Nov 23rd (Saturday Evening) End of Year Dinner – Royal Adelaide Golf Club – 6.30pm happy half hour drinks on the club
7pm 3 course dinner $55 members $70 non-members paid by the 12th of Nov.
Dec 30th (Monday) After Xmas “Apres” Run – meet at Civic Park, opp Tea Tree Plaza by 10.30 am for a run through the hills with lunch at the One Tree Hill Hotel
The 43rd TSOA National Meeting which ran from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th October 2024 is over and once again, our compatriots in the West put on a great week which was enjoyed by all who attended this year in Albany. There were 82 registered participants (34 from WA) with SA having a smaller than normal contingent of 8 members. Due to limited accommodation and large venues in Albany, WA decided to keep numbers lower than the traditional 100 plus registrants of most National meetings.
My wife, Sue and I met up with three vehicles from Victoria on our first night in Ceduna. Unfortunately, another Victoria couple, Peter and Jennie Lane failed to get past Port Augusta, when the electrics in their near new Mercedes Sprinter camper van blew up, also locking it in “Park”. The Merc had to be loaded onto a flatbed truck (dragged up with rear wheels locked) and it and their TR6 and car trailer were brought to Adelaide. As I understand, the camper van could not be repaired in Adelaide, and so it was transported back to Melbourne. Getting both the TR6 and the trailer back may have been a further challenge for the Lanes, but we did not hear how this problem was addressed.
Portion of the NSW group met up with us en-route to Border Village, and we travelled with them and the Vics then to Balladonia and Esperance. Some of us stayed two nights in Esperance and were able to have a meal with Roger and Cherri Lange and Stephen Wade, who left after us and finally caught up with us in Esperance.
Albany is a great location with lots to do and see. TSOAWA, once again put on a great week with scenic drives, lots of sights to see, and great meals as well as traditional great camaraderie from the TSOA national family. Accommodation was at Motel Le Grande, a family run motel with lots of room and very hospitable staff.
Our first event was the welcome dinner at the motel on Saturday which was a great night, and has a “sea” theme, bringing out the best of the creativity of the rally delegates. No prizes were given, however Barrie O’Shea from Victoria dressed as a pirate, complete with parrot on shoulder, was one of the stand-outs.
On Sunday we all washed and polished our cars (albeit in light rain) and headed into town for a show and shine in the Alison Hartman Gardens, in the heart of the Albany town centre. We all agreed that this was probably the best show and shine venue in living memory, and there were many locals who came out to see our vehicles. No trophy was awarded, however there was a “people’s choice”. The winner of this was a very smart TR3A (curiously owned by a man from Esperance who was not a Nationals delegate or even a member of TSOA). The “peoples’ choice” places were dominated by WA cars, although I did manage to get 5th place with my TR5.
Monday was a “Funkhana” at Sounness Park, Mount Barker. Councils in WA seem to be much more amenable to motor sport than in other parts of Australia, and we were able to have a “there and back” drive through cones and longer straights, with everyone encouraged to participate. Times were recorded, and a certain red TR7 V8 driven by our own Neil Martin was (surprise) the quickest vehicle. There was initially a plan for multiple runs, however a combination of rain and complaints from neighbours ended this plan.
We had an evening meal at Albany Golf Club, and the first “ironman” event was held prior to the meal. For the uninitiated, there is an annual competition between the states, of essentially novelty events, with the winning state taking away the perpetual “Ironman” trophy. This is very large, quite unattractive, is hard to transport and must be brought by the winning state to the next Nationals. Naturally, it is keenly fought over, with each state hoping to win this highly sought-after national trophy.
The first round was a golf putting competition, and our crack team of Roger Lange, Neil Martin and Lawrie Placing were near unstoppable, being just pipped at the (flag) post by the Victorians.
Tuesday was the observation run, again to Mount Barker and then on to lunch at Boston Brewery in Denmark (WA, not Scandinavia). Again, SA did very well, with Sue and me winning the event.
