Branch Management and Appointments
Patron Lloyd Ewing (Gwen) 027 590 1042 lloydgwen@hotmail.com
Chairperson Joanne Hoffman (Vern) 021 598 873 Joanne.hoffman2@gmail.com
Immediate Past
Chairman
Mike Bryan 027 223 4893 rootesgpnz@gmail.com
Secretary/ Treasurer John Barker 027 9 110 763 drivingbaby7s@gmail.com
Club Captain Maureen Joblin 0275 52 5690 leighandmaureen@gmail.com
Asst. Club Captain Dianne Lewis 021 0848 2878 pauldiannelewis@gmail.com
Asst. Club Captain VACANT
Editor Crankcase Ray Robertson (Debbie) 027434 0228 razar.robertson@gmail.com
Committee Jarod Dacombe 027 547 7968 jjdacombe@gmail.com
Committee (Buildings) Paul Lewis 0212502553 pauldiannelewis@gmail.com
Committee Rob Thompson (Karen 03 547 5120 or 027 5475120 rob.karen@slingshot.co.nz
Committee Vern Hoffman 027 485 5583 vernonhoffman@gmail.com
Committee ( Mowing & Grounds
Malcolm Baker 03 542 3846 or 021 032 8833 1949grumpi@gmail.com
Committee Lesley Barker 021 255 1571 drivingbaby7s@gmail.com
Swapmeet Website VACANT
Beaded Wheels
Carolyn Bolland 021 1063 135 carolynbolland@gmail.com
Membership / Badges Wayne Price 03 542 3033 jandwprice@outlook.com
Website, IT Wes Dayton 0220357110 wesdayton29aus@gmail.com
Vehicle ID Stephen Mortimer 027 548 3701 mortflying8@gmail.com
Vehicle ID Trevor Carston 021 262 4009 t_ccarston@hotmail.com
Librarian Roy West 027 298 6994 61motra@gmail.com
Clubroom Custodians Jim & Kyra Wareing 0275449998 or 0275448001 jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz
Swap Meeet Co-ordinator Kit Brydon 0274 431 498 gaylebrydon@hotmail.com
Daffodill Day Co-ordinator
Dianne Lewis 021 0848 2878 pauldiannelewis@gmail.com
Nelson VCC Calendar Of Events
Please note these events may be subject to change and some-
October 2025
Wed 22 10am Morning Tea 50 & 35 year awards - see page 42 Check Roster
Sat 25 10am Morning Tea Mystery Car Check Roster November 2025
Sun 2 10am Club Run to Tophouse pg 43 Maureen Joblin
Mon 3 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Tue 4 7.30pm Committee Meeting John Barker
Wed 5 10am Morning Tea Mystery Lunch Check Roster
Thu 6 9-4pm Ladies Craft Day Kyra Wareing
Sat 8 3.00pm Speedway Carparking pg43 Paul Lewis
8-11 Nov Coast to Coast (C2C) Joanne Hoffman
Thu 13 Club Night - Peas, Pie & Spuds page 42 Maureen Joblin
Sat 15 Club Run (TBA)
Mon 17 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Wed 19 10am Morning Tea Mystery car Check Roster
Sun 30 1.-3pm Nelson Santa Parade pg 28 December 2025
Mon 1 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Tue 2 7.30pm Committee Meeting John Barker
Wed 3 10am Morning Tea Mystery Lunch Check Roster
Thur 4 6.30pm Club Night Isle Park page Maureen Joblin
Thu 4 9-4pm Ladies Craft Day Kyra Wareing
Thu 4 Club Night (TBA)
Sun 7 1-3pm Richmond Santa Parade pg29
Sun 7 Club Run
Mon 15 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Wed 17 10am Morning Tea Check Roster
Mon 22 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Wed 24 10am Morning Tea Check Roster
January 2026
Wed 7 10am Morning Tea
Check Roster
Mon 12 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Mon 26 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
February 2026
Wed 4 10am Morning Tea
Check Roster
Mon 9 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Mon 16 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Mon 23 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
March 2026
Mon 2 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Mon 9 7.30pm 2026 Vero Com. meeting Karen Thompson
Sun 15Fri 20
