Well the Vero festival is almost over bar the shouting - what a fabulous event it turned out to be.
The weather behaved, miraculously most entrants managed to get to Nelson despite the best efforts of the ferries and break downs hindering attempts.
Everybody got into the spirit of things, both entrants and public were smiling, enjoying themselves, the city was busy, grid locked a couple of times only adding to the atmosphere and occasion, public came out in droves, by far exceeding our expectations. Nelsons mayor Nick Smith was over the moon, eateries were happy.
Our attempt at a new event the Teams Relay Challenge has to be a success when born car racer Russell Greer driving his XUI comes up to you and says, I never thought 20 and 40 Kph could be so exciting, I’m going out for another 6 laps.
Best of all was the overwhelming support we received from lour volunteers and community organisations, then the accolades and thanks we received from you the participants Thanks so much - you lot were just wonderful
Ray Robertson - Vero Festival Director
Front: Cover: Simon Linstones Saab at the top of the South Motor Show - helping promote the up and coming 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring
Roy West Clubrooms Custodians Website/ IT Librarian 0275449998 or 0275448001 0220357110 027 298 6994 jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz wesdayton29aus@gmail.com 61motra@gmail.com
A Few Words from the Chair
Looking back on the past month, it certainly began with a hiss and a roar. Our committee meeting kicked things off, where Kit Brydon, who is heading up the swap meet, gave us a brief update. It’s great to see the progress being made, and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic event. Kit will be looking for some extra hands, so if you have a bit of time to spare, please feel free to get in touch with him on 0274 431 498.
The following weekend, I had the pleasure of representing the club at the final National Executive Meeting. There were some interesting and important discussions, particularly around the new structure the club will move to after the August AGM. We were joined by several guest speakers, and my report is in this edition. I also had the opportunity to visit the National Office and explore the club archives, a real treat for any vintage car enthusiast. If you’re in Christchurch, you’re always welcome to call in, check out the new space, and take a look at the archives.
As you can imagine, much of the conversation naturally turned to the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring. There was a real sense of anticipation as cars began arriving, and social media quickly filled with stories and photos of people’s journeys to Nelson.
And then, before we knew it, it was underway. After collecting our rally packs, we were treated to a real surprise, ice cream! Smiles all around, excitement buzzing in the air, it was a perfect way to kick things off. Monday morning was quite a sight, more than 500 cars making their way into the Trafalgar Centre. Traffic slowed, but spirits certainly didn’t. There were waves in every direction, plenty of smiles, and yes, a few smoky exhausts, ours included.
The city came alive with colour and character as cars from another era filled the streets before heading out on the first runs. There were countless highlights, stunning routes, great venues, and organisation that kept everything running smoothly. A huge congratulations to the organising team for their dedication and effort in delivering such a
It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and share in the enjoyment of a common passion. And then, just like that, it was over. I hope the organisers have managed some well-earned rest and are beginning to think about life beyond Vero, something that has no doubt occupied much of their time over the past few years. Thank you for creating such a special event, wasn’t it something.
Now it’s back to reality, whether that’s work or the steady rhythm of retirement, as we settle into our usual routines once again. Even as we return to our daily lives, let’s carry the excitement and camaraderie of the Vero Festival into every drive and every club gathering.
With fuel prices continuing to rise, it’s something many of us are thinking about. While it may mean a little more planning before heading out, it’s also an opportunity to support each other. Share rides when you can, help a fellow member get their car out of the garage, or join forces to make trips together. Every journey becomes a shared adventure. By looking out for one another, we not only make the most of our drives, but we also strengthen the sense of community that makes our club so special.
Chairperson - Joanne Hoffman
Bereavment
Graeme Pegg
It is with much sadness we recognise the passing of Graeme Pegg and pass on our condolences to Andrea, Brian & Gloria and their families.
Graeme’s passing will certainly leave a gap in the group we all know collectively as the “Peggs”. Andrea, Graeme, Gloria and Brian , so often the quiet backbone of many branch events.
Graeme joined the Nelson Branch 26 October 2004 and became a very active member participating in many branch events and functions. A memorable association with Graeme was every Saturday morning for almost 2 years Graeme would front up at the speedway to help rebuild our new clubrooms - they were very enjoyable days
Membership
The following new members have recently joined our ranks. We welcome them to the Branch and look forward to meeting them soon.
