Far North Focus
John Rademaker’s 1955 Daimler Roadster Convertible
Calendar of Club Events 2026
50
th Brian Parker Memorial Rally
18th April we have the Brian Parker Memorial Rally.
Please bring your own morning tea.
Be at the club rooms by 9.45 for a 10am start.
The run is approx 60km - 1hour 45 mins. It includes some metal roads.
The run will end at the club rooms. The meal will be held at 1 pm at the Clubrooms.
Please get your entry form to Murray & Chris no later than April 10.
The entry form is at the end of this newsletter.
It’s our 50-year celebration of the run.
To commemorate this milestone, Brian’s run will end at the Clubrooms early afternoon and we will have a catered lunch, served.
The entry form is included in this newsletter.
A little background information about the rally.
Brian Parker is one of the foundation members of our club. Brian was a keen young man in his early 20s. His vintage vehicle was a Plymouth car which had been cut into a farm truck.
Caffeine & Classics
It was his project to restore.
3rd Sunday every month
9.30 am start Sunday 19 April
He was diagnosed with brain cancer, and he was determined to stay active in the club, even during his sickness.
Our Sub branch of the V.C.C. was formed in 1975 and Brian passed away in April 1976.
In recognition of Brian's input in the Club, an annual Memorial rally was inaugurated.
The Brian Parker Trophy incorporates the unique radiator cap from Brian’s Plymouth, which he had hoped to restore.
Far North Vintage & Classic Car Club
Annual General Meeting
To be held at Clubrooms, Aurere, Taipa.
Saturday 9th May 2026 at 1.00pm
Agenda
1. Attendance
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of Previous AGM 11th May 2025
4. Matters Arising
5. Correspondence
6. Presentation Audited Financial Accounts for year ended 31st March 2023
7. Reports: Chairman, Club Captains
8. Election of Officers for coming year
9. Reappointment of Auditor for coming year
10. General Business
Nomination forms for the AGM are included at the end of this Focus. Our monthly meeting will follow the AGM.
The Far North Branch of the VVC does have a policy that pets are not brought to any Club events. We do ask that this policy is respected please.
From the chair…
A great time has been had, as I write this report.
The Vero VCC Rally is behind us and we are slowly making our way back to the Far North.
It was an amazing rally and so worthwhile attending.
Unfortunately, two of our members had to resort to their modern cars to get to the rally and another breakdown resulted in a flight home and transportation for a vehicle.
Steve attended on my behalf, the Executive meeting in Christchurch on the weekend 7/8 March - thank you Steve. His report of the meeting is included in the newsletter.
There’s at least 7 Club cars attending the Hospice Day display on the 9th April, in Kerikeri. Thanks to the Members who
have chosen to support this event.
We have the Brian Parker Rally on 18 April, which will be the 50th anniversary of this event. A catered meal at the Clubrooms is being organised to take place after the run.
The first Sunday in May, is our Mother’s Day event. Dave and Dorothy are organising this event.
Also coming up once again is our AGM. Yes, where has the last 12 months gone? Remember… new nominations are always welcomed.
Tom
My grandfather said to me…
“When I was a boy, you could walk into a grocery store with two dollars in your pocket and walk out with a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, even a little butter!"
Then he says, "but now these days, there’s too many damn cameras."
Next Club Meeting
11th April 2026
Parts shed will be open.
2nd Saturday every month
Well, here we are at the end of the Vero Rally in Nelson. Definitely still a long way to go to get home before the rally is completely over for members of our club. Before we know where we are, it will be the end of March!
It was a big experience to have attended this rally. It’s our first and probably, our last.
A great contingent from the Far North club arrived in Nelson, in dribs and drabs for the start on Sunday 15th. The weather could not have been better. Everyday saw clear skies with no wind. Nelson city is bursting at its seams as far as traffic goes!
Clogged roads are normal we were told. Then our rally added an additional 560 vintage and veteran vehicles to the roads.
The public seem to have appreciated it though.
