Monthly Newsletter of the Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand July 2022
From the Branch Chairman It is with sadness I start this month’s report acknowledging the passing of Peter Groves. On behalf of the club, I extend our deepest sympathy to Nola and Peter’s families. We will always cherish the fond memories of club outings and the majestic site of Peter at the helm of his Austin 20/4 Saloon. His quite wisdom and generous conversation were the hall mark of a well-respected and active club member. A big thank you to Willie James and his helpers for the Gravel Challenge event held on Sunday. Congratulation to Pat Dutton for taking on the challenge with zest and taking out first place. A big welcome to two new members, Ken McKay from Eketahuna and Sharon McKenzie from Te Ore Ore. We look forward to you attending club outing’s. At this month’s committee meeting I presented a three-year draft plan for the club which will be available to read on the club’s website. I welcome any feedback from members. Our National Organisation has had a five-year plan since 2015. I have used their format as a template to develop one for our club. The objective of this plan is to develop a way to measure and evaluate how well our club is achieving club values, club initiatives and membership support. Members are the cornerstone of the club, and it is them that provide the energy, strength, and a solid foundation for the future.
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From the plan we have identified a need for a Membership Liaison Officer. This role is to maintain our membership base separately from the club secretary. The core functions are: To make sure a clear and efficient pathway is working to inform all club members about club activities and announcements.
To facilitate building a buddy contact system utilising the phone tree contacts to make sure there is personal contact with each club member regularly. To support new members and introduced them to members when attending club nights and other club outings.
To make sure they can access the club calendar and other information from the club’s website. Introduce them to members in the club with similar vehicles and interest. The committee is wanting to fill this position with a person who can help develop and implement the objectives in a positive manner. If you think you are the person for the role, please contact me at g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz inally, the Annual Daffodil Rally for Cancer is not far away on the 21 st of August. We have printed flyers available for club members to help advertise the event. Please contact Val Ball. Val and her helpers have spent a lot of time and hard work getting it organised. The entry is $10 per car and all cars are welcome. Please publicise this event for the club and we will have a fantastic fund raiser. - Graham Hodder
From the Club Captain We have had a busy time since the A.G.M There was a good turnpout for the mid winter lunch at The Dish and presentation of the long service awards by national president Diane Quarrie. Diane's talk certainly gave us a bit of food for thought. We lost a life member with the passing of Peter Groves. Peter was a true gentlemen who always had a smile on his face, we will miss him and Nola on our runs. It was good to see many club members and cars at Peter's funeral. Our condolences to the family. It looks like Covid is still with us so all take care out there. - Hugh Hunter
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Peter Groves There was a large turnout (more than 30) of VCC members and their cars for the funeral of much-loved member Peter Groves. There were some tears but much laughter during a service conducted by Peter's friend and neighbor, The Rev Steve Thomson. Peter's choice of music as he was carried to the waiting hearse was the Monty Python anthem "Always Look On The Bright Side". Peter's beloved Austin 20, "Mother", was parked outside the chapel. The Austin became Mother when a Baby Austin joined the Grove family. Peter reckoned he'd need to live to 120 to complete all the projects in his shed, which featured a sign saying "It's My Mess, and I Like It." - Kevin Ball
Club cars lined up for the funeral.
Looking on the bright side ... Peter sets off on his last journey, to Tinui for burial.
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Last ride ... A gleaming Mother parked outside the chapel
An Appreciation The recent passing of Peter Groves came as something of a shock, even to those close to him who had witnessed his battle with cancer. Peter was one of those tough, stubborn old sons of the soil who seemed to have been around for ever... and looked set to march on into his nineties. It wasn't to be, but to knock on ninety's door is a pretty good innings and those who knew and admired him - and there will be many - will be grateful for that. With Peter Groves, what you saw was what there was - a craggy, weather beaten exterior with a true gentleman inside; a man of few words but thoughtful and never unkind. Of course he could and did sound off now and then and he certainly had a well-rounded vocabulary for such occasions. But Peter will be remembered chiefly as a man of honour and integrity - a truly nice fellow. Over his long association with the VCC and VAR Peter built up quite a collection of old vehicles: a visit to Glentarn, the family farm, will tell you how hard he found it to part with any. In the home paddock stands the pre-war International bulldozer that carved out the farm's hill tracks over the years - though Peter probably spent more time fixing it than doing the business. In the sheds you'll find one of the last big Commer trucks still mobile; "Fisher & Paykel" the family's white Holden Belmont ( bought new in 1972 and now Club-eligible)various small Pombombs, his Royal Enfield and BSA Bantam motorcycles and a host of mud-encrusted farm bikes. But Peter's pride and joy had to be "Old Mother", the Austin Twenty tourer bought new by his Dad in 1924. She served the family faithfully but by the early 'fifties time and technology had caught up with her and the old man cut her down into a farm truck. For Peter that hurt, and he resolved that one day he would restore her to former glory. Twenty five years later he freighted her down to Auto Restorations in Christchurch, not forgetting the 'missing' bits that had been
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shoved into the barn all those years earlier. And so "Old Mother" was born again, to be enjoyed by Peter, Janice, later Nola and their many friends and fellow enthusiasts for a further forty years. In Wairarapa they were 'part of the furniture' with Glentarn the hub of many a rally. but they also had wider horizons: in 2006 they covered over two thousand miles on the North Island leg of the Austin Centennial Tour organised, incidentally, by Greytown's Will and Ruby Holmes! It's a shame Peter didn't live to celebrate "Old Mother's" century in 2024 but chances are there'll be an anniversary party at Glentarn anyway - and guess who will be the star turn. With sincere condolences and kind thoughts to Nola and all the Groves family. - Peter Fry Austin Register Patron
RECENT EVENTS Midwinter Lunch Two Masterton men who have been members of the Vintage Car Club for a total of more than 110 years were honoured at the Midwinter Christmas function on June 26 by national president Diane Quarrie.