.Patrick Chandler - of Stoke, Nelson - Patrick owns a 1995 Rover 214 Cabriolet
Tom Ashton - - Tom has a 1947 Morris Ten and a 1971 Holden Kingswood Station Wagon - both in original condition
Scott Woods of Riwaka Motueka - Scott owns a 1926 Rugby Tourer M in original condition
Warren Hoffman - Hope, Brightwater - Warren was on the Coast to Coast as a Support person
Luke & Carla Clementson of Richmond - The Clementsons own a 1931 Model A Ford which used to belong to Lukes Grandfather Ken Ivory. Ken was our branch Patron for many years.
Transfering in from Auckland Branch is Lee Walker-Holt - of Dovedale, Wakefield Lee owns a 1972 Motoguzzi Eldorado Motorcycle
Club Captains Report
It seems a long time ago since our last report & by the time you read this Vero will have been and gone.
JANUARY
Sat 24 Speedway Parking
Paul had 18 here tonight to help with the parking. With that number it certainly made for a smoother evening by everyone. Paul received great feedback from a member of the public who said it was the best organised parking he had experienced & he thanked us for this. A huge Thank you to Paul for taking on the organising role here & to Lesley Barker, helped by Lorraine Cozzie for another outstanding meal shared by all with enjoyment.
FEBRUARY
Wed 4 Morning Tea, mystery lunch
We had 47 come along today to share a cuppa & enjoy each others company. Bill Dense arranged the mystery lunch destination and Yvonne Bell did a great run out to the venue, Riverside Community café. This is not generally opened on a Wednesday so Thank You Bill and Yvonne for organising this.
Thurs 12th Club night, ROGER LUSBY, 40 years below – A year in Antarctica
What a fantastic talk, along with excellent photos, music & poetry Roger gave us of his year in Antarctica. We had 64 people come along who dropped a donation into the box at the door & Roger generously donated the $208 raised back to our club. If you ever get the chance to hear Rogers talk of his adventures in Antarctica, GO, you won’t be disappointed.
Sat 21 Top Of the South Car Show
The sun shone & the cars came, 26 from our club were on display. There was good advertising for the Vero International rally from our members with an information tent, flyers and chat. Well done to everyone who came along.
Wed 25th Morning Tea, Mystery Car ( John Oakley )
We had 51 to this mornings morning tea. As always a huge Thank you to those who took on kitchen duties, Lesley, Dianne, Lynette &
Glenda. As Dianne & I have the same birth date we brought along the cake & savouries.
John Oakleys Morris 8 Sports was the mystery car this month. It was well received as have been all our mystery cars & vehicles & it is great how you have all embraced this idea & sharing your vehicles with the rest of the club
Sat 28th Club Run, A mystery Run
It was definitely a mystery run as I didn’t put in many road names but just enough clues to get people around to where they would eventually end up which was Kina beach peninsular. We only lost one person but he eventually made it and all was good. Pete Williamson brought along his barbecue and I have to say his sausages smelt far better than our sandwiches. We had 18 along for the picnic and the day was perfect for it.
MARCH IS VERO MONTH
What a fantastic week the Vero International Rally in our region has been. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, people loved the runs and the informality of them with everything explained and mapped out in it’s own guide. The Trafalgar centre worked very well and comfortably seated everyone especially for the last night Grand Finale. What fun the teams relay challenge proved to be and on the Saturday open display day, people came in their droves. What a phenomenal day that was. All the feedback I have received has been overwhelmingly positive Ray and his team have done an outstanding job with this event, four years of planning for a fabulous and successful week of motoring comradery A Huge Thank You to the Vero Committee and to everyone who helped to make each day run smoothly.
Bits and pieces for your calendar
APRIL
Wed 1st Morning Tea, Mystery lunch
Sat 4th Murchison 150th Anniversary
Thurs 9 Club Night, Quiz Night
Wed 15 Morning tea, mystery car
Sun 26th Club run to Queen Charlotte Tavern, Linkwater. I would like opinions on this long run especially with the price of fuel these days and I think it will still go up. We could look at car sharing or just opt for a short run if that is what people want.
Please give Dianne or I feedback by Wednesday 15th morning tea.
MAY
WED 6 Morning tea, mystery lunch
Fri 8 Swap meet set up
Sat 9th Swapmeet Kit Brydon is running this so please see him if you can help.
