Far North Focus
May 2019
Well earned relaxation- after the Brian Parker
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Far North Focus Who’s Who for 2018/19 Chairman
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
Vice Chairman
Winston Matthews
Secretary
Gloria Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 409 3823
Treasurer
Robyn Mackay
wmackay@vodafone.co.nz
09 406 1955
Club Captain
Naomi Mason
vinomi88@gmail.com
09 408 1376
Editor
Peg Hills
comstockdowns@gmail.com
09 406 1077
Communications Officer
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 4060 392
Welfare Officer
Margaret Wallace
johnandmarga@actrix.gen.nz
09 407 8251
New Member Liaison
Murray Cormack
m.g.cormack@xtra.co.nz
09 409 3823
Beaded Wheels Scribe
Dave Duirs
dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
09 406 1288
Area Rep North
Ruth Reid
r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
09 406 0392
Area Rep South
Warwick Woollams
w.woollams@gmail.com
09 407 7494
Committee
Murray Cormack, Robyn Mackay, Winston Matthews, Graeme Moore,
win@matthewsvintage.com
09 409 3823 09 406 0203
Paul Sullivan, Vince Mason, Mike Pooley, Margaret Wallace, Gloria Cormack Building Officer
Peter Mason
09 406 1409
A full list of elected officers was circulated with the minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting
Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Aurere Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
CLUB CLEANING ROSTER 2018-2019 During the month, and preferably before the main calendar event, please give the clubrooms a thorough check over, as in: Clean the toilets and hand basins, check kitchen, window ledges etc, and sweep the floors. Window cleaning, washing walls etc will be done at working bees.
Note any required maintenance and pass on to the Building Officer- Peter Mason, ph 406 1409. If your date doesn’t suit you, please swap with someone else. For any other enquiries please contact the Club Captain.
May G Moore & M Cornwall July
C Brownlie
January
D & P Hills
August
D & D Duirs
February
G Coulson
September
P & Z Mason
March
C & M Ilton
October
Everyone– working bee
April
W & R Mackay
November
G & S Mc Mullen
May
G Moore & M Cornwall
December
P O’Dell
June
C & M Ilton
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Calendar of Events 2018 / 2019 May 12th
Mothers Day Rally
Dave & Dorothy
May 14th
AGM
Everyone
June 28th
Molloy Trophy Rally
MOTHERS' DAY MAY 12 2019 In the past it has been suggested that our ladies, most of whom do our navigating, should be relieved of those duties on Mothers' Day. SO we are making your day simpler! Please all make your own way, preferably in an older vehicle, to KAIKOHE to meet at NORTHLAND FIREHOUSE MUSEUM TRUST at 22 RANKIN ST at 11.00am There you are; you have plenty of time to get there. We will keep you occupied and, of course Brian will entertain you at the museum. AFTER THE ABOVE You are invited to join us for Mothers' Day LUNCHEON at the exciting new MINT RESTAURANT at LEFT BANK in KAIKOHE. WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY ARE ATTENDING (limited to 40+) BY
WEDNESDAY 08 MAY to secure the tables and meals. Please also choose your meal from the menu and let us know at the same time. This way Left Bank will be best prepared to serve us in good time. MENU MAINS ARE ALL $28.00 1) Grilled Steak served with golden fries, crispy garden salad, mushroom sauce or garlic butter. 2) Bourbon and Apricot Braised BBQ Pork Ribs served with coleslaw and hand cut kumara wedges 3) Left Bank Fettuccine Pasta with vegetables and saffron sauce. 4) Fish of the Day on bed of kumara batons, seasonal vegetables and creamy sundried tomato pesto sauce. DESSERTS ARE ALL $12.00 1)Salted Caramel Cheesecake with raspberry coulis and passionfruit pulp 2) Northland Fruit Salad with our chef's homemade vanilla icecream Names with meal choice by WEDNESDAY 08 MAY PLEASE to Dorothy and Dave DUIRS dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz 09 406 1288 027 4068812
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The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
From the Chair…….
