Latest news with #Holdens
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
GWM becomes a permanent resident at former GM Holden proving ground
In a poignant sign of the times, GWM has taken up permanent residency at the former General Motors proving ground in Lang Lang, where it will continue to conduct Australian chassis tuning for its entire model range under the direction of ex-Holden engineering guru Rob Trubiani. Underlining the Chinese automaker's position as one of the few brands to conduct local product development these days – alongside the likes of Ford and Kia – GWM says the move will ensure its vehicles "are optimised not just for performance, but for the comfort, confidence, and control that Australian and New Zealand drivers expect". GWM, which wants to be a top-five auto brand Down Under, said the Lang Lang Proving Ground, as it's now known, "will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive localisation strategy, enabling GWM to engineer dedicated ride and handling packages, undertake full vehicle integration, and execute precision tuning across its growing product portfolio". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The fast-growing brand is the only automaker to become a permanent resident of the proving ground since GM sold the historic purpose-built facility 95km southeast of Melbourne to Vietnamese automaker VinFast in September 2020, as part of its decision to kill off the Holden brand following the end of Australian manufacturing in 2017. VinFast remains the owner of the sprawling 877-hectare facility, which was opened in 1957 and has been used to test every locally produced Holden since the FC of 1958, after a deal with three potential new owners reportedly fell through at the 11 hour in October 2024. GWM describes the major milestone in its vehicle localisation strategy as the culmination of its "deliberate and determined efforts to evolve its product offering for the ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region, a commitment fuelled by continuous feedback from customers, media, and dealer partners". It says Lang Lang will become "the heart of GWM's mission to deliver more refined and locally tuned vehicles" and that its expanded commitment to local chassis tuning comes after several years of "listening closely, learning, and adapting within global parameters". GWM appointed Mr Trubiani, who has a distinguished automotive engineering career spanned 25 years, many of them driving still-secret Holdens at Lang Lang, to lead its intensified product localisation program. "With full-time access to Lang Lang now secured, this is far more than symbolic – it's a statement of intent," said GWM ANZ COO, John Kett. "When Rob presented the idea of establishing Lang Lang as our home base for local development, it was met with overwhelming support, both locally and from our global leadership. "Rob has been relentless in defining what the true GWM feel should be for our markets, and with the right tools now in place, we're confident this investment will deliver improved products right here on home soil." Mr Trubiani said his return to Lang Lang was satisfying from both a personal and professional perspective. "Lang Lang is an iconic proving ground, one of the best in the world," he said. "It's an absolute dream to be back, developing great cars specifically for Australian and New Zealand drivers. I know this track like the back of my hand, having spent a considerable amount of my career here with Holden. "The intimate knowledge I have of the road network, combined with understanding the high performance benchmarks required here, is key to 'Aussifying' our vehicles and ensuring what we develop here translates directly to real-world driving. "LLPG provides me the ability to push vehicle dynamics to the edge, identifying precisely where we can optimise and improve. We're not just tweaking cars, we're transforming them to deliver the confidence, control, and comfort that local drivers deserve." GWM's engineering team has already used Lang Lang to fine-tune several models for Australia, but the brand says long-term residency at the facility will "unlock even greater opportunities for collaboration, faster iteration, and more ambitious goals". The brand says permanent access to the proving ground now allows it to "apply deeper scrutiny and a more rigorous development process under genuine Australian conditions, building vehicles that feel truly at home on local roads". GWM said that in the coming months it would showcase the results of Mr Trubiani's work across multiple vehicle platforms as part of a program codenamed AT1, which will demonstrate the ride and handling enhancements shaped by feedback from the local market. Furthermore, it said it will outline how his expertise is "already showing potential to shape future global [vehicle] programs, ensuring that vehicles destined for Australia and New Zealand are developed with local road conditions, driving styles, and customer expectations in mind from the outset". MORE: Everything GWM Content originally sourced from: In a poignant sign of the times, GWM has taken up permanent residency at the former General Motors proving ground in Lang Lang, where it will continue to conduct Australian chassis tuning for its entire model range under the direction of ex-Holden engineering guru Rob Trubiani. Underlining the Chinese automaker's position as one of the few brands to conduct local product development these days – alongside the likes of Ford and Kia – GWM says the move will ensure its vehicles "are optimised not just for performance, but for the comfort, confidence, and control that Australian and New Zealand drivers expect". GWM, which wants to be a top-five auto brand Down Under, said the Lang Lang Proving Ground, as it's now known, "will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive localisation strategy, enabling GWM to engineer dedicated ride and handling packages, undertake full vehicle integration, and execute precision tuning across its growing product portfolio". