October 2016 Priceless the VICMOG GAZETTE VICMOG OFFICE BEARERS 2016 the Official Journal of the Victorian Morgan President: Chris Page Owners Group Inc

October 2016 Priceless The VICMOG GAZETTE VICMOG OFFICE BEARERS 2016 The Official Journal of the Victorian Morgan President: Chris Page Owners Group Inc. Reg No: A0029564Y Email: [email protected] Correspondence to: Phone:0418 389793 Registered Address: PO Box 3044 Rowville, VIC 3178 Vice President: Frank Malerba [email protected] Email: [email protected] October 2016 Edition Phone: 0417 898001 CONTENTS Secretary/Public Officer: Ted Houston REPORTS Email: [email protected] From the President 3 Phone: 0438 717303 Secretary's Report 4 Treasurer: Ramsay McKay Social Secretary's Report 5 Email: [email protected] Phone: 0419367312 ARTICLES Social Secretary: Bill Emerson 37 Year Coma 7 Email: [email protected] The Vicmogger and the VP 8 Phone: 0418 427404 September Meeting Report 12 Regalia Officer: Frank Malerba Morgan Miscellany 14 Communications Officer: Brian Hardy For Sale 15 Email: [email protected] Phone : 0408 516988 Check out our website at: www.vicmog.com.au Club Register: Helen Davis (The members password is Plus4 ) and our Facebook page at : Phone: 0425 742064 www.facebook.com/MorganOwnersGroupInc Club Plates: Mike Devine Email: [email protected] EDITOR...... Brian Hardy Phone : 0407 946699 PHOTOGRAPHERS...... John Beezley & Ron Bayley Peter ffrench ROVING REPORTERS...... Lyle Honess & Ron Bayley Email: [email protected] CARTOONIST...... Jim Foley Phone: 0411 030151

CONTRIBUTIONS Phil Macwhirter We are always on the lookout for articles of interest Email: [email protected] to our readers. We request that copy be provided Phone :0417 050791 electronically, preferably as a Microsoft Office Word CAMS Delegate Phil Macwhirter document file. Photographs should be sent VP MOCA-Vic: Colin Bartlett separately. Please send all contributions, letters and advertising Committee Member Phil Macwhirter enquiries to the editor to: [email protected] Committee Member: Michael Aisenberg

COVER PHOTO Morgan Corner at the Rolls Royce Club annual concours Wesley Glen Waverley campus.

2 Looking forward to catching up with you all before too long

Cheers Chris

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Hi all, We have come back to Melbourne for a month or so REMEMBERING THE PAST and are set for a busy time. A wife was curious when she found an old Unfortunately I won't be able to get to Ted and Bev's negative in a drawer so she had it made on the 16th. We are having a memorial service for a into a print. good mate of mine up at Wodonga. He rode bikes until he was 78 years old and a few of us want to take him for one last ride, so my next Morgan experience will be the much anticipated high country run at the end of the month.

I got the 4/4 carby rebuilt up at Taree and got to use it two or three times before the starter motor gave up the ghost, at least the flat spot has been rectified - it's amazing how much more power the little Mog has developed. I have brought the starter back to Melbourne to be reconditioned so hopefully I'll get a good run out of the car after that. She was pleasantly surprised to see that it There has been a bit going on with our three was of her at a much younger, slimmer wheeler restorers - Chris Powell, Brian Richardson time, taken many years ago on one of her and Mike Devine are all highly motivated, it will be first dates with her husband. great when all the cars are on the road. When she showed him the photo, his face Life at Oxley Island has become even better since we lit up. found that there are five other Morgans within 30 "Wow, look at that!", he said with minutes of our place, so plans are afoot for an appreciation, informal gathering before Christmas. Maybe I will get to use the cars much more than we do down "That's my old ‘52 Drophead Morgan" here. I also attended a "car club" meeting on our last trip. The meeting went for the whole evening, there were no wives or partners there. It made me think about how lucky we are at Vicmog to have such informal meetings and a bigger emphasis on friendships - we should never get complacent or take this wonderful club for granted. So long as we have great office holders such as Ted, Brian, Bill, Ramsay and Frank etc in the club we are in good hands for the future.

