Meeting at the Windy Point Restaurant Eastern Car Park
(35°00’01.4″S 138°36’29.1″E)
11:00am for an 11:30am sharp departure
Having eaten at the Hotel many times I can honestly say it’s a beautiful and generous meal.
So please consider joining us for the first run of the year.
Harley Cooke has kindly offered to start the year off with the first run. We will be leaving from the eastern carpark at the Windy Point Restaurant at 11.30am sharp so please be there on time.
We understand that sometimes events outside of your control can make you late so if you are going to be late or wish to meet us at the hotel please contact Harley on 0403 468 101 or myself on 0419 031 957. We can then decide to either wait or email you the directions and you can catch up, that way we won’t be concerned if people are a no show.
We held a recent committee meeting and one of the points of business that was discussed was the need to continue to raise funds to help run the club and prepare for future events like the “Stately Affair”, “Christmas functions” and the “Nationals”. During this year’s Christmas function a significant number of you spoke to me about adding a surcharge to each event in order to meet the requirements of the above. It has been decided by the committee that each event will carry a surcharge of $10.00 per member and $20.00 per non-member while the relevant venue charges will be at cost. This will mean you are all providing support to “your club” with a clear and transparent understanding of where the money is going.
À la carte menu. As the Three Brothers Arms are a small concern they have asked if you could look over their extensive menu (in your email) and provide me with your lunch selection (entrée and mains only require as desserts and coffee can be ordered on the day) I will collate your requests and provide them to the restaurant prior to our arrival. Individual accounts on the day but your surcharge will be required in order to secure your place.
RSVP no later than the 14th February for catering purposes.
The weather forecast was dubious but it turned out to be almost perfect on the day of our last event for 2022 with plenty of sunshine and no appreciable rain, a great improvement over the last two events.
Area Rep Terry Jones’ plan to attract members to the start of the run at the Old Spot Hotel appeared to work as just 2 members decided to join the group at the lunch venue. Santa was central to the plan and all were happy he was able to pay us a visit, albeit briefly, but unfortunately Chris missed him as he was called away for a few minutes just before Santa arrived. Santa lifted the spirits of members by giving them a bottle of Australian bubbles (to be consumed later) and a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho”. Shortly after the busy Santa left, Chris Barron returned and he was devastated that he missed Santa again!
Santa, John and Terry at the Old Spot HotelPhilp’s and Tom’s newer Aston Martins at the Old Spot
Our conversation was a little disturbed by an estimated 50 motorcycles that gathered for a charity ride, delivering toys for children in need. They were escorted by the police and they were orderly, and it was a very good cause so it was well accepted by members. Chris saw one motorbike that he thought had an engine almost as big as his Aston Martin – we discussed the fuel consumption and probable size of the petrol tank!
Our run took us up Black Top Road to One Tree Hill and thence to Williamstown where Terry realised he had made a mistake on the run sheet. Fortunately, most were following him and so they were able to ignore the error and just follow Terry but Tom in his lovely Hyper Red DBS Superleggera was ahead. Terry saw him and was able to catch up and warn him before he turned right instead of left. There was a lot more green in the paddocks and vineyards than usual for this time of year due to the very wet conditions recently and a small stream was flowing strongly – the first time anyone had seen water flowing there.
The run took us then through Lyndoch and Tanunda before we headed toward the ranges and up the Menglers Hill road before turning left and into the Company Kitchen, Angaston.
Members assembled on the lawns at the Company Kitchen for the AGMMembers eating inside the Company Kitchen Restaurant
We parked on the edge of the neatly mowed lawn and assembled under the shade of the trees where we sipped a glass of complimentary bubbles as the AGM was held. The Annual Report and Finance report were read and accepted and then the positions of Area Rep and Assistant Area Rep were declared vacant by the Returning Officer, Chris. He advised the only nominees were Terry Jones (for Area Rep) and Terry Holt (for Assistant Area Rep). Chris asked for a show of hands in support of the nominees. There was unanimous support for both candidates who were duly confirmed in the positions for 2023.
Terry Holt then showed us an (empty) bottle of Yalumba Claret from 1978 that was one of the batch he had bottled for the 1978 AMOC Nationals that were held in the Barossa Valley. Terry advised he organised the events and they had a great time – there were approximately 50 cars in attendance – a great achievement.
