BULLETIN OF THE ROLLS-ROYCE OWNERS' CLUB OF AUSTRALIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA BRANCH (INC)

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club of Australia

EDITOR - ANDREW MARSDEN

1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Fry Limousine 4PG belonging to Brian and Maria Tilbury. This car has been driven back across the Nullarbor, and has recently completed a tour of England and Scotland of some 5000 miles.The radiator Mascot was made by Glenice Matthews, Club member and silversmith…

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Editorial

For those of you who have a lot more money than I can muster and may be considering a new Rolls-Royce, or for that matter, a new Bentley Motor car, there are some interesting new variants available. This Magazine is not prestigious enough, nor does it have, presumably, a sufficiently large subscription membership, for the Rolls-Royce Company or Bentley Motors to offer me, as the Editor, one their new demonstrators for the weekend! I can always dream…you know…borrow a car for the weekend, run out to Toodyay, and back to Perth the long way…via York, Beverley, possibly even Brookton…to really see if these cars "cut the mustard" What is on offer? Well, Bentley have a speedier version of the Continental GT, with all the usual fruity bits, but an uprated engine, bigger wheels, lower ratio height tyres, and choices of wood or aluminium dashboard etc etc (Actually, if you are in the market for a new one of these locomotive power engined vehicles, you can bespoke practically everything anyway) For the identification anoraks, the sportier car has a slightly more upright grille, by some 17 , to attract more air into the engine bay!

Rolls-Royce have produced a convertible version of the new Phantom. This is an awesomely large Convertible, with brushed unpainted aluminium bonnet and windscreen supports, doors which open, hinged at the rear (how anachronistic is that?), and the usual multiple numbers of dead cow skins, beautifully crafted stitch by stitch, all over the interior. Again, if you've got the dough, doubtless you could specify canvas covered seats if you wanted to be able to sit in the car in your wet swimming togs, after a quick trip to the surf… A professional automotive journalist, TV Presenter and something of an iconoclast, in an article on UK papers and reprinted in The Australian, felt that this car was a vehicle only to "arrive in", rather than drive anywhere…well, I wouldn't mind a drive in one!

Thank you to those members who have sent me photographs, and contributed to this Magazine. Keep the ideas and articles, photos etc coming…Happy Proper Motoring.

Andrew Marsden

No For Sale pages this month…if you have anything to sell, please send me the details…

Contents

Editorial Page 2 President's Prelude Page 3
R-R Rottnest Raiders Pages 4,5,6 New Members Welcome Page 7
Caversham 50th AnniversaryPages 8,9 Chittering and Toodyay Run Pages 10,11
Club Information, Contact Numbers and email addresses Back Page

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President's Prelude

Every couple of months, I suddenly have to find photographs, and articles to fill these pages. Now I have to write this page as well…it was so much better when I could send a brief polite reminder to Neil Williamson, Past President, and ask him to send in his President's Page…Neil has taken over as Secretary, and is doing a fine job, despite being so very busy in his job at Guildford Grammar. Actually, the whole Committee have been beavering away, and the monthly meetings are as lively as ever. We have drawn in David Jay as a new Committee member, and co-opted Grant Black, with a special clothing project for the 2009 Federal Rally.

Quite a large amount of time is already being spent on the planning for the 2009 Federal Rally, to be held in Albany WA in April of that year. Club members may not realize how much work and planning goes into running a Federal Rally. At this stage, there is the basic plot of days, and ideas being kicked around for various events at the Rally, but some earnest booking of venues, and reserving Hotel space will soon become necessary. There is considerable outlay risk, which is why the Club holds money in reserve in an interest bearing account…to undertake these bookings, and put down deposits.

Grant Black is busily researching logo labeled hats, jackets, sleeveless jackets (very popular in WA, where a simple trunk warmer, with no sleeves is often enough to manage the colder weather), shirts, and so on. The logo is being developed to reflect both the Club, with Rolls-Royce as the base, with a whale drawn in and incorporated, to reflect the Albany connection. The message is that we should all try and plan to have a "Whale of a Time" in Albany in April 2009. When analyzing attendance at Federal Rallies, it is interesting to see how many Australian R-R Club members make the journey across the Nullarbor, and that not so many actually attend from the Perth or Western Australian Membership. Hopefully, that will not be the case in 2009, and I hope everyone in the WA Branch seriously considers making the Rally in Albany.