3 SECRETARY'S REPORT

Hi Esteemed Members

A quiet Morgan month has gone by with too much rain and cold weather. Anyone would think it had been winter. With our lucky President Chris retiring north to warmer climates, it is time to ask our loyal members to consider offering their services at the December AGM, when all the Committee roles are up for renewal. Gee, I’ve survived three years as secretary. Once I couldn’t spell the word secretary, and now I is one! So don’t feel backwards in coming forwards, any input is appreciated and welcomed adventure to South Australia that coincided with the from any member old or new. once in a hundred year storm. As you can see from the photograph, the puddles are quite deep, and I had to be winched out with six inches of water inside the car. I’ll never complain about a little rain in the 4/4 anymore. Oh well, time for its first service!

Look forward to seeing you all at the October Club meetingwhich is being held at our place in Lysterfield on Sunday the 16th. Please let me know asap if you are coming, as I need to hire table and chairs. My email is [email protected]

Kind regards

Ted Houston

Well ,Karma has struck a deadly blow. I usually reserve the last Thursday of the month for the glorious Morgan Pensioner run, but this month agreed to go with some mates on a 4wd camping

Visit www.macedonrangesgrandtour.com.au for more details.

4 Looking a bit further out, we have a few dates for your diary. NOVEMBER 5-6 Nov VHRR Weekend at Sandown The Victorian Historic Racing Register is having a SOCIAL SECRETARY'S REPORT weekend event on the 5th and 6th of November. Check out their web site for more details at: Hopefully the following weeks may give us clear skies www.vhrr.com/wp/sandown and sunny conditions for better Morgan touring conditions. Here is what's coming up on the Morgan They have sent me discounted passes which I will front. bring with me to Ted's on the 16th October. OCTOBER Sunday 13 NOV - VICMOG Meeting/BBQ Sunday 16 Oct - VICMOG Meeting/BBQ at Mike and Alison’s home at Mt Martha When: 12:30pm Thursday 24 Nov RDO Lunch run Where: Bev and Ted's home at: 16 SHERWOOD WAY LYSTERFIELD. DECEMBER Bring: your own meat, salads and drinks. Sunday 11 Dec Christmas BBQ / AGM at Warwick and Paulette’s home at Coldstream Coffee, biscuits and cakes will be supplied by your hosts. 2017 RSVP: Important!!! RSVP to Ted no latter than 12th of October by email to: [email protected] There are a few events coming up next year that you or text to: 0438717303 really need to get your registration in now if you would like to attend. These are: Tuesday 25 Oct to 28 Oct - High Plains Drifter Sunday 5 Feb 17 The Great Australian Rally The RDO Lunch run for October has been replaced with the High Plains Drifter run Check out: www.greataustralianrally.com.au Day 1 (25th) is the start of our High Plains Drifter 19-25 Mar 17 The RACV Fly The Flag run and will take us to Milawa via the King Valley Alpine Tour where we will stay at LINDENWARRAH for the Check out: www.abccc.com.au/FTF/ evening Saturday 1 Apr 17 The GREAT Macedon Day 2 (26th) will allow for those who wish to test Grand Tour their skills on a drive up to Mt Buffalo or else a Check out: leisurely drive via Beechworth and Myrtleford to www.macedonrangesgrandtour.com.au Tawonga ( Mt Beauty ) staying at the Mountain Creek Motel, Ryders Lane, Tawonga Happy Morganing to all Day 3 (27th) will see us tick off a unique bucket list item as we travel over the alps on the magnificent Great Alpine Road to Metung via Omeo where we are Cheers staying at The Moorings. Day 4 (28th) is a lesiurely run back to Melbourne, Biggles (Bill) Emerson Full details of the itinerary will be forwarded in the next two weeks to those who have put their names down as attending this great VICMOG event

