The history behind the award … 
Dean Qualmann first joined the club in July 1977. He was family orientated with wife, Kathy, and children, Michael and Beverley. Throughout the 21 years Dean was actively involved in the club and he held many of the committee positions as well as many positions that were not formally recognised until recently. There would never be a car run in which you didn’t see his chocolate brown Holden Ute and an ice cream in his hand. He was a larger than life character, big white beard, quick witted and extremely passionate for the club. Another large passion in Dean’s life was his love for Austin7 cars. He had several and was also a member of their club. Their clubrooms were the location for our club meetings for many years.
Dean owned two yellow FJ Holden’s, which were raced at RollyPark and Virginia. One has been restored and was on show at Loxton for the Nationals several years ago. He owned many Earlies and FJ’s although his pride was the brown Early Ute and although Dean was the number one gearbox man, his own maintenance on this vehicle was sadly lacking. Despite this, it was a marvel how it stayed on the road and the vast trips it covered without any problems. An interesting note is that Dean was a founding member of the Riverview Vintage Speedway Classic that is still held today at Murray Bridge Speedway. 
Dean acted as a “welcome person” for new members as well as visitors to the club. He held other club positions such as President, Minute Secretary, Secretary, Vice President, Club Publicist, Librarian, Public Officer and Photo Album. When Dean was on the executive committee, he would hold committee meetings for the executive committee the week before so that complex matters could be dealt with effectively at club meetings. Dean also served on the social committee and was the “spares” person for whom you could see if your car needed something. He stored the “spare parts” for the club at his residence, drove to all swap meets to collect more on behalf of the club as well as dispensed spares and technical advice to members whenever they needed any help. He held “workshop” days to help members working on their cars.
The club meant the world to Dean who felt that it was important socially for people with the same interest to socialise. He promoted the club as being family orientated and served as Club Father Christmas to all the club members’ children at Christmas Picnics. He certainly had the big white beard for the job!
Dean was the man who kept the club afloat when it would have been too easy to amalgamate with another club when the times got tough. Dean felt strongly that the club should have a visible identity and played an integral part in the design and colours of the club uniform. The T-shirt and jumper combination helped not only bond club members, but at events, the club couldn’t be missed!. He loved his Holden’s (Earlies and FJ’s) and the Grey Motor. In early days, these Holdens were just another car until passions were lit in the mid 1980’s. Dean was instrumental in encouraging the club to purchase a $50 raffle ticket for the chance to win a concourse early model holden. Luck would have it, that the club held the winning ticket. Dean and Kathy bussed to Queensland where the car was being held and drove it back to Adelaide. “The Club Car” was stored at his residence for some time until later when it was sold. This created a solid financial base for the club. For years, Dean donated cans of soft drink at all of the club meetings and functions and financed the club magazine including the paper, printing and postage, until the club became financially assured.
Dean would often be a liaison officer between other car clubs and was involved in the creation of the first club rules and constitution. Without any formal position on the committee, Dean often conducted Radio and Television interviews on Holden cars and promoted the 48-FJ Holden Club in his role as Club Publicist.
The Qualmann Award – On Dean’s passing in June 1998 from a long illness, members had wanted to acknowledge his long-term commitment to the club. His family decided that in lieu of life membership for Dean, an annual award would be more meaningful and would keep his memory alive. They wanted an award which encapsulated the outstanding effort a club member made throughout a year and the service they have provided to the club which is above and beyond normal duties. Something, which reflected how, Dean felt about his beloved club.
Dean Qualmann and wife Kathy with their beloved brown Holden Ute.