Mar 26
2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring Nelson Ray Robertson Festival Director
April 2026
May 2026
Fri 8 Swap meet set up Day Kit Brydon
Sat 9 Swap meet Kit Brydon
June 2026
Sat 27 1.00pm Restoration of the Year and Pride of Ownership Sat 27 2.00pm AGM at Clubrooms
Nelson Branch Committee &Appointments
Joanne Hoffman
Chair
Mike Bryan
John Barker
Immediate Past Chair SecretaryTreasurer 021 598 873 027 223 4893 027 911 0763 Joanne.hoffman2@gmail.com rootesgpnz@hotmail.com drivingbaby7s@gmail.com
Maureen Joblin
Asst. Club Captn
Dianne Lewis
Ray Robertson
Asst. Club Captn Crankcase Editor 027 552 5690 021 0848 2878 0274 340 228 leighandmaureen@gmail.com pauldiannelewis@gmail.com razar.robertson@gmail.com
Paul Lewis
Rob Thompson
Jarod Dacombe Committee (Buildings) Committee Committee 0212502553 027 5475120 027 547 7968 pauldiannelewis@gmail.com rob.karen@slingshot.co.nz jjdacome@gmail.com
Malcolm Baker
Lesley Barker
Carolyn Bolland Committee (Grounds) Committee Beaded Wheels Scribe 021 032 8833 021 255 1571 021 1063 135 1949grumpi@gmail.com drivingbaby7s@gmail.com carolynbolland@gmail.com
Stephen Mortimer
Trevor Carston
Wayne Price Vehicle ID’s Vehicle ID’s
Membership/Badges 027 548 3701 021 262 4009 03 542 3033 mortflying8@gmail.com t_ccarston@hotmail.com jandwprice@outlook.com
Vern Hoffman
Kit Brydon
Lloyd Ewing Committee Swapmeet Co-ordin Patron 027 485 5583 0274 431 498 027 590 1042 vernonhoffman@gmail.com gaylebrydon@hotmail.com lloydgwen@hotmail.com
Jim & Kyra Wareing
Wes Dayton
Roy West Clubrooms Custodians Website/ IT Librarian 0275449998 or 0275448001 0220357110 027 298 6994 jimnkyra@xtra.co.nz wesdayton29aus@gmail.com 61motra@gmail.com
From the Chair
Another month has rolled around can you believe it’s only ten weeks until Christmas? Now’s the time to finalise those festive plans, start making your lists, and of course, bake the Christmas cake!
It’s also time to clean and polish those cars in preparation for the Santa Parades. These events are a great opportunity to showcase our vehicles and promote our club to the wider Nelson community. With the Vero Rally coming up, it’s the perfect chance to raise awareness of what we do. I’m sure Ray and his team will have something special planned.
This Wednesday we’ll be holding a special morning tea to present Derek Thomason with his 50-year long service commemorative award. We’re delighted to have Murray Trounson from the National Management Committee joining us to make the presentation. At the same time, we’ll also be celebrating Ray Maguire’s 35-year award Lorraine Russ will receive her 25-year badge a little later, at a smaller presentation over a cuppa. Photos of both occasions will feature in the next Crankcase
Not far away now is the Coast 2 Coast Tour, which kicks off on Friday evening, 7th November, with a social get-together at the Marlborough Vintage Car Clubrooms.
On Saturday, we’ll travel via the Molesworth Road to Hanmer. Then on Sunday, we’ll journey from Hanmer to Murchison via the Rainbow Station Road and over the Braeburn Track, where dinner will be catered for us.
Monday’s drive takes us through Reefton and along back-country roads to Hokitika a wonderful chance to showcase our spectacular South Island scenery to visitors from all over New Zealand.
This year’s tour has 45 entrant vehicles plus four support vehicles, with just over 100 people in total. Our youngest participant is a three-month-old baby girl named Savannah (travelling with her proud parents, of course!).