The Brian Parker Memorial Rally was a tremendous event: a long well-planned drive highlighting the best of Far North scenery and places, followed by a great meal. As good a competitive rally as I can remember, and a big thanks to all who made this a special day. Special thanks to the Hills and Pooley families. Sadly a reduced number of competitors were involved.
doubt give us a memorable day. This is always well supported. See you there. Do hope you have been able to enjoy our autumn weather, in particular with any vintage driving.
Matters mechanical: Sheds. Ignore any suggestions of being rational, practical or even sensible. Particularly avoid any de-cluttering Our Club AGM is on the 14th May, and I advocates. A shed is a shed. Accept the failwould hope you can support this yearly event. ings of skin and muscle with age, but remain Being more involved with the club is a great stubborn on sheds. experience. Look forward to catching up with you. The Mothers’ Day Rally on Sunday 12th May is Murray in the trusty hands of the Duirs, who will no Points to Ponder Millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
FAR NORTH VCC
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT THE AURERE CLUBROOMS
Children are a great comfort in your old age, and they help you reach it faster too.
TUESDAY 14TH MAY, 7.30PM
The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.
All positions up for re-election We will need a new Club Captain
Never feel remorse for what you have thought about your wife; she has thought much worse things about you.
Please give it some thought, and come prepared
Experience is that marvellous thing that enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again. The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it. This last comment is attributed to someone called Elbert Hubbard, who lived from 1856 to 1915.
Club meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the Aurere Clubrooms, unless otherwise advised. The Far North Branch of the VCC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected.
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Club Captain’s ReportHello again
cares for one another, and it helps us stay up to date. Anyone interested in Another month gone and soon we will be half- these positions, we would love to hear from way through the year. Wow!! How fast this year you. We will try and support anyone who steps up. We need each other to help make this Club is going already. work successfully. The Brian Parker rally was a beautiful sunny day and we thoroughly enjoyed the event. Well In June is our Malloy Trophy Rally which celedone to Peg, Dave, Mike and Lynn for a great brated the end of registration for all cars, which day out. The dinner was superb too. Congratu- used to be the end of June each year. This is lations to the winners– Rex and Sandra. Look- another good event to attend and as it is one of our trophy rallies we would love to have suping forward to next year. port from our members. Please make an effort Our next event is the Mothers’ day out which to come along. We love being able to meet and sounds like it is going to be another good day. have fun together. There is a meal afterwards We wish all mothers around a very happy too and we always have a lovely meal to share. Mother’s Day. May you all have a nice relaxing Oh by the way we are thinking and praying for day with some treats just for you. Ian Macgregor at this time. Sorry to hear about Our monthly meeting in May is our AGM so your fall and pray you are healing up fast now. please come along and support your Club. We Trusting everyone else is well. would love to have input from as many members a possible. The Club Captain position is I hope you all had a safe and happy Easter available as well as the Welfare Officer. Thank break, and I’m looking forward to seeing you at you Margaret for doing such a great job. It was our AGM. lovely to hear from you when anyone was unwell. Your attention to this shows our Club Naomi
Welfare Report, from Margaret Wallace This will be my final report, as I will be stepping tion, which they are hoping will be down from the role from next month. I have soon after Vince can drive again, so been privileged to keep in touch withStuart people that theypoint can swap roles! manned the check who have been at a low ebb at times, and I will continue to be there for anyone who wants to Ian Macgregor is getting about much more give me a call for a friendly chat. I will be away freely now after his hip operation, although he for the whole of June and July, but when I get is still using the crutches. He is itching to get back, I will be more than happy to hear from out and about doing things again. No doubt the anyone. crutches will be ditched in the not too distant future. Vince is slowly getting over his operation on his shoulder, and is learning to become left hand- I wish everybody well for the coming year, and ed (aren’t they always the best anyway!) He hopefully you will all keep fit and well through still has more check ups ahead, but so far the the winter. Remember your flu jabs! medical opinion is positive, I’m pleased to say! Margaret Naomi is still waiting for a date for her opera-