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The fast-growing brand is the only automaker to become a permanent resident of the proving ground since GM sold the historic purpose-built facility 95km southeast of Melbourne to Vietnamese automaker VinFast in September 2020, as part of its decision to kill off the Holden brand following the end of Australian manufacturing in 2017. VinFast remains the owner of the sprawling 877-hectare facility, which was opened in 1957 and has been used to test every locally produced Holden since the FC of 1958, after a deal with three potential new owners reportedly fell through at the 11 hour in October 2024. GWM describes the major milestone in its vehicle localisation strategy as the culmination of its "deliberate and determined efforts to evolve its product offering for the ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region, a commitment fuelled by continuous feedback from customers, media, and dealer partners". It says Lang Lang will become "the heart of GWM's mission to deliver more refined and locally tuned vehicles" and that its expanded commitment to local chassis tuning comes after several years of "listening closely, learning, and adapting within global parameters". GWM appointed Mr Trubiani, who has a distinguished automotive engineering career spanned 25 years, many of them driving still-secret Holdens at Lang Lang, to lead its intensified product localisation program. "With full-time access to Lang Lang now secured, this is far more than symbolic – it's a statement of intent," said GWM ANZ COO, John Kett. "When Rob presented the idea of establishing Lang Lang as our home base for local development, it was met with overwhelming support, both locally and from our global leadership. "Rob has been relentless in defining what the true GWM feel should be for our markets, and with the right tools now in place, we're confident this investment will deliver improved products right here on home soil." Mr Trubiani said his return to Lang Lang was satisfying from both a personal and professional perspective. "Lang Lang is an iconic proving ground, one of the best in the world," he said. "It's an absolute dream to be back, developing great cars specifically for Australian and New Zealand drivers. I know this track like the back of my hand, having spent a considerable amount of my career here with Holden. "The intimate knowledge I have of the road network, combined with understanding the high performance benchmarks required here, is key to 'Aussifying' our vehicles and ensuring what we develop here translates directly to real-world driving. "LLPG provides me the ability to push vehicle dynamics to the edge, identifying precisely where we can optimise and improve. We're not just tweaking cars, we're transforming them to deliver the confidence, control, and comfort that local drivers deserve." GWM's engineering team has already used Lang Lang to fine-tune several models for Australia, but the brand says long-term residency at the facility will "unlock even greater opportunities for collaboration, faster iteration, and more ambitious goals". The brand says permanent access to the proving ground now allows it to "apply deeper scrutiny and a more rigorous development process under genuine Australian conditions, building vehicles that feel truly at home on local roads". GWM said that in the coming months it would showcase the results of Mr Trubiani's work across multiple vehicle platforms as part of a program codenamed AT1, which will demonstrate the ride and handling enhancements shaped by feedback from the local market. Furthermore, it said it will outline how his expertise is "already showing potential to shape future global [vehicle] programs, ensuring that vehicles destined for Australia and New Zealand are developed with local road conditions, driving styles, and customer expectations in mind from the outset". MORE: Everything GWM Content originally sourced from: In a poignant sign of the times, GWM has taken up permanent residency at the former General Motors proving ground in Lang Lang, where it will continue to conduct Australian chassis tuning for its entire model range under the direction of ex-Holden engineering guru Rob Trubiani. Underlining the Chinese automaker's position as one of the few brands to conduct local product development these days – alongside the likes of Ford and Kia – GWM says the move will ensure its vehicles "are optimised not just for performance, but for the comfort, confidence, and control that Australian and New Zealand drivers expect". GWM, which wants to be a top-five auto brand Down Under, said the Lang Lang Proving Ground, as it's now known, "will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive localisation strategy, enabling GWM to engineer dedicated ride and handling packages, undertake full vehicle integration, and execute precision tuning across its growing product portfolio". