April has been an absolutely outstanding month for our club, filled with community spirit, fantastic attendance, and some truly memorable events.
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the support I continue to receive as my health improves. It has been wonderful to be back out at more events, seeing familiar faces and enjoying the camaraderie that makes this club so special.
3 April – Good Friday Appeal Display, Black Rock
We kicked off the month with our annual Good Friday Appeal Cars and Coffee/Display, proudly supported this year by Christopher George from Flavours Patisserie in Black Rock. We had a capacity turnout, with members and the public coming together to raise much‑needed funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. The generosity shown was heart‑warming, and I thank everyone who attended, displayed their cars, or donated. We raised over $1800 on the morning, going straight to the RCH Appeal. Your support truly makes a difference. This was my first event back out in the world after three months of treatment and it was wonderful to get back out and see you all again. Thank you to everyone that came up and said “hello”.
7 April – Geelong Area Coffee & Chat
Our Geelong Coffee & Chat night once again proved why it’s one of our most popular social gatherings. Members dropped in and out all evening for a warm drink, a chat, and plenty of laughs. It’s always a relaxed, friendly night, and we love seeing both regulars and new faces.
26 April – Variety Stars on Track
Our major event for the month and one of the highlights of our entire year was the Variety Stars on Track Ride Day at Sandown. This event has been a long time in the planning, and thanks to the help of some truly amazing sponsors and volunteers, we pulled off something incredibly special. Thank you to Jo for all her hard work, long phone calls, late nights, emails while sitting in hospital waiting rooms, all done while caring for me. After all the expenses to run the day, we managed to donate $9000 to Variety to help their work with looking after sick and disadvantaged children in the community. So very proud of everyone involved in the club and the Motorsport Community that came together for this wonderful day.
Some of the sponsors that need a big thank you were BMW Australia, Waverley BMW, Wurth Australia, Shannons, Evolve Technic and Andy Hall’s Cup Car Engineering that took people for Hot Laps in between the kid’s sessions. Club member, Peter Knight, needs a very special mention too, your push to bring this event to fruition and benefaction of the day was the inspiration for such a wonderful event, Thank You!
We were joined by several car clubs, creating a spectacular display of vehicles from all marques not just BMW which was a real treat for the eyes and ears. The atmosphere was electric, with smiles everywhere you looked.
A huge highlight was the arrival of Will Brown from Red Bull Racing, thanks to Wurth, who generously gave his time to sign autographs, talk and take photos with people and then take guests for hot laps in his shiny new Mustang was amazing. The excitement he brought to the day was unforgettable. Will is truly a great ambassador for Wurth and Red Bull Racing.
Our lunchtime Course Car Parade Laps, proudly sponsored by Waverley BMW, were another crowd favourite. They supplied two stunning course cars to lead the laps, and once again, the smiles said it all. Our Parade laps are always popular, and this time was no different, needing 4 separate parades to accommodate everyone.
If you missed this year’s event, please mark 24 April 2027 in your diaries, we will definitely be doing it again, and we plan to make it even bigger and better next year.
Upcoming Events – May & Beyond
Membership & Personal Update
Our membership continues to grow every month, which is a testament to the strength and reputation of our club. I am also pleased to share that my health is improving steadily. I’m now attending more events and truly looking forward to seeing everyone out and about again. Your support during my illness has meant more than I can ever express.
Thank you all for your dedication, enthusiasm, and friendship. Let’s keep building on this month’s momentum and make the rest of 2026 just as memorable.
Stay safe, enjoy your driving, and I hope to see you at an event soon.
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
Read the report here
A brilliant day we called the Variety Club ‘Stars on Track’ - a high speed ride around the Sandown race track for lots of sick and underprivileged children and their families in conjunction with Variety - the childrens charity.
The day was only possible because of a huge contribution from volunteers, drivers with their cars and officials and our generous sponsors :
BMW Group Australia, Waverley BMW, Shannons Insurance, Wurth Australia, Grip Auto watches, Josco Australia, Evolve Technik, Bell Motorsport, Cup Car Engineering.
And especially Peter Knight, you are amazing.
Without you all we couldn’t have run such a wonderful event.
Thank you to Will Brown for coming down to Melbourne to join us on the day too, with thanks to Wurth. You were very generous with your time and are such a great ambassador for Supercars and Red Bull Racing.
We had over 120 kids and their families having the time of their lives with over 100 cars taking kids for rides.
As well as cars on track we had lots of amazing cars on display, including some of the "Variety Bash" participants in their wacky vehicles bound to raise a smile.
For the adults we had some great raffle prizes and proper hot laps.
Thank you to all the clubs and club members that came along to help on the day, you are amazing!
VFT, as always there helping out with flags, all the Variety people helping get kids in and out of cars.
It was huge!
We couldn’t have done better with the weather too, just a perfect Melbourne Autumn sunny day.
With all the costs of the event accounted for we have donated $9,000 to Variety Victoria to continue their amazing work with the kids too. Well done everyone for coming and making it such a success.
We will be back again next year bigger and better!
Dear Jo, Graeme and the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne community,
On behalf of everyone at Variety – the Children’s Charity, thank you for your extraordinary support in delivering the inaugural Variety Stars on Track.
