Well it’s been a long time since I wrote my last President’s report for this newsletter. So here we go again.

Firstly, Congratulations to this club and its members for finally coming of age and accepting a new Constitution. What a tremendous job Mike Temby and the committee have done to give us and up to date, workable Constitution which allows up to proceed us to proceed forward without the divisive membership criteria of the past and the ability to review the document on a regular basis and make changes as required fairly simply. Our past (91) Constitution I must say served us well for a long time but as with all such documents became outdated.

As Vice President for the membership year, it was my privilege to be able to nominate Ian Rigby for the Vice President’s Award. As I said at the AGM, Ian over the last year was the convenor of our Day of Triumph Event, organised a Club visit to the Sub Marine Corporation (which would not have been easy) has organised several club runs and contributed to our club magazine, has supplied some fabulous photos for our club calendar, is a member of our National Rally Committee and is an all-round good guy!

I look forward to working with our (new) committee for the next 12 months and continue to work for the greater good of our club.

I feel privileged to be awarded Life membership of this Club for Margie and myself and thank you all for this acknowledgement.

Until we meet again

Bill Berlemon

Now that the federal elections are out of the way, it’s time to turn our attention to the TSOA elections coming up in August. As usual, all committee positions will be declared vacant at the AGM and nominations will be called for. If you are thinking about how you might be able to become more involved in the TSOA, I would like to encourage you to talk to one of the committee members and think about a position that might suit you. It’s always great to have more people involved in the running of the club.

We are now finalising the constitution based on feedback received from members, and will be publishing an update before the August AGM where we will be voting on it. Please mark the date (Tuesday August 16) in your calendar now, as we would like to see as many members attend the meeting as possible to ensure we have a quorum for the voting process.

There are now some opportunities for TSOA SA members to come along to some of the Nationals events over the weekend. This is for members who want to join in the Nationals but aren’t able to make it to the full event. If you would like to register your interest for this option, please contact either Alex Smithson or myself so that we can get an idea of numbers for accommodation.

I would like to thank Ian Rigby for stepping in and taking the Minutes at the June meeting while Dwayne was away.

Mike Temby

Happy New Year for 2016.

We are looking forward to another exciting year of events, particularly with the Nationals being held here in
SA in October (refer to advert in this edition). The event program is shaping up well, thanks to the
dedicated committee who have already put in many hours arranging the event and will continue to do so in
the coming months. There have been many trips to the Clare region arranging activities and run routes. If
you would like more details on the Nationals, information and registration forms are on the TSOASA
website.

The Christmas Dinner was again a great evening with those attending enjoying a delicious meal and great
company. Congratulations to all those who received trophies this year. Well done to Ian Rigby for receiving
the Clubman’s Award.

Thanks to Robin George for displaying his car on stage and telling us the interesting story behind it during
the January meeting.

The committee is currently finalising updates to the TSOA constitution to bring it in line with current legal
requirements and club practices. We anticipate it will be available for member feedback in the next couple
of months prior to voting on it.

All the best for 2016.

Mike Temby

President report
Wow what a quick year .
The club continues to remain healthy and vibrant with money, events and members . Fine tuned improvement were made to fast track last year and the value of being a member was also well tuned with discounted events and no increase to subscription fees.
We have begun to celebrate our 50th Birthday this year with extra special events including a formal dinner. The dinner , a memorable weekender and the years events would not have happened without the effort of Bill Berlemon. Hence why he is the recipient of this year’s President’s Award.
At now 50 years old it would be easy to imagine not being successful with a marque out of production for over 30 years but we and our Triumph cars have thrived, not just here in SA, but worldwide.  I am sure like many older successful clubs before us with longer history and with the passion inside us all we will survive many more years to come.
Officially the year ended august 15. So if you have not renewed membership or had your rego papers stamped etc you cannot legally drive your car and again we will report non financial members to DPTI.
This scheme back bones the TSOA, with many non active members utilising it.  Although we never meet them here they are often the other Triumphs we see on the road. They love their classic car as much as many of us, they keep the club financial so tonight I say thanks to them.
But bigger thanks to everyone who puts not only renewal money but time and energy into the club and organises, attends and participates.
Next year will likely be a little different.  I am looking forward to more detail about the national meeting and hopefully a new triumph saloon in my collection. I won’t be standing again for president, so as I bow out a big thank you to all for your support in the near 3 years at the top,  and I wish the new committee the very best of success.

