Royal Automobile Club of Queensland

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.

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 Charter 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. One of the foundation members was a woman, Dr Lilian Violet Cooper, noting that the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria did not permit women to be members at that time.