Tesla Owners Club Australia November 2020 Newsletter


27th November 2020
The November 2020 Tesla Owners Club of Australia Newsletter to all members.

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Hi All,

Can you believe its November already and Christmas is fast approaching?

Thank you to all those that attended our AGM on the 17th October. We had a great turnout and the online format worked well. We have some new faces on the committee and we are planning some great events for you over the next 12 months. Their bios are at the end of the newsletter

 

TESLA UPDATES

MCU1 -> MCU2 upgrade

Owners of Model S and Model X vehicles built ~ March 2018 or earlier are able to purchase an Infotainment Upgrade (MCU upgrade) This enables access to some of our favourite features like video streaming and an expanded Tesla Arcade, in addition to a faster and more responsive touchscreen experience.

Owners of compatible vehicles can schedule an appointment through the Tesla App for purchase and installation. This upgrade is available for $4,000 including installation. You won’t be able to purchase the upgrade if the upgrade is not available for your configuration.

Note: Some features enabled by the Infotainment Upgrade require a Premium Connectivity subscription. You may already have Premium Connectivity – to confirm the status of this, please refer to your Tesla account.

 

Check your tyres regularly

Please remember to check you tyres regularly, especially before going on long-distance trips, for both wear and tyre pressures. It’s important to check both the very inners and outers of the tyres as these can wear far more rapidly than the rest of the tread. If you’re not sure what to look out for please reach out to Tesla Service via the Tesla App or consult your local tyre professional. 

 

New stores and service locations are opening soon at the following locations:

Gold Coast, QLD
Elsternwick, VIC
Perth, WA
Chatswood, NSW

 

More details to come.

 

TESLA SERVICE UPDATE

How best to contact Tesla Service

  • If an owner has a vehicle related issue that they feel needs attention in Service, schedule an appointment within the Tesla App. It is an evolving platform with more functionality being added regularly
  • To contact Service via phone a specialised team of Customer Support agents are available and willing to assist. This ensures an equal and measurable level of Service we are providing across Australian and New Zealand and so that the Service Centre teams are focused on the Service of vehicles onsite or preparing for upcoming appointments.

 

Why we want to be ‘Prepared’ for an Upcoming Appointment?

  • All owner concerns clearly documented on the Service activity and ensure no additional repairs are outstanding
  • Technician reviews and contacts the owner for more information if required and addresses / repairs any concerns where possible
  • Ensure parts are available or ordered and going to be on hand prior to appointment date
  • Estimate generated, reviewed and approved by the owner prior to the appointment so that expected completed work is agreed prior to arrival.

 

The Goal of Service is ‘No Service’

  • The Service team are actively trying to reduce or avoid the need for a Service appointment where possible if the issue can be resolved remotely
  • If an appointment is required, Tesla will schedule the repair to be ‘Prepared’ for it, to minimise down time an owner has without their car.

 

CHARGING UDATE

 

Upcoming Supercharger openings (completion ETA – within the next 2-3 months):

AU:

  • Harwood, NSW – Located at the Harwood Hotel, offering greater flexibility while travelling through North Coast NSW (4 post)

 

New Destination Charging locations:

AU:

  • Tooradin Airfield, VIC
  • Rental Property, TAS
  • Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort, QLD
  • Blue Hills Honey, TAS
  • Amarna Luxury Beach Resort, NSW
  • Athena Studio Units, QLD
  • Kandanga Farm Store, QLD
  • The Drift House, VIC
  • Prani Glow Day Spa, VIC
  • Binna Burra Lodge, QLD
  • Country Pathfinder Motor Inn, QLD
  • Claymore Wines, SA
  • Rental Property, NSW
  • Coles Buderim, QLD
  • Springvale Homemaker Centre, VIC
  • Bright Motor Inn, VIC
  • Jenolan Caves, NSW
  • Kew Motel, NSW
  • Lot100, SA
  • Donato Café 1980, VIC
  • Northpoint Holiday Apartments, NSW

 

MEET YOUR COMMITTEE

Our new TOCA committee was confirmed at the recent AGM. Here is a short note from each of the committee:

President: Mark Tipping (“Tippo”)

I am returning as the President of the Tesla Owners Club of Australia. Together, with the committee and our members, we have built a club that is recognised as a benchmark club in the global Tesla Owners Club program. With your support I will continue to help grow and strengthen our club, and continue to represent TOCA at the highest levels of Tesla, in Australia and globally.

Vice President: Jenny Potts

I’m the proud owner of a Model 3 Performance, and for the past year I have been the TOCA Victorian state representative. During that time I have organised more than 20 state events including drives, bootcamps, lunches, overnight trips and BBQ’s. As part of the national committee I have also helped out with drafting newsletters and organising webinars. I love meeting our members both old and new, and I have really enjoyed being a part of such a great club. I’ve moved from Victoria back to my home in WA and I’m looking forward to continue helping the club in a national capacity.

