MAGNETTE RUN TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

Sunday 18 April 2010

In what is hoped to become a fixture on the MG Calendar, MG Magnettes enjoyed a day in the picturesque NSW Southern Highlands. Malcolm Robertson reports…

The Southern Highlands, not far outside Sydney, Australia's biggest, noisiest and most crowded city, are often referred o as a tiny patch of England, so like some parts of the old country are they. Green fields, grey drizzle (usually), narrow winding roads, deciduous trees ablaze with amazing autumn colours, tiny villages with red post boxes on every corner. Any visiting Englishman would be homesick straight away, while local Aussies go there to bask in the cool shade instead of the usual dry, brown heat found elsewhere in the country.

So, where else would you go to give your Magnette a good cobweb clearing blast and to escape the smoke and noise of the big cities? And that is exactly what happened in April 2010. A number of Australian Magnettes converged from the big cities of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra to participate in the first Southern Highlands Magnette day run by Terry and Helen Healy from Mittagong. Six Magnettes congregated in Berrima before heading out on a mini rally around some of the more scenic by-ways of the area.

From Sydney came Brian and Julia Woolmer in their red ZA, and Peter Baldry and Lesly Radnidge in their recently restored duo-tone silver over black ZA. Peter is Magnette Register captain and general motivator of all things Magnette for the MG Car Club in Sydney. Also from Sydney came new Magnette owner, Frank Johnston and his wife Maureen, but not with their car. From the National Capital, Canberra, a short 100 mile romp, came Malcolm Robertson and Gaye Weller in their Varitone, Alison, and Graham Gittins in his red ZA. David and Barbara Overington in their green ZB made the hazardous trip up a steep and winding pass from sea level at Wollongong to the Highlands, while organisers of the day, Terry and Helen Healy, simply had to push their dark blue ZB out the garage and down the hill to join the group.

Terry is the originator of the gathering and says that the idea was to have a day run that got the Magnettes out of the big cities and back onto some of the roads that they were designed for, an objective that was clearly met judging by the enthusiastic response among the owners. The day resulted in new friends being made and a very pleasant drive on gorgeous roads. A relaxing picnic-style luncheon was held in the Berrima Market Place, a quick visit made to local antique shops, and a stroll taken around the township.

A repeat event is planned for next year.