Get your motor running ...

from Edition 10 July 2019

by Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

World-class tourism venture for Palmview

Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club

By Lea Parkes

Over the past couple of years I have often seen beautiful, obviously very loved vintage cars on display at local events, and taken photos and chatted to the fellas who own them, learning they were members of the Blackall Range Horseless Carriage Club.

When I first heard the name I assumed that the club must be just about historic vehicles. However, I recently went along to one of the club’s regular Wednesday morning catch ups at their shed at the Maleny Pioneer Village and learnt much more.

Q. What is the club all about?

Club secretary Dave Carmichael explained the club’s objectives, saying that the club focus is to encourage the preservation, restoration and operation of motor vehicles that are veteran (up to 1919), vintage (up to 1930), historic (up to 1939) as well as classic (all vehicles of special interest, no age specified).

They encourage the exchange of technical knowledge between members, as well as fostering expertise and skills required for vehicle restoration.

As many readers would already be aware, the club is about displaying and creating interest in their vehicles as well as cooperating with various charities and community organisations for fundraising.

However, having seen the inside of their impressive club rooms and been part of the jovial atmosphere at their Wednesday morning cuppa and chat, and running my eye over their annual event schedule for the year, there definitely seems to also be a pretty strong social element to the members involvement in the club.

Q. How did the club come about?

The club was formed back in 1992 by Jack Warren and Fred Schluter who were involved in car clubs outside the range. They decided to see what interest there would be in forming a Blackall Range car club and found 22 couples with 30 cars who were interested and the club was formed in June of that year.

Q. More than 25 years on, what are the club’s stats?

Club members – 136, with around 10% female Cars in the club - 256 Makes of cars - 58 Youngest member - 19 Oldest member - 90 years plus Youngest car - 2009 Birkin Clubman Oldest car - Ford Model T

Around 80% of club members live in Maleny/ Blackall Range but some come as far as Brisbane to attend the club’s events.

While it is a very active club providing weekly opportunities for members to be involved at meetings, drives, events or social breakfasts, members aren’t expected to participate in everything.

Another interesting thing I discovered is that you don’t even have to have one of the cars to be a member but just to have an interest/passion for cars.

They are a very friendly and welcoming group and are happy to share their knowledge with other like-minded locals. To find out more about the club check their website https://www.brhcclub.com/BRHCC/ where they have copies of all of the past newsletters, which will give you a great insight into what they do.