The Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA) is an Australian motoring organisation, which has also incorporated the
Australian Imperial Services Club since 1987.
The RACA was established in March 1903 in
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, and is the oldest
motoring club
Automobile associations, also referred to as motoring clubs, motoring associations, motor clubs, are organizations, either for-profit or non-profit, which motorists (drivers and vehicle owners) can join to enjoy benefits provided by the club relat ...
in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
,
founded by
Henry Alfred ‘Harrie’ Skinner, WE Fisher and HE Jones.
The Royal Automobile Club of Australia had an important role in shaping early motoring legislation, in safeguarding the rights of motorists, and in establishing
motorsport in Australia
Motorsport is a popular spectator sport in Australia, although there are relatively few competitors compared to other sports due to the high costs of competing. The oldest motorsport competition in Australia is the Alpine Rally which was firs ...
.
The organisation used to provide roadside service and insurance but in 1945 in an agreement with the
NRMA
NRMA (formerly National Roads and Motorists' Association) is an Australian organisation offering roadside assistance, advocacy for motorists and road-users, motoring advice, car servicing, International Driving Permits, travel and other servic ...
ceased offering these services with members gaining reciprocal access to NRMA provided services.
The RACA is a member of the
Australian Automobile Association
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) was established in 1924. The AAA is the peak organisation for Australia's motoring clubs and their eight million members, and advances the interests of all road users across Australia to ensure land tra ...
.
History
Original Office Bearers
The first Office Bearers of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA), in 1903, were:
*President: HA Jones
*First Vice President: James Macken
*Second Vie President: Dr C McCarthy
*Third Vice President:
Harrie Skinner
Henry Alfred 'Harrie Skinner (July 12, 1854 to October 1936) was the founder of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA). He was a photographic pioneer and was a manager of a circus.
Early life
Skinner was born in England on 12 July 185 ...
*Fourth Vice President: Harry Vale
*Hon Treasurer: George Lane
*Hon Secretary: WE Fisher
*Consulting Engineer: AJ Knowles
*General Committee:
**AA Hunter
**W Reid
**G Hamilton
**R Empson
**J Gibbs
**RS Gillett
*Original or Founder Members:
**CA Berry
**JS Brunton
**C Bennett
**Dr P Cooley
**R Empson
**WE Fisher
**Mark Foy
**J Gibbs
**R Gillett
**Dr F Hall
**G Hamilton
**Dr H C Hinder
**AA Hunter
**HA Jones
**WH Kelly
**AJ Knowles
**OG Lane
**Dr CW McCarthy
**James Macken
**RJC Maddrell
**AR Marks
**HF Maddrell
**J Spencer Nolan
**I Phizackerle
**Dr Rowland Pope
**W Reid
**H Skinner
**EP Simpson
**AE Starkey
**E Tyson
**H Vale
Past Presidents
* HA Jones (1903-1908)
* S Horden Sr. (1908-1909)
* GF Todman (1909-1910)
* Sir
Samuel Hordern, KBE (1910-1912, 1914-1930)
* Colonel JM Arnott (1912-1914)
* PA Oatley (1930-1936)
* WJ Bradley QC BA LLB (1936-1937)
* Sir
John Butters
Sir John Henry Butters, CMG, MBE (23 December 188529 July 1969) was an Australian electrical engineer notable for his role in the Tasmanian Hydro-electric Department from 1914 to 1924, and as the head of the Federal Capital Commission, whic ...
, KB CMG MBE VD (1937-1949)
* H Scougall (1949-1956)
* HA Fisher-Webster BA (Oxon) (1956-1967)
* GW Cutts (1967-1970)
* AF Bode FCA (1970-1973)
* JO Sherwood MBE (1973-1982)
* BV Clifton (1982-1987)
* RG Wagland (1987-1992)
* BD Kelly (1992-1997)
* HE Nicholls (1997-1998)
* BJ Fisher (1998-2003)
* G. Thomas (2003-2016)
* M. Callanan (2016- 2021)
* M. Lavender (2021-
See also
*
Motorsport in Australia
Motorsport is a popular spectator sport in Australia, although there are relatively few competitors compared to other sports due to the high costs of competing. The oldest motorsport competition in Australia is the Alpine Rally which was firs ...
References
External links
Homepage of the RACA
{{Coord, -33.8618, 151.2128, type:landmark_region:AU-NSW, display=title
Automobile Club of Australia, Royal
Automobile associations in Australia
Motorsport governing bodies in Australia
Clubs and societies in Australia
1903 establishments in Australia
Organizations established in 1903
Organisations based in Sydney
Gentlemen's clubs in Australia
Buildings and structures in Sydney