As for the oldest participant well, it’s best not to ask!
Rex and Lynnette are co-tour leaders alongside Vern and me, and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic three days. I’m really looking forward to catching up with our Nelson members on the tour and reconnecting with others we met on the Irishman’s.
Once again, our club is assisting with parking at Nelson Speedway on their big event nights. The first is Saturday, 8th November. If you can lend a hand, please contact Paul Lewis (his number is listed in the front of the directory) he’ll be very happy to hear from you.
A big thank-you also goes to Malcolm and his team, who are now in full mowing season. Over winter they spent countless hours maintaining and repairing the tractor and mowers. Their work is essential to our agreement with the Speedway and our continued use of the clubrooms. Next time you see one of the team, please take a moment to say thanks their efforts really do make a difference.
There’s so much good work that goes on behind the scenes to make our club what it is. A special mention must go to Ray Robertson, who tirelessly produces this magazine each month. With all the Vero Rally preparations, I’m sure his workload is enormous, yet he still manages to deliver such a highquality publication to keep us all informed and entertained. I could go on and on about the great work our members do but I’ll leave it there for now. In the meantime, it’s time to get those cars out and about, and join in the wonderful activities that Maureen and Dianne work so hard to organise for our enjoyment.
Keep those wheels turning until next time, Your Club Chairperson, Joanne Hoffman
Reminder
Members coming into the Club Rooms using the key pad lockbox are reminded to make sure it is securely closed and the key pad numbers jumbled.
There have been a two occasions in the past week where the keypad has been left open and unlock combination still showing - like wise the door has been closed but not locked correctly
Club Captains Report
Another month has nearly passed, scary how quickly this seems to happen. We have had a couple of good club runs and events and although numbers been down we have had to contend with School holidays, the White bait season and some not so encouraging, get our cars out, weather. That’s life.
If you have a club run or evening event in mind and think it would be a good one for our club, please let us know as we would love your ideas and feedback.
September
Saturday 27th Mystery Club Run
We may have been a small group on this run, 12 in total, but it was fun & interesting all the same. Tom Denton & Mike Russ both knew the Matariki and surrounding areas, yet it was a mystery run so they had no knowledge this was where we would end up. After lunching in the sun at Matariki School listening to the piano being played indoors by Elliot, we drove next door to Lorraine Lukeys property to check out the old barn there ( circa 1860’s ) This building was the original School before the Matariki school was built. The barn, although renovated, still retains many original features and had plenty of history with all the cobblestones and horse stalls still in place. Back in the day this is where the Doctor from Wakefield stalled his horse when working in the area. We finished the day with a ‘follow the leader’ to check out a car grave yard in Tadmor ( with the warning not to stop in case a bullet flies over our heads ) before having an ice cream in Tapawera then heading home.
October
Wednesday 1st Morning Tea/Mystery lunch
We had 41 here this morning to share tall stories & a cuppa. The kitchen was manned by Wayne, Jill Holmwood and Andrea Pegg, Thank You.
Dick Anderson brought in an amazing 170 year old book of Lithographs of the Crimean War. Each and every one of these prints were a work of art. Thank you Dick for Sharing that very special unique book. Carolyn & John Bolland organised the mystery lunch but were unable to attend as Carolyn was unwell. Never the less we printed off
her mystery lunch route & 12 of us eventually found our way to Paragon for lunch.
Thursday 9th Club Night – Wot’s it
What an interesting evening that turned out to be with such an eclectic range of items brought in. David & Yvonne Bell set the tone with an item none of us could fathom but was a ‘Parliamentarian Do Nothing’. Each & every item had a story to go with it and were so varied & interesting, some handmade, some handed down from family members, one in use today attached to Debbie Roberstons key ring that flummoxed us. This is an evening we need to have again.