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The fast-growing brand is the only automaker to become a permanent resident of the proving ground since GM sold the historic purpose-built facility 95km southeast of Melbourne to Vietnamese automaker VinFast in September 2020, as part of its decision to kill off the Holden brand following the end of Australian manufacturing in 2017. VinFast remains the owner of the sprawling 877-hectare facility, which was opened in 1957 and has been used to test every locally produced Holden since the FC of 1958, after a deal with three potential new owners reportedly fell through at the 11 hour in October 2024. GWM describes the major milestone in its vehicle localisation strategy as the culmination of its "deliberate and determined efforts to evolve its product offering for the ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region, a commitment fuelled by continuous feedback from customers, media, and dealer partners". It says Lang Lang will become "the heart of GWM's mission to deliver more refined and locally tuned vehicles" and that its expanded commitment to local chassis tuning comes after several years of "listening closely, learning, and adapting within global parameters". GWM appointed Mr Trubiani, who has a distinguished automotive engineering career spanned 25 years, many of them driving still-secret Holdens at Lang Lang, to lead its intensified product localisation program. "With full-time access to Lang Lang now secured, this is far more than symbolic – it's a statement of intent," said GWM ANZ COO, John Kett. "When Rob presented the idea of establishing Lang Lang as our home base for local development, it was met with overwhelming support, both locally and from our global leadership. "Rob has been relentless in defining what the true GWM feel should be for our markets, and with the right tools now in place, we're confident this investment will deliver improved products right here on home soil." Mr Trubiani said his return to Lang Lang was satisfying from both a personal and professional perspective. "Lang Lang is an iconic proving ground, one of the best in the world," he said. "It's an absolute dream to be back, developing great cars specifically for Australian and New Zealand drivers. I know this track like the back of my hand, having spent a considerable amount of my career here with Holden. "The intimate knowledge I have of the road network, combined with understanding the high performance benchmarks required here, is key to 'Aussifying' our vehicles and ensuring what we develop here translates directly to real-world driving. "LLPG provides me the ability to push vehicle dynamics to the edge, identifying precisely where we can optimise and improve. We're not just tweaking cars, we're transforming them to deliver the confidence, control, and comfort that local drivers deserve." GWM's engineering team has already used Lang Lang to fine-tune several models for Australia, but the brand says long-term residency at the facility will "unlock even greater opportunities for collaboration, faster iteration, and more ambitious goals". The brand says permanent access to the proving ground now allows it to "apply deeper scrutiny and a more rigorous development process under genuine Australian conditions, building vehicles that feel truly at home on local roads". GWM said that in the coming months it would showcase the results of Mr Trubiani's work across multiple vehicle platforms as part of a program codenamed AT1, which will demonstrate the ride and handling enhancements shaped by feedback from the local market. Furthermore, it said it will outline how his expertise is "already showing potential to shape future global [vehicle] programs, ensuring that vehicles destined for Australia and New Zealand are developed with local road conditions, driving styles, and customer expectations in mind from the outset". MORE: Everything GWM Content originally sourced from: In a poignant sign of the times, GWM has taken up permanent residency at the former General Motors proving ground in Lang Lang, where it will continue to conduct Australian chassis tuning for its entire model range under the direction of ex-Holden engineering guru Rob Trubiani. Underlining the Chinese automaker's position as one of the few brands to conduct local product development these days – alongside the likes of Ford and Kia – GWM says the move will ensure its vehicles "are optimised not just for performance, but for the comfort, confidence, and control that Australian and New Zealand drivers expect". GWM, which wants to be a top-five auto brand Down Under, said the Lang Lang Proving Ground, as it's now known, "will form the cornerstone of a comprehensive localisation strategy, enabling GWM to engineer dedicated ride and handling packages, undertake full vehicle integration, and execute precision tuning across its growing product portfolio". CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The fast-growing brand is the only automaker to become a permanent resident of the proving ground since GM sold the historic purpose-built facility 95km southeast of Melbourne