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that charged extra to use a credit card! I certainly won’t be staying there again, especially as it had the most uncomfortable bed of the trip, and also had a plague of mosquitos (sandflies?) I had booked in to go with my friends from Auckland to the Alvis attacking me all night!! AGM trip, this year to be held in Cromwell. About 3 weeks before we were due to leave, Frances phoned to say that their Al- We finished our downward trip going via Haast, and on to Cromvis – same model as mine, a TC21 – was in for major body re- well, where we met up with the South Island contingent. We pairs and repaint, and was not going to be ready in time for the had collected other North Islanders at various points on the way trip. She then suggested that maybe we could take mine! This down. was short notice, as I still had to get a WOF, and get it down to Thursday night the 14 of March was registration day, along with Auckland, before friends arrived from England to stay with me drinks and finger food, as well as renewing friendships, telling for a few days! I duly got it ready, and George Vuletich agreed to tall tales, and a good convivial night, followed by a well-earned drive it down for me. I followed him, and brought him home sleep in accommodation where we could unpack for 5 nights! again, after a quick lunch with Warwick and Frances. It was a long day! As all the garages were fully booked up, Friday saw a call on the local Facebook page for a mechanic to install my new brake On March the 7 , the same day as my English visitors left, I headshoes, which had duly arrived. A guy who makes skidoos out of ed down to Auckland, where I stayed the night before the 3 of old motorbikes answered the call, as he likes to fill in times beus took off to meet up with the rest of the Auckland contingent. tween skidoo making with other jobs. He was also very familiar Problem number one was a stalled motorway – which the Alvis with drum brakes. Within short order I had a car with reliable didn’t like! – and we had to tell the others we would meet up brakes again. While this was being done, we hitched a ride with with them later at the lunch stop in Tirau. The rain started, and other members for a visit to Arrowtown, and that evenbecame quite heavy during ing a meal had been arranged at a BBQ restaurant under the day, and by the time we a marquee, which was having its opening night especialreached our first stop for the ly for us! It was help yourself platters, and quite differnight in Rotorua, the brakes ent, with a massive BBQ tent doing different things on were playing up. What are different appliances. Very interesting, and hopefully they friendly Club members for if will do well. not to help each other out! The front wheels were reSaturday was rally day, which saw us end up for lunch at moved, and it appeared that the Warbirds & Wheels Café at Wanaka Airport, which there was oil on the left-hand also included entry to the museum. After lunch we headbrake drum, seeping through ed up to Cardrona, to the whisky distillery, where we in the rain. The boys cleaned were given an extensive tour. The sun was shining, and it it all up with “Brake Clean” – also did the right for good measure was very hot. We finished by coming down the Crown Range on and put everything back together. However, they told me that the steep side, which is also very twisty, with many a hairpin! I the brake linings were quite worn and that I should really re- think poor Frances’s arms were pretty sore by this time! We place the brake shoes. We therefore contacted our spares de- ended the day at Kinross Cottages, one of the many wineries partment guru, who had been unable to make the trip, and along the Wanaka/Cromwell road, for dinner, before heading asked him to courier down a full set of brake shoes to Cromwell back to Cromwell to rest our weary bones! to await our arrival. In the meantime, the boys’ clean up job did Sunday was AGM day. All Alvises were assembled for public the trick, along with gear use to save brake use when possible! viewing, and for the judges to decide whose was the most conThe next day the weather improved, and we headed to Turangi’s course car whilst we were inside setting the Club for the next Creel Lodge for our second night away. This is a truly lovely year. John Speight’s pristine Firefly took the honours, and well place to stay, and right by the river. The BBQ facilities were used deserved. Following the AGM, we took off for the Highlands that night, and a good time was had by all. Motorsport Park for lunch. All Alvises also had the opportunity to follow a pace car on two laps of the racecourse, which many Wellington was our next night’s stop, as we had an early morntook up. My Alvis