Saturday 11th Club Run to Anatoki Salmon Farm, Takaka
The weather Gods played ball and 18 of us headed over the Takaka hill to Anatoki Salmon. Before leaving the club grounds we had the local photographic club come and take pictures of our beautiful vehicles, a bit of practice for Vero in March. The run itself was very straight forward so we didn’t lose anyone along the way. Brent Colvin caught a Salmon for Sue, good catch Brent. We enjoyed a wander around the grounds checking out the Salmon and Eels, lunching together and enjoying the day. When time to head away half the group headed into Takaka and the rest of us headed home after a very warm and pleasant day
Wednesday 15th Morning Tea/Mystery Car
I counted 45 members to morning tea today and we were treated to delicious scones with cream and jam and a mix of savouries from Lesley Barker who had a birthday last week. Thank You Lesley and also to Wayne, Dianne and Jill who took on the kitchen duties.
Our mystery car was Merilyn and Max Clarkes 1993 Porsche 968, a beautiful club eligible, rare car. ( only 2 in the country ) Such a treat to have it displayed today and learn of its history. We have an incredible variety of vehicles in our club and Gordon Dacombes idea of a mystery vehicle at morning tea is unearthing real treasures, each and every one of them.
Also big Thanks to Wes Dayton who once again has videoed our mystery car which is available to view on our Nelson VCC website along with most of the other mystery cars we have had.
Wednesday 22nd Special Morning Tea
This is to award Derek Tomlinson and Ray McQuire their respective club year badges. Let’s have a good turnout to celebrate please.
We also have Saturday 25th Morning Tea/Mystery car to allow those who work to come join us for a cuppa and a natter. There are certainly a few morning teas during this month but this won’t be the new norm.
Up and Coming Events/Dates to mark on your Calendars and Extra Bits
As already mentioned we have a couple of extra morning teas in October, so come along and enjoy a cuppa with friends especially those of you who work and cannot make the Wednesday sessions.
November
Sunday 2nd Club Run to Top House. We need numbers please before October 29th. It is $20 pp which includes tea, Coffee, Scones with Cream & Jam, Muffins, Savouries & Sandwiches.
Wednesday 5th Morning Tea/Mystery Lunch.
We would love someone, anyone or many of you to put your hand up & have a go at doing a wee run for a mystery lunch please. Left to me it may be MacDonalds!
Saturday 8th – 10th Coast To Coast Rally
We also have Speedway Parking on Saturday the 8th . Please contact Paul Lewis if you are able to help as this night unfortunately clashes with the Coast To Coast. The Speedway Parking is a great Club earner for us. It is also a great time to get to know members of our club with a shared tea, watch some of the racing if you wish and of course the firework display. It is always a good night.
Thursday 13 Club Night Peas, Pies and Spuds
7.30 pm come and join us at our Club rooms.
$10 pp. We need numbers please by November 10th
Wednesday 19th Morning Tea/Mystery Car
Sunday 30th Nelson Santa Parade, Cars needed as this is also a Vero Promotion chance for us
December will be upon us in the blink of an eye, it will be a Christmassy month with our events.
Happy motoring everyone
Maureen and Dianne
George Kear presenting Posthumourisly Denis Le Crens 60th year Award to his daughters Marion and Bridgette
Club Run to Anitoki Salmond
Mystery Car Oct 15
Max & Merilyn Clarks 1990 Porsche 968
John Oakleys 37’ Morris Eight Series 1
Membership - We welcome to the branch the following new members:
Harry Taylor of Duncan Bay - Harry has a fleet consisting of a 1970 Morris Saloon, a 1954 Landrover Single Cab Truck, 1963 Landrover Series 2 88” Single cab Truck
Hugh Woodthorpe of Richmond Hugh owns a 1962 Ford Anglia Van, and 1981 Ford Escort Van
Noel Gourdie of Bishopdale - Noel has a 1953 Citroen Light 15 Sedan and a 1982 Fiat 124 Spider
Mark Quinney of Motupiko - Mark has a collection of Alfa Romeos - 67, S1 Spider, 75’ S2 Spider, 84’ S3 Spider, 93’ S4 Spider
Mike Toll - transferred back to Nelson from Banks Peninsula Branch - Mick has a 1970 Beattie LT 16, and a couple
Swap Meet 2026
Kit Brydon has kindly agreed to take on the Role of Swap meet Co-ordinator for the Swapmeet to be held in May 2026. Kit would like to make an early start asap and kick of with a list of helpers
