Vale Malcolm Johnston
It is with a deep sense of regret that we say 'farewell' to our late member Malcolm Johnston. Malcolm passed away at the Mater Private Hospital Cleveland in early April 2022 after a long illness and hospitalisation for the preceding two weeks.
Malcolm and Marion have been members of the Austin Motor Vehicle Club of Queensland since May 1983 - member number 58 in the club which had its beginnings in 1981. Malcolm was a man who was always ready to assist anyone having difficulties with their Austin.
Malcolm and Marion joined the AMVCQ with a 1953 Austin A30 four door. By 1985 his club car was an Austin Allegro 1300, which was quite a rare car in Australia as they were never sold new here. He attended regular club runs and in 1993 he and Marion attended the 'Austins Over Australia' national meeting at Yass NSW in their Austin A40 Somerset.
Malcolm was a quietly-spoken, humble man with a ready smile of encouragement for everyone. The photo below from 1984 captures his character very well, a happy smile and showing a young Michael Wells the workings of a then 50 year old Austin. He commenced his working life as a motor mechanic in Cleveland where he gained employment with a local garage and workshop. It was from here that he was later a regional RACQ patrolman in what was then the Redland Shire.
The opportunity for a big adventure came Malcolm's way in 2001 when, with the late Graham Brewster, he embarked on a tour in Graham's black Austin A30 anti-clockwise around Australia. That A30 relied on Malcolm's mechanical expertise to keep it running well during the trip. Towards the end of that trip, Malcolm and Graham attended the 2001 'Austins Over Australia' meeting in Echuca NSW and would have no doubt won the longest-distance-travelled prize at that rally.
Member David James visited Malcolm in hospital on Thursday 31st March upon hearing that he wasn't well. David commented that Malcolm appeared to be coping very well however the doctor had told him that he was not able to do anything more for him, so, despite his apparent good spirits, the end could not be far away. For the 2.5 hours David spent with him, Malcolm was in good spirits and was very much in the mood for a chat for the whole time. Sadly, Malcolm passed away a couple of days later.
"We are the better for his passing this way".
Vale Malcolm.
Malcolm showing Michael Wells the internals of a 1930s Austin at Bill Jones’ auction in 1984
Malcolm and Marion Johnston’s Austin Allegro 1300 bought in 1985
On the way to the AOA at Yass in 1993. It was a 4.00 am start and not far down the road, the Somerset needed some kind of adjustment. The boot lid wouldn’t close, so he accused Marion of putting too much luggage in it, only to discover he had put the boot lid supports on upside down.
Minor problems on the way to AOA Yass, 1993
Assisting Michael and Allan Wells in Coonabarabran, who were having slight fuel difficulties with the A95 on its way to Yass, 1993.
The Austin A40 Somerset in full flight on its way back from Yass AOA. It had been bought at Bill Jones’ auction.
Somewhere at night in 1995 with Kev Airton and the Austin A90 Atlantic.
At the Club rooms in 1997 Malcolm with member John Elsol (centre) and the late Graham Brewster (left).
