Eddie Hadley (NSW)

Eddie commenced his love of Mustangs in 1971 when he purchased a 1967 Fastback 289 with a C4 transmission painted in Sebring Orange. Given the first of the Mustangs were just trickling into Australia, this was not like any other Mustang around and instantly turned heads when ever he was out cruising. He promised wife Sharon that he would keep it as is for 12 months, unlike previous cars he had where modifications were the norm, but come the 367th day after purchase, the high performance goodies he had stocked up were rolled out and the 67 Fastback dressed accordingly.

In 1974, Eddie struck up a friendship with the late Kevin Musgrave in Victoria, and given Kevin was involved in the Mustang Club in Victoria, encouraged Eddie to do the same in Sydney.

At the time, the local Mustang fraternity in Sydney did not appeal to him, so he joined the Victorian Mustang Club.

Eddie commenced his love of Mustangs in 1971 when he purchased a 1967 Fastback 289 with a C4 transmission painted in Sebring Orange. Given the first of the Mustangs were just trickling into Australia, this was not like any other Mustang around and instantly turned heads when ever he was out cruising. He promised wife Sharon that he would keep it as is for 12 months, unlike previous cars he had where modifications were the norm, but come the 367th day after purchase, the high performance goodies he had stocked up were rolled out and the 67 Fastback dressed accordingly.

A few years later and the Mustang Owners Club in NSW was formed and became affiliated under the Mustang Owners Club Australia banner.

From day one, Eddie was involved at the Committee level in the NSW Club. Through the 80’s and 90’s, Eddie held roles of National Delegate, Licence Captain, Magazine Editor and Vice President of the NSW Club, instrumental in the development of the NSW Website and commenced judges training for interested members.

The new millennium saw him elevated to the national stage where he again served as Vice President. He has been on the National panel of Judges since 2003 and started the MOCA website in 2004. His involvement as a State Delegate has afforded Eddie the opportunity to promote continual improvement of National events, updating of the Concours Rules and Guidelines booklet that details all facets of Mustang originality and the criteria for Concours judging.

Eddie has been integral to the reshaping of the Concours score sheets for Thoroughbred, Original, Modified and Display Judged categories at National events.

Eddie is a man of great integrity, enjoys a laugh, never shy to offer an opinion or join in on the debate, and when he accepts a position of responsibility, you know that you have an individual who will give nothing less than 100% effort to the cause. Eddie’s knowledge of Mustangs since the first generation hit the marketplace is second to-none, and his willingness to share that knowledge with fellow enthusiasts is a special trait and ability that only he possesses.

The Mustang Owners Club Australia Inc National Body would like to offer a word of thanks to Sharon, Eddie’s constant companion and wife…who has provided an enormous amount of support and encouragement over this time. Thanks Sharon.

Eddie’s contributions to the Mustang movement over the past 30 years, his passion for the Mustang and the help and assistance he has given to enthusiasts is immeasurable. Eddie’s achievements are many, but to name a few, here they are:

• Foundation & Committee member of MOCA NSW since 1982
• NSW Concours Director 1985-87, 2001 ongoing
• NSW National Concours Committee 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2012
• NSW License Captain 1990-1997
• NSW Vice President 1992/3, 1994-98
• Started the NSW Website in 1998
• Started NSW Judges Training in 1999
• NSW Concours Head Judge since 2001
• Awarded Life Membership MOCA NSW 2002 …… and at a National level:
• Involved in judging Mustangs at National events since 1981
• MOCA National Delegate for NSW since 1990
• MOCA National Vice President 2000-2004, 2010 ongoing
• Member of the MOCA National Head Judging panel since 2003
• MOCA National Website Administrator since 2004
• Instrumental in the updating/re-designing of MOCA National Concours Rules and Guidelines, National Judging Score Sheets, National Concours Log Book, Website, Forum, Shelby and Boss Registries

It was with great pleasure that the National Body welcomes Eddie Hadley (NSW) as the 4th inductee into the Mustang Owners Club Australia Hall of Fame at the 2012 Mustang Nationals in Newcastle on Easter Sunday 8th April.