Studebaker, a 1993 Montgomery motorcycle, a 1931 Packard, a 1974 Toyota Corona, a Minerva, and a Messerschmitt. There has been an 80% success rate on searches.
Philip also noted that if anyone is doing a Freedom of Information request to VicRoads, don’t go to the counter, do it all on the Department of Transport website, and put in as much information as you can.
10 Delegates’ Reports / General Business.
Iain Ross: had attended the Winton weekend and paid tribute to the Austin 7 club on the way they run the event.
Andrew McDougal (Veteran CC) reported that the FIVA survey results have been received, both the worldwide results and the Australian results. They give a snapshot of the movement based on those who completed the survey.
On Drive it Day the Veteran CC met at Ballarat. 23 pre 1905 vehicles attended, the oldest being 1898. There was also 8 motorcycles in attendance.
Iain Ross added that AOMC did not organise a NMHD event this year. Next year will be looking at doing something with the RACV and regional clubs.
Len Kerwood (Austin 7) complimented the Chrysler club on the membership database they developed and have made available to other clubs.
Fred De Gooyer (Land Rover Owners Club) has seen a massive increase in interest from younger people ken on older Land Rovers.
Terry Roche (Triumph CC) pleased to report that club has grown and average age has decreased.
Arthur Byron (Grampians CC) 50th Anniversary this weekend.
Bill Ballard (F.O.R.D.) Club hosted National Rally in March. 75 attendees from all over Australia. They were well received everywhere they went. Some venues even gave unexpected discounts, and as everyone had prepaid, excess funds were donated to the local community.
Graeme Bell (BMW Club) ran a NMHD run from Geelong to Phillip Island. This year the BMW club will be running the German Auto Show on 29th August at Sandown.
Question from the floor:
Q Are there any new CPS handbooks coming from the AOMC?
A Iain Ross responded that this was looked at 6 months ago, and advice from VicRoads was that there would be changes. An electronic version from the last handbook could be made available.
There being no further business, chairman Iain Ross declared the meeting closed at 9.15pm and thanked delegates for their attendance.
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