Australian ACMOC chapters

Gavin,

I would suggest you contact Lance and tell him that would like to be apart of this chapter.

To get started the first thing you need is at least 5 ACMOC members and someone willing to serve as a leader.
The biggest problem right now is the fact that there is so many miles between Australian members it would be very difficult to gather on a chapter level.

Hi, Erik, Gavin and Lance(If he is looking?)
I would be happy to be a member of an Australian ACMOC chapter. As you said, Erik, the real issue here in DowNunder is distance. It is an issue for those of us living on the Eastern side of the country. For those further West, the tyranny of distance has a whole 'nuther' meaning. Perth, the state capital of Western Australia, has the dubious honor of being the capital city that is furthest from any other capital city in the world. It can take a GOOD three days of driving to get from Wyndham in the North of Western Australia to Albany in the South. It is around 2 1/2 to 3 days of solid driving for two drivers around the clock from Perth to Sydney. Sydney to Darwin, ditto.

It is possible to spend TWO 10-hour days driving South at the speed limit or close to it from just North of Cairns in North Queensland and still be in Queensland at the end of the second day. From the Queensland border South to Sydney in New South Wales is a further 8 or 9 hours - if you get a good run. Then there is another 9-10 hours or so to Melbourne.

None of the above is intended to try to scare anybody away from the idea of forming an Australian chapter - or chapters. Rather, it is intended to make it clear that there are some difficulties involved in doing so in the hope that peope will choose to work to overcome those difficulties.

There have been several shows scattered around the country since about 2003 where people travelled HUNDREDS of kilometres to attend or to bring their 'toys' to display or to work. I attended one of these at Toowoomba, Queensland, in March, 2005, a 2-day event where there were somewhere over 400 tractor exhibits, tractor pulls, a working vintage earthmoving display, steam powered machines and a swap meet, amongst other things. A good time was had by all those to whom I spoke. We had at least three visitors from the U.S. at that show and at least one from the far side of DowNunder, the esteemed OzDozer. There was another at Biloela that I know about and I suspect that there were others that I didn't hear about or have forgotten.

So it IS possible to get people together for shows. It just takes some arranging - and some forward planning. How-wevver, I suspect that much of the business of any DowNunder chapter(s) would have to be conducted by e-mail or by phone conferencing, Skype group calls or some such means - - - - unless ACMOC suddenly wins a HUGE lottery and can then afford to subsidise travel where necessary. (We should be so lucky.)

So, is anybody else interested in starting a DowNunder chapter - - - or six?

Just my 0.02.

Hi Fellows , I have been working around the edges for some time now , I have spoken to a Number of collectors from Qld to W.A. and as previously stated Distance is the Tyrany . I am also finding there are people who don't know about ACMOC , only Last week I happened too, by Chance contact a chap in W.A. who has many Cats and he was unaware We had an organization He could be Part off.
When at the 2010 Nationals in W.A. I spoke with some Cat fellows there and they felt that there would be at least 30 Collectors over there . I had a member ring Me from North Qld recently and He suggested that there were enough members and collectors "Up North" to form a Chapter there . Maybe We can Look at Mackay North ? Next years Qld Heritage Rally will be at Home Hill ,so that would a Great Starting point .. and I feel we can do Same in Brisbane -Toowoomba area . Tasmania , That beautiful little Island off the Southern coast [ Currently experincing bad Bushfires ,like NSW ] have been mentioning about a Chapter here on the BB . South Australia has a Number of Collectors and likewise Victoria and NSW . I hope to have a full list of Current members shortly.
Gavin 84W I plan to be at Nationals at Mudgee [NSW] April 18-19-20 will you be there ? I know several Cat collectors that have indicated they will be there . I probably won't have a tractor there unless I can hitch a ride with someone . it's a 1000 odd KLM's for Us and to hire a tilt tray is too much $$$$'s .I sure would like to catch up with You.
Deas , please Contact me when you could come and see Us , If you could spare the time ,have a looksee what My wife and I are Doing here on the Sunny Coast and that goes for any Cat folks, always a Cuppa or a meal or even a bed !! [ But bring your Grease Rags !!! ] Your suggestion of using Skype is good , can you conference on it ?
After the first BOD meeting at end of month I hope I will have more info to work with , In mean time anyone interested in being involved in a Chapter please PM me or on the BB with Your thoughs and suggestions and Be POSITIVE .We can make this Happen LJ

Hi, Lance.
Look out, M8. E-mail comin' atchyer askin' 'wair-n-wenn'. Better let Gav know too so he can hop in his company car and run up some 'klicks'. He probably needs the driving practice and the fresh air too after being cooped up in a dingy office down there in Parramatta for so long. Won't hurt him to get re-acquainted with tools again either - - - or OLD yella paint 'stead of that flash new stuff that he hangs around all the time.

Just my 0.02. Catchyalater.

One solution is to have more than one chapter in differant parts of the territory to meet the needs of the collectors.

I will be glad to work with you to help get something started, just let me know.

Speaking of tractor shows Deas, the Allora Heritage Show is on the 26th and 27th January, lots of tractors, working displays, featuring Oliver tractors this year.
I am taking two D2 5Us, mine and Robert Stumms' from Carbrook, will be plenty of other Cats there. Allora is 160 kms from Brisbane, between Warwick and
Toowoomba.

Thanks Ross for reminding me , I forgot to mention Allora show on my previous post , It's always a great Weekend , missed last year as we had to Go to a wedding out West . Be good to see Yours and Roberts D2's , Be great if there is a good showing of Cat's there . A number around Toowoomba area .
Hey Deas , better hop in that RV and Come Across , HUH !!!
May get My wide 22 Finished But days are sliding past faster than I am getting the unit Finished. You know the old Adage 90% finished , 90% left to finish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. See you at Allora LJ

Count me in guys . Would be keen to join an Australian chapter, Gavin84W can pick me up on the way!!