to Vietnamese automaker VinFast in September 2020, as part of its decision to kill off the Holden brand following the end of Australian manufacturing in 2017. VinFast remains the owner of the sprawling 877-hectare facility, which was opened in 1957 and has been used to test every locally produced Holden since the FC of 1958, after a deal with three potential new owners reportedly fell through at the 11 hour in October 2024. GWM describes the major milestone in its vehicle localisation strategy as the culmination of its "deliberate and determined efforts to evolve its product offering for the ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] region, a commitment fuelled by continuous feedback from customers, media, and dealer partners". It says Lang Lang will become "the heart of GWM's mission to deliver more refined and locally tuned vehicles" and that its expanded commitment to local chassis tuning comes after several years of "listening closely, learning, and adapting within global parameters". GWM appointed Mr Trubiani, who has a distinguished automotive engineering career spanned 25 years, many of them driving still-secret Holdens at Lang Lang, to lead its intensified product localisation program. "With full-time access to Lang Lang now secured, this is far more than symbolic – it's a statement of intent," said GWM ANZ COO, John Kett. "When Rob presented the idea of establishing Lang Lang as our home base for local development, it was met with overwhelming support, both locally and from our global leadership. "Rob has been relentless in defining what the true GWM feel should be for our markets, and with the right tools now in place, we're confident this investment will deliver improved products right here on home soil." Mr Trubiani said his return to Lang Lang was satisfying from both a personal and professional perspective. "Lang Lang is an iconic proving ground, one of the best in the world," he said. "It's an absolute dream to be back, developing great cars specifically for Australian and New Zealand drivers. I know this track like the back of my hand, having spent a considerable amount of my career here with Holden. "The intimate knowledge I have of the road network, combined with understanding the high performance benchmarks required here, is key to 'Aussifying' our vehicles and ensuring what we develop here translates directly to real-world driving. "LLPG provides me the ability to push vehicle dynamics to the edge, identifying precisely where we can optimise and improve. We're not just tweaking cars, we're transforming them to deliver the confidence, control, and comfort that local drivers deserve." GWM's engineering team has already used Lang Lang to fine-tune several models for Australia, but the brand says long-term residency at the facility will "unlock even greater opportunities for collaboration, faster iteration, and more ambitious goals". The brand says permanent access to the proving ground now allows it to "apply deeper scrutiny and a more rigorous development process under genuine Australian conditions, building vehicles that feel truly at home on local roads". GWM said that in the coming months it would showcase the results of Mr Trubiani's work across multiple vehicle platforms as part of a program codenamed AT1, which will demonstrate the ride and handling enhancements shaped by feedback from the local market. Furthermore, it said it will outline how his expertise is "already showing potential to shape future global [vehicle] programs, ensuring that vehicles destined for Australia and New Zealand are developed with local road conditions, driving styles, and customer expectations in mind from the outset". MORE: Everything GWM Content originally sourced from:
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Mystery Car Trial fundraiser a hit
The Waitane Young Farmers group raised over $1500 for the Rural Support Trust with another successful scavenger hunt and raffle. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG A scavenger hunt in Gore was a smash hit at the weekend, raising more than $1500 for a support group, with organisers thrilled about the success. The Mystery Car Trial was held at the Croydon Lodge yesterday afternoon, with 19 cars setting out, filled with enthusiasm, to compete. Vintage cars, Holdens and Fords, all shined up and ready for a cruise, rolled in ready for a good afternoon of scavenging. Participants were given clues to various locations around Gore, little tidbits around the region for the sharp eyes and the keen wits to then bring back to the hotel. Upon returning, the raffles were flying off the shelf, and prizes and refreshments were served afterwards. The event was organised by a subcommittee of the Waitane Young Farmers group. Although the money was still being counted, the event was a cracking success for the group, organiser Holly Hender said. "[We're all] really happy. We had 19 cars turn up. Most cars had about three or four people, so it's been a really awesome turnout," she said. This is the fourth time the event has been held, with all proceeds heading towards charity. The Rural Support Trust had been chosen chosen this year. Ms Hender said the committee chose the trust after seeing how the organisation helped out the agricultural community following a tough stint for farmers. "This is just a really good way to give back," she said.
