Our History

Horse and buggy was the average Queenslander’s preferred mode of transport in the early years of the 20th century. Even as cinemas silently projected the new craze sweeping Europe and local teens dreamt of their own “horseless carriage”, motor vehicles were considered a menace by an establishment that was reluctant to embrace change.

One May night in 1905, 12 of Brisbane’s pioneer drivers met to discuss forming a group to champion the rights of motorists and with that, the Automobile Club of Queensland was born.

Dr. Henry C Garde, foundation member (1904)

Who were they?

Consisting of doctors, engineers, merchants and, of all things, a coachbuilder, many of the 18 foundation members of the club were pioneers in more ways than one.

The club’s first president, Dr George Hopkins, was a world renowned surgeon, while treasurer and secretary Dr Archibald Brockway was an accomplished author and poet.

At a time when few women drove and the Automobile Club of Victoria did not accept female members, Dr Lillian Cooper, Queensland’s first registered female doctor, was a prominent foundation figure.

As doctors, the motor vehicle provided a faster and more convenient method of reaching their patients, especially in an era when house calls were the norm. 

The 18 foundation members were:

1. William G. Billington
2. Dr Archibald B. Brockway
3. Archibald Carmichael
4. P. Clarke
5. Dr Lillian V. Cooper
6. Thomas Coupland
7. Alexander B. Elmslie
8. Dr Henry C. Garde
9. Nils P. Gustavson
10. Dr David Hardie
11. Dr Claude S. Hawkes
12. Dr G. Herbert Hopkins
13. Dr Aeneas j. MacDonnell
14. Hon. Dr Charles F. Marks MLC
15. Dr Victor R. Ratten
16. William J. Tarrant
17. Walter M. Trevethan
18. James Wilson

Why form a motoring club?

Australia lagged behind Europe and the United States in accepting the car as a mainstream form of transport. Motorised vehicles were perceived as a danger on the roads, with many crashes caused by a failure to understand that cars could not stop quite as suddenly as a horse!

So with less than 50 vehicles in the state and few quality roads on which to drive them, motorists were a significant minority at a time when new laws were being discussed to account for this new technology.

Much of the club’s early activity was devoted to influencing legislation aimed at restricting speed limits and travel around Brisbane, although one of the first letters drafted by the club involved a request to police to stop gangs of youths throwing stones at passing cars.

The youths enjoyed a degree of public support, as increasing numbers of these horseless carriages threatened traditional transport businesses and damaged Brisbane’s already sub-par road network. 

These are just some of the earliest examples of the how the club represented the interests of Queensland motorists and more than a century later, advocacy remains at the core of our service to members.

Making the everyday lives of members easier

Since those early years, the club has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of Queenslanders.

Today, RACQ offers more than 35 member services and products, including roadside assistance, travel, finance and insurance, all with the aim of increasing the value of membership and making the club an important part of members’ everyday lives.

In 2005, RACQ celebrated 100 years of service to members and the community.

A selection of RACQ historical items, including publications and commemorative badges, are available to purchase through the RACQ Online Shop.