5 Great Australian Rally

RALL YING FOR A CURE 2017

Melbourne to Mornington Sunday 5th February 2017

6 The best songs of all time 7 The VICMOGGER AND THE VP by A former President and Life Member of the Club On July 17th this year I was required to make a speech. The last sentence of that speech will remain with me for a long time. “It is now my privilege to introduce the Vice President of the United States of America Mr Joe Biden”. The story behind this sentence. I am writing this as a chronicle of what happened, as it actually happened, without any garnishing. I joined the committee of the Ivanhoe RSL a bit over 3 years ago. In one of the rooms that is not used I found a U.S. flag on a staff. It is a silk flag which means it is a ceremonial flag-not the type you see flying on flagpoles. It was in need of repair with the fringe coming off in parts and stains on it. Enquiring about the flag I found out it was an American headquarters flag and went ashore with the 1st indeed interested in assisting you and your Marine Division U.S. Task Force at Guadalcanal in the colleagues”. A week later the Public Affairs Officer Bill Solomon Islands on August 7th 1942. It was the first Furnish came out. He inspected the flag, viewed it had U.S. Flag to be flown in combat in this campaign. A 48 stars and asked about the history of it. After Colonel Cavanagh presented it to the Ivanhoe RSL on protracted negotiations we finally received August 15 1957. Why it was presented to us has been confirmation of funding. lost in time. Colonel Cavanagh was a director of GMH. In August 2015 the U.S. Ambassador John Berry Apparently the 1st Marine Division had a depot in announced the funding of a flag. Latham St Ivanhoe. The restoration/preservation process went as I determined that this is a flag that needed to be planned. The next time I saw the flag it was finished preserved. I obtained a quotation from International and framed at Recherche. I can remember it well. I Conservation Services and lo and behold the framing was a bit overwhelmed as I saw it in its frame and is done by Recherche which is Neville Crawford's thought what was the cost of getting this flag ashore. business in Northcote. Neville is one of the founding members of the Morgan car club in Victoria. The next step was the rededication ceremony. The Embassy wanted publicity from it and rightly so. John The cost was fairly significant and we could not justify Berry was going to rededicate the flag. By this time it spending the money as there is a lot of maintenance was April 2016.They wanted to invite the Foreign required on our RSL. Some time later a Merren Ward Affairs Minister at the time. With the election, that and her husband joined the RSL. Merren had been a could change. I then found out the ambassador's history teacher and began doing some archiving work father served in the 1st Marine division at for us. Merren is also an MP (Morgan Perve). I told Guadalcanal. How fitting he should rededicate the her about the flag and she suggested I contact the flag. U.S. Embassy re funding the restoration as the U.S. is very patriotic about their flag. I was then given a date of July 17th to work towards. Then about 6 weeks before I was told in confidence I sent off a letter, August 2014 and received a reply a Joe Biden was coming out and they were going to see few weeks later from the Acting Consul General if he could do it. He was only here for a short time Cornelius C Walsh. Now there's an American name. mainly to open the new Cancer Hospital. There were The second sentence jumped out at me -”We are a lot of options on what he could or couldn't do in his

8 Things were becoming hectic. On Tues 12th I went to the Weary Dunlop Memorial Service, didn't tell the Embassy I was turning my phone off. Turned it back on after an hour and there were 8 missed calls and a text 'why was my phone off?' This was from the Cultural Affairs Attache, a very nice Australian lady. There was so much for them to do in so little time the fact she couldn't contact me had put her under pressure. It was quite a job getting the flag through the building they had to plan the path days before because of its size. Got it to the committee room ok. Once wemanoeuvred the flag into place and had finished, Tom, the White House person who organises the stage activities, came over to me. He was going through the procedure for Sunday. He said the Ambassador would speak first and introduce me and I would speak and introduce the VP. I can still available time. remember saying you want me to introduce the VP. Yes. The flag won. If you thought my mind was going before ……. I had The venue was to be the MCC Committee Room. worked my speech out, so I thought, this put a new perspective on it. I was then told they wanted me to make a speech, about a week before, and gave me a very brief We caught the train to Jolimont and got to the MCG outline. They were not prescriptive at all. This really about 9am. We couldn't enter until 10-30 (a bit got my mind going. nervous maybe). I started reading one of the newspapers and there was an article about Joe Biden I had a list of about 16 people I wanted to bring arriving in Melbourne. About halfway through the along. There was seating for 60. article it said the second most powerful man in the The attendees had to provide: world. I put the paper down. I didn't need that then. Full name Back to the MCG, again, with Sandy and a friend I served with. He said to me don't get his name wrong. Ethnic background That's what mates are for. I said maybe I'll say John Bowden. We got our passes, was swiped by Security Driving licence number and escorted to the committee room. Swiped again Passport number then left to mingle. A current serving SAS guy I invited was already there. He told me he had just rung an Mobile number-(mainly so they could contact them if SAS mate who is a sniper. He got it in one, he was need be). somewhere around the roof area of the MCG - a different world. This was then submitted by the Embassy to the White House. On one occasion an answer was received from About 11:00 am Tom took me behind the stage and the WH in about 20 minutes confirming acceptance. down a passageway, left into another passageway The list then went to the Secret Service. and said to wait there, the VP would be arriving in about 10 mins. This is the type of email I was receiving- There were about 7 or 8 Secret Service guys around. If you are receiving this email you and associated One in a long black ankle length leather coat open at have all been cleared by the White House. the front. What is going through your mind is what Nothing heard re the Secret Service clearance. went through mine. So all looks good I could see Tom nodding to someone in the lift. Out came Joe Biden followed by John Berry. Joe walked up to me with a huge smile on his face grabbed my,

