George Punter of Queensland

Looking through a Dec 1991 copy of Classic & Motorcycle Mechanics I came across a piece by George Punter on his restoration of a 1957 Lilac 250cc V twin. In the text he mentions that model engineering was his other hobby and I was wondering if he is still enjoying the wee bike? His address was given as Avenell Street, Bundabert, Queensland 4670.

Jim

If you search on Australian White Pages you might find him...

Small world, I met George in about 1996 when I worked at the local newspaper in Bundaberg. Can't remember what the story was about but I remember seeing the Lilac in his shed, the only one I've ever seen. Just checked Whitepages.com.au and looks like he is still at the same address. From memory he was a school teacher (metalwork?) and a real nice guy.

He is a member of the forum but seldom posts. Has had a couple of build series in ME and came over to the last MEX at Brooklands.

Looks like he took home a gold from the MEX too: **LINK**  for what the local paper calls a model "tractor engine". Bless their little hearts. (And i bet the they are yet to beat or even equal my headline of "Council passes motion on toilets".)

Edited By Hopper on 17/01/2018 09:23:22

Right on both counts, I met him at MEX.

Neil

I do see that it is listed in that link of Hopper's as a steam engine! Further down in the text it is described as a petrol engine.

Ian S C

Thanks to all posters. George would seem to be not only a wonderful model engineer but also a very nice chap. Ah, then again, he is a motorcyclist!

Jim

Well, of course!

ISTR very very vaguely he had a Victoria Burgermeister little V twin in rough shape leaned up against the house too. You could always send him a postcard to the address on whitepages.com.au and ask him to email you etc.

Having read all of the above I can tell you I am still in the land of the living, still making models and riding motorcycles. I sold the Lilac some years ago ( I now wish I still had it) and have had a Moto Guzzi Convert since then and have sold that as it was quite heavy and I am not getting any younger! I am now the owner of a Benelli 125 SOHC twin of 1982. It’s a real fun bike with only 500km on the clock. It’s one of only 900 made and the only one in Australia ( so I have been informed). From what I have found out it produces 20 (iItalian )bhp @ 10,500 with max revs 12000. For me this machine is the link between model engineering and motor cycling and as a maker of small I.c. engines I appreciate its qualities. The reason I have not been on the forums is I have been very busy but more of that later.

George.

Would I be mistaken in associating this thread's George Punter with the gent from Aus who took home the Duke of Edinburgh award at Doncaster 2019 ?

qte

This chap had come all the way from Australia to exhibit a model Saunderson tractor.

He is taking the Duke of Edinborough award back with him as well.

/qte

DaveD

Yes that’s me and this time tomorrow night I will be on a plane heading home. It has been a marvellous experience to attend the MEX ,to see other people’s work and to meet people who share the same hobby. This must be the only tractor that will have travelled 70,000km and the wheels have not touched the ground! Loved every minute of it.

George.

Hope my congrats reach you before you leave, George aka Fred, have a good trip. I wonder what your local journos - as mentioned earlier - will make of your accomplishments !
DaveD

Congrats on the award George. And have a good flight home.

Congratulations George. Goerge found the Sanderson tractor in a machinery museum in Geraldine, just a few miles south of where I am in Canterbury (NZ).

Ian S C