100th Birthday Celebration for Mr Alan Robinson Veteran Car Club of Australia (Queensland)

Veteran Car Club of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Ms Sally York; Former President, Mr Peter Arnold; today’s guest of honour who happens to be celebrating a very special milestone, Mr Alan Robinson and your family and friends; Club Members; ladies and gentlemen.  

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.  

I would like to begin by thanking your President, Ms York, for the invitation to attend this afternoon’s birthday celebrations for Mr Alan Robinson. As Joint Honorary Members of the Club, Graeme and I are delighted to be here to share in this special gathering of the family and friends of Mr Robinson, and of course, the members of the Veteran Car Club who have known Alan for various periods of time, and in various capacities, across a number of decades.  

Alan and his wife Carol joined the club here in Queensland on the 31st of July back in 1994. Prior to this, they had been members of the car club in South Australia, which is where they were living before making the move north.  

They’ve been married for 38 years, which in itself is something to be celebrated, and we congratulate them on their fabulous partnership. Alan and Carol are a great team it seems, with Alan assisting Carol during her time as the Veteran Car Club Librarian, and more recently supporting her as she carries out the duties of Editor of the Club newsletter, Veteran Torque.  

Now, to Alan, our birthday boy! What a great age to be celebrating! In any one’s books, reaching 100 years is a magnificent achievement. And to be able to celebrate in the company of those you hold most dear is special indeed.  

I know that you’ve already had some celebrations on your actual birthday last Sunday but again today, in the company of the people with whom you have worked and played, we wanted to demonstrate the high regard in which you have been held over your centenary of years.  

To be holding this celebration in the Australia Club Rooms of the Veteran Car Club signifies the important role that the Veteran Car Club has played in your life, and the significant role you have played in the Club.   

With your 1909 Renault, affectionately known as Reggie, you and Carol have delighted in this community of veteran car enthusiasts. You have taken part in the Club’s varied events program whenever possible, and truly enjoyed the friendship of the like-minded people who make up the Club.  

It is truly my pleasure this afternoon to wish you all the very best Alan, and thanks for having both Graeme and I at your very significant birthday party!