After the Rally, there is also going to be a Post Rally Tour or run, which will wend its way across the bottom of WA through places like Pemberton, and Augusta, up through the Margaret River area (for the usual Winery reasons), and eventually ending up in Perth. These runs can be great fun, although I must admit, I have never been on one! I have written and read articles about them, in the preparation of this Magazine, and I really must do one, one day, and that one would be a good start. If you wanted any information about the Federal Rally planning, dates, venues, the Post Rally Tour etc, please do not hesitate to ring the venerable Mick Rust. (his number is on the back page) He is such an enthusiast and hard worker, but never hesitates to drop everything for a chat if you have any queries…

Meanwhile, we have closer events to attend to…please book yourselves in for the Christmas Lunch…

Andrew Marsden

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R-R ROTTNEST RAIDERS

On the weekend of Friday 7th September - Sunday 9th the RR Body Club pedalled around Rottnest Island and raised $400 for the ACTIV Foundation charity. Report by Lynette Whyte

There were 16 of us and although we ranged in age between 40 - 80, you would have thought we were young teenagers again. We had a lot of fun, much laughter, good food, wine and company as well as relaxation and exercise.

We booked accommodation in 4 Villas in a row at Geordie Bay and because it was "off season" and we were "seniors" (except for our Immediate Past President Neil Williamson) we got a discount. Again on the Boat Torque ferry "seniors discount" plus an additional 10% off because we mustered 3 RAC memberships between us. Neil is still smiling at being "passed off as a senior" and couldn't wait for Monday to tell the boys at Guildford Grammar.

We carried a table from one 6 bed Villa into the other and combined our crockery and cutlery so we could all dine together. Our R-R Restaurant was marvellous - gingham tablecloths, candles, CD player (especially carried in a back-pack with the 60's and 70's music).

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Friday night was a BBQ and Saturday night was Italian. The Italian dinner was complimented with a fabulous dessert made by Glenice Matthews, topped with passionfruit from Ross and Jan Jones' orchard in Jarrahdale. Where else could you dine with such luxury overseas?

There is one thing for certain, when you book Rottnest, you can't always organise the weather. On the whole we were pretty lucky except for the Friday landing. As the ferry pulled into the Rottnest jetty, it started to rain. We grabbed our bikes and rode down the jetty to the Visitor Centre to sign in for our Villa keys. The rain seemed to ease slightly whilst this took place, so we saddled up and headed for Geordie Bay. Geordie is 2.2k from Thompson Bay. Well, we had hardly left the Settlement and the heavens emptied out on us. It was certainly something very different to experience - the driving horizontal rain was prickling on the face and as for me, I could hardly see where I was going, as my contact lenses don't have inbuilt wipers.

One lovely salvation for 4 of us (because our Villa key wasn't ready from cleaning) was that Nick & Kerry Pusenjak, who had gone over several days ahead for a week's R &R, had the gas heater going and we were able to dry off considerably.

Saturday was a great day for riding our bikes and we headed out past Thompson Bay to Kingstown. Neil was our educational leader and he had photocopied hand-outs of the early history of the old Army barracks for us. After Kingstown, we headed in a clockwise direction around the Island to Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, Salmon Point, passed Oliver Hill, up the centre of the Island and back to Geordie for lunch. Colin Barns is still our hero - he may be a wee hill behind, but he keeps up with the pack. Good on you Colin!

Of course, one can't possibly go to Rottnest without having a Rotto pie at the Bakery - and so we did... amazing list of flavours. The "shopping mall" as it is called has been revamped - tables with benches to sit on and eat your bakery delights under the trees, whilst being entertained by the strutting male peacocks displaying their gorgeous feathers and showing off.

After lunch a few people had "little nanny naps", which for a few with stressful jobs, was welcomed.

