Download pdf - REGULAR EVENTS OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER ROYAL ......OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA Est. 1903 R A C A N E W S DECEMBER 2020 REGULAR EVENTS Royal Automobile Club of

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA

Est. 1903

RACA

NEWS

DEC

EMBE

R 20

20

REGULAR EVENTS

Royal Automobile Club of Australia Incorporating Imperial Service Club Limited ABN 44 000 016 044Royal Automobile Club of Australia Incorporating Imperial Service Club Limited ABN 44 000 016 04489 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T: (02) 8273 2300 F: (02) 8273 2301 [email protected] www.raca.com.au89 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T: (02) 8273 2300 F: (02) 8273 2301 [email protected] www.raca.com.au

Picture this...drive up to the club and be welcomed by our Valet Attendants. Start the day with a workout in the Fitness Centre or relax in the Steam Room - no need to bring your towels, our change rooms are equipped with everything you need including toiletries. Now you can enjoy a guilty pleasure, feasting on one of our Executive Chef’s wonderful dishes for lunch whilst overlooking the beautiful Sydney Harbour.

Catch up on work in the Business Centre then reward yourself with a round of Snooker. The sun is setting and its drinks in the Members Bar or maybe you are attending an Event in our Function Rooms.

Such a long day, time to rest up in one of our Accommodation Rooms. Sweet dreams...see you for Break-fast in the Harbour Dining Room!

CORKS 'N' FORKS

MOTORING

Dear Members

Our final event for the year was our Henschke/Best’s Black Tie Dinner held on 20 November in the Macquarie Room. And what a rollicking fun night it was! There were 77 members and guests all “dolled up” for the occasion, including Fiona Macdonald who represented Henschke and Ralph Dunning who represented Best’s. Please take a peek at some of the photos.

The food from the Club’s Executive Chef Scott Thompson and his team was exceptional, as was the service from the floor team ably led by Shibli Sadik. As well as the food, the staff faced the challenging task of pouring and serving 12 different wines to the 77 people present. I’m pleased to report they did so with seamless efficiency.

The wines were all first class, and there was hardly a struck match between them. They matched the food well, highlighting the regional differences between Best’s from Great Western in the Grampians region of Victoria, and the Henschke wines from the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Two of my personal favourites were the Best’s 2017 Sparkling Shiraz and Henschke’s 2016 ‘Abbots Prayer’. I also really enjoyed comparing the 2016 Best’s Bin 0 Shiraz with Henschke’s 2016 Wheelwright Shiraz.

Course Food Henschke Wine Best’s WineArrival Corn fritter with haloumi and smoked salmon Johanne Ida Selma Blanc de

Noir MD2017 Great Western Sparkling Shiraz

First Scallop ceviche with pomelo and avocado ice cream 2018 Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris 2017 Concongella BlancSecond Confit mackerel with serrano ham, cucumber, lemon,

fennel and buckwheat2018 Croft Chardonnay 2019 Chardonnay

Third Braised duck leg with vanilla, parsnip, apple and blackberry chutney with a side of duck fat roasted potatoes and buttered greens

2018 Giles Pinot Noir

2016 ‘Abbots Prayer’ – 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot blend

2017 Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier blend

2017 ‘13 Acre’ – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend

Fourth Selection of Australian cheeses with red wine and pear relish, honey, fig and walnut log and crackers

2016 Wheelwright Shiraz 2016 Bin 0 Shiraz

Well, that’s all for a difficult 2020 folks. On behalf of the Corks ‘n Forks Committee may I thank everyone who supported our events this year, and to the Club’s management and staff for so capably helping us put them together.

A happy Festive Season to you all, and we look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible in 2021.

Graeme JonesFor the Corks ‘n’ Forks Committee

For any further information please contact Stephen Wells via [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/RACAMEG

By the time you read this, I will have presented the RACA Trophies to the Sa, Sb & Sc Class Winners of the HSRCA (Historic Sports and Racing Car Association). This has become a time honoured tradition and the actual cups are usually on display in the Members Bar, along with the smaller trophies that we then present to the winning drivers. I will provide details in the next newsletter as to the actual winners as the season hasn’t yet been finalised at time of print. Despite all the social restrictions, the HSRCA has managed to keep their events going with very limited access for non-competitors. I’m sure the racing was just as competitive as a normal year!