The bottle of 1978 Yalumba Claret that Terry Holt had bottled for the 1978 Australian Nationals – in great condition, though empty!Four current or former Area Reps with Yalumba wine bottle from 1978 Nationals
We then moved into the restaurant and ordered our meals that were very good and conversation flowed freely. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves and most commented favourably on both the venue and the weather. At approximately 3.30pm, we headed for home.
After over-exerting themselves for the October long-weekend, the weather gods certainly have been AWOL over the last few weeks. Our October event was held in wintry weather conditions and it came to be that our November event suffered the same fate. With just 10 days to go before summer officially starts, the weather has been unseasonally blustery and wet.
At 10am, nine brave members met at Hazelwood Park for our planned 10.30am start and at least the rain held off for the start of the run. Area Rep Terry Jones advised that when he did the practice run 2 weeks earlier, the weather had been perfect but he cautioned members that today we should be careful of debris on the road, especially Pottery Rd. He handed out run sheets and advised members of the run details including a hold-up on Strathalbyn Rd just before Mylor. Shortly after commencing the run, Assistant Area Rep Terry Holt telephoned with advice that he just finished the Bentley Drivers Club run and they had been badly affected by tress/branches that had fallen on the roads. He advised they moved one tree but the next one was too big and so they had to detour to their breakfast destination.
With this in mind and the very wet conditions that we experienced soon after entering the Adelaide Hills, progress was slower than usual. After turning left onto Greenhill Rd, we ascended the Hills and made our way through Uraidla and onto Carey Gully where we turned south on Rangeview Rd and thence to Bridgewater. From there we made our way to Strathalbyn Rd and as noted earlier, we struck roadworks in Mylor. We were not delayed for too long and we then headed toward Echunga and Meadows via Battunga Rd. The rain increased in intensity by this time and it was looking like mid-winter. Our run was interrupted by a road closure on Brookman Rd which was likely due to fallen trees and so we made a detour that was a more direct route to our destination, Woodstock winery where we arrived with time to spare
We parked in the ‘ordinary’ car park (our usual parking spot was too boggy) but there was concern about falling branches from the gum trees that provide welcome shade in the hot South Australian summer. There was no need for shade on this day!
The rain stopped and we went inside and found our long table on the mezzanine floor. By now our numbers had swelled to 20 as several members who could not make the run due to morning commitments arrived.
Members at the long table on the Mazzenine floor at WoodstockMembers enjoying the food, wine and conversation at Woodstock
Member, Martin Farkas could neither join the run nor stay for lunch but he braved the rain and winds specifically to ask questions of Area Rep Terry Jones about the organisation of the Club and of the election process. Terry had already advised Martin that he could email the information/questions but Martin was insistent, advising (among other things) that the Club was an incorporated one and that this had implications for the upcoming AGM. Terry thought this unlikely but he undertook to investigate and respond to Martin who left shortly thereafter. The conversation, that also involved Richard Dyson Harvey and other members, was at times, quite heated, and members at the long table noticed, even though the conversation was held some distance away.
Our food started being served and we were finally able to leave the politics behind and get on with eating, drinking and enjoying each others company.
In a short speech, Terry thanked members for turning out on such a dismal day (there had only been one cancellation and that was due to COVID) and reminded everyone of the voting period that will start on December 1st and close on the 8th and the result will be announced at the AGM that will held in 3 weeks time. Despite the service being a bit slow, no-one complained too loudly and we finally left at about 3.30pm. The drive home was less rain-affected but the forecast for the next few days is for more ‘sky juice’ – we dont need it but unfortunately, we cannot wish it away.
On a wintry morning in late October (the 23rd), some 17 members of the AMOC met at the Crafers Primary School carpark for the start of the monthly run & lunch event. Area Rep Terry Jones advised the group that he had driven the route the previous weekend and the weather had been glorious and the drive was lovely but what a difference a week can make! No-one was able to educate Terry why the rain did not clear the mist/fog as it fell but it didn’t and so we had rain and mist/fog to drive through.
Because of the weather, many members brought ‘improper cars’ and we were put to shame by our Victorian visitors, Browyn, her father and Richard who drove their 1974 AMV8. None felt the embarrassment more keenly than Terry who’s AMV8 was rugged up in his dry garage. Terry claims to have developed a very sensitive hearing ability whereby he can actually ‘hear’ the rust developing in the many box sections that never received rust protection at the factory in his earlier Astons, including in his Lagonda that has taken many months to cut all of it out.