500 plus cars and 1000 plus people has been a lot to organise for the Nelson Club. We thank them and their Volunteers for the huge effort they gave to make this event possible.
Tom & I are homeward bound on the 6 April after our additional travels after the rally.
I’ll leave any comments about our Rover until we are home but… so far so good! Marg D.
VCC of NZ Executive meeting in Christchurch 6th - 8th March.
Steve Edwards
Finally, the constitution has finally been laid to rest, we hope. All notices of motion were sorted as well. It should be plain sailing from now.
This was the last annual meeting where delegates from each branch meet to discuss any issues, running of the club, etc. From here on, there will be a regional representative from combined areas to speak or vote on their behalf.
There was a guest speaker, Charlotte Gilham from Paper Parts. This a collection of photos, articles, etc, recorded through the history of NZ.
Election of positions on the National Committee will have only 4 new officers introduced each year for better continuity. 13 positions in 4 groups.
President, NI club captain, SI club captain,
There was a discussion on “appointed” or “elected”.
Meetings will use “Teams” app instead of “zoom” app for online meetings.
Another guest speaker was CEO of the Cancer Society.
• Of all the OECD countries, NZ was in the top 5. We are now around the bottom.
• All donations from Daffodil Day go towards goes towards family accommodation, transport, cancer nurse support, advocacy, research. There is NO financial government support.
There was discussion regarding the last Daffodil Day fund raising venture between the VCC, Ford Motor Company, and the Cancer Society. This was a lastminute fund-raising arrangement and all agreed the management of it, could have been better.
There was a lengthy discussion on payment for milage, what it should be & how it is claimed for the Executive meetings. It was finally decided that the incoming committee can sort it out.
Easter rally 2027 will be in Manawatu,
NELSON Vero VCC FESTIVAL 2026
Dave Duirs
We cheated by heading south a month early with the Peugeot 203 A framed behind the Renault van.
In Nelson a friendly farmer allowed 203 to park at his place while we took off down the West coast from Karamea in the north to Haast then Lake Hawea to catch up with an ex-Kenya neighbour, Mt Cook for a glacier hike with half of Beijing, which was a bit of a log jam. A week at Kaiapoi gave us catch up with Levein’s (ex-original Hihi camp owners), a colleague from Tri board Mill days, an old Peugeot Car Club mate, an old Kenyan school mate and we stayed over with Margaret Cornwall & Graham Moore who say, "G'day".
The whole VCC Festival experience was great & Nelson/ Tasman put on a great show.
Every place has to have road cones & Nelson chose to have cones, lights, deviations, one way- all right -at the entrance to our HQ so chaos ensued with 560 VCC vehicles, plus the public & motorhomes, all trying to get to somewhere unfamiliar.
Great teams of volunteers shuffled us around & we eventually all became part of the well-oiled (after that hiccup) show with colourful ID lanyards, pressi boxes, meal tickets etc. The yarns had startedthe break downs getting here, missed ferries, embraces for those not seen for years and inspections of the many vehicles "everywhere".
The runs finished at the same places with a choice of Long, Medium & Short to cater for the vehicle age/ capabilities. We chose long runs as they tended to go on more challenging roads with country stops. SO, each lunch stop was like a time warp....old stuff everywhere. The navigation was covered by excellent tulip rally sheets but there were still some interpretation errors, the odd breakdown, dead generator, heating, flatty etc.
The first went to Kaiteriteri beach, another St Arnaud Nelson Lakes.
Another a museum run featuring the huge Higgins Heritage Park with machinery to die for finishing with an evening park up in Nelson for public viewing.
The fourth meandered through Tasman valleys.
Friday had a new idea, Teams Relay Challenge with an early start for a mob of apprehensive crews for those who entered this event.
Once briefed we drove seven laps of 1.3 km each on a grass, gravel and dirt
The lunch stop was followed by another 6 laps by which time most of us wanted more (not my naviguessor).
