Don Kinsey, long term supporter, commentator & member of the VHRR received a Queens Birthday honour in the form of an Order of Australia - "For service to the community through public speaking programs and a range of executive roles with charitable, child health care and educational support organisations."

Don originally qualified and worked as a Mechanical Engineer; he joined Radio 3DB/HSV7 in 1956 as a broadcaster, later as senior executive. In 1976 he became Public Relations Director at the Royal Children’s Hospital - a position he held for 20 years until his retirement in 1996. In 1972 Don founded "Communicators Melbourne" - a business in which he conducted and continues to conduct courses in effective public speaking and business presentation.

Voluntary Interests:

• He has been interested in motor sport since a young man as a spectator, driver and commentator for historic and vintage motor sport. He has acted as commentator on historic motor racing at the Australian Grand Prix, Phillip Island Historic Race Meeting, at hill climbs at Rob Roy, Winton and various other vintage race meetings and hill climbs throughout the state.

• His first car was an Austin 7 followed by a Riley 9 and a Mark IV Jaguar etc. etc. Competed in trials, sprints gymkhanas etc. A7 Club, Sporting Motor Club, PIARC

• A Foundation Director of the Mazda Foundation in 1990 he remained as a Director until 2005.

• Don is not a Rotarian, but in 1989 he became adjudicator of Richmond Rotary Club’s Secondary School Public Speaking Awards, a position he still holds.

• For over 30 years a voluntary advisor to the Uncle Bob’s club, which has helped to raise so much money for the Children’s Hospital over those years. The Club recognised this contribution by making him Patron.

• Don presents training lectures to the volunteer guides at the Shrine of Remembrance and acts as master of ceremonies at various ceremonies associated with the Shrine.

• Don has been involved with Royal South Street Society and for many years. He has chaired the finals of the Herald/Sun Aria competition on a number of occasions.

• Since 1957 Don has been involved in various functions for Legacy, including the Junior Public Speaking Awards programme and the Children’s Service at the Shrine prior to Anzac Day

• When Don joined 3DB, like many other members of the staff, he became involved with the Good Friday Appeal. The service given by the staff at 3DB and HSV7 to the Good Friday Appeal is completely voluntary and unpaid and Don’s service to the appeal continued for 40 years. He has also given up much time on many Christmas Days to be with the children at the hospital, again free and voluntarily.

The VHRR is proud to be associated with Don & congratulates him on his honour.

Marg Simmonds has done a great job for the past two years organising the Phillip Island Dinner but wishes to step down now. Thanks Marg. Prospective organisers should ring: Ian Tate soon on 03 9877 2317 or give Marg a call on 03 5962 2331 to find out what it’s all about.

Library News: The 250 books from the collection that was recently purchased by the club have now been classified in their various divisions, and and are now being numbered prior to being included in our collection.

For the benefit of new members and others who may not be familiar with the shelving arrangement of the library, the books are being numbered and placed in divisions that are more practical for our needs, rather than using the more general Dewey Decimal system of classification. Divisions are as follows:

In addition to approximately 825 books the library also houses an extensive collection of magazines and racing programs as follows:

Magazines: Australian Motor Sports, Sports Car World, Auto Sportsman, Racing Car News, Australian Motor Racing, Motor Sport (English) Autosport (English), F1 Racing, (English), Classic & Sports Car (English), Classic Cars (English), Road & Track (USA).

Programs: An extensive range of racing & hillclimb programs from the following venues: Fishermans Bend, Sandown, Phillip Island, Calder, Winton, Warwick Farm, Oran Park, Amaroo, Eastern Creek, Bathurst, Geelong Sprints, and Victorian Hillclimb circuits.

The library also house six shelves containing over 200 video tapes and DVDs covering local and overseas events, and biographies.

Click here for Library List

For further information visit the library on Wednesdays or Club nights or contact:

George Spanos 9885 or Lloyd Shaw 0415 351 164