Four ‘proper’ and 2 ‘improper’ cars at Crafers in the ,mist and rainArea Rep Terry Jones explaining the run to members sheltering under the Crafers Primary verandah
Terry gave out the run sheets and advised of the route including that he wasn’t 100 percent certain of the mileages as when he did the run last week, he got lost on no less than 3 occasions and had to retrace his steps, reset the odometer and start again. He cautioned drivers about the slippery roads but advised the inclement weather might at least keep the cyclists off the roads.
We got under way at 10.30am and headed through Piccadilly then onto Greenhill Rd and into Uraidla. A left turn took us then northward into Lenswood and then onto Cudlee Creek. We drove alongside several reservoirs that looked very full including the Warren Reservoir that Terry thought might have been the first time the Club had used this lovely stretch of road, These were a real picture when the sun was shining a few days ago but today they weren’t as appealing. Unfortunately many members missed the turnoff to the Para Wirra Rd but they made it to the winery via Gawler, while those who found the turn correctly (pretty much exactly the mileage indicated on the run sheet), found a lovely 20km of undulating roads with straight stretches that ended in right-angled bends with an advisory speed of 25kph!
Unfortunately, the winery carpark is not sealed and it was pretty boggy but we did our best to keep our feet dry and we were welcomed by the friendly staff who directed us to our table. Four members had decided to miss the run but they met us at the winery and in the end we had a long table for 21 members & guests. It was a bit noisy as there was quite a crowd there but we were able to chat, have a glass of wine (Terry liked the Durif) and enjoy our (pizza) lunch.
Rhonda, Marty and Angie at the other end of the long tableOne end of the long table at Tenafeate Winery with Terry, Megan, Chris Andrew and Brenda engaged in conversation
Terry showed some members (who had not had the opportunity earlier) the award of merit for his services as Area Rep that he was presented with at the Stately Affair and all were impressed, and several remarked that it was well earned. Terry didnt give a speech as the area was very communal which was disappointing as he wanted to especially thank our Victorian colleagues for attending and remind members that next Sunday (the 30th) is the closing date for nominations for Area Rep. He was also expecting to answer questions about the election process that 2 members had already enquired about, though Terry had already addressed these via email and he will still be available via this medium to answer further questions..
We had to leave by 2pm (the restaurant has a ‘2 sitting’ policy) though we had finished eating and so it wasn’t too early and we wended our way home, again in the rain. Terry has said to many that Adelaidians should never complain about rain BUT…….
Our next meeting is on November 20th – more details shortly and then on December 11th we shall have the final Club event for 2022, the AGM/Xmas event, when the results of the Area Rep election will be announced.
The Stately Affair has finally come and gone for 2022. You will no doubt recall that the event was planned for LAST October long weekend but the rapidly increasing number of COVID cases in Victoria forced the closure of the borders at a time when SA had ZERO cases reported most days. It seems like a long time since we had zero COVID cases!
I ‘dusted off’ the plans from last year (including staying at the Lyndoch Hill hotel, Saturday evening at 1918 restaurant, Sunday morning Kegel bowls OR chocolate & wine pairing and finally, lunch at Saltram winery) and started confirming the details with the Vics and the venues. The Vics wanted to stay at the Novatel (arranged by Martin Farkas) and a Saturday morning run & lunch (arranged by Chris Barron) with the other events remaining the same. Things came together slowly and the Vics left on Thursday to travel via the South-East to Adelaide. Area Rep, Peter Saglietti took the ‘scenic route’, travelling via Lake Perkolilli in WA to race his 1939 Ford V8 special in the ‘Red Dust’ 2022 Special – a trip in excess of 5000km and he still has to get home!
On Friday night we had a ‘welcome’ dinner at the Novatel where, in my capacity as Area Rep of the host State, I gave the ‘welcome speech’. In the speech, I advised that this month, September, marked the 75th anniversary of the purchase of Lagonda Motors by David Brown and I thought this was worthy of a toast as it resulted in the acquisition of the 2.6litre, twin overhead cam engine designed by W O Bentley (the main reason for the purchase), a name change of the company and several models that were badged ‘Lagonda’, including the ‘wedge-shaped’ one, designed by the legendary William Towns. It was also an event that had gone mostly unnoticed as did the 75th anniversary of the 3-line advert in the Times newspaper last October and the 100th anniversary of the entry of AM into Grand Prix racing in July this year that we celebrated in SA. And so the toast was made to ‘Aston Martin – Lagonda’.