We had a free day on Wednesday although there was a cruise on the good ship Kalgan Queen for those competing in the Quaranup Time Trial on Friday. This cruise was over Oyster Harbour and into the Kalgan River, with Captain Jack, the very knowledgeable and entertaining guide. The rest of us were able to visit various Albany attractions including the fabulous ANZAC Centre, and fort museum.
We had dinner at Le Grande that night, with a quiz after dinner run by sponsors, David and Jenny Markich. Questions were mainly either car (particularly Triumph) or history of Albany related. Those who had done the trip with Captain Jack had a definite advantage on the Albany questions, which I think explains our table’s dismal performance.
Thursday morning was a social run including morning tea at Porongurup and lunch at a function centre in an old shearing shed known as Henderson and Hwang near Mount Barker. After lunch, the second ironman event was held at H&H. This was a game of bocce, and our team was Sue Smithson and Stephen Wade. This pair was on fire (as it were) and won the competition comfortably.
The previously mentioned Quaranup Time Trial was on Friday. I did not attend this event as I was in the second group to do the Kalgan Queen cruise, however again, surprise, surprise, Neil Martin was the fastest car in the event, much to the chagrin of the organiser, Bruce Pollock who noted that whenever Neil competes, no-one else gets a look-in. It was agreed some years ago that the previous perpetual Competition trophy is no longer relevant, so Neil got the accolades but not a trophy. We had a meal that night at Rustlers Steakhouse.
Our final day was a brunch at Whalers Galley Café at the former Albany Whaling Station, and some of us then had a guided tour of the facilities, learning about the grizzly history of the whaling operations. In the afternoon, we had time to load cars on trailers and attend the National Delegates meeting.
There was a presentation dinner that night at Le Grande. The theme for this night was car related, and this gave attendees a broad canvas upon which to dress. The only perpetual trophy on offer was the Ironman trophy, which South Australia won after placing second and first in the two events. Our team celebrated this famous victory long into the night.
Breakfasts each day were at the motel (other than the day of the brunch), and we had evening meals most nights either at the motel (three) or at other restaurants/hotels/community facilities in Albany, all of which were of very good quality.
The week was fantastic, and whilst the interstate contingent was comprised mainly of people who are regular Nationals attendees, we met or renewed acquaintances with a lot of people from the WA TSOA club, which continues to grow and has a high participation rate. The organising committee, particularly convenors Ron and Leigh Marian did a great job of making sure the week ran very smoothly, and everyone in the club really pulled their weight to make it such a great event. Jeff van der Plas was MC for the week and did an amazing job of humour and efficiency which really added to the enjoyment of the week, as did Bruce Pollock who acted as Sergeant at Arms to point out any misdemeanours which delegates may have committed during the week.
On the last night, John Stokes from NSW gave a presentation on next year’s Nationals to be held at “The Anchorage” 5-plus star beachfront resort at Port Stephens in October 2025. This was very similar to the presentation John made at Margaret River W.A. in 2019 for the 2020 Nationals which were eventually cancelled due to COVID. The 2025 Nationals will be a great program in such a fantastic location. Registrations will be opening soon, and demand is expected to be high. Although there were no delegates from Queensland in attendance, we are informed that they are progressing well for 2026 with the event to be held in Toowoomba.
Lawrie and Kaye Placing flew to Perth and hired a car for the week, Sue and I, and Roger and Cherri Lange towed our Triumphs there and back on trailers and Stephen Wade drove his Stag each way. Our return trip was relatively uneventful, and we enjoyed the company of them and sundry other interstate participants at Norseman, Border Village and Ceduna over four days of long drives between overnight stops.
Thanks again to TSOA WA for putting on such a great week.
Alex Smithson
Greetings, all TSOA SA members from the TSOA National Meeting in Albany W.A. As I write my report, we are half way through a great week of camaraderie with fellow TSOA members from around Australia.
