The day started at picturesque Lillydale Lake, which helpfully had a coffee cart in attendance. There were around 30 people in 21 cars, so it was an excellent turn-out for a full-day drive. There were quite a few new members along, clearly looking forward to exercising their BMWs. Unusually, we ran the convoy as one single group, which was only possible thanks to the TourBoss app we rely on these days.
We started with a routine cruise to Yea and a short break, then cruised to Alexandra. From there, we took the winding Skyline drive, with spectacular views (for the passengers, at least) across Lake Eildon and the mountains beyond, all the way to snow-capped Mount Buller. That brought us to a leisurely lakeside stop at Eildon. The main event was the Eildon-Jamieson road - 60km of mostly 2nd and 3rd gear twists, where many of the drivers had lots of fun - not so much some of the passengers, but at least they could enjoy dramatic views over the lake from the heights of Mount Torbrek. The tightest parts of the road better suited the smaller, lighter BMWs, but everyone was able to take their own pace at which they felt comfortable and safe. We regrouped at the end of the road and had an impressive line-up of cars. We then cruised on the sweeping road into Mansfield for a good lunch at the Delatite Hotel. A few people also sampled the coffee from the coffee specialists next door.
After lunch, many people headed directly home, but seven cars took an excellent back-road route to Yea. Someone correctly said that these roads were more suitable for BMWs, with sweeping curves and dramatic elevation changes - so you can expect us to set a drive using just these roads at some stage in the future. We finished up at Yea, said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways home. Overall, it was an excellent day with good company and plenty of friendly chat along with very enjoyable driving. This is why we own BMWs.
As September turns into October, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of spring sunshine to fuel some fantastic driving days ahead. Despite the unpredictable weather, it’s been a month full of camaraderie, motorsport, and memorable moments.
Events Recap
3 September – Pro Racing Simulators Night (and a Birthday!)
We kicked off the month with a thrilling evening at Pro Racing Simulators in Hastings—an exciting new venue for our club. The racing was fierce, the battles close, and the energy high. A special thank you to Jo for organising a birthday cake to mark my special day—it was a lovely surprise! Thanks to everyone who came along to celebrate and race and eat cake.
17 September – Geelong “Donut Replacement” Drop In
Lawrence hosted another successful Drop in Donuts night in Geelong. These casual catchups continue to be a hit—great cars, great coffee, and even better company.
21 September – Spring Drive through Historic Towns
We had a fantastic turnout for our Spring Drive, with two large groups navigating via Tour Boss. Huge thanks to Peter and Jo for organising this popular event. Although Jo was unwell and couldn’t attend in person, she still coordinated everything from home—true dedication!
3–5 October – Victorian State Racing at Phillip Island
Our racing members hit the track with E30 Racing. On Friday afternoon there was a Track to Town Drive and display for the race cars from each category too.
Upcoming Events
October is going to be a very busy month!
5 October – Twisty Roads Drive
Get ready for an adventurous cruise through some of Victoria’s best driving roads. This one promises to be a highlight!
8 October Geelong “Donut Replacement” Drop In
8-13 October, quite a few of us make the pilgrimage to Bathurst for the Bathurst 1000. If you are watching the telecast, keep your eyes peeled for some of our members officiating in pit lane or around the track.
Thank you to all of our members that do spare their time to officiate at Motorsport events, none of these events can run without the army of officials that give of their time and energy to help them run so well. As always, if you are interested in becoming a Motorsport Official speak to Jo or myself to find out more. We are always happy to get more people involved as officials at any level of motorsport, from club days to Supercars and even F1. Ask anyone that does it, it is the best way to get up close to the action on track without spending a lot of money on a race car!
15 October – Members Meeting at Brighton BMW
We’re thrilled to host our first meeting with Brighton BMW, one of our newest dealership partners. Don’t miss this exciting night—registrations are still open.