9 by now, outstretched right hand, put his left hand on pleased to meet you Maam. If you meet the Pope do my right forearm and giving it a huge shake, said not kiss his ring just say pleased to meet you Your something like “it is so good to meet you John” (I Holiness. This is just to show you how ordinary a guy think). All I know was that it was a very warm, he is. sincere and friendly welcome. The Ambassador then greeted me in a friendly manner. We then walked in Joe Biden is a very sincere person and everyone in single file, as it was narrow, to the back of the stage. our group thought the same. Joe started talking about how he had played gridiron He complimented everything you did. I asked for and he thought Aussie rules was a bit like Gaelic some pictures with him. Sandy took a couple then he football. I'm thinking I could be at a pub with these said to me let’s go and stand in front of the flag. I guys the way the conversation flowed - it was surreal. One of the VP's staffers came up and had a book open at the statistics, which were underlined, of the Guadalcanal operation. He noted them down. I had planned to include this in my speech. I thought there goes a big chunk of my speech. We went onto the stage, the Ambassador spoke first and he is an excellent speaker. I was standing back a bit behind him thinking I have to follow this. The Ambassador introduced me as the head of the Ivanhoe RSL. Now our president is 95 and has been president for 40 years. He was sitting on the stage and I was told he nearly fell out of his chair. I corrected that quick smart. My turn came and I started off by saying I would have to modify my then took a couple of pictures with Sandy, he took speech as the VP was going to talk about the stat’s of the phone off me and took a couple of selfies with Guadalcanal. He called out “you go right ahead”. Sandy. My speech seemed to go ok, didn't stumble - it was a He shook hands with me and in the palm of his hand bit of a blur. I finished with the sentence at the start was a bronze medallion which he put in my hand. He of this article. Even received a round of applause at then told me next time we meet if I don’t have it the end. And yes I got the name right. with me it is my shout. The medallion is bronze with dark blue enamel with “Joe Biden Vice President of The VP spoke and he has a real soft spot for the United States of America” veterans. We, about 60, spent the afternoon with him and his three grand daughters. I had quite a few I hope you have found this as interesting as my conversations with him. experience was. Neville and Alwyn Crawford were there. At one stage The week after was mundane. of the afternoon I could hear Neville's booming voice, he is deaf. I looked over and here he is giving Joe two of his business cards. Apparently Joe had Operation Watchtower - Battle of Guadalcanal said he has some pictures of his son he wants framed. From August 1942 to February 1943 The VP was telling me he is known as Middle Class It was an Allied operation with a force of 60,000 Joe as he doesn't come from a wealthy family. He has had a tough life. Lost his wife and one year old There were: daughter in a car accident in 1972 then lost his 7100 lost, mostly Americans younger son Beau last year. He was telling me his mother was a short strong Irish woman. He is the 6th 29 ships lost youngest person to become a senator 30yo. He told his mother at one stage he was going to England and 615 planes lost would be meeting the Queen. She said do not curtsey when you meet her. Take her hand and say

10 The 1st Marine Division came to Melbourne after the battle. When they arrived at Station Pier there was a band playing Waltzing Matilda. After being through such fighting and under supplied with food and ammunition it was a very emotional arrival for them. So much so that the 1st Division now march to Waltzing Matilda. The Ambassador told how his father camped at the MCG. He was 18 and had lost 40 lbs (18kg) whilst at GC. He went on a tram one afternoon. The conductor looked at him and said “you look like a young man who could do with a decent meal. I finish in 1 hour and you are coming home with me." He did.