The South Australian contingent comprises, my wife, Sue and me, Roger and Cherri Lange and Neil Martin (all who towed their Triumphs here), Stephen Wade who drove his Stag, and Lawrie and Kaye Placing who flew to Perth and hired a car for the week. There are some 90 delegates in total, and we have enjoyed a great time so far, driving around the picturesque south western corner of our continent, and having great food, fellowship and fun. I will provide a more detailed report for next month’s Fastrak.
Thanks to Richard Sellars and Duane Kaak for running this month’s meeting in my absence. I look forward to seeing a great turnout of members at the observation run on Sunday 3rd November, starting at the Tea Tree Gully Hotel, after we make the big trip back across the Nullarbor.
Alex Smithson
President
The midweek run to the Uraidla Hotel. Was a great success. 20 people enjoyed the meal which was rather large and
a beautiful day and drive to Uraidla. A big thank you to Kaye and Lawrie.
September 22nd was the “Day of Triumph” at the Tea Tree Gully Civic Park. It was a successful day albeit the weather
wasn’t kind to us in the morning but cleared up in the afternoon. A big thank you to Dino & Lisa Vettese for their kind
offer of $10 breakfast voucher at Café Primo, which was very acceptable on this cold morning.
Don’t forget November 3rd is the Observation Run. I know you love this event, but you will have to be in your Triumph
to win. The winner will win a trophy and the honour of setting the run and obscure questions the following year. After
the run will be a Club sponsored BBQ. Just bring your dinks and chairs to the Tea Tree Hotel by 9.30am.
The end of year Dinner and Day of Triumph trophy presentation will be on the 23rd of November. Please could you
ring me to let me know if you will be attending and if you have any dietary needs. The Royal Adelaide Golf club have
available selections for Vegetarian, Vegan along with Gluten Free and Dairy free meals but you will have to let me
know a week before the event. Payment to be paid by the RSVP 12th November. Preferably on line BSB 065 006 No.
00902024. Or at the October meeting.
I was asked for the menu to be included in my report.
3 course dinner – choice of two entrees, choice of two mains, and a set dessert
ENTRÉE SELECTION
1. Grilled king prawns and jamon serrano, creamed avocado, potato rosti and petite herb salad (GF, DF)
2. Cider braised pork belly, sweetcorn puree, beetroot and radish remoulade, white wine jus (GF)
MAIN SELECTION
1. Grilled free-range chicken breast. Parmesan potato gratin, sauteed baby broccoli and blistered cherry
tomatoes, fresh dill and brown chicken jus (GF)
2. Grilled Coonawarra 180g beef tenderloin, chunky steak chips, wilted rocket, charred roots and pepper jus gras
(GF. DF)
DESSERT
Cherry and amaretto trifle, almond sponge, amaretti, vanilla mascarpone, shaved chocolate.
For people who cannot eat the trifle, there will be fruit salad available with ice-cream or cream or fruit salad alone.
More on the after Christmas Run next month.
See you there on the runs.
Natalie Farrell
Social Secretary
Firstly, I would like to thank those members who renominated for positions on the club executive. The club does not run itself, and without the small group being prepared to take on positions, we would not have a club, despite having over 200 members. Dean Berlemon has been elected to become an executive committee member, and Duane Kaak has taken on the role of competition secretary in addition to holding club secretary.
Members would have seen in the media the sad and untimely death of recently retired Supreme Court Judge, Malcolm Blue in a farm accident a week or so ago. Although Malcolm did not attend meetings or club events, he had been a member of TSOA for many years and owned two TR6’s which he had on the concessional registration scheme.
My wife, Sue and I were unable to attend the August run on Sunday the 18th to Kersbrook Hill Wines and Cider. I trust this was an enjoyable outing. We had a good turnout to the mid-week lunch at The Uraidla Hotel last week. Thanks again to Lawrie and Kaye Placing and everyone who attended this most enjoyable afternoon.