3.30p.m. and a small group headed off for another bike ride. (I have never seen Ron Magrath's legs before ............) (A photograph would have been enlightening for all of us!….Ed) This time we went to Parakeet Bay, Little Armstrong Bay and on to the Wadjemup Lighthouse in the centre of the Island. You can go on a guided tour inside the lighthouse and climb the intense staircase and step out on to the balcony for breathtaking views. The view from the base of the lighthouse suited us and Perth city was very clear.

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One of the rules on Rottnest is helmets are compulsory and the police will issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance. Jan Jones was lucky - very lucky ... she was riding Glenice's bike when the tube exploded and she came off grazing her knee - luckily not as bad as it could have been. So she decided to go to the Nursing Post to obtain a second dressing for her knee to use on Sunday. I lent her my bike but neither of us gave the helmet sitting on my head a second thought. The Nursing Post was a good 10 minute walk from the Settlement. Off she rode, passed the Police headquarters and got caught. The officer must have thought she was "a good looking chick" and just cautioned her. So there really are some nice people in the world!

Sunday morning after our wonderful Italian night, we restored Rottnest to what it was when we arrived and headed for the Dome Café, before catching the 11.30a.m. ferry back to reality.

Rottnest is certainly a great place for fun, exercise and relaxation. It has a unique beauty - a little paradise just off our coastline. There is certainly plenty to see and do. You can go on a scenic train ride to Oliver Hill including the Guns and Tunnel Tour. If you don't want to ride a bike there is a bus tour of the Island and Jan Jones and Lesley Barns took advantage of this marvellous facility.

By popular vote, we all had such a good time, it will be on again next year. Come and join us. If you would like to come walking with us each month in the R-R Body Club - phone me on 9257 1315 or email me aerophoto@bigpond.com.

In conclusion, it gave us all a great feeling to raise the $400 for the ACTIV Foundation for the benefit of others not as fortunate as ourselves.

Lynette Whyte

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Welcome to New Club Members, their families, and their lovely Motors…

Welcome to new Club members, enjoying a picnic at Toodyay on 7 October 2007 run. Ben Myers and Mikki with his splendid Shadow Two Door, imported from South Africa, and having had a lot of work done on it locally, by Fritz Verbunt. This car is technically not a Corniche, but is still very pretty…and the convertible belongs to the Newman-Brownes…or was it the Jays?

Please make these new members welcome at all our meetings and runs!

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50th Anniversary of the 1957 Caversham Grand Prix

The year was 1957…and the Australian Grand Prix was coming to WA. All the big names in motor racing at the time would be at Caversham to do battle. Stan Jones, Bill Patterson, Lex Davison, Jack Brabham, they would all be there in the latest and most exotic racing cars that money could buy in those days. The locals were waiting for them, however, with home grown specials that could mix it with the best, plus had a home track advantage. The race and the result is still a hotly debated subject amongst motoring enthusiasts. Talk of laps being miscounted and drivers taking advantage of the rules meant that the 1957 Australian Grand Prix at Caversham will long be remembered. Whilst racing in WA has now moved to Wanneroo, the remnants of the Caversham circuit may soon just be a memory too. Plans are underway to turn the area into housing and parkland. The Vintage Sports Car Club sought access to the circuit before development plans got underway. With just six weeks notice, the VSCC and numerous volunteers prepared the Caversham circuit for a 50th. Anniversary Celebration of the Australian Grand Prix. Maybe this will be the last opportunity that racing enthusiasts and the public have had access to the old track.

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Glenice races again….

As part of the celebrations, the VSCC invited all car clubs and their members to participate in the day. For a small fee car club members could take a drive in their car around the track, along with a schedule of events, which included the re-enactment of the 1957 Australian Grand Prix.

Six cars from the 1957 Australian Grand Prix were available to drive the circuit as a re-enactment of the event. Included was a 1953 Cooper Climax, originally driven by Bill Patterson on the day. This car, which now belongs to the Fremantle Motor Museum, once belonged to RROC WA Treasurer, Glenice Matthews and she used to drive it at Caversham in a very competitive manner. So, it came about that Glenice was given the privilege of driving the Cooper Climax for the re-enactment, much to her delight and to the absolute delight of her colleagues present on the day.