In the break between main course and dessert, Chris gave members the run sheets and details for the Saturday run and lunch (to Malcolm Creek winery, owned by AMOC members, Karsten & Bitten Pederson) that included the twisty Corkscrew Rd. Following this, I was presented with an ‘Award of Merit’ from AMOC UK for my services as Area Rep over the last 4 years. When I was advised of the award earlier in the year, I was a little embarassed as I had just ‘done the job’ I thought, but it was a great honour to be recognised by the Directors of the Club in this way. I was unable to go to the UK to receive the award in person and so it was brought back from the UK by Victorian member, Peter Yalden, who was there receiving an award himself (for the many stories he has had accepted by the AM Quarterly). I was expecting a certificate or other piece of paper and so I was pleasantly surprised to see the award took the form of an etched glass trophy that I am VERY happy to have sitting on the mantle-piece. As several know only too well, the role of Area Rep is frequently a thankless one (though it does have its moments when things go as they should and members express their appreciation) and the award made up for the times I have not enjoyed the role as much as I might have wanted.
I was unable to attend the Saturday run and lunch but I have been advised by several members that the run that was arranged by Chris Barron was excellent and lunch at Malcolm Creek was equally good. The run was approximately 130km long and there was a stop at the Kangaroo Creek Dam wall where 22 Aston Martins were lined up for a photo opportunity. One of the Victorian members had a drone and I have glimpsed some of the aerial footage of the cars – it looks very good. I hope we shall get to see more after it is edited. Lunch at Malcolm Creek was held outside under the trees but Chris advised me that the foliage was too thin and he (and others) got sunburn! I shall post photos shortly.
Members eating at 1918. Great to see Mark and Lee Kirtland ‘back in action’
Victorian members including Peter Yalden (on right) and Darren & Nicole Loidl (on left)
Victorian Area Rep & UK Director, Peter Saglietti & Super Organiser Anne at 1918 restaurantVictorian members Sara & David and Ian& Rosemary at 1918
David Tye (Carole just out of shot), Frank & Sue Grosser, Mary & Angelo & RDH at 1918
Guests staying at the Novatel were ferried to and from the 1918 restaurant on Saturday night by coach and 52 AMOC members/guests enjoyed a convivial dinner in the old house on the main street in Tanunda. The restaurant was very full and the modest size meant it was soon rather loud. This made talking to other members a little difficult and I did notice the log fire was burning when it was definitely not needed The members seated at the adjacent table advised they were rotating seats and it was like being ‘basted’ on a rotisserie! It was an enjoyable event that came to an end at 10.30pm when the coach came to collect the members to transport them back to the Novatel.
On Sunday morning 15 members met at the Kegel Bowls Club venue located in the Sporting Ground, Tanunda. We were met by Graham from the Club who explained the rules (and especially the peculiar scoring system) to us. We formed into a Victorian team and a SA team and after a practice bowl each, competition began in earnest. In the end, and despite one our team (cheers Simon) putting two balls in the ‘gutter’ – called a ‘Pudel’ (and scoring MINUS one point each), the SA team won by a single point but the most important thing was that everybody enjoyed themselves – and we did. I did most of the re-setting of the pins and returning the ball via the long ‘gutter’ and I greatly appreciated it when Frank Grosser relieved me toward the end as it is hard on the back and dirty on the hands. I now have more respect for the machines that do this job!
Members bowling at the Kegel Bowling Club. The gutter on the right is to return the balls to the bowling end of the laneKegel bowling team ready for action
Its a long way to the pins (137 feet) in KegelKegel scoring system. 1 point for each pin to 6 then add 6 more points for each extra pin. A gutter ball is called a Pudel and attracts MINUS 1. Leaving the front centre or back balls only standing attracts more points
We departed there and drove to Saltram where we had reserved parking and we ate in the old barrel cellar that we have used before. Because there were >50 of us, we needed 2 rows of tables and again, because the surfaces were sound-reflective, it got noisy at times. I said a few words of farewell to our Victorians and everyone agreed it had been a very successful Affair.
Beautiful cars in lovely sunshine parked outside an historic Barossa Valley winery – what a beautiful sightYet more beautiful cars parked in the shade of a lovely old gum tree at Saltram winery – what a lovely day!