Herald Sun
19-06-2025
- Herald Sun
Northland shopping centre Land Cruiser stolen from Ivanhoe East home
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News. The owner of the stolen 4WD that ploughed through Northland joked with his family the vehicle was his as he watched the shocking scenes unfold on a TV news bulletin. Shoppers were forced to run for their lives as the Toyota Land Cruiser sped through the Preston shopping centre about 4pm Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction. 'I jokingly said to my family while watching it on TV… 'that's my car',' he said. 'I recognised the wheels and the trim. I wasn't sure, but it looked like my car because that model has got certain alloys on it that are different.' The owner, who doesn't want to be identified, said he was stunned when police called minutes later to tell him the vehicle that had sped just metres from terrified shoppers was in fact his. 'No more than half an hour later the police rang and said they'd found it,' he said. Police allege an electronic key reprogramming tool was used to steal the car from outside the man's home on King St in Ivanhoe East on June 2. 'It was taken from the street about 50m from my bedroom and I didn't hear anything,' the man told the Herald Sun on Thursday. 'No alarm went off, nothing. Not only that, I had a steering wheel lock.' The white 2016 Land Cruiser was found dumped on Wednesday afternoon on Beavers Rd in Northcote, about 6km away from Northland. Police arrested a 27-year-old East Melbourne man at a Hoddle Street home about 8.30am on Thursday. He was charged with an array of offences including theft of a motor vehicle, driving whilst disqualified and reckless conduct endangering life. The man said he had noticed a significant rise in car thefts in Ivanhoe East and surrounds. 'We've been living here for 25 years and lately it's just crazy,' he said. 'Just in this street there's been three car thefts. 'They want high-end cars if they can get them.' It comes after new data released by the Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday revealed motor vehicle theft in Victoria was at its highest levels since 2002. 'More than one in five cars are stolen in circumstances where the owner reports retaining their keys,' a Victoria Police statement read. 'This has coincided with an increase in offenders using electronic devices capable of programming or mimicking keys to steal cars. 'Holdens, Toyotas, and Subarus with push start technology are the most targeted cars using this methodology. 'In the last month, these makes have been stolen at two to three times the rate of the previous five years.' Police have urged owners of cars with push start technology, including Land Cruisers manufactured after 2012, to adopt 'preventative measures' to deter thieves, such as an on-board diagnostic port lock, which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device to the car. Read related topics: Northland
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How an Australian made sure ‘the real Ashes trophy' finally made it to Lord's
Not to Bligh, though. After Dick Barlow bowled Tom Garrett to complete England's 'Ashes-winning' victory in the third match in Sydney in January, 1883, Bligh had souvenired the fallen bail and shaped it into a letter-opener, complete with ivory blade and an inscription noting the occasion it marked. 'ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA JANUARY 26, 1883 ENGLAND WON BY 69 RUNS THIS BAIL was knocked off by the last ball bowled IN THE MATCH.' This he presented to Lady Clarke, reciprocating the gesture of the ashes urn, but a later custodian of the letter opener, Ian Metherall, suspects it was also to maintain the favour of the Clarkes and a pretext to see Florence Morphy regularly, which he did. Duly, Bligh proposed, Morphy accepted, but Lady Clarke advised prudence, noting the difference in their social stations and the fact that Bligh's parents in England had not been consulted. She wrote from experience; she herself had come from humble origins to marry Sir William and knew the invisible pitfalls. If Bligh's parents approve, she said, the Clarkes would be only too pleased to give the couple their blessing. Loading Bligh returned to England, but the two artefacts of that series, the urn and the opener, remained with the Clarkes at Rupertswood. In the mind's eye, it's impossible not to see them sitting side-by-side on a mantlepiece somewhere in that grand mansion (elsewhere in its wings, some of Ned Kelly's armour lay, but that's another story for another day). Bligh came back to