The Annual Motoring Dinner is usually the formal hand-over of the trophies and sadly this year we were not able to host the event, however I would like to share some good news relating to last year’s topic: “Balancing The Grid - Women in Motorsport, a Positive Future”. I have kept in contact with Race Chix Motorsport, who are focused on encouraging more female participation at all levels of Australian motorsport. They are increasing in size and expect to have a busy 2021 full of events to showcase their race training. If any member would like to know more about this organisation then please contact me and I’ll facilitate an introduction and we will certainly host one of their events at the RACA!

Committee member details are:Avril Fortuin - [email protected], Brent Halligan - [email protected], Roger Butler - [email protected], Dennis Han - [email protected] and myself – [email protected]

As members are aware, the Club does not support a staff tipping policy. During one of the most difficult years the Club has faced, due to the impact of COVID, our team has remained positive and continue to provide the high level of service our members have become accustomed to.

The Board encourages member support of the Staff Christmas Gratuities Fund to ensure that all staff receive some monetary recognition for their efforts in making our visits to the Club as pleasant as they always are. If you wish to contribute, please contact the club’s Accounts team on 02 8273 2311 or [email protected]

The last day to contribute is Friday 18 December 2020.

CHRISTMAS GRATUITIES FUND

Dear Members,

The Ladies Committee held a spectacular final luncheon of the year on Monday 30 November. Musician Jordan Roach performed all our Christmas favourites and the lunch, fun and festivities was enjoyed by all in attendance.

On behalf of the Ladies Committee I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we look forward to seeing you all at our first Luncheon in 2021!

Regards, Mrs Margaret Dawes-Smith OAM President of the RACA Ladies Committee.

LADIES COMMITTEE

RACA Christmas Bonus $75pp (20-70pax) Chef’s selection of Christmas canapés, 2 hour classic beverage package, Standard AV, Christmas decor & 3 hour room hire

RACA Classic Christmas Package $110pp (20-70 pax)Christmas themed 2 course alternate menu, (Chef’s selection), 2 hour classic beverage package, Standard AV, Christmas decor& 3 hour room hire

RACA Deluxe Christmas Package $165pp (20-70 pax)Christmas themed 3 course menu, (Chef’s selection), 3 hour deluxe beverage package, Standard AV, Christmas decorations & 5 hour room hire

THE BOARD & CEO WELCOME THE

FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERSMs Anne ArcherMr Brett Brown

Mr Andrew De AudneyDr Anton Mechtler

Ms Wendy De Audney

APC REMEMBRANCE DAY LUNCH

MELBOURNE CUP

NEW YEARS ‘MASK’UERADE DINNER PARTY

We invite you to join us as we welcome in the New Year with a Black and White ‘Mask’uerade Dinner Party! Bring along family and friends and dress to impress! There will be prizes for the best dressed

male, female and the most creative mask!

Enjoy a 5 hour drink package, live music and the ultimate dining experience with a delicious 5 Course Menu.

Thursday 31 december | 6:30pm

aduLTs $225yOuNG aduLTs (13-17) $115

chILdreN (5-12) $65

Bookings are essential. Please contact our events team on (02) 8273 2320 or [email protected]

Limited rooms available, to secure your New Year’s Package contact Reception on (02) 8273 2300 or [email protected], included in this packages is 1 nights accommodation, Valet Parking, Hot Breakfast (1st Jan 2021) and attendance to our New Years Black & White ‘Mask’uerade Dinner Party,

which includes a Plated 5 Course Dinner & Beverages to Midnight.

ROOM TYPE PRICEQueen $880Single (with facilities) $520Single (shared facilities) $490

*Prices quoted for the Queen are quoted for 2 people in the room

JUST INFANTRY LUNCH

CORKS ‘N’ FORKS HENSCHKE/BEST’S DINNER

MEMBER EVENTSWe have number of fantastic upcoming events for members and their guests. Book early to avoid disappointment.

JAZZ NIGHT4 December 6PM

Bookings: [email protected] or (02) 8273 2370

The tradition continues at the Club, with Jazz Night on the first Friday of each month.

Join us and grab a some of our Christmas-themed jazz bites for only $20

The Ship that Never Was is the entertaining and rollicking story of one of the greatest escapes in Australian colonial history. The story of James Porter, an Australian larrikin whose ingenuity, gift of the gab and refusal to buckle under authority, made an escape from Macquarie Harbour all the way to Chile.

Please RSVP by Monday 18 January.

WOMEN’S PIONEER SOCIETY20 January 12PM $75

Join us in the Harbour Dining Room during the lead up to Christmas with a wonderful menu sure to get you in the festive spirit! Reserve your table now for either lunch or dinner.