We had two cars on stage at our September meeting being Ian Young’s and Tim Wachtel’s GT6’s. Whilst both were Mark 3’s, they had come quite different journeys, with Ian having set his up for eventual racing, and with a 2500cc petrol injected motor, and Celica gearbox, and Tim having imported his GT6 from the UK, and having had many problems and challenges thrown at him during the process. Thanks to both Ian and Tim for sharing their different stories of each vehicle.
Our Day of Triumph on Sunday the 22nd September at Civic Park, Modbury looked like it was going to be a washout early, with persistent light rain through the morning, but clearing in the afternoon to a very pleasant day. Dean Berlemon, ably assisted by wife Lisa, as well as Bill and Margie Berlemon, Ian Rigby and others did a great job of organisation, and we ended up having a strong turnout of vehicles, despite the early inclement weather.
Congratulations in particular, to the top three cars in Concours, being Trevor Hawkins’ TR4A, Roger Lange’s TR7V8 and Lisa Vettese’s Stag, as well as all other class winners. Thanks to everyone to assisted with judging and other organisation. We are also grateful to Dino and Lisa Vettese who provided $10 vouchers for breakfast at Café Primo, Tea Tree Plaza, and which were enjoyed by many of the DOT attendees.
I will be en-route to Western Australia for the TSOA National Meeting at our next club meeting, but I am sure that Vice President Richard Sellars will do a great job chairing the October meeting in my absence.
Alex Smithson
President
DOT Report 2024
Our Day of Triumph was held at Civic Park on Sunday 22 September 2024. While the weather wasn’t especially kind in the morning it turned into a lovely spring day. Thanks to all those who bought your cars out for the day. We had 18 entrants and an extra 8 cars on display.
Winners on the day were remarkably similar to last year:
Overall: Trevor Hawkins (TR4A)
Second Overall: Roger Lange (TR8)
Third Overall: Lisa Vettese (Stag)
Michelotti Trophy (TR4,4A & 5): Trevor Hawkins
Harris Mann Trophy (TR7/8): Roger Lange
Concours
TR4/4A/5/250: Trevor Hawkins (TR4A)
TR7/8: Roger Lange
Stag: Lisa Vettese
Saloon: Roger Lange
Spitfire/GT6 Tim Wechtel (GT6)
Pride of Ownership
TR4/4A/5/250: Katherine Bradley (TR4)
TR6: Ivan Powell
TR7/8: Steve Ferguson
Spitfire/GT6: Nathan Parkes (Spitfire)
Stag: Chris Marshall
Saloon: Rob Hanna
Big thanks to our judges and helpers on the day Alex Smithson, Duane Kaak, Lawrie Placing, Richard Sellers, Katherine Bradley, Garry Buckton, Nathan Parkes , Rob Hanna and Trevor Hawkins. Thanks again to Ian Rigby for his help and support (I might have progressed from my L plates to my P plates now) and Lisa and Margie for their help scoring. Thanks again to Dino and Lisa Vettese who provided a subsidised breakfast for members at Café Primo – all the reports indicated breakfast was delicious.
Dean Berlemon
2024 DOT Organiser
Great to see so many members brave the early morning rain and bring out their Triumph’s on Sunday. Best part, all those hours in the shed for a fresh coat of paint paid off, and our Dolly won it’s Pride of Ownership Class. I did enlist the help of my 9yo daughter over the last weeks to help hold,retrieve and fit some parts, with finally her holding the bumpers CAREFULLY without scratching the fresh paint whilst I bolted them up.
Due to oil leaking into Plug #3, my Sprint didn’t make last years event. (lucky I have spare cars!!).
This year, I’m currently getting my 1850 ready for the day. It’s had a fresh coat of paint in my garage, and now needs a lot of cut ‘n’ polish. A few years ago at the DOT some of you may remember this car for the two white doors and white bootlid. It’s now finally all the one shade of Carmine Red. If it’s not finished, I can always enter ‘under restoration’? 
