Another month and another successful rally, a special thank you to all those who attended the Ballarat rally, not wishing to blow my own trumpet you can read about it in Reg’s report further on in Sprocket.

As we have an influx of new members to the club there is a number of name badges that haven’t been collected, if one is possibly yours please contact our membership secretary Peter Cullen.

New members are probably not aware that either Barb or Kay sit inside the door on our meeting nights and collect a two dollar donation, this entitles you to a raffle ticket that is drawn on the night as well as going towards covering the cost of supper, we rely on your honesty.

With the introduction of the new 90/45 day club permit scheme (red plates) there has been questions asked regards proof of club membership, I would like to quote the following from a letter obtained from Vic roads dated 13/09/2011, quote “The conditions of use for vehicles operating on the club permit scheme are referred to in regulation 157(A) of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2009. Whilst the regulation requires, amongst other things, that the permit holder must remain a financial member of an approved club there is  no  requirement that proof of club membership be carried, when a club permit vehicle is being operated” end of quote.

It goes on to state, “whilst it is not a Vic roads requirement that evidence be carried, Victoria police may request proof of financial membership”.

My personal view on this matter, it’s a bit like the chicken and the egg theory, which came first.

Vic roads will not accept your club permit application unless it is stamped and signed by the club secretary or person responsible for red plate applications within the club, this verifies club membership, if you are not a financial member your paper work will not be stamp or signed.

Should at any time your membership lapse (14 days) after the AGM, we are now compelled by law to notify Vic roads and your red plate(s) are immediately cancelled.

So back to the chicken and egg principle, your log book that has been stamped by Vic roads when issuing your club permit is your proof of financial club membership.

I hope this has helped clarify the matter for the moment, presently our membership secretary and the committee are working on a cost effective way of issuing a receipt of membership that will come into effect next year.

Verbum Satis Sapienti

Burger Drake.   

President CMCCV.