The day was truly special. What stood out most was the spirit of community — people coming together to create an experience that many of our children and families never imagined possible. The smiles said everything.
For many children, this was far more than a day out. It was a moment of confidence, joy, and connection that will stay with them for a long time. The care shown by your drivers and volunteers made a profound difference.
We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from families and wanted to share a few reflections with you:
“Tanner and I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in making the day so amazing at Sandown. He was very hesitant at first, but the amazing and supportive staff helped him feel comfortable. He ended up going in with me and had a great time. Thank you for including us in such an amazing day.”
“I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the incredible experience my child had. The level of care, professionalism, and confidence you instilled made a remarkable impact. Chase absolutely loved it. Seeing the confidence and excitement it brought out meant so much.”
“The staff were so lovely and helpful, and the driver was very attentive. We were both grinning the entire way. Thank you for such a wonderful event — a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance.”
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with this event. It was an awesome day. I took my grandson, who has Cerebral Palsy, along with my friend and their child, and they had an absolute ball. Everyone was so kind and friendly, and the cars were incredible. My grandson rode in a Mini and was so excited. It was truly a magical experience and one they will remember for a long time. Thank you from all four of us — you do an amazing job.”
Alongside the experience itself, the $9,000 raised is an outstanding result. These funds will directly support more Victorian children living with disability, illness, or disadvantage, extending the impact well beyond the day.
We’re incredibly proud of what was achieved together. This was a genuine partnership and a powerful example of what’s possible when communities come together with a shared purpose.
Thank you again, and we look forward to building on this success with you next year.
Warm regards, Pete, Jodie & Ella Variety – the Children’s Charity
Issue 1 for 2026 of the BMW Clubs' World magazine produced by the BMW Clubs International Council is here
All official BMW clubs are part of the BMW Clubs International Council, represented by delegates from the regional and umbrella organisations - BMW Clubs Australia in our case.
Here is the report made to the BMW Clubs Australia AGM by our International Delegate - Bob Williams from BMW Drivers Club NSW.
The Royal Children's Hospital Appeal on Good Friday is a long established tradition. We have made a Coffe and Cars style event at Flavours Patisserie raising funds for RCH a club tradition.
Now based at the Black Rock store we had the run of the Woolworths supermarket car park for the 60+ cars that turned up during the morning and the 100+ people who visited for varying lengths of time.
This new location provided more passing traffic which resulted in a greater number casual, or curious, drop ins - mostly on foot but some by car.
As is our style, non-BMWs were welcome too and we had some truly fabulous cars on show.
Our talented events team were on hand to rattle collection buckets and Joesphine Holliday organised a brilliant range of great raffle prizes - helping us reach a total at the venue of $1772, $2,000 to date for the event overall.
Of course, it was not just about fund raising, there was excellent food and coffee from Flavours and many conversations. It was a great event to catch up with some of our members who are otherwise busy with their lives but can break away on a day like this.
Lawrence Glynn #3
March has been a wonderfully full month for BMW Drivers Club Melbourne, with a fantastic mix of motorsport, social outings, and community involvement. It’s been great to see so many members participating, volunteering, and supporting one another throughout the month.
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – 4–8 March
We began the month with the excitement of the F1 Australian Grand Prix. Many of our members attended as spectators, but a large number were also there in an official capacity. Your professionalism and commitment continue to make us proud, and it’s always impressive to see our club so well represented at such a major international event.
The 4th of March was also Jo’s birthday. While we were in North Melbourne for one of my hospital visits, several of our members surprised her with a lovely dinner. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. It has been a challenging time for Jo as she has been looking after me, and this thoughtful gesture gave her a much needed break. Your kindness truly meant a lot to both of us.
Geelong Mid-Week Drive – 10 March
Our Geelong mid-week drive was another terrific outing. Attendance continues to grow, and it’s wonderful to see more members joining these relaxed weekday events. The route, the weather, and the company all made for a very enjoyable day.
Waverley BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Launch night – 12 March
We were invited to provide some cars to assist the launch of the next generation of BMWs, the Neue Klasse. It was a lovely evening, mingling with staff and guests and looking at the next generation of BMW cars. Apparently if you want one you may have to wait at least 12 months, as most of the first allocation of cars has already been sold. So keep your eye out on the roads for the Neue Klasse cars rolling out very soon. The i3 is next.
Phillip Island Classic – Festival of Speed – 14 – 15 March
We had an excellent turnout for our display at the Phillip Island Classic. The cars looked fantastic, and once again several of our members were officiating throughout the event. Thank you to all who volunteered events of this scale simply don’t happen without dedicated officials, and your contribution is invaluable.
West Gippsland Drive – 21 March
Our West Gippsland drive was another highlight of the month. Starting from Berwick BMW, one of our favourite dealerships, we were also joined by the BMW bike club, who happened to be heading out on their own ride. The driving roads were superb, the lunch destination even better, and it was great to see new members attending and having such a great time. These drives really capture the spirit of our club.
E30 Racing 20 - 22 March
A large group of our members racing at Winton. Good fair clean racing for the weekend had Alex Jory win the round. Congratulations Alex and also happy birthday for you on the Sunday.