Thurs 14 Club night, WOT’S IT evening, hunt out your mysterious treasures
Wed 20 Morning tea, mystery car
Sun 24th Club Run ( still being worked on )
Happy Motoring everyone
Maureen & Dianne
Swap Meet Planning Morning Tea
Swap meet Volunteers needed
Come and join Kit
For a morning tea with Savouries
And see were you can help with the Swap meet
When - Wednesday 29th April at 10.00am at the clubrooms
See you there
Kit Brydon - 027 443 1498
Message from our Patron
Hi Ray,
Gwen and I wish to enthusiastically congratulate you and your Nelson Team for a successful and fantastic rally.
Wherever we go around the district people are very complimentary about the preservation and displays of all the cars , often commenting about the huge organization ability to hold an event like this in Nelson .
We would especially like to thank the many people who helped and supported us in preparing the 4 cars for the Rally and the special Merit award which we received goes to them as well.
We have a great Vintage car club, let’s raise this standard of achievement throughout nz.
Lloyd Ewing
Mystery Lunch Riverside Community Feb 4th
John Oakly’s Mystery Car
Mystery Club Run to Kina
Vero Working Bees, Folding maps putting rally packs together, Setiing out Trafalgar Centre
Above: Sue and Brent sorting lanyards Below: Yvonne sorting rally pack bags and Lesley with brochures and voting forms
Above : One of lifes pickles,! 2 blondes Karen & Alison with their heads together, Rally Director putting very last Rally pack together
Below Dave & Yvonne with the job of removing labels from bottles (a lot of bottles)
Rob & Brent glueing table decorations together
Simon & John doing something!!
Decorations looking good
Above; Arch in place
Black n Gold Night Table
TASMANAUTO ELECTRICS
We have the largest range of batteries in the Top of the South, including batteries for –Vintage Cars, Golf Carts, Mobility Scooters and more!!
All with GREY POWER DISCOUNT!! 10 Poutama Street (off Gladstone Road) Richmond Ph: 544 8388 – Come in and see us!!
Wots it Night
Bring along that strange trinket, curio , gadget or tool
the weirder, the wackier the better see if you can out fox those in the room.
Thursday 14th May 7.00pm at the Clubrooms
Please bring a plate
Thursday 9th April 7.00pm at Clubrooms
Bring a Plate for Supper
Executive Meeting Report – March 2026
I recently had the privilege of representing the Nelson Branch at the National Executive Meeting of the Vintage Car Club, held on 7–8 March at the Canterbury Branch clubrooms in Christchurch. This report highlights the key points and discussions from the meeting and is not a comprehensive record of everything covered.
President George Kear opened the meeting by welcoming delegates and observers, encouraging open discussion, and reminding us all that we share responsibility for the governance and future direction of the Club. The meeting moved through the usual formalities, with reports taken as read before progressing to general business.
Guest Speakers
We were fortunate to hear from two engaging guest speakers. Charlotte McGillen from the National Library of New Zealand spoke about the Papers Past website, particularly the ongoing three-year project on the New Zealand Motor and Cycle Journal. Once complete, this will be an invaluable resource for preserving and accessing the history of our vehicles.
Nicola Coom, CEO of the Cancer Society, gave an inspiring and informative presentation. She spoke about the growing impact of cancer in New Zealand, noting that it affects a significant number of families, and highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and ongoing research.
She outlined the vital work the Cancer Society does in supporting patients and their families, including providing accommodation, transport to treatment, and access to specialist cancer nurses who walk alongside families throughout their journey. She also touched on the organisation’s role in advocacy and research, helping improve access to treatment and outcomes for New Zealanders.
Nicola acknowledged the valuable contribution of the VCC and its branches, with funds raised through Daffodil Day making a real difference in communities across the country, support that touches many of our own members and their families.
National Day
Kaaren Smylie, Daffodil Day Coordinator, provided an update on National Day, including the Club’s partnership with Ford New Zealand
She emphasised that this is very much a community partnership, not a takeover, rebrand, or dealer-led initiative, with the heart of the campaign remaining firmly with the VCC and its members.
Plans are in place to continue and strengthen this partnership over the next three years. Kaaren also advised that she will be undertaking a roadshow from May, visiting selected branches to provide support and help build strong local connections with Ford dealerships.
Following discussion, there was unanimous support to continue the Cancer Society as the National Day charity for the next three years, along with unanimous agreement to work towards securing Ford as a corporate partner for the same period.
Draft By-Laws
Murray Trounson provided an update on the initial work on outsourcing ballot processing, which highlighted some inconsistencies in nomination and officer voting timeframes. Minor adjustments were made to bring these into line.