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Around 40 of our members were on hand at Dish restaurant to honour the pair. Graham Gordon, 87, who has completed 60 years with the Wairarapa branch, is still at the wheel of the 1926 Model T New Beauty bought new by his grandfather. The car is “simplicity itself” to drive, says Graham. “But you’ve got to keep you mind on the job,” he reckons. A keen motorcyclist in his day, his 1950 Matchless 500cc single got too heavy for him to handle. “If it fell over I couldn’t pick it up,” he says. Barry Way has done 50 years in the VCC, mostly in Wellington. He joined in 1971 when club nights were held at Sir Len Southward’s tube factory. He owned an MG YA which he swapped for the remains of an MG PB which he dismantled. Later he came across another PB twoseater, selling his building society shares to pay for it. To enable him to restore the two cars he enrolled at Wellington Technical College to gain the necessary panelbeating skills. He also used his professional skills as a graphic artist to produce various designs for certificates, posters and badges for both Wellington and Wairarapa branches.
In 1997 he moved to Masterton and joined the local branch. Work on the two MG PBs continues. There’s also a Series E Morris 8 in the shed. Diane congratulated the pair and presented them with certificates. She also updated members with news from the chair, including that a much-awaited 12-month Warrant of Fitness for vintage vehicles is “looking hopeful”. The club currently has 8403 members, a gain of just 8. There were 601 new members and a loss of 593. The national body is looking for a branch to host the next international rally, she said. - Kevin Ball
Barry Way, left, and Graham Gordon, with their awards.
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Gravel Road Challenge The sound of thunder, lightning and heavy rain on Saturday the 9th of July didn't make the thought of Sunday the 10th likely for the Gravel Road Challenge through the Ngamu Forest. Sunday did prove promising for the 11 cars and 23 people to leave the Town Hall carpark at 10am and drive via the Te Parae Road, Ngahape Road through the pine needled well maintained tracks of the Ngamu Forest. A very beautiful drive with native bush among the pines, wild goats and even a lone Captain Cooker ran down the road in front of us. The County Road at the end was a little rougher but no mishaps. Onto the Whareama Hall for a picnic lunch and announcement of the winner, Pat Dutton This was followed by a very informative talk by Len French about his 6 year dream now coming into fruition of building an irrigation, recreational, community dam containing wetlands for wildlife and large areas of plantings involving the local school. Six years it has taken fighting bureaucracy to make this dream happen. We finished our day with a walk to the dam to view Len's amazing vision I think he should be on Country Calendar. Thank you Willie for organising this outing. I had nervous doubts before this adventure. - Sharyn James
Photo stop at the top of the Ngamu forest - the caravan was already there
Upcoming Club Rallies and Events Club Outings & Rallies. Sunday 24th July Garage raid in Carterton. The first visit will be to the Dudson collection of mainly early American cars plus several later
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cars of interest. This is a very impressive collection and is a worthwhile visit for any car enthusiast. Following that we will visit John Shields' collection of Indian motorcycles and assorted machinery. The schedule is; 9:30am Meet at clubrooms. 10:00am Arrive at Dudson premises 11:00am Arrive at Shields premises. Sunday 21st August Daffodil Rally for Cancer
The entry fee is $10.00 per car, with all proceeds to the Wairarapa Cancer Society. The run will leave from Martinborough at 10 a.m, onto Featherston and then to Carterton. where there will be a round of Carter Court. Then through to Masterton with a run around the Masonic Village before park up time at Farriers.car park. Sunday 18th September Spring Run Details to come Thursday 22nd September Midweek Run Details to come
Club Nights Monday 1st August 7pm at the Clubrooms Willie James with his presentation on motor bike tour of India Monday 5th September Quiz Challenge With the Wairarapa Vintage Machinery Club
Events Calendar for 2022 Your committee has prepared a calendar of all club events planned for the coming year. As things sometimes change, the most up to date version can be downloaded from the club website . Printed copies will be available at Club nights
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Welcome to New Members
Recent new members: Ken Mckay from Eketahuna. Ken has a Hillman California, Sharon Mckenzie, Te Ore Ore. A big welcome to you, we look forward to you joining us in the various activities of the club. If you have not received a name badge please contact Mike D'Alton (mickyjdalton@yahoo.co.uk) to arrange this. The cost of the badge is $20 each.
