The Birth of NatMeet

Pictured here are the State presidents at the Mazda-sponsored meeting that saw the birth of NatMeet: from right – Grant George (SA), Peter Randell (WA), David Henry (Vic), Lea Findley (NSW) and David Verna (Qld). At left of the group is Murray Finlay (Vic), who was secretary of the meeting.

Every two years, the MX-5 Clubs from every state of Australia get together for a national gathering called NatMeet.

NatMeet brings together owners from all around Australia in the one place to talk, have fun and show off their pride-and-joy. The event program combines motor sport with other events like funkhanas, navigation rallies, treasure hunts, convoy driving, a concours d’elegance / show & shine and a good deal of social activity over the four or five days.

These gatherings were born at a meeting of all State MX-5 Club presidents at Daylesford, Victoria, in July, 1993. They kicked off with NatMeet I in Adelaide in 1994:

• 1994 – NatMeet I in Adelaide
• 1996 – NatMeet II New South Wales
• 1999 – NatMeet III Queensland
• 2000 – NatMeet IV Victoria (Ballarat & Melbourne)
• 2002 – NatMeet V South Australia (Clare Valley)
• 2004 – NatMeet VI New South Wales (Leura, Blue Mountains)
• 2006 – NatMeet VII Queensland (Kooralbyn)
• 2008 – NatMeet IIX Victoria (Beechworth)
• 2010 – NatMeet IX South Australia (McLaren Vale)
• 2012 – NatMeet X New South Wales (Canberra)
• 2014 – NatMeet XI Queensland (Caloundra)
• 2016 – NatMeet XII Victoria & Tasmxnia (Launceston)
• 2018 – NatMeet XIII South Australia (Barossa)
• 2020 – NatMeet XIV New South Wales – cancelled due to COVID
• 2022 – NatMeet XIV New South Wales – cancelled due to COVID
• 2024 – NatMeet XV Queensland (Toowoomba)
• 2026 – NatMeet XVI New South Wales… planned for the Hunter Valley on the 3rd to 8th May.
  Watch the NSW Club website for details.