Melbourne the next summer with his parents' sanction and the Clarkes made a lavish production of his marriage to Morphy. Eventually, the couple settled in England, taking with them the urn. At first, they struggled. As the second son of an earl, Bligh was not entitled and had little money until his older brother died, whereupon funds and comforts accrued, and the title of Lord Darnley. Morphy, now Lady Darnley, made the acquaintance of royalty and other notables, including Rudyard Kipling, and for her pastoral work during World War One was made a dame of the empire. When Bligh died in 1927, she donated the Ashes urn to Lord's. Less than two years later, Don Bradman would have clapped his eyes on it for the first time. Meantime, the bail-cum-letter opener passed down through the line of the Clarke's descendants until it rested in a garage belonging to Metherall and his wife Rosemary, a great-granddaughter of the Clarkes, on their farm at Nagambie. Metherall, an importer/exporter, is also a collector of cricket memorabilia and, incidentally, cars. Rosemary's other grandfather was Essington Lewis, a former head of BHP and an arms manufacturer during World War One who sourced prized steel for General Motors to begin to build Holdens in Australia after World War Two. For his efforts, General Motors delivered to him the first Holden ever made in Australia, the hallowed 48-215. Forerunning that car was a prototype built by GM in Detroit. Metherall and Rosemary at one estage had custody of both cars, each of which had travelled many miles before being restored by enthusiasts and finding their way via the Metherall collection to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra in 2004. Metherall says not all in his family were best pleased with this outcome for these heirlooms. Loading Enter – or re-enter - the bail. Driven to elevate its place in the Ashes narrative, but anxious not to cause further family tensions, Metherall says he bought the bail from them outright. He has since become the champion-in-chief of its paramountcy in the Ashes legend. Since Bligh's descendants say the urn is not a cricket trophy, but a 'personal and romantic keepsake', Metherall regards the bail as a symbolic prize in its own right. He has his backers. 'The Bail is an object of equal importance and historical significance to the Darnley Urn as part of the early Ashes story,' wrote long-serving MCC librarian David Studham in 2011. 'Indeed, its status as a genuine artefact from a Test match on the 1882-83 tour makes it even more so. It is unique; no other bails from this first Ashes series are known to exist, and therefore none are held in any Australian public collections. It deserves to be retained in Australia as a significant item relating to such a key part of our sporting heritage, the battles for 'The Ashes'.' Writing in the magazine Australiana in 2006, curator, publisher and broadcaster Tom Thompson was even more blunt. 'It is the real trophy,' he said, 'and as cricket memorabilia trumps the urn by being created from an actual stump gifted by the English captain. The Ashes urn is a faction.' Metherall says his efforts to consecrate the bail's place in history have largely been stonewalled. For a time, he had it on display at the Australian Club and it appeared in the National Museum from 2006-2008. But the Melbourne Cricket Club museum rebuffed him in 2018, saying it had plenty enough Ashes curios; more would mean only clutter. How near a relative the bail is to the urn and how much weight it should be accorded in the game's iconography is a matter of intrigue. Apart from anything else, it was fashioned from a verifiable piece of Ashes furniture, whereas doubts linger about the ashes in the Ashes. One of several theories that now can never be tested is that the urn was presented to Bligh twice, at Rupertswood before the series when it was empty, and again after the series, now containing the burnt remains of the other bail. If true, it would make the pairing irresistible. But we'll never know. Metherall is not easily deterred. Eventually, he found a sympathetic ear in British broadcaster, actor and author Stephen Fry, a past president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Still, there was a process. The bail is on the National Cultural Heritage Control list, so cannot leave the country without approval. Fortunately, at the Australian end, this was obtained in 24 hours. But British bureaucracy tied up that end like a county medium-pacer. Metherall says he risked a long jail term or a massive fine if he tried to fly it into England without