You can contact Kit on 0274 431 498 or by email at gaylebrydon@hotmail.com
The Wots It Night
This is a wots it and according to Yvonne nobody knows what it is good for
Clockwise from Top Right, Theodolite, Double Decker Bus Route Scroll, Clamp for Drilling Wooden biro blanks, Gallipoli Medal & Tobacco tin shot by Turkish bullet WW1, Fuel economy device, Digital supermarket display release, Ford V8 Valve guide, Two artificial Insemination devices Short one deer, Long one cattle, a parliamentary wots it, Panel beaters dolly, (in plastic Bag) two anti snoring devices, and above is a knitters stich holder, left hand page is two Illistrated London News of 1843 7 1869
Book collectors in bibliophile heaven
The engineer and mechanic in mechanical bliss
A group of purveyors of interesting “wots its”
These two were just setting world affairs right
The VCC Nelson Branch has been asked by the Mayor Nick Smith To field cars for the Nelson Santa Parade
The Mayor , his wife and a number of NCC Councilors would like to dress up and participate in the parade in our vehicles.
Additionally Nick Smith sees this as a grand opportunity to promote the 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring
More on how we will decorate / promote things shortly- but we would like a good turn out an mix of vehicles
The parade will leave Edwards Street at 1.00pm before heading down Queen Street
This year and for the next three years Quail Valley Free Range Eggs have agreed to sponsor the Richmond Santa Parade
We would also like our branch to return the support this business has so often given to us by a good turn out of vehicles in the Santa Parade
Once again a great opportunity to promote the 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring to the Community
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!!
Kevin & Glenda Argyles Vauxhall Wyvern
A Profile of Dick Anderson by Ray Robertson
I spent four or five hours with Dick, listening to him recall some of his memories and exploits. – I could have spent a week with him without exhausting the amazing experiences and events of his extraordinary life – I can only but touch on some of these but hope I do some justice to an extremely fascinating man– Ed.
Richard (Dick) Anderson was born in Greymouth in 1945. Dick’s family moved up to Golden Bay where his father, Francis (Frank) Anderson became one of four shareholders in the Wynne & Son Coalmine at Managarakau. Frank was considered a very experienced coalminer particularly in gassy mines and became the Mine Manager. Sadly, on the 17 January 1958 a huge explosion in the underground mine, 2km into the seam, under the sea just offshore from Patarau, killed all four of the miners including Dicks father. Dick was 13 years old.
At The age of 14 years Dick moved with his mother and two brothers to Nelson. Dick reckons he had very little education while he was in Golden Bay, as Mangarakau some 25 miles from Collingwood offered nothing to encourage teachers to take up the role way out in the boonies. Any teachers that came out to Managarakau were usually only students on placement and only for very short periods of time.
So, 15 years of age and in Nelson he applied to join the navy, was accepted and became and ASDIC operator on the Pukaki.
At 18 years old he became a navy diver being only one of 12 that stared on his course to qualify. These were the days when aqualungs were fairly new invention, warm wet and dry suits were unheard of.
Dicks raft of diving experiences could fill a book on their own, from searching for forensic items for the police, in such cases as the Crewe murders, Mona Blades murder or locating the Union Steam Ship Companies vessel Kaitawa, a 2485 ton Collier which sunk near Cape Reigna 24 May 1966 with loss of its full crew of 29. The vessel was found in 26 fathoms (144 ft) minus its superstructure and cargo.
Dick at age 21 years received the British Empire Medal and a sincere letter of thanks from Sir Walter Nash for his actions in helping to locate and determine cause of her sinking.
Dick was also in a group of Navy divers who were employed in Western Samoa to blow an opening in a reef using torpedo warheads.
Above - Dick left front
Page 1 Dick centre diver
To retrace Dicks adventures a little, back at age 16 years in Nelson he also obtained his Private Pilot’s Licence.
