Bryan had a great sense of humour, often there was reference to the "latest from Cell 17" (given it was yet another Melbourne lockdown). Number 17 was his preferred race number of course. Not just because his birthday was the 17th. When he was 12 the family moved to 17 Wynnum St Shepparton and IIRC he was involved with the 17th Battalion during National Service. .
The motor sports enthusiasts of the Goulburn Valley formed their own Car Club in April 1959. That first year saw Bryan as GVCC Treasurer and Adrian Ryan head of the gang as President. Adrian did a great deal for country Victorian motor sports with officiating, race commentary and report coverage for the many events he attended. Growing as his status was well received with bigger race meetings and working in Ford Australia PR for numerous years too.
Just weeks after forming GVCC they were running their first race meeting at the Shepparton Aerodrome on 31/5/59. It was run without being sanctioned as a CAMS permit event.. So to avoid any CAMS squabbles, with Laurie Knight and Thommo CAMS licensed, they changed their names so they could run their Healeys. Laurie is entry 1 L Day, Benalla and Bryan became entry 3 C Thomas, Shepparton. It was Thommo who revealed the scandal! Young rascals!
Things had changed 12 months later, not least a new venue...
Thommo wrote... "By May 1960 the GVCC was a CAMS affiliated club . and as noted at bottom of page the CAMS permit was V60 / 59 . Yes Stephen , Undera was all dirt at this time . There were many working bees collecting sump oil from near and far, and spreading it after the council grader had prepared a surface of sorts . ( same as “Tarra” ) . The club had an ambitious plan for a tar seal , but Winton beat us to achieving this , and we elected to join up with the B A C."
I dug a bit more on the GVCC Undera subject with Thommo who ran the Molina Monza at the 2 meetings I'm aware of...
"Glad to oblige Stephen with some lesser known m’sport activities . Undera was on public land reserved as a sports area , probably about 20 acres , and , next to the Undera hotel and public hall . Despite a fair distance from Shepp. ( 14 miles ) it had the advantages of an enthusiastic local council , no issues with noise , and was between the 2 biggest population centres in the area , being Shepp. and Echuca / Moama .
(Note- The following came up because there's an advert in the 1961 programme - SD) Thomson’s Fashion Salon , established by my mother in the early 50’s specialised in “larger fittings” and “foundation garments” . ( My Mum was a big lady .) This niche market was much appreciated by country folk ,and my 5 sisters all spent time in the “retail” sector . Loel never worked in the Salon , but was a regular model at the very popular “fashion parades” of the time . It seems every fund raising function in the district included a fashion parade !!
(Then there's the reason why the lads had a sports car - SD) In the 50’s sports car days , the drive around the lake was always popular, especially after the Sat night dance , hopefully with an attractive conquest on board .
Cheers for now , Thommo"
The race programme was another salvage from the skip. The photo from the envelope, I suspect is one of Adrian's. That item came from the Thommo Donington auction. Within an item Phil at FML procured and he graciously handed to me. There's no details other than 'Bryan' written on the envelope, but I do suspect it's from Undera and I'm also reasonably confident that's the Coad ex G Hill driven Lotus 7 Climax above Thommo's head.
Stephen
Edited by cooper997, 16 February 2025 - 21:59.