18 October – Wonthaggi SES & Coal Mine Tour
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work of the Wonthaggi SES, followed by a tour of the nearby Coal Mine or a relaxing lunch at the café. This event supports vital SES fundraising efforts—please register if you haven’t already.
23 October – Club AGM at the German Tivoli Club
Our Annual General Meeting is a cornerstone of club governance. Join us for dinner beforehand (book directly with Tivoli Club) and register for the AGM via our website. This is your opportunity to have a say, get involved, and help shape the future of our club.
26 October – Superfest NSW & Pink Ribbon Morning Tea
It’s a double-header! Superfest returns in NSW, and locally we host our sold-out Pink Ribbon Morning Tea at Black Rock House to raise funds for breast cancer research. Raffle prizes galore! Donations are still welcome via our fundraising page.
Jo is also undertaking a personal challenge—a 58km walk for breast cancer research. While Jo doesn’t have breast cancer herself, she’s walking in honour of loved ones affected by this disease. Please consider supporting her journey with a donation. Well done, Jo!
31 October – Canberra Road Trip
We’re off to explore the Capital! A 10-day adventure awaits, and there’s still time to join. Be sure to register and book accommodation early. Follow our journey on Facebook!
Save These Dates
As you can see, our calendar is packed! The 2026 schedule is already filling fast, so mark your diaries and don’t miss out.
Sponsorship Season Is Here!
As we gear up for an exciting 2026, we’re inviting businesses who share our passion for community, motorsport, and connection to come on board as sponsors of BMW Drivers Club Melbourne.
If you're a company interested in supporting the club and we haven’t yet reached out to you, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Jo at v.president@bmwdcm.com.au she’ll be delighted to chat about the many ways you can get involved and showcase your brand to our vibrant and engaged membership.
Let’s make 2026 unforgettable—together!
Club Updates
Peter Williams is heading in for surgery to have his other knee fixed—wishing him a smooth and speedy recovery! In the meantime, we’ll need extra support with lead and tail drivers for upcoming drives.
New stock of our soft-shell jackets is now available online, and our sports overnight travel bags make perfect Christmas gifts.
We’re also seeking nominations for non-executive “committee” roles at the AGM. These are flexible, voluntary positions—perfect if you’d like to help out at one or two events without the hassle of monthly meetings. Every bit of support helps lighten the load.
Our welfare team continues to work quietly behind the scenes, and we’re pleased to share some good news about a member who’s been unwell—Jo has been in regular contact and offering support. If you or someone you know needs a hand, please reach out. We’re more than a club—we’re a family.
As we approach the festive season, let’s be mindful of those who may not have company. If you have room at your table, consider extending an invitation, it could mean the world to someone.
Drive safely, enjoy the warmer weather as the days get longer, and thank you all for making this club the vibrant, welcoming community it is.
Warm regards,
Graeme Bell | President
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.
PO Box 81, Tyabb VIC 3913 Incorporated in Victoria #A0102695G BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc is a member of: BMW Clubs Australia and the BMW Clubs International Council Motorsport Australia Affiliated Motorsport Club
We gathered at BP Calder Park services on the Calder Highway under cloudy skies. Obviously a popular spot as bioth the Lotus Club and the BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria were there. We had a really good collection of different models that were split into two groups 15 minutes apart. Jo & Graeme did not make it Jo was not well, and we thank her for organising the event.
We were in the first group so left 15 minutes ahead of the second group with approximately half the cars and we had a really good group of varied cars from a 316i to a lovely 740 together with the old and new M2 so it was a pleasure travelling in this group as we headed initially for Gisborne and we did a lap of the historic area. When we got back to the roundabout TourBoss wanted us to do another lap but Peter, knowing the way, indicated to go left instead of right and we were off to Trentham where we had a pitstop next the to lake. Some of us went up the street for a wander to get some morning tea. Not long before we left the second group turned up. We headed to Trentham Falls which were impressive and worth a look. The group wandered down the hill a bit to have a look but Trent ever adventurous investigated going down to the very bottom but decided better of it.
