Meeting 27 June 2023 at 7.30pm

Dr Norm Darwin, President of the President of Automotive Historians Australia will be guest speaker at our June meeting commencing at 7.30pm on 27 June.

Dr Darwin will talk on the “Automotive History of Fishermans Bend“.

Biography

In 1969 Norm began working at GM-Holden Engineering, progressing to become the company’s Sourcing Co-ordinator by 1980. In 1983 his first book, The History of Holden Since 1917, was published becoming the enthusiasts guide to makes and models made by GMA and GM-H. Then followed The History of Ford in Australia in 1986. 

One Hundred Years of GM in Australia was self-published by Norm & his wife Heather in 2002 followed by Monaro Magic and Torana Tough both considered to be the best history books on the Holden Monaro and Torana vehicles. 

In 2014 Norm was accepted into the RMIT University doctoral research program and commenced writing a doctoral thesis on early Australian car design. The early Australian automobile design history was published in January 2018, reflecting the thesis with additional illustrations and graphics.  Norm was awarded a PhD in 2018 and is the second Australian automotive historian to do so.

Norm is the President of Automotive Historians Australia Inc, a member of the Society of Automobile Historians and several automobile clubs. 

Norm and his wife Heather have many connections with Port Melbourne. In addition to working at GMH Norm also worked at the SEC terminal station, at the Riverside Drags as Race Director and his GGGrandparents lived and ran a grocers in Bay street 1852-1862.

Heather grew up in Williamstown Road and her GGrandparents also lived in Port Melboune as did their children, Grandchildren and GGrandchildren.

Meeting Details

The meeting will be held upstairs at the Port Melbourne Town Hall (access via stairs or lift) and online, via Zoom using the following link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86966645825?pwd=c1d2dDllRWV6bHBJeTBydjcvQjRFdz09