Another year Begins, but this year is a Special one as the Club celebrates its 50^th Birthday.

At the February Meeting we heard of the great plans ahead that you can enter on your Social Calendar. The committee has approved some extra funding so it is sure to be great value but also a great chance to catch up with old & new friends in their old and not so new cars. Listen out soon for a special 50^th Birthday polo shirt that you can wear proudly in & out of your Triumph.

Personally, I am looking forward to October. The Adelaide Motorsport Festival Returns, along with the Classic Adelaide Rally, many including me will head off to the National Meeting in Bathurst NSW and at that time of year we also have our Day of Triumph and Annual Observation Run.  Meranie’s Dad will be paying his first visit to Australia in October also, and it will be great for him to meet and experience the club that we both chat so much about.

However lots of exciting and fun stuff before then. I spent a few hours polishing the Spitfire before the All British Day, so I am sure you will see me out and about in that soon on a run while I have no need for a baby seat.  Hope to see you in your Triumph at as many events as you can this year.

Duane Kaak

November 2014 Report – the Shortest one yet?

The Committee had a meeting in early November to discuss FasTRak and I am pleased to announce we will be adding some more information in there as a result of your feedback.

On the opposite side, my Presidents reports will also be a bit less as I am told I can go on a bit too long ? I am sorry, I am passionate about my cars and our Club.

So to keep it short, we are still looking for someone to join the Executive Committee. Don’t worry, I do not go on as long at the Committee Meetings, it is only every second month or so for an hour, and a quick catch up at events and general meetings etc.

Other than that, as this is likely the last chance to say it, I would love to wish all the TSOA Members and their families a very Merry Christmas. It seems so early to do it, but as the Christmas events are just around the corner and the Pageant has been held it is not too early and better than late.

Travel safely wherever you go, enjoy your Triumph and don’t forget to add all the upcoming events into your 2015 TSOA SA Calendar if you have one already, or purchase one soon!

Duane Kaak

October Report

This is my favourite time of year in the Club’s Calendar as my favourite annual events of Day of Triumph and All Triumph Observation Run. Then the Christmas Dinner, Mid Week run and the Ice Cream Run. Great weather for driving a Triumph with the roof off, down or just the windows down.

Competition events are still on, and each month our club mailbox is flooded with other clubs in other towns holding classic car events for this time of year and into the new year. Certainly something for everyone with any taste of a Motoring Passion.

Our last meeting had on stage an Audi R8, not a Triumph, but it was great to meet the owner who is as passionate about his car as most of you are. His story was certainly entertaining of how his purchase of an Aston Martin turned into the Audi. And his love of his car shone through.

Reminded me a little of how my search in 1999 for an MG resulted in a car I had never seen nor heard of, the Triumph Spitfire. The places the Spitty and I have travelled to have likely amazed the most qualified mechanic with its whines, grinds, wheezes and rattles, but I love that car so much and despite the occasional fault from lack of use, it never stops to put a smile on my face.

On the last club run through the Adelaide Hills it was given a chance to stretch its legs without a navigator, enough to catch up on the cars in front, and leave some behind all at legal speeds. The Spitfire can barely exceed the legal limits, but handles so well through the twists and turns of the Hills areas and due to my recent absence from the race track, it was a blast hugging the apex and zooming through our glorious country side with the breeze blowing around me. I truly feel alive when driving my classic cars. There is nothing boring about it.

Thankfully on our runs we always keep our driving standards safe. It is a shame that we have to share the road with other less attentive drivers and it was with great shock I was alerted to an accident involving one of our members on his way to the National Meeting in WA. All the signs indicate he was not at fault, but I fear that his beautiful Triumph, featured in our 2015 Calendar, will no longer feel the open road again. However Triumphs can be replaced, lives can’t and it was pleasing to hear that although he sustained some serious injuries, he lives another day to enjoy his passion of Classic Cars. On behalf of the TSOA, we wish him a full & speedy recovery.

