More of our Outstanding Volunteers

Anna Cook

When did you join the PCV?: 2017

Cars have always been a passion, especially convertibles.

The first was a red pedal car that from a young age was a favourite toy with its sweeping guards, upholstered driver’s seat and dickie seat, and perspex windscreen, it was very handsome.

Concours was my thing! First I’d clean the car then drive to the lawn and park it along side a variety of vehicular things: Tonka trucks, a golf buggy, various tricycles, and invariably the Victor lawn mower (that in my brother’s imagination was a Formula-1!)

Racing the pedal car around the house was his favourite pastime. The wide paths made a perfect circuit. He would screech on the hair-pin corners and emit loud revs on the straights ….‘veerrumm’….! Sometimes it was my job to fill the imaginary fuel tank The love of soft tops continued into adulthood. Favourites included: 1965 MGB Roadster and a 1970 Triumph Stag with its unique T-bar roof design with options of: a full soft top cover, a fitted hard-top or fully open. (It was a zinger to drive!)

Other favourites were BMW’s: 1972, 2002 and 1996 Bauer Cabriole,321

What do you drive?

Three years ago I bought a 2002 Boxster, a ‘garage queen’ that was only 60,000k ‘clicks old’. While wanting a later model, I knew this was an offer I could not refuse. Further, I was smitten with the performance, the smooth handling and traction of the mid engine; also the flat six sound.

Why did you volunteer?

Arriving early one Club Night, I noticed Carly and Lisa, also Michael O’Brien; lugging boxes of beverages (left-over from previous meetings); then setting up the bar, then serving drinks. I started doing short stints especially in the arrival peak ‘happy hour’ period.

Months later on a run, Michael and I were chatting and he advised that a member was retiring off the Social Committee and asked if I’d be interested. I was, and I accepted! (Thank you Michael!) Help with Club Nights. Member of the SubCommittee (headed by Russell Sturzaker): responsible for liaison with food and beverage suppliers, related equipment hire companies and venue set-up logistics.

Why do you enjoy volunteering?

From the outset I enjoyed the social dynamics especially the shared interest in cars and the Club! The meetings are turbo-charged with energy and everyone comes well prepared and across detail. New ideas are encouraged and supported by Director, Linley Baxter who steers the agenda to ensure everyone stays on track!

A Volunteer without Peer:

A shout-out to Ron Widdison, Editor, of the ‘Porsche Parade’ magazine: the heart and soul of the PCV. The current issue (Edition No.204) has a stylish masthead in a stand-out glossy spot UV text. The cover features a drop-dead gorgeous image of the 911 Targa 4S cabriolet. Overall it is sumptuous and iconic edition.

So why volunteer?

Volunteering is a Club’s greatest asset; its tour de force and its raison d’etre! Philosophically: ‘The more members give to the Club, the more the Club prospers and gives back to its members’.

Peter Harrison

When did you join the PCV?:

I joined in 2003. Mat Stoupas from Weltmeister talked me into joining when I went there to have my 964 Cabriolet serviced for the first time.

What you drive?:

2003 – 2005: 1992 911 964 wide body cabriolet (great road car, but cornered like a shopping trolley on the race track)

2004 – 2008: 1985 911 3.2 litre Carrera

2008 – 2014: 1991 911 964 C2

2014 – now: 2004 996 Mk2 GT3

The last three were set up for club track events.

What you do on your committee, register or general volunteering?:

I joined the General Committee in 2008. I have been on the Competition Committee since 2009, except for 2013 and 2014 when I served as Club President. On the Competition Committee we manage all aspects of the club’s competition events, including the competition rules, classes, event calendar, event conduct, and results. We work closely with the club’s race officials and flag marshals around the running of events. The Competition Director chairs the committee and on average there are around 8 – 10 active members, with a range of other volunteers who assist when we have specific issues to work through. We are always looking for new people to join us in managing the competition season.

At a personal level, my involvement with the Competition Committee gave me the excuse to put my electronics and software interests to use in developing an Autokhana event electronic timing system that links into the club’s competition results systems.

Why do you love volunteering for the Club?

I have found that people join our club to share in the enjoyment of owning and driving a Porsche motor vehicle. It is fun just mixing with the members and sharing the common interest. I have found that volunteering just enriches that enjoyment by increasing the amount of interaction with the other members of the club. It is also an opportunity to contribute ideas on how the club can be improved for all of the members.

