Current Officers

President: Dr Norm Darwin

In 1969, Dr Norm Darwin 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 and 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. His latest book The Holden HK HT HG story was published in 2021. Norm is the President of Automotive Historians Australia Inc, a member of the Society of Automobile Historians and several automobile clubs.

Vice President: Roger Beattie

Roger Beattie has been a historian his whole life. While not employed, qualified or especially able in the field interest and enthusiasm have carried him into many research dead ends and underachieved projects. Undaunted he carries on, currently as President of the Fiat Car Club of Victoria where his interest in their history has him with an overly large collection of paperwork, projects, a few driveable cars and an upcoming National Event. After studying International Development later in life the skills learned have largely been forgotten, usurped by an undying curiosity and social capacity, Here is a chap who loves a chat about anything Automotive History. Work has taken many forms for Roger, including a mechanical apprenticeship in the Army, a few automotive related roles and currently running a Stationery manufacturing business.

Secretary: Tony Lupton

Tony Lupton has always been interested in cars, and started his working life as an apprentice motor mechanic. He then changed direction and went to law school. After practising as a barrister and serving in the Victorian parliament, Tony is now a full-time legal Tribunal member. Tony has written about classic and historic cars for The Age, RoyalAuto magazine, Retroautos, as well as other publications, and enjoys competing in club motorsport with his MGB GT, along with driving his 1967 Ford Mustang and 1974 Alfa Romeo GT Junior of a weekend. In addition to being Secretary of AHA, Tony is also Secretary of the MG Car Club (Vic).

Treasurer: Daryl Meek

Committee members

Dr Kaja Antlej

Dr Kaja Antlej is a researcher working in the intersection of human-centered design, digital heritage and virtual museums, extended reality, 3D printing and space. Kaja has obtained her BSc/MSc in Industrial Design and a PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of Ljubljana. She is currently working as a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design and CADET VR Lab Researcher - Museums/Heritage at the School of Engineering, Deakin University in Geelong, a UNESCO City of Design, Australia.

Associate Professor Simon Lockrey

Associate Professor Simon Lockrey is a leading sustainability and design-based entrepreneur, board member, and academic based at RMIT, having managed research include life cycle assessment (LCA), co-design, design innovation, marketing, resource efficiency, flammable cladding, automotive history, and food waste. As a result, he has generated millions of dollars of 'industry facing' Category 1, 2, 3 and 4 research, creating global impact through policy changes, commercial outcomes, media coverage, quality academic publications, and hundreds of citations. Dr Lockrey’s professional work has crossed a large range of industries including consultancies, leading commercial interior furniture manufacturers and multinational appliance companies, leading to billions of dollars in income and Intellectual Property (IP), and his elevation to board level at global urban gardening brand Glowpear, the International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS), and as previous Vice President of the AHA.

Emeritus Professor Harriet Edquist (past President)

Harriet Edquist is Professor Emerita of Architectural History at RMIT, founding Director of the RMIT Design Archives (2007-2020) and founding editor of the RMIT Design Archives Journal (2012-). Active in the architectural and design community for many years, Harriet is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and Member of the Order of Australia (AM). She was a founder and inaugural President of Automotive Historians Australia Inc (2015-2019).

Jenny Fawbert

Jenny learnt to drive in a 1928 Chev and has been a regular entrant in historic motoring events since 1970. An active vintage car club member she has held various leadership roles and organised competitive events and touring rallies. A professional researcher Jenny regularly writes on early Australian automotive history topics.

Manca Ogrizek

Manca Ogrizek's background spans disciplines across graphics, fashion, multimedia, and interaction design. She holds a Master of Information Technology, specialising in software development, from Central Queensland University and a Master of Design from MADA, Monash University. Currently, she is a PhD student at Deakin University's CADET VR Lab, where she is also involved in designing VR experiences. Her PhD investigates designing and evaluating new 3D interaction techniques for more meaningful and engaging human interaction with digital reproductions of museum objects in virtual environments.

Nathan Pharaoh

Associate Professor Alison Wain

Alison Wain trained as an archaeological conservator before discovering a passion for large technology conservation. She worked on the development of the Scienceworks campus of Museum Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, moved to Canberra to head up the Large Technology Workshop and Small Objects laboratory at the Australian War Memorial, and undertook a PhD exploring the ways in which people value, use and care for large technology heritage. She is now Assistant Professor and Discipline Lead in Cultural Heritage at the University of Canberra teaching materials conservation and heritage practice. Her research is focused on the challenges of preserving and interpreting engineering, industrial and science heritage, and in particular on the importance of recognising the intangible heritage of culture, skills and changeability connected with and embodied in machinery heritage.

Allan Willingham

Committee member Allan Willingham (aka Lord Albert) is an old and rickety architect, architectural historian, biographer and expert witness on conservation and heritage issues, with a special interest in vintage cars, dry stone walls, real (royal) tennis, antiquarian books, edgy modern art, garden and automotive history, and anything to do with Camperdown, his birthplace in Western Victoria. He is a member of the Suns of Suction (Australia’s only two man wind-orchestra founded in 1965), still plays basketball with NBT (Not Bad Thanks), is a Fellow of the RHSV, has researched and written widely on many subjects, drives an Alvis 12/50 Ducksback (1924) and an F360 Spider (2003) and retains membership in the VSCC, ACCV, FCA, and recently joined the Veteran Car Club of Australia (Vic). He devotes his spare time to AHA matters.