Other Events
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National Motorcycle Rally 3 February - 6 February 2023 Hosted by the Southland Branch Details: https://www.sporty.co.nz/nationalmotorcyclerally
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Offers to Members Bluebridge and Interislander Specials Both Bluebridge and Interislander are offering special prices for VCC members. Details can be found on our website: Click Here Classic Tyres Hamilton based Tyreline can provide access to a full range of Michelin tyres More information and catalogue on our website Click Here
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Market Place - Buy, Sell or Swap If you want to advertise something here, send an email to: editorwaivcc@gmail.com FOR SALE 1955 Daimler Conquest - Black exterior - Red upholstery and carpet. Present owner since 2007. VCC No. PWV2268. New WOF – Rego. Expires 16.04.2023. Good reliable traveller - Tidy condition (not concourse). April this year, was driven Masterton to Wairakei return for Daimler AGM with no problem. First reasonable offer accepted as the 'Old Girl' has been replaced by a younger model. Owner (John) may be contacted - Ph. 06) 378 0380.
For Rent - Secure Storage Shed Space
Indoor or outdoor storage.
Long or short term rental available.
Discounts for long term and VCC members.
Access flexible and by arrangement.
Car, boat, caravan, campervan, farm machinery, etc. No household goods.
Have a look at Trade Me Listing #3332441379 for indicative prices. Phone Paul on 021-252-0409 with any queries.
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The Wairarapa Branch Spare Parts Shed is open on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9.30am to 12 noon, and the first Tuesday in the month from 9am to 12 noon, Come down to the clubrooms, join Frank, Barry and Jeff for yarn and a cuppa. You might also find the bit you have been looking for. You can also contact Frank for an appointment outside these hours: 06 379 7167
Wairarapa Branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Clubrooms: A&P Showgrounds, Chester Road, Clareville Postal Address: PO Box 7, Masterton 5840 Branch Website: www.sporty.co.nz/wairarapavcc Club Night: First Monday of the month (except January) and June (second Monday) at 7.30pm. Spare Parts: Open each Tuesday morning following club night and the 3rd Saturday in the month 9.30am -12 noon. Committee meet: Second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm Chairperson: Graham Hodder - 06 308 9087 027 226 3738, g_jhodder@xtra.co.nz Secretary: Mike D’Alton - 021 137 2395, secretarywvcc@yahoo.com Treasurer : Kevin Sullivan - 022 377 8443, kevsully52@gmail.com Club Captain: Hugh Hunter - 06 306 9847, j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz Publications & Newsletter Editor: Chris Giles - 021 433 995, chris.giles64@gmail.co.nz Social Convenor: Val Ball - 06 377 1236, wtakevin@xtra.co.nz Librarian: Pat Dutton - 06 379 7918, betyjo29@gmail.com Spares: Frank Lipinski - 06 379 7167 Motorcycle Liaison: Kevin Sullivan - 022 377 8443, kevsully52@gmail.com Custodians: Dave Patten - 06 306 9006, dave.patten28@gmail.co; & Kevin Sullivan Jim Laird - 0274 412 659, jim.laird@wise.net.nz Simon O'Hara - 021 141 2332, simonsandieohara@gmail.com Beaded Wheels Scribe - Kevin Ball - wtakevin@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 1236 Spares Frank Lipinski - 06 379 7167 Barry Wells - ljandbjwells@gmail.com - 06 377 1152 Jeff Percy - j.percy@xtra.co.nz - 06 377 4622 Vehicle Inspectors Francis Pointon - pointonmotors@xtra.co.nz - 06 378 6710 Graham Reidy - g-a.reidy@xtra.co.nz - 06 372 7855 Hugh Hunter - j.h.hunter@xtra.co.nz - 06 306 9847
© 2022 Wairarapa Branch Vintage Car Club
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