Ivy was born in New Zealand in 1933 and moved to Sydney in 1957 where shortly afterwards she met future husband Ron, marrying later that year and moving to Hobart.

It was at a Longford race meeting in 1961 that the couple started their lifelong interest in motorsport, firstly as spectators at Longford and Baskerville, through to Ron’s appointment as Hobart Sporting Car Club (HSCC) treasurer in 1970.

Ivy shortly afterwards took on the assistant secretary role, which included typing of committee minutes and production of the club newsletter ‘The Sporting Motorist’, a role which she continued through to 1992 with a further term from 2001 to 2003.

Ivy was an early member of Women for Wheels (South) in 1972, an organisation of which she was a major supporter, including 23 years as president.

At the time of her induction Ivy has been a long time active participant in fund raising activities for motorsport safety equipment, including continuing contributions to Tasmanian Motorsport Safety Inc., which provides fire and rescue services for Tasmania’s motorsport community.

As race secretary of the HSCC from 1974 to 1988, Ivy was a key member of the organisation that ran highly successful major meetings at Baskerville, including the Baskerville 10,000 sports sedan events, the Winfield 25 touring car events, and a number of Australian championship events featuring the best known drivers on the Australian scene. 

Ivy noted the building of the control tower at Baskerville as a major step forward during her period as race secretary.

Away from Baskerville, Ivy took on the role of Tasmanian assistant CAMS secretary in 1976 and for many years provided a service to members of CAMS, operating from Ron’s electrical store in Newtown Road.

Ivy joined the 500 Car Club and became a familiar face, either as a rally control official or the welcome supplier of hot coffee and soup at meal breaks somewhere in the bush at any time of the day or night.

As a CAMS steward, Ivy was seen out and about for 28 years, from 1981 onwards, at any of the wide range of motor sport events enjoyed by CAMS members.

Since her retirement from active roles in the HSCC, Ivy has carried out the role of scrutineering document checker at Baskerville -  a role she enjoys, as it keeps her in touch with her motor racing friends, old and new.

Ivy was awarded  HSCC with life membership in 1983 and has been the club patron since 2009.

Away from motorsport, Ivy and Ron were prominent members on the veteran and post vintage scene from 1978, with Ivy holding positions in the Post Vintage Car Club, in her words, “from tea lady to president.”

At the time of writing Ivy was still the proud owner of a 1928 Oldsmobile Tourer, a 1938 8v40 Buick Sedan, 1967 RS SS Camaro, and a 1995 SS V8 Holden Commodore - which must be one of the rarest daily drives for an 84 year-old in Australia.

Written by Dennis Burgess