The official opening ceremony kicked off with interesting and informative speeches by MC Peter Longhurst, the Hon. Bronnie Taylor, MLC, Snowy-Monaro Regional Council administrator Dean Lynch, Car Club president Rob Wolf, the car club’s first Life Member, Keith Montague and Community Chest representative Marnie Stewart.  

Peter Longhurst gave an informative speech that touched on the early history of motoring in Cooma including the first motor vehicle, an Alldays and Onions in 1908.

There were 28 cars in Cooma in 1917 and the first competitive hill climb was in 1913 which was sponsored by the Presbyterian Church. 

Car Clubs were first established in the 1950s and ‘60s and included the SMHEA employees Mutual Aid Car Club, a group of like-minded members that attended the TAFE College to learn the skills required for restoring Vintage cars and the Cooma Citizens Car Club a successful rally club that hosted a round of the NSW Rally Championships. 

In 1969, the Cooma Auto Racing Club was formed which promoted dirt track stock car racing and built the Alpine Speedway on Mittagang Road.  The members went racing at Moruya, Canberra, Cowra and Cooma.  The Monaro Chapter of the Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australasia (CMHAC) was formed in 1999 and the name, Cooma Monaro Historic Automobile Club (CMHAC) was adopted and the club was incorporated in 2002.  

The present building site came on the market in 2009 with a decision to purchase the buildings being made in November and a bank loan was taken out.  Massive fund raising was necessary including debentures being taken out by members. 

Since that time a great deal of work has been carried out including installation of a bar and commercial kitchen in the front section, and lining and insulation of the downstairs section which has been set up as museum to display members’ cars. 

Classic Cars and motor cycles are a common interest of members and popular club activities include day trips as well as three day and longer tours. 

The CMHAC has a membership of 186 and more than 260 vehicles with members from Cooma, Berridale, Jindabyne and Bombala and further afield.