Moving tribute to a Mini racer

Busselton residents were witness to a curious sight last Tuesday when a convoy of 20 Minis drove into town.

The procession was a moving tribute to popular Mini enthusiast Alan Munday, organised by the Southern Districts Mini Club.

His sister Margaret Toolin said more than 160 people attended the tribute service at William Barrett and Sons funeral home.

Born in 1953 in the Wheatbelt town of Kondinin, Mr Munday picked up his early interest in cars from his father Hubert, a self-taught mechanic.

Mrs Toolin said his first job was in irrigation and he later owned a reticulation business before moving into repairing and restoring Minis.

She said Mr Munday raced various cars, including Mini No. 97 at Wanneroo, a car brought to the service by its current owner Mike Kozieradzki.

Mr Munday was club president and 1994 State Champion of Appendix J (now the WA Historic Touring Car Club), a member of the WA Mini Car Club and was actively involved in the SDMC.

Mrs Toolin said SDMC members were almost like a second family to him, and family ties also remained strong throughout his life.

Mrs Toolin said Mr Munday and the family received wonderful support after his lung cancer diagnosis in 2009, with thanks given to Dr Caldow and Associates, Silver Chain, the Hospice and Cape Care Ray Village.

“He will be sadly missed by his brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephew, and many friends,” she said.