Presidential File

September 2026

Dear Members,

Stepping into the role of President of the Monaro Club of Queensland is both humbling and energising. Our recent AGM at Salisbury marked not just a change of guard, but the beginning of a new chapter, with an enhanced committee, a few fledgelings at the helm, and a clear mandate to keep this great ship steady as she goes. The AGM was a complete success, with every position unanimously endorsed, a strong show of unity and confidence in our direction.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge and thank the previous committees, especially the most recent one, whose encouragement to “have a go” helped shape the team now stepping forward. Their dedication and belief in member driven leadership gave us the momentum we needed. We will honour that trust, and we will have a go.

Our biggest achievement this year will not be a single event or milestone. It will be the continuation of a fabulous Club built on passionate members and their cars. That passion is our fuel, and our responsibility is to nurture it. We will encourage members to get involved, share the workload, and help drive this Club towards success.

Sustainability also means doing things properly, safely, and with member welfare at the forefront. On runs, at displays, and in every interaction, your wellbeing matters.

We will ensure your hard-earned dollars maintain a strong, professional presence whenever our cars are on view. Presentation, pride, and respect for our iconic vehicles will guide our decisions. Listening to members will be central, through the Fabulous Five communication channels: email, text, Facebook, the monthly magazine, and the website. These platforms keep us connected, informed, and responsive.

To support this, we will introduce new measurements to better understand and improve member engagement. These include engagement hours per month, kilometres travelled, meals supplied, and internal member recruitment for essential tasks. These metrics aren’t just about numbers. They’re about understanding how we operate and grow together.

Last year the Club recorded:

• 37,000 km travelled to and on events
• 300 meals supplied free to members and guests
• 5,500 engagement hours
• 599 members and guests attending runs and events
• Internal recruitment: Outing Scouts Tom Martin, Joe Greco and Alistar Moir, with Wayne Hart accepting the role of First Gear Host to induct new members

All this for just $0.96 per week.

Our planning calendar is already full. Fort Lytton is behind us, and ahead lies preparation for the Laidley Spring Festival, Round 3 of the Club Pointscore Championship, the Monaro Nationals in South Australia, and the October Nanango multi-option weekend or day drive for those not attending the Nationals. These events will showcase our cars, camaraderie, and commitment to doing things well.

We haven’t lost experience on the committee. We’ve strengthened it. New positions include Major Events Coordinator Craig Keene, Public Relations Coordinator Darryl Lonergan, and Vice President Tony McKenzie. I round off the changes as President, supported by the remaining committee members who continue to provide the backbone of this Club’s leadership.

Together, we begin. Together, we sustain and build capability. Together, we drive this Club forward on a proven path.

Thank you.

Pat MacDonald
President