Royal Automobile Club of Queensland
Encyclopedia
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Limited (RACQ) is a motoring club and mutual organisation, providing roadside assistance, insurance, travel, finance and other services to its Queensland
members. It is a member of the Australian Automobile Association
.
RACQ Insurance, its insurance arm, is one of the largest providers in Queensland.
in 1921. The club was formed as an advocacy group, styled after the successful Royal Automobile Club of the United Kingdom. At the time of formation there were only 16 registered privately owned motor cars in the whole of Queensland.
Eighteen local motorists eventually agreed to be foundation members. Half were doctors; their belief that "autos" could be a reliable means for visiting patients. Dr. George Hopkins was voted president, and Dr. Charles Marks was the first vice-president.
In addition, the RACQ sponsors the RACQ Community Helicopter Rescue Networkthrough its charitable trust fund.
free2gois a youth program designed to help learner drivers to get their licence and includes roadside assistance. Together with the online learner logbook. Queensland learner drivers can record their required 100 hours of supervised on-road driving electronically.
, on the southside of Brisbane
, with hubs at Tingalpa
, Fortitude Valley, Murarrie
and Southport
. Its branches are mostly owned outright, however some are franchised or contracted out, particularly in the road service division with the use of contractors outside of Brisbane.
In 2006, RACQ launched a new mobile branch that functions as an ordinary branch, and be used for exhibitions and trade shows, and to assist in large-scale disasters in helping communities.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
members. It is a member of the Australian Automobile Association
Australian Automobile Association
The Australian Automobile Association was established in 1924; it supports and coordinates the activities of its constituent motoring clubs, and aims to represent the interests of Australian motorists both nationally and internationally....
.
RACQ Insurance, its insurance arm, is one of the largest providers in Queensland.
History
Twelve motorists formed the Automobile Club of Queensland in 1905 at a meeting of “almost all the motorists in Brisbane” which was held at the School of Arts, in Ann Street. The club received its Royal CharterRoyal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in 1921. The club was formed as an advocacy group, styled after the successful Royal Automobile Club of the United Kingdom. At the time of formation there were only 16 registered privately owned motor cars in the whole of Queensland.
Eighteen local motorists eventually agreed to be foundation members. Half were doctors; their belief that "autos" could be a reliable means for visiting patients. Dr. George Hopkins was voted president, and Dr. Charles Marks was the first vice-president.
Sponsorship
The RACQ sponsors the Litter Prevention Award in the Ergon Energy Tidy Towns competition.In addition, the RACQ sponsors the RACQ Community Helicopter Rescue Networkthrough its charitable trust fund.
free2gois a youth program designed to help learner drivers to get their licence and includes roadside assistance. Together with the online learner logbook. Queensland learner drivers can record their required 100 hours of supervised on-road driving electronically.
Locations
The RACQ headquarters are in Eight Mile PlainsEight Mile Plains, Queensland
Eight Mile Plains is a southern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located some 13 kilometres from the Brisbane central business district....
, on the southside of Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, with hubs at Tingalpa
Tingalpa, Queensland
Tingalpa is located near Manly West and Belmont, Queensland in the Eastern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. It is located east of the Brisbane CBD....
, Fortitude Valley, Murarrie
Murarrie, Queensland
Murarrie is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia. It is located in the eastern suburbs on the southern bank of the Brisbane River adjacent to the Gateway Bridge.Murarrie has both residential and industrial sections...
and Southport
Southport, Queensland
-Sport:The Southport Sharks Australian rules football club has a presence in the area, including a club and function centre.-Transport:The Broadwaterway is a foreshoreway that encourages pedestrians and cyclists to travel along the Broadwater foreshores of Southport.A ferry terminal is planned for...
. Its branches are mostly owned outright, however some are franchised or contracted out, particularly in the road service division with the use of contractors outside of Brisbane.
In 2006, RACQ launched a new mobile branch that functions as an ordinary branch, and be used for exhibitions and trade shows, and to assist in large-scale disasters in helping communities.