Glenice is the holder of the 1966 Touring Car Championship (B grade, improved production touring cars) at Caversham. On that occasion, she was driving a Mini Cooper S. She said that as she drove around the track, it was just as if it was yesterday. It was a thrill to see the old freshly painted white tyres as markers on every corner as she lined up the Cooper Climax through the apex of Shell, Kayes, KLG corners, etc., around the 2.059 mile circuit, and then to thunder down the main straight towards the checkered flag. With approximately 7,000 people attending the 50th. celebrations, she felt the same thrill as years ago with the roar of the crowd; the full throttle; and the smell of Castrol R as she sped along.

Fortunately the day did not have the 37 degree heat of the original event. Instead, it was a delightful spring day, which was excellent for the vintage racing cars and bikes that participated. The masses of people were motivated and excited; most with a reminiscence of the 1957 event and other race meetings at this much loved circuit. RROC members who attended the day were most impressed with the VSCC's organization of the day. At such short notice, it was an event not to be missed. It is hoped by all enthusiasts that there can be a way to preserve the Caversham race circuit for the future.

Mick Rust

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On Sunday 7 October 2007, some 15 proper motor cars and their owners took a run through the Chittering Valley and on to Toodyay, where everyone stopped for a picnic. It was a gloriously fine day, and perfect for a run into the country. The cars set off at a civilized 9.30 from Perth and were taken by the excellent, as always, running notes, towards the Great Northern Highway and up into the Chittering Valley. This run takes owners up through the Swan Valley, past the RAAF Base at Pearce, Bullsbrook, and then sweeps inland up into the Chittering Valley. The road winds through green pastured properties ( at least at this time of year..), with cattle and some sheep, and on up into the Chittering Foothills.

Everyone stopped for morning tea at The Orange Grove, an establishment which has possibilities for a run in its own right. Mick Rust said that the owners were keen to invite groups to enjoy a whole lamb spit roast, and wander around the extensive grounds. For this run, the members enjoyed coffee, tea and scones/cakes various…ready for the run on to Toodyay.

The Chittering Valley road curves around in big semi-circle, and at the apex on the eastern side is the T-junction turn to the Julimar Road to Toodyay. The road climbs up and over into the pretty Julimar Valley area, and for the last few years has been sealed.

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It winds past a fish farm restaurant, another possible spot for a Sunday Run. Here there are large ponds, and patrons can fish for trout, and take their catches to the kitchens for cooking…fresh fish, nothing like it!

The road curves down off the escarpment and into the Avon Valley at West Toodyay. The Avon River was still flowing well with the winter rains, as everyone crossed the bridge and looked out for the "red tank", as the turn left point into the Moonstone Well track access…everyone saw the red tank, but drove past the immediate left turn…ah, well!

Moonstone Well is the country retreat of the RROC(WA) Club President, Andrew Marsden. The splendid house was lovingly built by one man, with occasional weekend help from his Dad, and took seven years to build. The stones were laid out in rows of similar colours and shapes, large round reddish, triangular yellow, large squares, small squares, and when a shape suggested itself, he would patrol the row of possible stones, select one and try it…and often put it back, and choose another. It took him seven years to build the property, which has double stone thick walls, and is cool inside, even on the hottest summer days. The property has a 3 metre wide verandah all around…a perfect spot for a picnic in the country.

So everyone set up their tables and chairs, got out the bone china, silver service and cutglass…and enjoyed a proper picnic. There was no playing with the cars in the fields this year, just a lot of looking around each others vehicles, comparing fittings ("Hmmm, my Series III doesn't have those wrap around leather shoulders to the rear seat compartment…Yes, this Bentley belonged originally to (famous local identity…)…) It was good to welcome new members on their first run, with beautiful imported cars from South Africa, and we look forward to seeing them all again at the Christmas Lunch, President's Dinner and all the other runs. There was a lot of drooling over a very pretty and very original red E-type Roadster. The paint was perfect and apparently 20 years old…this car has been looked after! The owner is negotiating the purchase of a Derby Bentley… And then it was time to meander home.

Another splendid run…motoring proper cars in a motoring club…great day, great run!