There was one unfortunate note – only 2 members turned up at the Chocolate and Wine pairing when there should have been 9 and since we cancelled the event there last year, I have a lot of bridge-building to do with them I fear!
Some members left for home after the ‘long lunch’ at Saltram but others including most Vics were staying until Monday when they left for home, still with mild and dry weather. It wont last though, rain is forecast for Tuesday! The weather gods certainly shone on us for this Stately Affair.
Astons at Hazelwood Park prior to setting offMore Astons at Hazelwood Park awaiting setoffAstons parked at Saltram WineryAstons parked at Saltram Winery
It was a cool and overcast morning when 19 AMOC members and guests assembled at Hazelwood Park in preparation for our October run and lunch.
Area Rep Terry Jones apologised for not organising a run in September that was in part due to the late August meeting, the very popular Bay to Birdwood classic car event and recent public holiday, Terry explained the 18th of October was not an ideal choice of dates either as it clashed with the Bathurst 1000 car race and several members were absent due to social commitments associated with this race – the last one that the Holden car company was competing in.
Terry thanked Chris Barron for organising the run and he handed out run sheets as Chris advised members of things to be wary of, chief among these were the cyclists who frequented almost all roads leading to the Hills on Sunday mornings. We headed off and made our way to Magill Rd and then onto the twisty and narrow Norton Summit Rd that was slow going thanks to the many cyclists and limited forward views that made overtaking difficult. At the top of the road we crossed onto Lobethal Rd that was a true ‘long and winding road’ before the route opened up to more undulating and faster roads through the Barossa Valley to our luncheon destination, Saltram Winery just outside Angaston. The town of Angaston was named after one of the colony’s founders, George Fife Angas, who was instrumental in bringing many German settlers to the early colony of South Australia in the 1840s.
The winery had reserved separate parking for our 9 cars and we chatted about the run before entering the old restaurant building and to our separate dining area located in one of the old cellars that had some interesting historic wine making objects including large barrels and a large filter. We were seated at a large table that allowed adequate physical distancing and we tasted a few wines before selecting the one we wanted to have with our lunch that was very tasty, very filling and very reasonable. We were treated to a port after lunch and a few members took the opportunity to obtain a 40% discount on our wines by virtue of joining the ‘No 1 club’ – this required purchasing wines to the value of $400 but this was not difficult as it was shared by a few members and hence our excellent wines were made all the more memorable by the special prices.
Terry again thanked Chris Barron for organising the run and he also advised members that Richard and Pam had hoped to be present but Pam was too unwell and he wished her well on behalf of all present. Terry also advised the next meeting was planned for November 22nd and would be a special meeting with the Bentley Drivers Club when we would be challenging them to a game of German Kegel Bowls at the nearby Tanunda Kegel Club. Terry advised the final meeting of the year would be held on December 12th (a Saturday) and that we would be eating at the Three Brothers Arms hotel in Macclesfield. He thanked Richard who had organised the venue. Terry was asked if there would be a run and he replied in the affirmative and that he would devise one in due course.
Feeling quite full and content with lunch, wine and complimentary ports, we departed at approximately 3pm and headed for home in brighter conditions as the sun finally decided to make an appearance.
Terry H, Chis Barron, Laura Rushton, Frank & Sue Grosser, Bec and prospective member BenPhil & Chris Moore, Chris Harris, Martin & Ange Farkas, Richard & Pam Dyson-Harvey, Cintra & John AmosMegan Jones, Jenni Garton, Tom & Marnie Raggatt, Andrew & Brenda PatersonPart of the group assembled in front of the cars with vines in the backgroundAstons with DB7 to the fore, parked in the carparkMore cars with DB11 to the fore, parked at Bremerton carpark
The weather gods were not completely ‘on side’ as 18 members and guests of the AMOC SA branch assembled at the Mylor Oval in the Adelaide Hills at 10.30am on Sunday 23rd August. There had been a lot of rain in the previous days that had made the track around the oval muddy and certainly not suited to ground-hugging Aston Martins. This was not what Area Rep Terry Jones had in mind when he asked members to gather at the rear of the oval for photographs to adorn our web page and so this idea was abandoned. Cars ranging from a new DB11 owned by prospective member Ben to Terry H’s 1977 prototype Vantage were present and we set off on the 75km run at 11am.