We then headed to Malmsbury for our next stop at the botanic gardens which looked like they were a little dry, but Peter pointed out the stone viaduct which had been built in 1860 for the railway opened in 1862 from local stone. Still in use. The viaduct was impressive and there were some huge pine trees in that part of the gardens. It started drizzling and this would follow us for the rest of the day. There was also a market on over the other side of the road so some members went over to take a look.
After we congregated back at the cars, we headed off to Kyneton to have set menu lunch at the Shamrock Hotel. After lunch we had time to have a look around town but most of the shops were closed.
When we made it back to the cars about half the group decided to go their own way from there, as had much of the second group, so all the remaining cars travelled in one group down to Lancefield. At this point more headed home on their own. Peter, Trent and us continued down to Wallen to get back on to the freeway and head home.
We would like to thank Peter & Lawrence for running he day and everybody that took the time to enjoy the drive and banter over lunch.
Adrian White #606
We had a great day!
Darren Muldoon #1362
We would like to congratulate you on a very enjoyable drive. Yes, a pity about the weather but it did not detract from the experience. It was particularly unfortunate that it decided to rain as we approached the market, which would have been fun to explore.
Thank you for all the hard work which you very obviously put in when organising these events.
Terry and Anne Lane #965 and 1112
Thank you for a great day, once again. The weather is what it is, but summer is just around the corner!
Marius Schreuders #1122
For the second weekend in a row we hosted a Sunday Lunch.
This time a casual Sunday roast lunch and meet up at the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron rooms.
The weather turned out to be great after a few days of not nice weather.
Great location, amazing cars on display and fantastic group of people to spend the afternoon with.
Even a surprise (and premature by 3 days but who's counting) birthday cake for our President.
Thanks to all that came along and joined us
As we roll through the second half of the year, August has proven to be one of our busiest and most exciting months yet. From high-speed karting to scenic drives and championship racing, the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne continues to thrive with passion, camaraderie, and unforgettable experiences.
August Highlights
A thrilling day of family friendly competition and fast laps. Members showed off their skills and had a blast on the track.
A quirky but essential gathering of car loving members but no longer at a donut café.
A standout motorsport weekend with our E30 racers representing the club with pride and performance. Great having a few of the South Australian Club members drop in over the weekend for a chat and to watch some of the Racing.
A picturesque cruise through regional Victoria, capped off with a relaxed lunch and great company.
Competitive spirit was high as drivers tackled the technical Broadford circuit, the weather held off for a fun day on track with our friends from AROCA
A stylish showcase of BMWs by the bay, blending elegance with community spirit. A delicious lunch and a great show of members cars at one of our now favourite locations.
Looking Ahead – September & Beyond
Join us for a night of virtual racing and celebration—cake and competition guaranteed!
A scenic journey through Victoria’s charming heritage towns. Bring your cameras and your cruising spirit.
Events to Remember
A chance to connect, check out the Dealership and catch up with your friends from the Club
Your voice matters—come be part of the club’s direction and decisions, we are looking for people to put their hand up and come and help the club be as great as it can be with your input and help.
A national celebration of BMW passion. Whether you're showing off or sprinting, it’s a must-attend.
A weekend or week long escape with scenic drives and cultural stops, some history and even a catch up dinner with the Canberra Club
The ultimate test of driver and machine. Still spots available for both drivers and officials, come and join us and members from all over the country at this awesome event
Celebrate the season with food, fun, and festive BMWs.
Premium motorsport viewing in style—an unforgettable experience awaits.
Dress to impress and prepare for intrigue. A glamorous evening of mystery and celebration. See the event notice for more information on this event, it will be a lot of fun!
Thank you to all our members, volunteers, and partners who make these events possible. Your enthusiasm and support continue to drive the club forward. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Our membership continues to grow and it’s great seeing new members coming along to events and seeing why our club and events are so popular.