was among them, and I now have a sticker to ing ferry to catch the next day. We had an amazing calm and that effect on my windscreen! The afternoon was time for the beautiful crossing, before stopping at Blenheim that night. gymkhana, which took place in Old Cromwell Town, and saw the Frances was doing all the driving, as I can’t drive the no-powerlocal Otago VCC involved to help with the various stations. It all steering-heavy car with my arthritic wrists! Warwick is unable to took place down the quaint main street, folding picnic blankets drive any more, owing to the condition he is suffering from. in double quick time, putting the top on a fence while driving However, his mobility parking sign came in useful a few times! along, and a few more interesting challenges. When our turn We set off the next day for the West Coast and spent the next was finished, we had time to explore the town. However, on our night in Westport. Yes, you guessed it – the weather then deteri- way back to the hotel, we suddenly ran out of petrol! We put in orated, and rain was again the order of the day! From Westport the 5 litre can, and made for the BP, where we filled up with we headed to Fox Glacier, crossing the now famous Bailey nearly twice as much as we normally would for that distance! Bridge two weeks before it was swept away! The wet trip was Something was obviously amiss. We had smelled petrol along not pleasant, but at least not as bad as after we left! Fox Glacier the way and had noticed it wasn’t running as well as before. is a tourist trap, the motel being the same chain as the one at Upon inspection by our esteemed president, it was found that Westport, but more than twice the price, and was the only place one of the connectors on the fuel line was loose, and we were
Alvis trip to the South Island
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leaking petrol at quite a rate! Also, the timing was out of bal- cleaning up the old one. This duly done we were on our way ance, so Clive rebalanced it and tightened the connector, and again, arriving after dark at our accommodation in Picton but all was well again. in time to join the others for dinner. That evening was the Prizegiving Dinner. To my extreme sur- It was an early start the next day, as we caught the ferry, and prise, I won the Lady Navigator trophy! I also (less of a sur- then headed for Whanganui for the night where we stayed at prise) won the cup for coming the furthest distance in an Alvis. the Econolodge , which was built in a circle, with all units facing onto a central garden, where we gathered for drinks and a Monday was our last day in Cromwell, and many went off to natter! Glenorchy for the day. I had got a sinus infection, so decided to have a quiet day at the hotel, before we all went our sepa- We set off the next day to Taupo, via the back roads through rate ways on Tuesday morning. Our return trip took us first to Raetihi, and on through National Park. Taupo was our last Geraldine, where we stayed the night, going on to Kaikoura night as a group, which had diminished along the way as those the next day. It was really amazing to see all the work they going to other destinations dropped off. We said our final had done on the Kaikoura coast, and how far they had come, farewells in the morning and headed off to Auckland on a even though the road works are still stop/start all the way. We murky drizzly day. As we arrived in Auckland about 2.30pm I saw cranes lifting whole tunnels into place for the railway! We decided to transfer my luggage into my car that I had left at spent a night in Kaikoura, right next to the sea. We had an Frances and Warwick’s place, and make for home before dark. upstairs unit, which gave us a great view. Fish and chips were The Alvis was safely stored in their garage, as their one was ordered, and we all gathered outside for the evening. still getting its facelift. A couple of weeks later, my son Richard got a lift down with a friend who was going that way, and They say everything comes in threes…………. On our way to picked it up, so it is now safely back home after the longest Picton, we stopped in Blenheim to scope out venues for next trip it has done in six years! I’m sure John would have been year. Parked outside the last hotel we visited, we were unable happy with that! to get the car started! The battery was fine, so after trying to solve the problem we called the AA. A very helpful man called Margaret Wallace Russell duly arrived and found that there was sparking by the solenoid. He managed to get us going and led us to an electrician, who suggested that I put in a new solenoid rather than Trusty driver Frances at Lake Wanaka
At Old Cromwell town
The start, Laps at Highland Motorsport Park
THE CATERING COMMITTEE
CLUB SHIRTS AVAILABLE:
Mike & Lynn Pooley
Contact Ruth- see her at a meeting, call her on 09 406 0392, email her at r.t.reid@xtra.co.nz
Dorothy & Dave Duirs
There will be samples at the Clubrooms to try on for size.