Whenever I arrive at a competition venue early, it never ceases to amaze me as I watch people arriving in increasing numbers and see how everyone (except maybe the first timers) knows their own part in the process and how the day progressively unfolds into a highly organised track competition. It’s a live example of the contribution of the current volunteer officials and marshals, together with the current and past Competition Committee members who documented and refined the procedures over many years.

Ian Geekie

When did you join the PCV? 2014

What you drive?:

2004 996 GT3 Clubsport I am a member of the Competition Committee

Why do you love volunteering for the Club?

I have been associated with Porsche both professionally and privately for many years and the club provides a great platform to enjoy my car both on and off the track together with like minded enthusiasts.

Greg Humphries

When did you join the PCV?:

2002 from memory, following a recommendation from Porsche Centre Melbourne when we bought our first Porsche, a 2000 Boxster S My favourite car for a spirited drive is the 1999 GT3. I love the purity of the driving experience, the precision-engineered feel of the brakes and drivetrain and of course the sound of the normallyaspirated Mezger engine. A wonderfully ‘analog’ experience on road or track.

What you do on your committee, register or general volunteering?:

I have been the Register Captain for the GT3/ RS/RSR for the last eight years. Over the journey we have enjoyed the traditional brunch and lunch runs and Porsche specialist technical nights. More recently we have added afternoon tours and ’sunset’ dinners to our calendar which Robin and I have very much enjoyed our membership of the club and met some wonderful people, attended a fantastic range of events and made life-long friendships over the years. We know that these events don’t happen by accident and it is important to try and give back a little to balance what we have received. Also, individuals who volunteer bring their own personality and preferences to their role which adds to the variety of experiences that PCV delivers to all members.

Russell Sturzaker

When did you join the PCV?

I joined PCV (along with my father - Alan) at the founding meeting at the Light Car Club of Australia on 26th August 1975 (Member No: 31)

What you drive?:

1981 924 Carrera GT (My vehicle is number 12 out of 15 delivered to Australia, and the only one in Black, the other colours available were Red or Silver).

What you do on your committee, register or general volunteering?

I first served on the General Committee from 1978 – 1982 as Editor, and from 1977 to 1991 as Printer of Porsche Parade. I then joined the Social Committee in 2004 and served as Deputy Social Director, until 2006 when I once again joined the General Committee for 2006.

2015 saw the formation of the Archives Committee, of which I was a member seeing through the digitisation of all our Porsche Parade Magazines. In 2017 I rejoined the Social Committee, and currently assist in the organisation of social events, and drive days, along with my main role as Chair of the Club Night Sub-committee, where we plan and coordinate our Club Nights.

Why do you love volunteering for the Club?

As Club Members we are all part of the Porsche Family, and as such, I have always loved being an active member of PCV. Over the years I have met and made friends with many people, both members, and those involved with the marque be it either through the dealerships, or the supporters and suppliers.

Our Club has provided me with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of events over the years, including sprint days, motorkhanas, hill climbs, concours, drive days, tours, national meetings, social events and many more, however none of these events happen without the support of those members who are prepared to donate their time to the organisation and supervision of these events, and it is through being involved in these that I receive a great amount of enjoyment and satisfaction.

In 2019 I was very honoured to be awarded Club Member of the Year, and this coupled with having won the Tony Jones Memorial Trophy in 1979 & 1980 really tops my involvement as being a very proud member of the Porsche Club of Victoria.

Andrew Smith

When did you join the PCV?:

I joined PCV in December 2015 after buying my first Porsche.

What you drive?

When I joined I had a 2003 Silver 996 Carrera. I now have a 2004 996 Cup Car for the track, and a 2012 991 Carrera S to drive on non-track weekends.

What you do on your committee, register or general volunteering?:

At the end of 2017 I was approached by the Competition Director, Mark Horton Andrews about joining the Competition Committee, which was a great honour.

I currently assist Mark by ensuring all the Dorians (car lap timing devices) are charged and brought to each track event.

Why do you love volunteering for the Club?

I really believe that by volunteering, it’s a great way of putting something back in to the club which I’ve got so much enjoyment out of over the last 5 years.

To be able to mix with like minded people who all have the same goal of providing a safe and well planned track experience is such a rewarding result.

I’m constantly amazed at the dedication and time everyone on the Committee puts in to provide us all with the opportunity to enjoy pushing our cars on the track, in such a well organised and efficient way.