Presidents Report April 2026
Welcome to one of my favourite times in Victoria – how can you not enjoy that period where the trees start turning and the Autumn colours start exploding forth. It also is a great time to get out and do some driving and here we hit the first speedhump.
We have all been impacted by the current fuel situation, some more than others and I’m sure all of you in club land have been struggling with the roller coaster of do we vs. don’t we as far as our club runs and activities. This is not assisted by the lack of clear information from our leaders and the typical media spins that come forward in times of crisis.
For us at the AOMC, we have been really challenged in particular with the running of the Florence Thomson Tour. It is a fabulous event with really nothing quite like it in the country. But it is also100+ cars going to a regional area and potentially consuming some of the local fuel supplies which may not be perceived positively by all locals. We have had in-depth consultations with the local tourist authority, council and local businesses and their overwhelming message is to continue with the tour as planned. Even in these difficult times it reinforces the amount of value that our movement delivers to regional communities let alone the wellbeing elements that it promotes both in participants and the community alike.
I do hope our world leaders will do a little more to solve the current situation as many in Australia are hurting. Please consider our farmers, and transporters whom we all depend on, as they are really feeling the pressure of diesel supply and price.
If your club is planning or contemplating a regional event, I would particularly encourage you to work with the region and make an informed decision as to whether to continue or possibly postpone your plans.
We have recently met with our colleagues at the VicFed and representatives from VicRoads with some key pain points being raised. Specifically, we have discussed issues with Veteran and vintage plates and the change of process, updates on legalities on use of a vehicle in the event of a club members passing, updates to some of the key initiatives proposed to streamline the CPS management for clubs via technology and irregularities in permitted vehicles as well as clubs. We await some further information from VicRoads to publish.
Many of you would have been at the Aussie Car show at the Manhattan Hotel on Sunday 19th April. This show is growing from strength to strength and there was a great level of interest, and enthusiasm as well as a fabulous variety of vehicles from locally produced to locally assembled, a big thank you to all of the AOMC volunteers that made this show happen.
Coming up we have a fabulous array of supported events for National Motoring Heritage Day. We are supporting events in Trentham, Geelong, Albury/Wodonga together with our own display at the Manhattan as well as a run in support of areas impacted by the bushfires in January 2026. Many clubs also have runs in support of NHMD so please get out and drive your vehicles - even though it will most likely cost you some extra dollars. It’s the best promotion for our movement.
Could I also take the opportunity to remind clubs and permit holders that the use of permit vehicles for commercial gain Is specifically forbidden under our permits. This includes some people that are advertising and hiring out their vehicles for weddings and formals etc. There are people who invest substantially in business with the right licences and insurance to do this work so please ensure that your clubs and their members are not risking the scheme by blatantly flaunting.
I would also like to formally welcome Andrew Alkemade to the AOMC committee. Andrew is filling the very large shoes of our long term committee member and Engine Number Record expert Philip Johnstone and we look forward to many more interesting tales from the archives
Please drive safe and stay well
Keith Mortimer
President