I would like to thank all club members who have assisted to make this club year, my first as president, very successful. We have had a hard-working committee, supported by various appointees, who have put in a huge effort to keep things on track and allowed the club to prosper and grow.
Although Vice President Richard Sellars was not called upon too often, he was always willing to step up, including taking meeting minutes in Secretary Duane’s absence. Richard is very experienced with other clubs and organisations he has been involved in, and I am sure this experience will help the club to improve its operations in the future. Secretary Duane Kaak continues to be a tower of strength within the club and provides us with great service.
Our treasurer, Lisa Macleod has now completed her second year in this position and maintains the books very efficiently. Having had this role for the previous 10 years, I know what a time consuming and at times complicated job this is, and the club owes Lisa a debt of gratitude for her hard work. Whilst we have a deficit this year, this was in line with budget, and has been a deliberate decision to hold subscriptions down and us some of previous surpluses for club operations.
Katherine Bradley took over the Fastrak Editor position two years ago and continues to produce an excellent publication each month. Again, we are very grateful for all she does in this production.
Neil Martin has been Competition Secretary for many years and has also been the mainstay of TSOA motor sport at local and interstate race meetings. Neil has decided to relinquish this role as he is planning to reduce his involvement in motor sport in the future, and we tank Neil for everything he has done for us over the years as Competition Secretary.
We started the year without a Social Secretary, however Life Member, Natalie Farrell volunteered to take on this role. We have had a terrific range of monthly events that Natalie and others have organised throughout the year, and they have all been very well attended, with quite a few of our newer members attending events. Natalie has been assisted behind the scenes, by Lawrie and Kaye Placing in particular, who have also arranged mid-week lunch runs which have a small but keen following.
Ian Rigby has, as he does every year, carried a heavy club load, and worked tirelessly as Conditional Registration Scheme Registrar and Membership Officer. Ian has a band of helpers as Assistant Registrars on his committee and I thank these members for assisting Ian in this major role. Ian is also our representative on the Federation of Historic Motoring Clubs and has been instrumental in gaining grants from the Federation for our Day of Triumph.
Bill and Margie Berlemon have also assisted in club runs, particularly where we have provided a club-sponsored barbeque, and run the Weekender again this year, this time based at Goolwa. This three-day, two-night event was highly successful and enjoyable, and is always a highlight of any club year.
Dean Berlemon was the convenor of the day of Triumph Display Day, as well as taking on Regalia sales this year. Dean assisted by wife Lisa, did a great job and team Berlemon/Macleod remains integral to club operations and success.
We had a great turnout at the All British Day in March, and had two club members on the organising committee, Geoff Ellis and Stephen Wade. Thanks to both Geoff and Stephen for their involvement. Geoff has been on the ABD Committee for some years and has now decided to retire from that committee. Thanks Geoff, for all your hard work on behalf of TSOA.
Our Christmas Dinner continues to be our largest, and best attended function of the year. Life member Sue Gibson is the main organiser of this event, as she has been for many years. Thanks, Sue once again for making this such a successful and enjoyable event.
Whilst we are obviously an aging group, and our raison d’être is the love of a make of car which ceased production over 40 years ago, it is great to see that we continue to attract new members, many of whom have purchased their first Triumph recently. The club’s challenge is to continue to attract new members and to get new members involved with our club, not just be a member to be eligible for historic registration. I hope that any new member attending a meeting or other club function is made welcome and ask all “old hands” to go out of their way to welcome and support new faces at our meetings.
One of my goals as President has been to streamline club meetings, and reduce the amount of non-essential business, but to add “cars on stage” as a key part of each meeting. I have rung new members to invite them to bring their cars and tell us about them, and I hope this has been well received. I hope to continue this at most club meetings in the future.