The run took us south through Echunga, Strathalbyn and on to Milang on the shore of Lake Alexandrina. From there we turned east and then north passing through some very old vineyard country with the gnarled vines a testament to the many fine wines produced in the area over many decades.
We drove through Langhorne Creek and after few kilometers, we arrived at Bremerton Winery, the setting for our lunch. We had some brief showers on the drive but they had cleared by the time we arrived and the sun was shining though the wind was ‘bracing’. After a few photographs of the cars with the vines in the background, we went inside to the old stone building warmed by a log fire.
Seven additional members joined us there and we were spread over 3 tables to comply with the very sensible COVID restrictions.
A complimentary glass of wine was offered and Terry (and many others) chose the Tamblyn red blend that showed lovely fruit and tannin on the palate and a deep red colour in the glass – it has been one of Terry’s favourites for years. There was an abundance of food with starters, pizzas and a cheese board with coffees to finish, all at a very reasonable price. Many attendees were complimentary about the venue, food, wine and value for money.
Terry addressed the group, noting it was the tenth anniversary this month of his joining the Club and that he had chosen the drive and venue deliberately because it was the same drive and venue of that first run. Terry also observed that first impressions are always important and his first impressions of the Club (and particularly the members) was very positive. He hoped that the new and prospective member present would have similar positive impressions of the Club and its members as he still retained.
After much conversation, the meeting concluded around 3.30pm and we all returned home along more of the flat roads running through more vine country with the sun shining stronger as the afternoon progressed.
The next run will be in late September – details will be forwarded shortly.
Aston Martins and Bentleys in front of Waterhouse Building, Prince Alfred CollegeThe Mall’s pigs ignoring the Aston Martin AMV8AMOC Area Rep Terry thanking Lord Mayor Martin Haese for his supportAstons in Rundle MallSome of the cars lined up at PACFramed photograph of WO Bentley and his grandfather, TG Waterhouse presented to PACAn early Aston Martin DB2/4 and two early Bentleys at the head of the cavalcade
Purpose: To celebrate the historical similarities between WO Bentley, Lagonda & Aston Martin, their connections with each other and with the City of Adelaide.
On Sunday morning, October 29th, 30 cars and approximately 60 members of the BDC and/or AMOC gathered in Rundle Mall, the premier shopping precinct in the City of Adelaide, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the purchase, by David Brown, of both Aston Martin and Lagonda motor car companies.
David responded to a very modest advertisement for a ‘high-class motor business’ in The Times in late 1946 – that business turned out to be Aston Martin. While impressed with the car that Aston Martin were developing, he was less impressed by the engine. Consequently, when the opportunity arose a few months later, David bought Lagonda because he they had developed a modern, 6 cylinder, overhead cam engine. This engine was designed by WO Bentley and it was used in the early DB Aston Martins. In so doing, David created the 1st WO Bentley powered Aston Martin and forged a direct link between these three iconic British marques.
This was the first time there had been a mass gathering of cars in Rundle Mall (a pedestrian shopping mall) and hence there were challenges getting the cars into a semi- circle around a raised platform due to the many fixed obstacles. When all the cars were lined up, the organiser, Terry Jones (a member of both AMOC and BDC), welcomed the attendees to the Mall and outlined why the event was taking place on this day (70 years and 7 months since David Brown bought Aston Martin). He then welcomed the Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide, the Right Honourable, Mr Martin Haese to the ‘stage’. Martin, also a motoring enthusiast, arrived in his V8 powered Jensen Interceptor that impressed the crowd. Martin explained to the attendees why the meeting was being held in Rundle Mall.
The reason was that 177 years (and approximately 177 days) earlier, a 29yr old Yorkshireman named Thomas Greaves Waterhouse boarded the 475 ton ship Lysander in London and after a 100 day voyage, he landed in Adelaide. At that time, the port of Adelaide was not fully established and it had yet to acquire its first wharf for unloading passengers and goods. Passengers were therefore rowed ashore, often up the Port Creek to the Port Creek Settlement (now Port Adelaide) and when the rowing boats could go no further, passengers (with their luggage) would have to traverse a few hundred yards of mangrove swamp and then a sandhill before reaching the road to Adelaide! The port was also known as ‘Port Misery’ as a consequence of this inconvenience, abundant mosquitos and dust. Thomas was apparently not deterred and he started a very successful grocery business, with his brother, on the corner of Rundle Street and King William Street. At the time the building, known as Waterhouse Chambers, was the largest commercial building in the CBD and it was immediately outside this building that the Lord Mayor addressed the gathering. The Mayor advised us that Thomas was a shrewd businessman who made a fortune investing in the highly successful copper mine at Burra in the mid-north of the state of South Australia. He was a founding member of the Bank of Adelaide and he also profited by buying many Adelaide CBD properties at depressed prices when the Victorian gold rush lured swathes of Adelaideians to seek their fortunes in the neighbouring state. When they returned a few years later and property prices recovered, Thomas enlarged his fortune considerably.