Upcoming Events
3 April – Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
Please note the new location in Black Rock. This is always a meaningful event for us, and we look forward to another strong turnout in support of a wonderful cause. Just and FYI over the years we have raised over $17k at this event.
7 April – Coffee & Chat – Geelong
A relaxed drop-in evening for members in the Geelong region. A great opportunity to catch up and welcome new faces.
26 April - Variety “Stars on Track” passenger laps and Car display
Our Variety Stars on track event is to offer sick children and their families the opportunity of spending some time on the track and forgetting their day to day pain and make some great memories. Not wanting to put your car on the track or you don’t have a track licence? We have a car display including celebrating 40 Years of M3. Display your car and receive complimentary parade laps at lunch time
Our Variety Stars on track event is to offer sick children and their families the opportunity of spending some time on the track and forgetting their day to day pain and make some great memories.
Not wanting to put your car on the track or you don’t have a track licence? We have a car display including celebrating 40 Years of M3. Display your car and receive complimentary parade laps at lunch time
26 April –Parade Laps sponsored by Waverley BMW
Our Parade Laps will be held on the 26th, proudly sponsored by Waverley BMW. This is shaping up to be a fantastic day, and we encourage everyone to come along and take part.
Events to Remember
2 May – Presentation Night (Murder Mystery Theme)
Always one of our most enjoyable evenings—this year with a fun twist.
6 June - Kings Birthday Long Weekend Trip – Echuca
A great getaway planned for the long weekend, with plenty of driving, sightseeing, and social time.
19 July – Christmas in July – Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron
A favourite on our social calendar. Save the date for a warm winter celebration by the water.
A Special Thank You – Welfare Team
I would also like to give a very sincere thank you to our Welfare Team, who have been working overtime to support Jo and myself during my treatment. Their daily check-ins, visits, and constant care have made an enormous difference and have helped us both more than words can express.
My health is slowly returning to something resembling normal, and I’m hopeful you may see me at the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal Day. I may not be able to stay long, but it is an event I am aiming to attend.
Membership & Club Support
Membership continues to grow, which is both humbling and encouraging. Our sponsors remain incredibly supportive, and we are grateful for their ongoing commitment to the club.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to the members who have stepped up over the past few months to help lighten the load for Jo and I. Your support has been noticed and deeply appreciated.
March has been a month full of energy, enthusiasm, and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who has participated, volunteered, supported, or simply shared in the fun. Our club continues to thrive because of the people in it, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you.
Looking forward to another exciting month ahead.
BMW's core brand value (originally joy through using, then joy through driving or sheer driving pleasure) is all about bringing joy to its customers. We had a particularly joyous day today driving from Berwick BMW to Saltwater at Phillip Island.
We were warmly greeted at Berwick BMW by dealer principal Neil Phillips and his team. They regularly host BMW motorcyclists before enjoying their run as part of their recent expansion into Mottorad, including today, with an assortment of BMW's finest 2 wheeled machines.
The new car showroom was a joy to behold, including a fetching M2 in Frozen Pure Grey metallic.
Our drive took us through some wonderful scenery and very satisfying roads to a delightful lunch.
Most rewarding of all was the friendly conversations including our newer members, welcoming them to our club.
The day turned out very well organised, meeting other members, catching up with previous and especially new members, a lot of conversations within the group. Berwick BMW were very welcoming and getting advice on all the new range makes you wonder about your next vehicle.
Thank you for including me into the BMW group, learning increasingly every time on these fantastic outings. Especially the country drives, normally we forget what goes on outside Melbourne metro
Had a great time and looking forward to the next well organised adventure.
Bruce Greenland #854
Two days of classic racing, including our beloved Group C and Group A ex JPS Team BMW cars joined this year by a "Super Tourer" from the Euro scene after Group A.
A great friendly atmosphere, walk around the pits and the paddock, chat with the teams (subject to operational requirements of course) and mix with a fabulous crowd who all love cars.
It was not sunny, which is good except for the photos. It did not rain, which is all good.
Some lovely cars in our display, more on Saturday than Sunday. And lots of iterest and cahts going on.
Altogether, a brilliant weekend.
In case you have missed it, BMW have just reset their entire styling and technology platforms - a clean sheet transformation. They call it "Neue Klasse" - New Class - after the 1961 total reset of the same name.
It a bit like designing an axe in 1961 when shovels had been used before. Since then the axe handle has been improved and reshaped and the axe head has been refined and made from better materials. There is even a vibrating head to help penetrate the tree. The product is much improved, muc h better than one could have predicted in 1961, but still basically an axe. Now we have a chain saw. All new for the future with greater opportunity for further enhancement.
The first Neue Klasse (2.0) vehicle released is the iX3 - the X3 is now BMW's biggest selling product. This is a big deal for BMW as over 17 billion Euros have gone into the Neue Klasse project.
From the responses at the Waverley BMW launch night and the on-line reviews (by professional!), every cent has ben well spent.
As a nice contrast we provided a BMW 700 - the last car BMW designed and produced before the 1961 Neue Klasse - for display.
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