The finish, 7
Winston Matthews Colleen Brownlie
Margaret Cornwall
Raewyn Pennell
Dave & Peg Hills
Margaret Ilton
Brian Parker Memorial Rally Saturday 13th April 2019 Four of us in the Wolseley, Rex, Sandra, Steve, Stephanie. We head off from Waipapa to meet at Mangamuka bridge for 1130am start . At Mangamuka we are welcomed by the organised Dave and Peg Hills. Club flag up. Four vintage cars, Wolseley 1962 6/99, Nash Metropolitan, Fiat, 1928 Ford Model A, four modern cars at the ready . How special to have the 1928 Ford Model A in the rally and a great pleasure to see Leon and Brendda Salt from Wellsford / Warkworth Vintage Car Club in the Model A. The Model A was previously owned by Brian Parker , who bought the car to use when not well, a car he could drive. The Ford Model A was beautiful, polished and looking grand. Thankyou Leon and Brendda. We left Mangamuka at 1145am, Ahh Ha we have four sets of eyes , with run sheet in hand, nursery rhymes quiz to prompt our memory, photo clues to find, other clues, silent checks to find later in rally. Kohukohu was lunch stop, a sunny setup for picnic lunch on waterfront, perfect. Forty five minutes lunch as instructed. Set off from opposite Kohukohu War Memorial and head up Rakautapu road. The scenery stunning, awesome looking down upon the Hokianga. We wind round corners, past the Sound Garden, a clue, on through Broadwood, Herekino on towards Ahipara. Find the last photo clue, the Barn, silent checks. Finish at Oturu School at 3.45pm where we are welcomed by Mike and Lynn Pooley, we hand in our run sheets. The Rally 185 miles all round. Next, Dinner venue / Prize giving at the quaint Mangonui Cruising Club rooms. Unfortunately we were unable to attend, but was later informed the meal was great , Beef Cheek Steaks , Apple Crumble a delight. And WE WON the Rally. 1st Rex Graham , Sandra Trafford, Steve, Stephanie Edwards 2nd Warren and Robyn Mackay 3rd Leon and Brendda Salt Congratulations. A fabulous, well planned, interesting, mind and drive challenging, refreshing, incredibly scenic and pleasurable Brian Parker Memorial Rally with the 1928 Ford Model A once owned by Brian Parker a special tribute . Thankyou to organisers Dave and Peg Hills , Mike and Lynn Pooley. Sandra Trafford It was a bonus for some of us to catch up with Dave and Lorraine Kearns, who happened to be at Kohukohu when we were there- Ed.
G T MULLER State Highway 10, Coopers Beach
WOF CENTRE VEHICLE IMPORTS PHONE 09 406 0406
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Notice of Meeting Far North Vintage Car Club Annual General Meeting Held at Clubrooms Aurere Taipa Tuesday 14th May 2019, 7.30pm
Agenda 1 Attendance 2 Apologies 3 Minutes of Previous AGM 8th May 2018 4 Matters Arising 5 Correspondence 6 Presentation Audited Financial Accounts for year ended 31st March 2019 7 Reports: Chairman, Club Captain 8 Election of Officers for coming year 9 Reappointment of Auditor for coming year 10 General Business A normal monthly meeting will follow the AGM. Far North Vintage Car Club Annual General Meeting 14th May 2019 Nomination Form
It is preferred completed forms be with the secretary by Wednesday 8th May. Nominations for all officers’ positions will be accepted from the floor as well on the night of the AGM being 14th May.
I nominate ……………………………………………………………………… For the position of ………………………………………………………………………… Signature of proposer ………………………………………………………………………… Signature of seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………. I accept nomination for the above position ……………………………………………………
I nominate …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. For the position of …………………………………………………………………………………………. Signature of Proposer ……………………………………………………………………………………. Signature of Seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………. I accept nomination for the above position …………………………………………………….
All positions within the club will be voted for at the AGM. Please return your nomination form to: Secretary FNVCC, Gloria Cormack, 2534 Kaitaia-Awaroa Road, Herekino, R D 1 Kaitaia 0481
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