The Lord Mayor further advised that Thomas married Eliza Faulding, (who also hailed from Yorkshire) at Trinity Church, Adelaide in 1853. Eliza was the sister of another Adelaide identity, FH Faulding who started a very successful chemist & druggist business that survived through to very recently. Thomas and Eliza had 5 children and the eldest, Emily, was likely born in Waterhouse Chambers in 1853. The family returned to England in 1868, apparently because Thomas did not like the extreme heat of the Adelaide summer. Emily later married London businessman, Alfred Bentley and together they had nine children, the youngest being Walter Owen Bentley. When Thomas died in 1878, he left £60,000 in trust – Emily was to live off the interest and her children were to inherit the money. It was this money that provided WO with his education and later the opportunity to buy the UK marketing licence for the French car, DFP (Doriet, Flandrin, Parent) in 1912. Hence, the Mayor observed that the family fortune, made in South Australia, funded WO’s early development and his start in the manufacturing of motor cars.
At the end of his address, Terry Jones thanked the Lord Mayor and presented him with a copy of Classic and Sports Car™ from his own collection that carried a story comparing the Aston Martin AMV8 (that Terry owns) with the Jensen Interceptor (that Martin owns). The Lord Mayor thanked Terry and then instructed drivers to ‘start their engines’. The noise/music from the 30 cars (many V8s) was most impressive in the built-up Mall. The cars then made their way in convoy to Prince Alfred College for morning tea (that tragically didn’t arrive).
The reason for choosing Prince Alfred College as the second venue was that Thomas Waterhouse was a significant philanthropist and he gave generously to many causes, including a £4000 donation that allowed the building of the College (the 1st Wesleyan College in Adelaide) that was named after Prince Alfred who opened the building in 1867. When we arrived at PAC, the headmaster Mr Brad Fenner, informed attendees of this link between TG Waterhouse and the College and invited us to examine the painting of their benefactor that has hung in the headmaster’s office since the 1870s.
The cars were parked in a large semi-circle on the lawns with the Waterhouse Wing in the background that presented a perfect picture opportunity. To mark the visit, Terry Jones and Terry Holt (also a member of both the AMOC and BDC) presented the College with a framed picture that incorporated photographs of both TG Waterhouse and his grandson, WO Bentley along with the BDC and AMOC logos.
From PAC, the cars proceeded on a drive through the Adelaide Hills (set by Terry Holt) arriving at the final venue, Mount Lofty House around noon. This was yet another ‘significant’ building in the story because Arthur Waterhouse (Thomas’ eldest son) bought the stately home as a summer retreat. After welcome drinks and canapes, a lovely lunch was served and the ‘two Terrys’ addressed the crowd with a fuller expose of the historic links and similar aspirations of WO Bentley, Lagonda and Aston Martin. This included a photograph of the Waterhouse Chambers building from 1866 that also showed a 3hp vehicle (a heavily laden wagon pulled by 3 horses!) as well as Holden’s saddlery premises – the fore-runner of the GM Holden car company that has only just ceased manufacturing in South Australia. Terry Jones advised that WO had been very successful at the Aston Hill Climb in June 1912 (2 years before Lionel Martin) and that if WO had had the same idea as Lionel (to capitalise on the success he had at the Aston Hill climb by adopting the name Aston as the first name of the car), we could have been driving ‘Aston Bentley’s’ and perhaps ‘Bamford-Martins’!
Terry went on to outline the history of Lionel Martin, Robert Bamford and WO and noted WOs contribution to the 1st World War effort when he was among the first to use aluminium alloy pistons to improve performance and reliability of early aeroplane engines. The BR1 (and later BR2) engines powered many Sopwith Camels and Snipes. Similarities between the marques that were noted included the successes of the three marques at LeMans and financial difficulties before and during the Great Depression that resulted in both WO and Lionel Martin losing ownership of their companies. WO left Bentley Motors (now owned by Rolls Royce) in 1935, to join Lagonda and this was remembered by the presence of two beautiful cars of the period – a 1935 Derby Bentley and a 1934 Lagonda in the group of ‘display cars’.