Our team was 3rd , so made the podium and Wins team was second, so he came away with some goodies.
It was a great idea & a lot of fun.
were on the track at a time controlled by
The last day, all vehicles assembled at the A&P grounds in Richmond for public viewing with the entry fee going to Cancer work. There was a big crowd admiring and asking many questions.
Each evening, we met at "Central" for a briefing, a meal and entertainment the spirit of which some of us joined by dressing to the theme (op shops did well).
The Finale had some formality and awards and a top dinner and a final chance to catch up with old and new friends.
Many stories would have been generated around people, vehicles (breakdowns, repairs, driving conditions, ferries, fuel, costs etc) and the great Nelson / Tasman area.
We had a ball and are currently hunkered down free camping on a farm by Farewell Spit, expecting wind & heavy rain.
We trust the ferry works next week.
Dave & Dorothy Duirs
Vero rally Glenis Muir
I'm sure the rally will be well documented by our more competent reporters, but there is one little incident that happened during the 2026 Vero Vintage Car Rally held in Nelson.
Winston had entered the 'Fun day' competitions. It was in the heat of the day during a time trial event when the last twenty or so cars were stopped in front of the Grand Stand owing to a technical ruling that required the Stewards to take their necessary lunch break.
We were all neatly lined up in rows and each row was given the starting signal for take-off.
To the right of us was a neat little red sporty job that was eager to get going. T
The flag was duly lowered and with a roar of engines, wheels spinning and grass flying out behind us, Winston – with that determined look on his face – booted the chevvy into action, leaving the little red job scratching to keep up with us!
Encouraged by his three passengers, and unbeknown to us the Far North contingent sitting in the Grand Stand exercising their lungs, we made a flying start, but Win being the wise competitor eased up so we didn't break the speed restrictions which would have cost us points.
The red job would have no doubt been penalised when he kept going at full speed ahead.
Exciting stuff!
It was a team event in which our team came 2nd .
Far North Vintage Car Club
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 9th May 2026 1 pm
Nomination Forms
It is preferred that completed forms be with the Secretary by Friday 3rd May.
Nominations for all Officers’ positions will be accepted from the floor as well, on the day of the AGM.
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 forms to:
Secretary FNVCCC
Naomi Mason
23A Okahu Rd
KAITAIA
Or email to: farnorth@vcc.org.nz
Naomi’s phone number: 09 4081376
50th Brian Parker Memorial Rally
Saturday April 18, 2026
Entries close: 10 April 2026
Meet at the FNVCCC Clubrooms at 9.45am for a 10.00 am start.
The Rally is approximately 60 km long and includes some gravel roads.
Duration approx. 1hr 45 mins
The winner will be the vehicle with the most correct answers
There will be a catered lunch at 1pm at the FNVCCC clubrooms. $35.00 per person for lunch. Bring your own drinks.
Conditions of entry: Only Club-eligible vehicles, entered by financial members of the VCC of NZ, will be considered for prizes.
Any vehicles of financial club members may enter the rally but only Club Eligible Vehicles will be considered for awards.
Driver’s licence and Club membership cards must be carried.
If the winner is from another Branch, a miniature trophy will be awarded so the original remains with the Far North Club.
All Members attending rally &/or meal, please complete the entry form.
Brian Parker Memorial Rally Entry Form 2026
Name of Entrant: .......................................................
Membership No: ........................................................
Address: ..............................................................................................................
Ph No: …......................................
Driver’s name: ….........................................................
Passenger names: ...................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
Make, model, year of vehicle:
Email your entry form to Chris no later than 10 April 2026 mandcsquire@xtra.co.nz
Or text a photo of your entry form to 0212530136.
If you have problems ring Chris: 0212530136 _____________________________________________________________
Meals
Name/s…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Number of Meals @ $35 pp
Please direct credit FNVCCC bank account: 38-9001-0577961-00 and include the word LUNCH and your name in the transaction.
OR
Pay Chris with cash at the April meeting or on the rally day.