We will have some exciting news coming in the next few weeks about a new event we are planning for next year. Keep an eye out for this when it is released, it will be in April and we will need lots of people to help out running it.
Spring is my favourite time of the year, the days grow longer and warmer and we can start getting out and doing more drives and events, so look forward to seeing you out at one of our events in the coming months.
Until then, take care on the roads, see you soon.
We enjoyed the scenic roads with a bit of driving pleasure on our way from Geelong to Castlemaine, stopping at the Hepburn Springs reserve, where one can sample natural sprint water via bubblers. Whilst all the waters are safe to drink, they don't taste like it!
We had an interesting collection of cars ranging from a E23 7 Series through various M cars and the rather hard to miss McLaren.
Lunch was at the Cumberland Hotel with excellent food, fabulous service and were able to adapt a dish for dietary requirements without fuss. Top marks.
Best of all was some great company and lots of good conversations.
Lawrence Glynn #3
We had a great day, and yes, lunch was very good!
The whole day was great.
Sydney Teeuwsen #1010
A large "Thank you" for creating the day and leading us to the Cumberland where I and others had good lunches and conviviality befitting the day. Even the weather as ideal. Not sure how you fixed that.
Peter Kelly #57
Terry and I would like to thank you for organising a very enjoyable day out. It was a scenic route enjoyed with glorious winter weather.
We both remarked on the exceptionally good food and great company.
Anne and Terry Lane #1112 and #965
From time to time I organise a casual "drop in" style get together in Geelong for our members in that area.
We used to meet at Daniel's Donuts in Belmont as there was a covered but outdoor seating area right by the parking area, so we could see, walk around and talk about our cars or not, as the mood takes us.
Sadly Daniel's has closed at that venue so the hunt was on for somewhere similar. Hence "Donut Replacement". Which threw up the rather unglamerous services on the Geelong Ring Road.
This actually turned out to be a very good spot.
I confess to forgetting totake any photos but Reinhold did - thanks.
We had a good turn out and a few bonnets went up, windscreen arm wind defelectors compared and a lot of general chat.
Behind the helmets there is some steely resolve, and a degree of hope of not coming last by too much!
Karting Madness at Braybrook has a great track layout allowing for some good speed but not allowing for a complete lap at full throttle all the way around. Overtaking takes a bit of skill too.
The format was one qualifying session for each of the two groups. From that two races groups were created, fast and, er, less fast. The standing start from a grid formation put a premium on quick reactions and clean pass through the first couple of bends.
I started 4th and finished 3rd without knowingly overtaking anyone - which sounds like an intelligence test puzzle but a unseen spin out in front of me gifted me a place.
For reference, the outright lap record is 34.4.
Regardless of ability, everyone had a great time and came away with pride intact.
Some of our members. myself included, brought some Juniors along who did very well in a separate "Rookie" session in lower powered rookie karts. 1, 2 and 7 being "our" Juniors. Lap record for rookie karts is 44.4 seconds.
Winter is here in full swing now, but we have still managed to enjoy some amazing Winter Driving days.
6th July was our Christmas in July drive with the drive leaving from two start points and having the group all meet up in one central point to finish the drive to Russo Winery for an amazing lunch and some great Christmas jumpers and outfits to judge. Nearly everyone went home with a raffle prize, which was amazing. Great day had by all. The raffle raised $416 for Prostate Cancer.
12th July was our Sandown Introductory Super Sprints and Kaos Custom Bikes Come and Try day. This was again in beautiful winter sun and we had a brilliant turn out. Such a fantastic day. We finished the day with the final session starting under Full Super Sprint rules with a grid start, and this was a bit of fun for all.
A sad note from the day was our Jo has waved the flag for the last time as our Motorsport Secretary. Read Here. Time for some new blood to fill those very big shoes of hers. Well done, Jo. She will be around to mentor the new person if they need help, otherwise enjoying the events from the other side of the desk.
