moments that defined RACT 25

A lot can change over a century. Cars certainly have. Road rules, too. Even our name has changed twice. Like many Tasmanian roads, our story has a few twists and turns, and detours into important parts of the social, political, and cultural history of Tasmania. It’s a story of a community of people, a ‘Club’, who share a common interest in a common place. Our home.

1. Starting up

It was Wednesday 21 March 1923, to be exact, when we first legally came into existence. It all started when two Tasmanians wanted to elevate the voice of motorists. The pair responsible for our inception was Raymond John Shield, a well-connected local accountant, and Allen Crisp, a lawyer who had served as a military officer in Gallipoli and on the Western Front with distinction.

3. Our scout mechanics

4. RUBBING SHOULDERS

Tasmania’s Governor, James O’Grady, became our first patron in 1925.

2. Safety first

Born of the last few decades of motoring experience, we became a leading advocate for driver safety matters across all of Tasmania. We saw the introduction of road signs that alerted drivers of upcoming turns, intersections and approaching schools. Meanwhile, we wrote to local councils across Tasmania to erect town signage at their boundaries to inform motorists of where they were.

The ‘20s saw our next revolution, with Australia’s first ‘scout mechanics’ hitting the road in Tasmania. In late 1923, John C. Oldham and John Murray Philp became our first on-road mechanics. They carried tools, a little petrol and a supply of club application forms for any drivers nursing a broken-down vehicle who weren’t yet members.

5. A place to call home

With a rapidly growing membership, it was time for us to find our first home. In June 1925, we acquired space on the first floor of a centrally located building at 130 Collins Street, Hobart.

6. Connecting Tasmania

Early in 1931, we received a letter from a Mr G. Hayton requesting a branch of the club at Queenstown. At the time, there were about 50 car owners in the area. Thinking the suggestion an excellent one, the idea was approved immediately. Not only did we advocate and help build the West Coast Road, but we actively raised funds.