After 11 years in the navy, he took time off and got his commercial pilots’ licence, working for the Auckland Aero Club flying flights out to Great Barrier Island and so on to rack up 1000 hours
company for 6 months.
In 1974 he headed to New Guinea, Mount Hagen and joined Territory Airlines flying various fixed wing aircraft but favourite was the Twin Otter , from sea level to 14,000’ and clocking up 6000 hours as lead pilot for Highland operations.
He went back to the navy for six months then with $5K in his pocket headed back to Nelson to learn to fly helicopters under Jim Wilsons tutelage.
Halfway through Jim told him he was going to run out of coin, so Dick took a job flying one two fixed wing aircraft, Cessna 402 and Twin Commanche for the Temperzone Air Conditioning
After 6 years a friend started a company with a Bell 47 Helicopter, so Dick achieved his helicopter endorsement at Bankstown Sydney Australia, and flew a second Bell 47 from Sydney to Mt Hagen in New Guinea. Our Company Rotowork Helicopters was born and we flew high altitude stuff between 7,000 to 12,500 feet.
We built the company up to 8 x Bell 206L and 8 Hughes 500 and 3 x fixed wing 1 Cessna 172 & 2 x Beech 200 plus 4 x Bell 212.
He had Six months working on an active Volcano - Karkar Island
In 1985 we changed the name of the company to Hevi-Lift Rotowork Helicopters (HLRH) as in the 1980’s there was a big surge of exploration followed by the next phase where all the exploration had to be brought to fruition.
Americans arrived in New Guinea with Boeing 107 with a lift of 4500kg (small like Chinook) however Dick wanted heavier lift machines. Off Dick goes to
After significant political and business interventions / delays in June 1990 an Antonov AN124 arrived in Port Moresby with the three KA 32’s in its belly
They trained 8 western pilots and engineers alongside the Russians and brought in a MIL 26 the world’s largest helicopter with a
Moscow,Russia and after 18 months and many trial flights and evaluation efforts and political standoffs secured a very hush hush lease 50/50 joint venture agreement for three Kamov KA32 twin rotor machines with 5 tonne lift capacity complete with crews and spare parts.
26,000kg lift and 2 x MIL 17 to transport people to mine sites.
Hevilift Rotowork won a two and half year contract for 5 helicopters , North of the Irrawaddy River in Burma to build oil rigs designed in 4.7 tonne pieces to suit the lift capacities of the Kamov KA 32’s
Three of the KA32 (Top left page 35) fit inside the AN124 .Size can be gauged by the man next to the tail rotor and the Orange Mi26 against a Boeing 737
The company also had 4x MIL17 with crews of 6 each based in Mozambique, Dick often flying in and out carrying $40-$60k in cash as no banks in Mosembique. By now Dick was reducing his operation hours and back in Nelson building a new house and taking care of his wife who was suffering from cancer. So for a few years Dick worked on a freelance basis with his operational experience being highly regarded.
A lot of Dicks work involved negotiating contracts with oil companies and convincing them to use Russian Aircraft.
Other projects Dick was involved with were the erection of Stainless-Steel Olympic Sculptures erected on the Centre Point Tower in Darling Harbour for the Sydney Olympics and the erection of the towers for the Daintree Gondola project in Australia.
Ferrying a helicopter to Dhaka Bangledesh to a blown out gas well and stayed there for eight months.
He was involved in the making of several movies including “Escape from Absolom “made in Aust. Where the Kamov was painted out all in black just for the movie.
A Kamov was also based in North Island New Zealand for a time flying Rimu logs out of the bush during selective logging 1997
Left : Centre point Tower Sydney
In 1989 a devastating civil war developed between those who wanted independence for Bougainville Island and those loyal to the Govt. of Papua New Guinea. This conflict initially centred on the Bougainville Copper PTY mine in the Panguna area near Arawa, escalated into violent conflict with many armed groups with shifting alliances and agendas all over Bougainville.