the necessary permissions, because the blade is made of ivory, a prohibited import. A plan to deliver it in February had to be scrapped, but after three months of wrangling, the paperwork finally came through, and Metherall and his precious cargo made their way to London last week, first class (seat 1A), of course. The bail was handed over to Lord's last week and is now on display alongside the venerable urn, together again for the first time since their Rupertswood days. In explaining what he sees as the bail's historic significance vis a vis the urn, Metherall likens it to the pair of historic Holdens he once owned: each tells part of the whole tale. Metherall also says the whole Ashes mystique has been forever misrepresented. 'People don't understand that the Ashes story is not about a little urn,' he said. 'It's actually a love story, between the captain and a pauper.' Bligh suffered frequent ill-health and did not play Test cricket again after that 1882-3 series. The four matches he played then comprise his whole Test career. Its substance is an aggregate of 62 runs, with a top score of 19. Concerning a man who has such venerable place in cricket history, this reads modestly. But like the letter opener he shaped from the bail, it is a humble token that embodies a grand idea that is cherished to this day. As for Metherall, while championing the past, he does not live there. Next on his plate is a project to import unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Age
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
How an Australian made sure ‘the real Ashes trophy' finally made it to Lord's
Not to Bligh, though. After Dick Barlow bowled Tom Garrett to complete England's 'Ashes-winning' victory in the third match in Sydney in January, 1883, Bligh had souvenired the fallen bail and shaped it into a letter-opener, complete with ivory blade and an inscription noting the occasion it marked. 'ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA JANUARY 26, 1883 ENGLAND WON BY 69 RUNS THIS BAIL was knocked off by the last ball bowled IN THE MATCH.' This he presented to Lady Clarke, reciprocating the gesture of the ashes urn, but a later custodian of the letter opener, Ian Metherall, suspects it was also to maintain the favour of the Clarkes and a pretext to see Florence Morphy regularly, which he did. Duly, Bligh proposed, Morphy accepted, but Lady Clarke advised prudence, noting the difference in their social stations and the fact that Bligh's parents in England had not been consulted. She wrote from experience; she herself had come from humble origins to marry Sir William and knew the invisible pitfalls. If Bligh's parents approve, she said, the Clarkes would be only too pleased to give the couple their blessing. Loading Bligh returned to England, but the two artefacts of that series, the urn and the opener, remained with the Clarkes at Rupertswood. In the mind's eye, it's impossible not to see them sitting side-by-side on a mantlepiece somewhere in that grand mansion (elsewhere in its wings, some of Ned Kelly's armour lay, but that's another story for another day). Bligh came back to Melbourne the next summer with his parents' sanction and the Clarkes made a lavish production of his marriage to Morphy. Eventually, the couple settled in England, taking with them the urn. At first, they struggled. As the second son of an earl, Bligh was not entitled and had little money until his older brother died, whereupon funds and comforts accrued, and the title of Lord Darnley. Morphy, now Lady Darnley, made the acquaintance of royalty and other notables, including Rudyard Kipling, and for her pastoral work during World War One was made a dame of the empire. When Bligh died in 1927, she donated the Ashes urn to Lord's. Less than two years later, Don Bradman would have clapped his eyes on it for the first time. Meantime, the bail-cum-letter opener passed down through the line of the Clarke's descendants until it rested in a garage belonging to Metherall and his wife Rosemary, a great-granddaughter of the Clarkes, on their farm at Nagambie. Metherall, an importer/exporter, is also a collector of cricket memorabilia and, incidentally, cars. Rosemary's other grandfather was Essington Lewis, a former head of BHP and an arms manufacturer during World War One who sourced prized steel for General Motors to begin to build Holdens in Australia after World War Two. For his efforts, General Motors delivered to him the first Holden ever made in Australia, the hallowed 48-215. Forerunning that car was a prototype built by GM in Detroit. Metherall and