July 2, 2019
It may have taken 24 years to achieve their goal, but members of the South Burnett Antique Motor Club (SBAMC) have finally tasted success.
Club members and visitors from all over south-Eeast Queensland gathered at the South Burnett Enterprise Centre in Kingaroy on June 23 for the official opening of the club’s new storage shed and club room.
SBAMC president Michael McAuliffe said the club embarked on the project in 1995 when it celebrated its 21st birthday.
But it was quickly derailed by the construction of Kingaroy’s Town Common Hall.
Like many other community groups, the SBMAC recognised the need for an alternative to Kingaroy’s Town Hall for local community groups to meet, and made a sizable donation to help the Town Common Hall get built.
In return, the club enjoyed many years of cost-free meetings there.
But the Town Common Hall donation had drained the club’s bank account and it took another 14 years of rallies and club events to build it back up again.
The club started looking seriously again in 2009 at getting a building it could call its own.
However, finding the right location proved much harder than anyone expected.
“Every recommendation had unacceptable ongoing costs or was located too far from town,” Michael said.
Eventually the group had a talk with South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton, who took the project under her wing.
Nina encouraged the club to apply to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for a grant to build a shed.
“Thanks to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund we now have a bonzer, fully insulated storage facility, complete with solar power and solar lights,” Michael said.
“This is somewhere to have our library available to members; somewhere to meet before or after runs; and we have a meeting room and barbecue area available at the Enterprise Centre that our club is sure to make good use of.”
He thanked club member Linda Watts, who prepared the successful grant application; and Nina Temperton and Erica Pukallus, from South Burnett CTC, who had helped see the project through to completion.
He also thanked Col Rogerson, from Shannon’s Insurance, who paid for the sign on the shed’s exterior; and South Burnett Regional Council staff for ensuring everything was built to current standards.
Michael then asked South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell to cut a ribbon and declare the new clubhouse officially open.
“I congratulate all of you,” Mayor Campbell said.
“I’ve known this club for many, many years and I know that finding a home has been a very long-term project for you.
“Your club has a strong sense of community, and I’m very happy the Council was able to help.”
Afterwards, club members and visitors inspected the new shed and rounded out the day with a barbecue lunch.
