History
DATSUN SPORTS OWNERS AUSTRALIA - NSW CLUB
In 1986, Jon Booker (QLD) and Lou Mondello (VIC) decided that the owners of Datsun roadsters should convene an annual meet just for these cars; similar to the Datsun Motorsport Weekend, in which Datsun enthusiasts from across Australia would meet up for motorsport competition across Motorkhanas, Rally & Dirt Circuit events, held in West Wyalong & Temora.
Dubbo in NSW was chosen as the halfway meeting point and members stayed at the Park Vue Motel. The Queens' Birthday June holiday weekend was chosen as it was common to both states.
Inaugural attendees in 1987 were Lou & Lisa Mondello, Jon & Sue Booker, Alastair & Trish Sutton-Davies, Martin & Anne Carr, all in 2000 Sports, Alan Bent and a friend Bill in a 1500 and Rob and Trish Field with their children in a Mazda wagon. Unfortunately, news of the meeting came too late for any NSW enthusiasts to attend. Little did they all know at that time what a great series of events that this action would lead to.
After that initial meeting, Phill Brook, through his membership of the Liverpool Light Car Club, organized a group of NSW Datsun owners for a first meeting. This gathering was held in late 1987 at Claude Movia's factory in Blacktown. Attendees at that time were Phill Brook, Claude Movia, Syd and Marlene Carr, Paul and Pennie Coggiola, and Fred Schneider.
Phill Brook started the Club and produced the first issues of the Club's magazine DatChat. Phill also devoted a large amount of time and research to produce, arguably, the most definitive book on the development and history of the marque. That book "Fair Lady, Japan's First Sports Car" was published in 2000
In 1988, Claude Movia, Phil Brook, Paul Coggiola, Fred Schneider, Mike Dunnlieve, Ed Vermuellen, Syd Carr and their partners, representing NSW, arranged to meet up with John Booker, Alastair Sutton-Davies and Lou Mondello and partners. This gathering then became a trio representing NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
The club was originally called the Datsun Fairlady, Silvia and Sports Owners Club. In June 1993, this was abbreviated to the Datsun Sports Owners Australia- (NSW).
The Datsun Sports Owners Australia- (NSW) became the DSOA-NSW Inc in 1995. This move to incorporation protected its members from any personal liability while participating in events.
From 1989 to 1996, the Club continued to journey to Dubbo, where at the last event a Club member, Barry Naylor, suggested that the annual meet should be shared between the three States on a rotational basis.
The first of these new locations was Forbes followed by Yarrawonga, Toowoomba, Canberra, Coffs Harbour.
In November 2001, Jim Ramsay from Canberra organized an excellent Tour of Tasmania which was fully subscribed with 13 member cars.
There followed Noosa and Coffs Harbour. In September 2003, a convoy went via Adelaide to The Birdwood Festival. In 2004 it was Bendigo, then Noosa then Dubbo for the 20th Nationals, which these events had now become to be known as. This was to be the final Nationals in Dubbo.
In 2007, the Clubs again visited the Barossa Valley. The following years it was Hervey Bay, Port Macquarie, Geelong, Caloundra and Bathurst.
In March 2013, Bob Tandy from Canberra proposed a second Tassie Tour and such was the popularity of the first trip that the same members, plus additional couples, decided to take the tour.
There followed Bribie Island, Batehaven, Echuca, O'Reilly's Rain Forest Retreat and in 2018, Port Macquarie, which became the first Nationals held in March. June was declared as being too cold for tops down motoring along with double demerit points and accommodation costs, NSW decided to permanently move the Nationals to a March date. In 2019, Victoria also decided to move the Wangaratta Nationals to March; Queensland opted to retain their Nationals in June.
In September 2019, Syd Carr organized a return to Birdwood via Adelaide with a very pleasant stay on Kangaroo Island on the return trip.
In 2020 the Nationals was cancelled due to COVID and so the Kingscliff event was postponed until 2021. In 2022 the clubs ventured to Queanbeyan for the 35th Nationals and 2023 in Wodonga.
The quality of the cars greatly improved over the years as was evident from the comments of the judges when it was time to award trophies to vehicles for each of the classes. The number of vehicles increased with the goal always being to achieve 50 vehicles attending. At Geelong in 2010, 52 cars were displayed at the Saturday "Show & Shine".
From humble beginnings, the Nationals evolved to be the premier event of the year.
A highlight of Club membership is the monthly drives organized by members which start from various meeting places in the North, West and Southern areas of Sydney.
Each February, the Club holds its Annual General Meeting where after dinner, elections are held for the office bearers, being the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Captain, Technical Officer Roadsters, Technical Officer Silvias, Plate Registrar NSW, Plate Registrar ACT, Club Magazine Editor and Public Officer. This then becomes the Club Committee, which meets on a regular basis throughout the year and controls all aspects of the Club, including the Historic Register.
The Club magazine, DatChat, is produced bi-monthly, the articles covered range from club drive reports, technical articles, sale merchandise and much more.
Finally, the Club wouldn't be what it is without the fantastic camaraderie that exists, this extends to the selfless sharing of knowledge, helping in times of mechanical breakdowns and the overall friendliness shared in Club outings, all are welcomed whether in Roadsters/Silvias or normal passenger cars.