Bill and Margie do much of the work of providing suppers at meetings, as well as raffle prizes and Margie and Lisa collecting on the door. Thanks to other club members who have assisted for suppers.
We were successful in obtaining a SA Car Club Program grant from the South Australian Government last year and this grant has been fully spent on club equipment and first aid courses. We also received a grant from the federation for this year’s Day of Triumph. Storing and transporting our club equipment remains a significant task, and Ian Rigby and the Berlemons do most of this work. It would be great to see another club member take on this role and Ian, Bill and Margie are already heavily committed to working for the club in many critical areas.
We are coming up to our 60th birthday in March 2025, and we are very fortunate to have our joint founder, Tony Case in our club, and who remains an active (and vocal) part of Club activities. Tony is putting a history of the club together and I know, is very keen to have the 60th birthday celebrated in grand style. I am sure that the new committee will put as an early agenda item, just how we can make this celebration very special.
Our club has two awards for service made each year. The President’s Award is made to the Committee member who has made an outstanding contribution to the running of the club, and the Vice President’s Award is to a club member, other than a committee member.
At the last AGM, Bill and Margie Berlemon relinquished the role of Social Secretary after several years of fantastic service, however no other club member was prepared to stand for the position. Life Member Natalie Farrell called me after that meeting to volunteer for this role. Natalie has had an incredibly tough year, with family tragedies and a couple of unfortunate injuries, however she has been able to put a great social calendar together, which, as I have said previously, have had strong attendance and have all been very enjoyable. I am therefore very pleased to announce that Natalie is the winner of the 2023/24 President’s Award.
Regards
Alex Smithson
Thanks to all those members who have paid their subscriptions by 30th June, and had their logbooks stamped. For anyone yet to do both things, can you please be proactive and make sure you are financial as soon as possible. The jobs of club Treasurer (Lisa Macleod) and Conditional Registrar (Ian Rigby) are arduous enough as it is, and chasing unfinancial members make the tasks that much harder. Please also remember that you need to be financial and have your logbook stamped for 2024/25 for your car to be registered. You should not drive your car until this has been done.
Lawrie and Kaye Placing organised a great mid-week run to the Green Man Inn, Ashbourne on 10th July, and we had a large turnout for the “Christmas in July” run through the southern Adelaide Hills to the Old Noarlunga Hotel for lunch on Sunday 21st July.
We had our traditional thankyou night for committee members and other club helpers prior to the July meeting, with pizzas provided by the club. There is a small but very hard-working group who keep the club and its events ticking over, and I am most appreciative of all those who help to make this happen.
Special thanks to Katherine Bradley who stepped in at the last moment to take the minutes for the July meeting. Our hard-working secretary, Duane Kaak was away in Bali, and his deputy and Vice President, Richard Sellars came down with RSV and was also unable to attend. Richard had called me earlier in the day, and certainly sounded like he was suffering. Hopefully he makes a quick recovery. Kat’s joke telling at the meeting maintained the rich tradition of excellence in humour that we have come to expect from our incumbent secretary.
It was great to see Terry and Sue Dowden’s TR6 on stage at the July meeting. It has been a home coming for this car, as it was owned previously by Jon Williams (and also briefly by Roger Lange) and had only recently migrated with Jon to Queensland. Terry and Sue love the car and it presents very well.
We are now only a month away from the Annual General Meeting after August general meeting. All positions in the club will be declared vacant. It is not too late to call me (ph 0412 823789) or email me (alex.m.smithson@outlook.com) if you wish to stand for any position in the club or are prepared to help.
Alex Smithson
President
This photo shows the gate pass to the All British Day at the Uraidla Oval in February of 1997 and the jointly owned entrant being the extremely rare 1968 Triumph Herald 13/60 Estate of Tony Case and Tom Long, both former TSOASA Presidents and current Life Members.The car was jointly restored by Tony and Tom and sadly, after being sold on, was stolen from the owner and torched. It did not survive.