Our Thanks to John Beezley for this amazing story and great bit of history - Ed

1st MARINE DIVISION INSIGNIA

This was the first time the Japanese had been defeated. It was the biggest operation. Iwo Jima was not as big. It was a US operation. This was the beginning of the end for the Japanese.

For early 4/4 engine & gearbox bits, servicing and mechanical repairs and tuning of Morgans of all ages

FjORDFOUR MOTORS 23 Spray Ave Mordialloc Contact EDGAR Phone 9587 1588

11 SEPTEMBER MEETING REPORT

Our September Meeting was scheduled to be a picnic meeting at the Rolls Royce Concourse at Wesley College's Glen Waverley Campus. This is always a lovely day amongst some truly magnificent motorcars and the Rolls Royce Club are always the most gracious of hosts. Unfortunately, an incredibly wet run of weather prior to the event and a dubious weather forecast on the day conspired to depress our numbers to five four wheelers and one three wheeler.

Chris and Marlene in the 3 Wheeler drew a lot of attention but our small contingent of four wheelers were also a very popular attraction.

And of that total one Morgan, a handsome 1988 Plus 4 , did not belong to a member of our club. Still it was a very interesting one. The owner Ray had picked it up some 18 months previously and had undertaken some very well thought out and skillfully executed improvements including this new dash. By early afternoon as the skies grew blacker and more ominous, we decided to call it a day and try and beat the rain home. While a shame the weather was not kinder to us, this is always a fun and relaxing day out and worth putting on the calendar for next year A big thank you is due to the Rolls Royce and Bentley Club for letting us be part of their special day.

12 13 MORGAN MISCELLANY

Morgan announces a new VICMOG Member completes clothing range setting up his badge display

This amazing collection of Morgan car badges covers two walls and features amongst other things no less than 7 different Victorian Morgan Club badges. We believe this to be the most complete collection of Victorian Morgan Club badges in existence

There are some interesting items on offer but one disturbing feature is that the new range includes a quote: "Unisex Retro Navy Hoodie" unquote of all things. Retro, really? Come on guys, I mean Cloth Caps are retro, Hoodies are just a current clothing fad favoured by grafitti vandals and those wishing to disguise their appearance during armed holdups on convenience stores. If you would like to see more of the new range check out the MMC website at: http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/mmc/shop/

14 FOR SALE 2005 Morgan Roadster 3 Ltr. V6. Price : $125,000

Air conditioning. Full covers including side screen bag. S/steel luggage rack with side screen pocket. S/steel wire wheels. Photographic build album. Wind deflect on head rests. Front suspension bearing modification. S/steel tool box. Modified rear springs. New spax gas shock absorbers. New tyres. 49k-Kilometres. A beautiful car to drive, with comfort and performance, very reluctantly being sold due to health reasons. Contact Gerald Snelling Ph: 0414 378031 or 07 55378031 Email: [email protected]

15 FOR SALE 1949 Morgan 4-4 Series 1 Price : $45,000 o.n.o

• Original 1267cc ‘Standard Special’ overhead valve motor (OHV) • 77.4 cui advertise power, 29.8W/ 40 brake hp, torque 86Nm/63lb-ft • accelerations: 0-60mph 23.3s • weight 735kg/1620lbs • Rear wheel drive, manual 4 speed Moss gearbox • Car N° 52 off production line, Chasis N° JDG 9737 • Fully restored in 2002, and final service and outfitting by Morgan garage • registration to 09/16 LKP 766 (original UK Plates) • Imported to Australia 2012 • 32095 miles on the clock • New tyres, twin spare wheel The series 1 Morgan 4-4 Roadster was produced in limited number from 1936-1950, this wonderful example is fitted with its original Standard Special 1260cc overhead valve engine ( the Special engines were built by Standard Motor Corp for a short time and only for Morgan cars), 4 speed Moss gearbox and famous Morgan sliding pillar front suspension. This example is a genuine car, it runs and drives exceptionally well. The series 1 Morgan is a rare car, this restored example is a great investment for any car enthusiast. Featured article on this car:http://www.mister-cars.com/Article/1949-Morgan-4-4- Review/1790/ Contact : Philippa Hall Ph : 0402 317 042 or [email protected]