Chairman’s Report
We are now into another club year with the AGM now behind us. Other than losing two committee members the same team was elected. The Club Captain is vacant and the committee will be working to find other means to manage this role. If any member would like to help with this role, contact me to discuss what the role involves.
On our first committee meeting we agreed to look at external organisers for the likes of our Windsor Rally. If anyone knows of local people capable of this work please pass their contact details on to any committee member. Following that theme, both Brian and I attended a meeting held at the Brydone hotel café requested by Kaaren Smylie as part of her Rally for Cancer Tour and their discussions with Ford dealers. While the meeting appeared to be more of an avert attempt to get us to reverse our committee decision not to be involved in this year’s national events, the outcome may prove positive with Kaaren and Gary saying they would talk to the Dunedin Ford dealership to see what support they could provide both North Otago and Central Otago areas.
For us, we reinforced our position, advising we would encourage our branch to support Waimate events. If anyone wants more information on these discussions, please contact me directly. I am more than happy to talk over the issues.
On a brighter note, the library has been gifted a large collection of books from the late Neil Rooney’s collection. While his passion was Buick cars his collection covers a wide range of vehicles. Murray now has a problem finding room so the committee has agreed to shift archives to the mezzanine floor above the kitchen. This will involve upgrading access, adding some shelving and shifting our archive material upstairs. This will not be an easy job as access is tight but enlarging our current library space is not viable.
For the large contingent that attended our mid-month run to look through the new events centre had a very good tour of Oamaru’s latest asset. While there is always controversy over large projects like this one the finished product is a great asset for the community and is already being well used.
For our July Club night Murray Frew will be talking about his recent trip to France.
Derek Brehaut Club Chairman
MID MONTH RUN,
For July 16th will be mid-year lunch 11.00am start.
Please ring John or Jo on 03 4371112 by the 11th July to confirm numbers
Up Coming Events
Irishman Rally 26
Headed to Fairlie for the start of a great weekend of vintage motoring. Registration at the Silverstream Hotel, Kimbell from 3pm.
Saturday morning dark and frosty for a 7.30am start. As we climbed up the hills the windscreen started to freeze as we climbed, I was looking forward to the view at the top but I was disappointed to see a bank of fog, heading down we incurred a horse on the road. Thanks to the people who looked after the horse as we passed. A nice surprise was the increase numbers of women on this rally. Great stuff. I know it’s used to be a man’s weekend. Change in the system.
As we travelled along through the country and farm roads, and because I drive a slower vehicle, its doesn’t long before someone is on your tail. I am aware that I should pull over and let you pass, but I will let you pass when I feel safe to do that without damage to vehicle or passengers.
Lunch was at Bushtown, Waimate there was a good display of cars for the locals to view. After Lunch heading along the valley, the view of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman was a great spectacle. The generator on the Chrysler packed up approx. 2 hrs into the rally and left us running on battery which died just before dark. Getting towed on a rope in the dark is scary. Thanks to everyone who helped us. I charged the battery over night for Sunday.
Sunday Morning was an 8.30am start in Albury. As we headed to tour 3 farms. Some of the highlights were a traffic jam on a farm track, a site to see. Climbing up one of the tracks for a wonderful of view of the area then down to the river, was a test for the driver and vehicle. The old woolshed was interesting.
Field tests were held a great event to take part in or watch. Sunday evening at prize giving was interesting with 6 men were called out to organise next year’s event. Is that the reason the numbers where down at the evening function that ended a great weekend of motoring.
A special thanks to everyone for a wonderful weekend and we look forwards to next year rally.
Starting in Timaru next year.
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Irishman Rally 26
Items for the Newsletter can be posted or dropped off to 6 Waiareka lane, off Saleyards Road Or emailed to gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
Newsletter submissions. Preferred formats are Open-office, Libre-office or MS Word as an attached document. Plain emails create extra work. Please, no “enter” key at the end of every line. Contact me for advice if not sure.
Thanks, Graeme
NORTH OTAGO BRANCH
OFFICE BEARERS 2026/27
North Otago Branch Office Bearers - June 2026
Chairman Derek Brehaut (Lee) derekbrehaut@gmail.com 021 390 518
Treasurer John Gale ((Jo) jj.gale@xtra.co.nz 03 437 1112
Secretary Brian Harrison (Janette) northotago@vcc,org.nz 03 434 2148
Club Captain
Committee: Tony Hales (Jenny) ajjhales@xtra.co.nz 027 587 8851
Lindsay McLeod (Margaret) lindsaywmcleod@gmail.com 021 871 526
Allan Holywell holywell@xtra.co.nz 0210 813 1323
Wes Hamilton wvhamilton@hotmail.com 03 437 2260
Athol Caldwell (Patricia) 03 437 0897
Beaded Wheels Scribe Custodian Steve McDonald mcdonaldapiaries@gmail.com
Murray Bain
Newsletter Editor Graeme Simpson (Wendy) gsimpsonyyy@gmail.com
293 1059 Spare Parts Wayne Croft
Ian Bradshaw igbradshaw@gmail.com
Vehicle Verifiers Ernest George (Brenda) ernest.brendageorge@xtra.co.nz 027 209 0609
Club Email Address northotago@vcc.org.nz
Club Address PO Box 360, Oamaru, 9400 1 Stoke Street, Oamaru Coffee & Grumble Monday Mornings @ 10 am - Parts Shed open from 11 am
Club Nights 1st Wednesday of the Month @ 7:30 pm - All members Welcome
Committee
Meetings 3rd Wednesday of the Month @ 7 pm - All members welcome
Irishman Rally 26