CHRISTMAS FOOD WEEK7-19 December $55-65


ONLINE BOOKINGS AVAILABLE VIA THE

RACA MEMBERS PORTAL!!!

http://members.raca.com.au/

Bookings: Please contact Ann Lisle on 0407 958 582


The Women’s Pioneer Society invites you to our Christmas Party and Trading Table.

Come along and join in on the Christmas joy!

Please RSVP by Monday 14 December.

WOMEN’S PIONEER SOCIETY16 December 12PM $35

We invite you to join us as we welcome in the New Year with a Black and White ‘Mask’uerade Dinner Party! Bring along family and friends and dress to impress! There will be prizes for the best dressed male, female and the most creative mask! Enjoy a 5 hour drink package, live music and the ultimate dining experience with a delicious 5 Course Menu.

NEW YEARS ‘MASK’UERADE DINNER31 December 6:30PM $225 for adults

Bookings: Please contact Ann Lisle on 0407 958 582

Join us in the Habour Dining Room as we celebrate Lunar New Year with a four course feast available in February.

Contact the Harbour Dining Room and book ahead to secure our table.

LUNAR NEW YEARS FOOD WEEK8 - 13 February Lunch/Dinner $65


Join us as we celebrate Christmas Day in the Harbour Dining Room with a delicious four-course meal with all the trimmings.

Additional seafood available to pre-order to enjoy at the Christmas Day Lunch, please contact Yvonne for more information on (02) 8273 2320 or [email protected] or visit our website www.raca.com.au

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH25 December 12:30PM $145 for Adults



The Australasian Pioneers’ Club, inconjunction with RACA, will host the annual Proclamation Day Lunch.

More information regarding this popularevent will be available soon but, for now, SAVE THE DATE!

APC PROCLAMATION DAY LUNCH9 February 12PM $TBC

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Harbour Dining Room with magnificent views of Sydney Harbour and feast on a four course dinner designed by our Executive Chef. Bookings are as essential as LOVE! Contact the Harbour Dining Room and book ahead to secure your table.

VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER13 February 7PM $75


WINE OF THE MONTH

OLD WINERY SAUVIGNON BLANC The Old Winery Sauvignon Blanc exhibits a wonderfully fragrant nose of snow peas, guava and a little passionfruit. With its classic varietal character, this full flavoured and refreshing sauvignon blanc delivers herbal and grassy notes with vibrant, zesty citrus fruit character.

OLD WINERY VERDELHOFresh and lively with an intense sweet tropical nose with lifted spice aromas. Rich tropical fruit and honey flavours fulfil the palate and are complemented by a crisp lemony finish.

FOR YOUR DIARY

Bridge Club Every Tuesday $32pp 10.30am in the Victoria Room

Army Officer’s Lunch 2nd Friday of the Month Next: Friday 11 December $65pp 2 course lunch & beverages 12pm in the Members Bar

Fluid FridaysLast Friday of each month Next: Friday 18 December as the last Friday is Christmas 6pm in the Pioneers' Room

Just Infantry Normally 1st Thursday of the Month Next: Thursday 3 December 12pm Members Bar, 12:30pm Harbour Dining Room Lunch

REGULAR EVENTS

5 Jazz Night

9 APC Proclamation Day Luncheon

8-13 Lunar New Year Food Week

13 Valentine’s Day Dinner

17 Women’s Pioneer Society

18 Young Members’ Dinner

22 Ladies Committee

26 White Ensign Dinner

DECEMBER

8 Jazz Night


4 Jazz Night

7-19 Christmas Food Week


25 Christmas Day Luncheon

31 New Years Dinner

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

OLD WINERY CHARDONNAYA medium bodied wine with aromas of stone fruit and subtle vanillin oak. The palate is generously flavoured with white peach citrus characters and a clean, crisp finish.

OLD WINERY PINOT NOIR Lots of varietal cherry and strawberry aromas with complexing forest floor undertones. A soft but generously flavoured style with sweet aromas of berries and mushroom. The palate is long and concentrated with rich sweet fruit, subtle savoury oak support and smooth tannins.

OLD WINERY SHIRAZDeep red in colour with a bright purple rim. A smooth, soft and spicy red wine with aromas of dark ripe fruit and subtle vanillin oak. The palate is full of rich shiraz flavours and is supported by firm tannins which provide good length and complexity.

OLD WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON The Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black cherries, wild berries and some spice. A full bodied red with an intense palate of rich, dark plum and a silky finish.