Various attempts were made to broker a peace settlement, most with little success. With very few options for traveling around the Island other than by foot or helicopter, Dick Anderson and another fellow Kiwi were contracted through their company Hevi-lift to bring many of these groups together for talks / peace negotiations, a complicated and very long process where Dick and his offsider were at one stage the only two white people on the whole Island of Bougainville. Dispite being shot at a few times Dick became accepted and trusted by many of the factions involved and after 18 months a settlement was brokered by New Zealand officials where Joseph Kabui and James Tanis became the President and Vice President of the Bougainville People’s Congress.
A measure of how much Dick featured in this process can be taken from this excerpt from letter signed by both the President and Vice - President
“ Mr Anderson played an important role in the peace process on Bougainville, as an experienced helicopter pilot. He was well liked by everyone that came across him for his excellent public relations and his ability in handling helicopters with ease and confidence in any kind of weather. Mt Anderson has won the hearts of many Bougainvilleans and I believe the hearts of others where his profession has taken him to.Bougainville will always have its doors open to him whenever he wishes to return as a visitor or to do flying”
In a moment of inspiration whilst flying in dense cloud at very high altitude with many other helicopters flying in close proximately Dick decided this was silly stuff and decided to leave the helicopter business and move on.
He took a job with Donny Everett at Marine and General Port Nelson, cleaning up the workshop, sweeping the floors and relishing the world beyond the high-flying life he had been in.
On to the next phase of Dicks adventures – he decided he likes restoring cars and has done quite a number over the years with his first being a 1930 Austin Seven Sport Special followed by 1928 Austin Seven Hearse, 1930 Nash 400 Twin Ignition that once belonged to Dizzy Disserens at the Gownbridge Store. An Austin 7 Trials car powered by a Morris Minor. engine.
Both the Nash and Trials car are now owned by Ross Moore in Reefton.
He has since restored a Fiat Toppilino and his current work in progress is a Morris Minor with a twin cam Fiat 1600 engine coupled to a Toyota five speed box.
Oh don’t forget the LandRover camper which he build and used around NZ for 20 plus years
The Nash as found at Disserens Store at the Gowan
Beautiful Twin ignition engine
And the Nash after Dick had played with it for a while
On his arrival back in New Zealand Dick became aware of a project initiated by two Bruce McLaren Trust members and well know local fellas Pat Pascoe and Mike Stephenson.
The project was to restore Bruce’s first learner drive Austin A7 as his first race car the Ulster was now in UK. Bruce used this to practice his driving, often on the beach while his Austin Ulster was being built.
Dick basically took on the project when he found the restoration was in the ‘good idea, but who is going to take it on” stage.
To quote Dick in a Stuff article by Alan Clarke “I did it not so much for the trust, but for the people of New Zealand. It was a piece of New Zealand history that needed to be saved. We need our heroes to put New Zealand history into perspective."
It is now with the Bruce McLaren Trust in Auckland.
2011
Mike Stephenson & Pat Pascoe pondering what they have got themselves into
Dick donated his time and expertise and after 650 hours the restored A7 was unveiled in the Apple Shed Café and Bar at Mapua in June 2014.
Wow! a lifetime of excitement, adventures and opportunities seized not to mention an education money can never buy.
Special Morning Tea
Wednesday 22nd October 10.00am
Murray Trounson - National Management Team
50 and 35 year awards will be presented to Derek Thomason and Ray Maguire
Pea Pie and Spud Night
7.30pm Thursday Nov 13th 10.00 pp
Numbers to Maureen by 10th November
Club Run to Tophouse
Sunday Nov 2
$20pp includes coffee, Scones, cream & Jam, muffins, savouries & sandwiches
We need numbers by 29th Oct
Speedway Carparking - Fireworks Night
Saturday November 8th
3.00pm onwards
Thanks to the Volunteers who have already put their names down - we can still use a few more.
Ring Paul Lewis on 021 250 2553
It is a very easy way to raise funds for our Club
Come and enjoy a meal in the clubrooms then watch the racing & fireworks
Mystery Club Run to Matariki
VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND OTAGO BRANCH INC.
72nd DUNEDIN - BRIGHTON