Don’t stress she is still VP and will be doing our events as per normal, just one of her many hats will be hung up to rest for a while.
20th July we celebrated 50 Years of the 3 Series with what was one of our biggest drive days ever. So many fantastic cars turning up to join us on a drive through the Mornington Peninsula to end up at T’Gallant Winery for a lovely lunch and catching up with old and new members who joined us for the drive and lunch. And what about the weather! It almost felt like Spring, such a perfect sunny day.
27th July Euro Swap Meet was held by our friends at the VW Club of Victoria, and it was a great turn out. I know some of our members picked up some bargains. Be great to check out the next one and maybe take some of my collection along to part with.
The month ahead is looking a little quieter as the months get cold but still some fun events to attend.
13th August is the next Drop-in Meeting in Geelong – this is always a great informal night for members to just drop in have a chat. Join us if you fancy a chat.
24th August Drive and lunch at Castlemaine- Great driving road with a fantastic lunch time destination.
31st August - 2025 Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship | Round 7 – join our friends from AROCA for a fun track day at Broadford.
31st August - Wheels and Sunday Roast - Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron – our last car meet here was hugely successful, so we will be doing these as a regular car catch up – club meeting. Join us for a scrumptious roast lunch by the fire in the club house. Then enjoy the cars after in the car park.
3rd September we will be holding a Simulator night at Pro Racing Simulators in Hastings. As this will also be on my birthday I am told there might even be a birthday cake. Check out the event notice for more details.
Events to mark in your diary.
23rd October – BMW Drivers Club Melbourne AGM at the German Club Tivoli
31- October – 9th November – Canberra Trip
22nd- November – Challenge Bathurst
7th December – Christmas Show and Shine/Family Picnic
12th February – Bathurst 12 hour – spots filling quickly
2nd May- 8th Birthday – 1920s Murder Mystery presentation dinner
Now you might think this is a bit early to have this event released but we are offering an early bird deal for those who register and pay before the end of the year. This also gives you time to book your accommodation, find a 1920s themed outfit and get ready to solve the murder. WHO WILL IT BE? Well, you need to be there to find out.
We have added a section on our website regarding HOW TO USE TOUR BOSS. It is very important that if you are coming on a drive, you have this app downloaded prior to attending and follow the instructions on how to use it. It is an amazing tool for navigation and allows members to go at their own pace without the worry of getting lost. Read here https://www.bmwdcm.com.au/TourBoss-Instructions to find out more.
We have had a great response from our new Soft-Shell Jackets which almost sold out again at the first event we had them at. At the time or writing we have two left with another order being placed soon so be sure to watch the STORE for updates.
We also have had an amazing response with the limited edition 50 years of 3 series t shirt . Stocks are still available but once we sell out, we will not be reordering.
Membership is going great with a steady flow of new members joining each month, welcome to all the new members and we look forward to seeing you out and about at an event soon.
Our welfare team are doing a great job behind the scenes and remember if you need to chat, give one of them a call and they will be only too happy to support you or find someone who can help if they cant.
Our AGM will be soon on us and nominations will be coming out in the next month or so.
We will be doing something a little different this year and having non-executive positions available to be filled as well.
Watch this space for a list of positions you can nominate for to help your club grow and become even better than it is now. It is your club, so put your hand up and get involved.
I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon, just remember to be careful and drive safely on the roads, especially with the weather we are having currently.
Ridin' down the highway 50 years ago Enjoyin' all the byways Its the only way to go
Cruisin' here Sprinting there Joy to drive Everywhere
It's been a long time, at the top, that's what you gotta know.
An amazing collection of 3 series and other BMWs joined in our 50 years of 3 series celebration drive followed by a fabulous lunch at T'Gallants
Apologies to Angus Young, Bon Scott & Malcolm Young.
© 2025 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc. All Rights Reserved.