Treasurer: Pete Thorne

I am a motoring enthusiast across many levels, I grew up drag racing across Australia racing our own car and supporting other teams. I am a business owner of Solaray Energy Pty Ltd, Sydney’s leading suppliers and installers of Smart Solar and Storage solutions. The brand is built upon Premium Quality, both products and solutions. Our business has been in operation in excess of 10 years. I love my Tesla and enjoy driving on the leading edge of technology. I will show my car to anyone that shows the smallest amount of interest. On a daily basis both with my car and through my business, I support Teslas mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Secretary: James Hayward

I have been a keen Tesla owner since late 2014 and currently drive a Model 3.  As a resident of northwest Sydney I enjoy seeing an increasing number of Teslas on the road and look forward to continuing to support the growth in club membership and the number of EVs on our roads in general.

Webmaster/Systems: Michael Barwell ("Mangrove Mike")

I am a long term Tesla geek, having one of the first Model S's in Australia (2014) and a reservation 18 months prior. I have been involved with Tesla Owners Club of Australia from the start, helping to establish the club and the systems to support the operations. Since then we have grown both the club and the supporting systems to what we have today. I'm passionate about stepping lightly on our planet and am also a car guy - so the Tesla was an obvious choice. I have solar, a PowerWall and write lots of 90% complete code for myself, monitoring car, solar, power, battery ... and air quality and the weather. My day-time job is CEO of Member Jungle, a membership system for clubs, so my business and support of TOCA are closely intertwined. I'm also a proud Novocastrian, have two teenagers who run me around everywhere (or vice versa) and I like sitting quietly in my car too much. 

QLD Chapter President: Luke Smith

I am a long term Tesla fanatic and Day 1 Model 3 reservation holder. I currently work in IT and have previously worked as an Auto-electrician so I am familiar with the technology involved and how that relates to ownership. I’m a social nerd who loves the technical intricacies, but I also love getting out and talking to people about technology and how it can help them. I look forward to participating actively in the club to build its membership and services and advocating for Tesla and EVs in Australia

WA Representative: Ken Taylor

I work with both TOCWA and TOCA in WA and I help organise our many meetups, both physical and virtual.  I am the author of the TOCA Charging webpage, and I help maintain the charging loan stock in WA. I  look forward to continuing to work with TOCA in building a local focus for our efforts, and meeting many local owners, new and old!

SA Representative: Zac Meyers

Having taken delivery of my first (but very likely not the last!) Tesla back in September of 2019, I have come to involve myself more in the small but tight knit SA Tesla community, and the broader EV community. I look forward to seeing some old and new faces out and about in SA!

TAS Representative: Vacant

This role is currently vacant. If you live in Tasmania and are interested in joining the committee, please let us know by emailing secretary@teslaowners.org.au

NT Representative: Richard Smith

As one of the first Tesla owners in the Northern Territory, an early Aussie EV circumnavigator and one of a few EV owners to drive the Stuart, Barkly and Victoria Highways, I understand the unique challenges and benefits of being a regional and remote Tesla owner. I enjoy sharing these experiences to promoting electric vehicles and our club to other potential owners. With support, I look forward to helping grow TOCA in the NT and contributing to the Committee in any way I can.

NSW Representative: Rohan Anderson

I have been heavily involved in the Australian Tesla community well before purchasing my first Tesla in 2017. Since then I have been a part of and organised many events and experiences. It’s safe to say I am a die-hard Tesla fan.

VIC Representative: Dr Mark Sandford

I have been fortunate to own a Tesla Model S for almost 4 year and my Dutch wife Sjaan has had a Model X for almost 2 years. Our lives have changed in that time because of those 2 cars. We have a National Trust property in rural Victoria that is 170 years old but has the modern addition of 4 Tesla 22kW Destination Chargers that we sited there 3 years ago. These are open to customers of the 4 associated businesses and TOCA members by prior arrangement. I was on the TOCA national committed in 2018 in the role of international liaison. My mission as the Victorian chapter representative on TOCA is to make Elon Musk’s adoption of EVs and sustainability as widespread, smooth and rapid as possible.

ACT Representative: Kristy Chromicky

As a mum of 3, I only drove out of necessity. Now thanks to Tesla, I drive for the love of driving. With a keen interest in sustainability, I look forward to representing the ACT, and organising fun and inclusive events.

Loan Adaptor Manager: Nick Di Paolo

I am a foundation member and I’ve managed the Club's Adaptor Loan Program since early 2018 when I took over from the original Program Manager after the Club was formed.

The Club owns sets of portable chargers, cables and adaptors that will enable you to plugin to the variety of charging outlets found in the wild. They are kept with selected members across Australia, ensuring timely and convenient delivery/pickup/dropoff for members wishing to borrow charging equipment for their next road trip. Further information can be found in the Benefits Menu after you log into the TOCA website.

 

That’s all for now folks, stay safe and enjoy your cars!

 

Cheers,

Tippo

Mark Tipping | President, Tesla Owners Club of Australia.

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