Due to my Wedding Plans, I will not be able to attend the Day of Triumph at Civic Park which I am sure will be a huge success. Come along in your Triumph to get your Historic Rego Inspection completed, or to collect a free copy of our 2015 Commerative Calendar. I am looking forward to seeing some great photos and hearing some great reports. Until then, safe and happy motoring.

Duane

September Report

Spring is here, and the Social Calendar is filling fast.

And so are the committee positions thankfully, with a new Secretary. Thank you and welcome to Dianne to the Executive Committee.  We are still seeking one more dedicated Triumph enthusiast to join the executive committee, as the “Competition Secretary”. No need to attend every race event, the reporting will be done by the racing guys who participated. However the committee needs someone to vote and assist with the administrative tasks that come with the club. The executive committee meets every few months, typically before the general meeting so you won’t have to lose any free nights on your calendar.

Speaking of Calendars, we are planning a 2015 TSOA SA Calendar. I have seen a few great photo submissions, there are still spaces, but get in fast if you would love to have a photo of your pride and joy considered. I am really looking forward to having one of these on my wall early next year. Email these through to Natalie Farrell.

We had some passionate discussion about our club communications at the general meeting, most members seem to feel the email newsletter doesn’t give them all they want? So this month as you read this email newsletter, make a note of what else you would like added and let us know how we can improve it. Several members advised they still like paper newsletters. Cost has never been an issue, sure these email ones are cheaper, but producing a lighter newsletter bi-monthly was intended to make the Editor’s position responsibilities lighter and just include the essentials. What other essentials are needed each month? The executive committee will consider your feedback and discuss this further so please pass it all to me for consideration so we can keep you all updated as you need!

Until then, this is the best of time of year to be driving your Triumph when the sun is shining to keep you warm enough to not freeze with the roof off or dodgy heater, but not too hot that your radiator boils at the stop lights! I hope to be spotting you all on runs soon.

Duane

It is going to be a big year ahead for the TSOA. We just held our AGM for 2014 and the big items such as arranging a National Rally for 2016 and 50th Birthday Celebrations in 2015 were all mentioned. These events should showcase our club and let us celebrate all that is good with our club and the Triumph marque. I am very excited to know that I will be there for them and of course I will be happy to go to extra meetings, make calls, go on field trips, send emails whatever is needed to get these events done and all the other usual club running activities.

But I need your help….

As I write the Secretary and Competition Secretary Positions are vacant. These positions are not too much work, taking a few minutes and sending to the Editor, giving a brief report. Not too onerous, but still vitally important. Your Club Needs You

Do you have any Event Management Skills? Are you a Marketing Guru? Do you love Catering? Have you got some great connections? What can you bring to the Club for the big events?

We have plenty of people who are always involved, but we always need fresh ideas, wisdom, enthusiasm and someone to share the load. Spring is just creeping around the corner, new things are growing and blooming, maybe you can too?

Please feel welcome to contact me or any other committee member to discuss however you feel you can help, for a short while, or for the next year, large or small contributions are always welcomed.

Duane

July Report August is the AGM time again. Our long term members know the drill really well, a short general meeting, open bar for 1 free drink, then the AGM formalities begin. Each year it is always a little nervous wondering who will nominate for the Committee Positions. I intend on nominating myself again for President, but like all other Committee members, we welcome anyone else to nominate. Maybe then we can actually have an ?election?. I truly love being involved with the Club in any position, helping however I can. Remember my IKEA theory? For those that feel like they don?t get much value out of the club, here is your chance to change it, by putting something in yourself and making a difference. Thankfully many other committee members are also happy to re nominate, however at this stage no one has expressed an interest in Nominating for the role of Secretary. Jack has done a wonderful job of compiling all the mail in, taking minutes, braving the stage each month to sit alongside various Presidents, and been actively involved in Committee meetings inputting into the club. However, like most people putting in a good few years it is time for someone new to take over. All Committee Positions are declared vacant, so even if the Secretary Position isn?t for you, but you would like to nominate for any other position, please do, as I know many Committee Members are happy to be involved wherever they are needed or wherever there is a vacancy. So as you read this, if there is even the slightest interest in helping your Club to thrive, grow and achieve, please feel welcome to contact me or anyone on the current committee to have a casual chat. Just like IKEA, all tools for the job are provided!