Terry Holt educated attendees about the very complex WO designed engine that attracted David Brown’s interest in 1947 and how it was used and developed in the early DB series cars.
Having established these links and shared heritage between Bentley and Aston Martin, Terry proposed that it would be a good idea to have a regular joint BDC & AMOC meeting in the ‘far-flung outpost’ of South Australia. The general consensus appeared to be that this meeting had been a success and it would be a good idea to meet regularly. Many members gave their assent to this idea to Terry Jones in person after the event.
The weather for the day was ideal but there was a dire forecast for high winds and rain in the early afternoon. Fortunately the weather front did not arrive until much later in the day when attendees had reached their homes and the cars securely stored in their garages.
The event was made possible because of the generous support and involvement of several individuals & companies and Terry Jones thanked them for their contributions. These included the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Mr Martin Haese, The Rundle Mall Authority, Prince Alfred College and Solitaire Motors, Adelaide agents for both Bentley and Aston Martin. Solitaire’s contribution included having a new Bentley Bentayga and Aston Martin DB9 in the group of display cars for members of the clubs and public to admire and generous financial support for the lovely lunch.
At 10am on a cool winter’s morning, some 30 AMOC members and guests assembled in the carpark of the Crafers Primary school in the Adelaide Hills. A variety of Aston Martins that spanned 60 years of Aston Martin production were present including two new DB11s and two not-so-new DB4s. Three other members (including Area Rep Terry Jones) drove ‘improper cars’ due in two cases, to mechanical problems with their ‘proper cars’ but there were no complaints from the friendly group.
Drive sheets had been emailed to allow members to print their own – a safer COVID 19 practice than handing them out on the day. Terry reminded members to maintain physical distancing and noted that in South Australia we had been very fortunate to have very few cases of the coronavirus while our colleagues in neighbouring Victoria had not fared so well. For many days now, many hundreds of new cases had been reported and several deaths, especially in nursing homes had been reported. It is a stark reminder to all that any slip in ‘safe operating procedures’ can allow the virus to gain a foothold and spread.
Our drive started in Crafers, then headed south on some lovely Adelaide Hills roads that afforded views of the hills and valleys that extended down to the sea. We drove through Ironbank to Clarendon where we ‘picked up’ local members Andrew & Brenda Paterson then we drove on to Meadows. We then turned north on Battunga Road that, being flatter and straighter, should have allowed a more spirited drive than the twisty, undulating roads that we had traversed thus far but there was some traffic that slowed us somewhat. Worse was to come when our route was blocked by a police vehicle and we were required to take a detour. Fortunately Adelaide Hills resident, Phil Moore was in the lead and his knowledge of the local roads was sufficient to get the convoy back on track just before Mylor. A final turn onto the narrow, twisty Aldgate Valley Road led us to our luncheon destination, the Aldgate Pump pub. We had done this run in March, just when the COVID pandemic was starting. Our anticipated numbers were dramatically reduced as a consequence but the Aldgate Pump were very understanding and Terry thought the run should be enjoyed by more members and the pub should have more of our custom. We had a room to ourselves and conversation flowed freely, the a la carte menu was good and the local wines and beer were enjoyed also. Terry thanked all for attending and advised that the next run would be in 4 weeks time. He also proposed a vote of thanks to Phil for returning the convoy of lovely Aston Martins to the planned route after the road was blocked – we learned later that there had been a fatal accident on the road that required a road closure.
Assistant Area Rep, Terry Holt joined us later (after attending the Bentley Driver’s Club run) and he asked members sign a get-well card for AMOC member Conrad Fletcher who had had surgery in recent days. We were happy to hear he was progressing well.
We had a set time slot (because of COVID restrictions) from 12.30 to 2pm but that was adequate for our needs and as the clouds started to descend, we naturally disbanded to head for home after a lovely run. Many noted that we were very fortunate to reside in South Australia where we have virtually zero COVID cases, where we have close proximity to the lovely Hills with its great drives and where we produced some of the best wines and beers available. And Terry suggested we drove some of the best cars and had some of the most congenial AMOC members to share our common interests.