Rosemary at one estage had custody of both cars, each of which had travelled many miles before being restored by enthusiasts and finding their way via the Metherall collection to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra in 2004. Metherall says not all in his family were best pleased with this outcome for these heirlooms. Loading Enter – or re-enter - the bail. Driven to elevate its place in the Ashes narrative, but anxious not to cause further family tensions, Metherall says he bought the bail from them outright. He has since become the champion-in-chief of its paramountcy in the Ashes legend. Since Bligh's descendants say the urn is not a cricket trophy, but a 'personal and romantic keepsake', Metherall regards the bail as a symbolic prize in its own right. He has his backers. 'The Bail is an object of equal importance and historical significance to the Darnley Urn as part of the early Ashes story,' wrote long-serving MCC librarian David Studham in 2011. 'Indeed, its status as a genuine artefact from a Test match on the 1882-83 tour makes it even more so. It is unique; no other bails from this first Ashes series are known to exist, and therefore none are held in any Australian public collections. It deserves to be retained in Australia as a significant item relating to such a key part of our sporting heritage, the battles for 'The Ashes'.' Writing in the magazine Australiana in 2006, curator, publisher and broadcaster Tom Thompson was even more blunt. 'It is the real trophy,' he said, 'and as cricket memorabilia trumps the urn by being created from an actual stump gifted by the English captain. The Ashes urn is a faction.' Metherall says his efforts to consecrate the bail's place in history have largely been stonewalled. For a time, he had it on display at the Australian Club and it appeared in the National Museum from 2006-2008. But the Melbourne Cricket Club museum rebuffed him in 2018, saying it had plenty enough Ashes curios; more would mean only clutter. How near a relative the bail is to the urn and how much weight it should be accorded in the game's iconography is a matter of intrigue. Apart from anything else, it was fashioned from a verifiable piece of Ashes furniture, whereas doubts linger about the ashes in the Ashes. One of several theories that now can never be tested is that the urn was presented to Bligh twice, at Rupertswood before the series when it was empty, and again after the series, now containing the burnt remains of the other bail. If true, it would make the pairing irresistible. But we'll never know. Metherall is not easily deterred. Eventually, he found a sympathetic ear in British broadcaster, actor and author Stephen Fry, a past president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Still, there was a process. The bail is on the National Cultural Heritage Control list, so cannot leave the country without approval. Fortunately, at the Australian end, this was obtained in 24 hours. But British bureaucracy tied up that end like a county medium-pacer. Metherall says he risked a long jail term or a massive fine if he tried to fly it into England without the necessary permissions, because the blade is made of ivory, a prohibited import. A plan to deliver it in February had to be scrapped, but after three months of wrangling, the paperwork finally came through, and Metherall and his precious cargo made their way to London last week, first class (seat 1A), of course. The bail was handed over to Lord's last week and is now on display alongside the venerable urn, together again for the first time since their Rupertswood days. In explaining what he sees as the bail's historic significance vis a vis the urn, Metherall likens it to the pair of historic Holdens he once owned: each tells part of the whole tale. Metherall also says the whole Ashes mystique has been forever misrepresented. 'People don't understand that the Ashes story is not about a little urn,' he said. 'It's actually a love story, between the captain and a pauper.' Bligh suffered frequent ill-health and did not play Test cricket again after that 1882-3 series. The four matches he played then comprise his whole Test career. Its substance is an aggregate of 62 runs, with a top score of 19. Concerning a man who has such venerable place in cricket history, this reads modestly. But like the letter opener he shaped from the bail, it is a humble token that embodies a grand idea that is cherished to this day. As for Metherall, while championing the past, he does not live there. Next on his plate is a project to import unmanned aerial vehicles.