President George Kear also addressed the future of Delegates Conferences, following questions raised by several branches about their ongoing role. He reminded delegates that at each meeting over the past three years there has been clear support for retaining the March Delegates Conference, and this view was again strongly reflected in the room. While there was some discussion around possible procedural changes, such as quorum requirements, a show of hands confirmed support for continuing with the current format.
Regional Representatives and Committee Structure
There was discussion around the proposed role and responsibilities of Regional Representatives, with President George walking delegates through the draft job description covering both branch-level and management-level responsibilities. Clarification was provided regarding the management-level role, particularly in relation to voting on day-to-day operational matters, such as urgent maintenance at National Office, which need timely decisions.
The discussion also covered how these roles fit into the new Club structure. Under the new Constitution and By-Laws, each region will have a representative at a national level. For us, this means participation in the Top of the South region.
standard nomination and election process. All roles will be advertised as vacant, with current committee members able to stand for positions, ensuring a transparent and open process.
Branding and Club Operational Name
Chris Bird, Marlborough Delegate, discussed the reasoning behind the Marlborough Branch’s decision to change their operational name to Heritage Motoring Marlborough. He suggested that the Club might also consider updating its national name to better reflect the wider range of vehicles represented, proposing Heritage Motoring NZ as a possible option.
Andy Fox, Management Committee, provided context on the last branding review four years ago, which had not been successful. A wide-ranging discussion followed, with many delegates expressing strong support for keeping the Vintage Car Club name and current logo, which has been highly recognisable for over 80 years. While some delegates felt the branding could be modernised, perhaps by shortening it to VCC, it was noted that a full rebrand would be costly and complex.
President George called for a show of hands to decide whether to investigate changing the Club name and logo. The result was five in favour, twenty-five against, with some delegates neutral, and it was agreed to maintain the status quo.
Closing Thoughts
The past two days made it clear that the Club is moving in an exciting direction, while a few points remain under discussion as part of the ongoing process. I really appreciated the opportunity to attend the National Executive Meeting on behalf of the Nelson Branch. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and commitment of delegates from across the country, and I am excited about the direction our Club is taking. I would like to thank the Management Committee for all the hard work they put in to keep the Club running smoothly and to make these meetings so productive.
Warm regards,
Joanne Hoffman Chair, Nelson Branch VCC
Wanted
Iam looking for an original "4-position and Off" switch (see 2 X attached photos) to purchase for the dash in my 27 Erskinewithout success so far.
It doesn't matter if the switch mechanism is faulty because that might be either repairable or replaceable with a new / after market rotary switch.
The main thing to have is the original face plate and switch handle.
I'm also looking for an original "Hearshey" combination steering column lock and ignition switch assembly with original key in working condition (see photo) to purchase
If anyone can assist, please let me know
Kind Regards, Mark Erskine.
M: 021 2541939 / P: (09) 2706001
For Sale
1920s Morris Cowley
The car has a unique history, as it was my husband’s grandfather’s first car and was even converted to run on coal during WWII.
It has been stored in our garage for many years with the intention of a restoration, but we have realized that this project is no longer realistic for us with a young family.
Please let me know if you have any leads or if you would like more information
Laura McGuire - email laura@harakekeflorist.co.nz
LADIES CRAFT GROUP
Sew, Paint, Knit, Everything
Calling all VCC ladies Wives, Partners, etc. to come and enjoy the company of other members at our Craft group. Held on the first Thursday of every month at the clubrooms.
Next meeting Thursday May 7th 2026 9am to 4pm Just come for a chat and or share your hobbies with others. Come for the day or an hour or two. Tea and coffee on the house. If staying for the day bring your lunch. Need to be pickup, this can be arranged.
For more info contact
Kyra 544 9998
VCC Member Discount at
Mitre 10 Mega Nelson
Present your membership card at checkout and you will get a discount on every purchase. How it works: After completing your shopping go to any checkout, simply tell the operator the account number: NNVCC (Nelson Vintage Car Club) then present your membership card.
Every item gets a discount which in some cases is better than other accounts and is definitely a better discount than gold card. Its that easy.
If we support this scheme there could be opportunity in the future for a rebate back to the club.
VEHICLE VALUATIONS
Classic, vintage vehicles & all trucks
For Insurance, Tax man, Lawyers 35 year’s experience with valuations in Nelson and Marlborough Area I will come to you
