April
2026
Forthcoming Events
Waimea Motorcycle Rally 9 May 2026
P60/P80 Rally 16 May 2026 entries close 3 May 2026
Annual General Meeting 28 May 2026
Moped Run 6 June 2026
Gore Branch 60th Anniversary Celebrations
19-21 June 2026
Daffodil Day run 23 August 2026
60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally 21 November 2026
National South Island Easter Rally in Dunedin
26-28 March 2027
Southland Vintage Car Club
1959 Solex This is how to beat the fuel crisis. Get your Mopeds out. Fine days, weather permitting.
(see page 4 for more details) Wednesday 6 May
There will be no Wednesday Run on the 6th May 2026 due to the fuel crisis, but hopefully we can get back into it in June. We are having a lunch gathering and this time it will be at Mrs Slocombe's - Glengarry Tavern. Cost $25 pp for all meals:
Menu: Warm Grilled Chicken Salad, In-house Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel, Open Steak Caramelised Onion Sammie, Seafood Selection - crumbed prawns etc., Mrs Slocombe's Roast Pork, Two Sausages Two Eggs and Chips, Fish and Chips (Southern Blue Whiting Battered).
Please ring Elaine or Angus at (03) 212 8956 or 027 310 4239 by Sunday evening prior.
1st April 2026 the lunch gathering attracted 36 people to the Northern Tavern and we all enjoyed a wonderful meal and chat afterwards.
Bar Roster
25/04/2026 Michael Burt
02/052026 Ron Irwin
09/05/2026 Russell Jenkins
16/05/2026 Kevin Brown
23/05/2026
Office Bearers 2024/2025
Patron Wayne Nicoll (03) 215 7136
Chairman Tony Warren 0272 845 840
Secretary Carol McGarry 027 277 6878 southland@vcc.org.nz
Treasurer Sheryn Warren 021 712 198
Club Captain Gerry Pethick 0210 298 5620
Bulletin Editor southland@vcc.org.nz (until position filled)
Welfare Officer Barry Hayman (03) 216 3639
Southland VCC website sporty.co.nz/southlandvintagecar
VCC website www.vcc.org.nz
VCC forum www.trash.co.nz/vccbb 46 Ariki Avenue, Otatara, Postal: PO Box 1240, Invercargill 9840
Rumour Notices
Copyright of the contents of the “Rumour” magazine rests with the VCC of NZ (Southland Branch) unless otherwise stated. The Rumour is available by email as a PDF file, contact the secretary if you wish to receive it this way. It is also delivered earlier. Views and opinions expressed in the Rumour are those of the authors of the articles and are not necessarily those of the Southland Branch of the VCC of NZ, the Branch Executive or the Editor.
Authors of the articles are responsible for the accuracy of the articles and captions. The Editor does not “Fact Check” any article and will only correct obvious mistakes after consultation with the author. Mistakes will be corrected if possible if they are pointed out to the Editor.
Chairman’s Report:
Having the Darracq so clean and looking good in the foyer at the Ascot for the August AGM had me kind of quilted into taking it to the Vero last month in Nelson by members of the National Executive Committee.
As time rolled closer I decided why not, and with a good contingent of keen Southland branch members in various years, makes and models we made the journey with the Darracq in tow to what I would call a very successful rally, hosted by a very slick Nelson Branch Committee.
The weather played the part for all but one morning of some incredibly scenic motoring around the Tasman region. No timed sections, 4 different rally routes of varying distance to pick and choose at your discretion for the day. Over the 5 days of motoring, we would have averaged between 75 –100 Km a day with the Darracq not putting a foot wrong the whole time. Whilst Ferg and Denise McDowell’s Alvis had overheating problems during the Alvis rally in Nelson the week before and not willing to risk any damage, Sheryn and I had the pleasure of their company for 3 days and a very thankful couple joined us for a day out from the Far North branch.
The success of this rally showed it can still attract the enthusiasm of our members with 650 – 700 vehicles nationally and internationally entering with catering for around 1,500 people on the prize giving night – Well done Nelson.
Work certainly wasn’t the winner in March, home for 2 days and off on a 5 day motorcycle ride up the west coast to Haast, Greymouth, across the Arthurs Pass to Methven, Dunedin and home. The same can’t be said about the weather on this journey riding 2/3rds of it in the rain – but that’s motorcycling.
Speaking of such, the Waimea run is on the Saturday 9 May leaving the crescent 10:30 for lunch at Riversdale $10 entry – See you there
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Sunday 17 May 2026 Meet at the Jessie Calder entrance to Queen’s Park at 12pm. Departing at 12.30pm for a ride through town to raise funds for Men's Health. Link to sign up at: https://gentlemansride.com/register?country=NZ&state=STL&eventId=invercargill
Forthcoming Events
9th May 2026 Waimea Motorcycle Rally meet at the Crescent at 10.30am.
16 May 2026 P60 / P80 Rally enter online.
17 May 2026 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride meet at Jessie Calder entrance to Queen’s Park at 12pm.
28 May 2026— Southland Branch Annual General Meeting.
6 June Moped Run meet at the clubrooms at 1pm.
19-21 June 2026—Gore Branch 60th Anniversary celebrations.
23 August 2026 Daffodil Day run.
21 November 2026—60th Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally.
Feb 2027 National Motorcycle Rally South Canterbury Branch.
13-20 March 2027 National Model A Rally is being held in Blenheim.
People are excited about the new iPhone, but no one has caught up with the Awesome technology of using your indicator when you drive.
Editorial
Our Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 28 May 2026. We are looking for new members to join our branch committee and run our club, as several current members have indicated they are standing down, after years of great service. We still have a vacancy for the Rumour Editor. It is the main communication channel for our club (grapevine excluded), and very necessary for those of you who cannot attend the monthly meeting.
I have been told the font in the Rumour is too small to read. I have discussed this with the previous editor and to add a page means 4 pages and increased costs from DX to post. If you get your Rumour by email, simply click on the text to enlarge.
Secretary Notes
If you left your glasses at the Northern Tavern on the Wednesday meal, contact Elaine or Angus Petrie on (03) 212 8956 or 027 310 4239
Thank you to the volunteers who worked on the fire rebuild. It came in under budget and all members of the club appreciate your efforts. Thank you to Nathan at Ezi Computing for setting up the Treasurers new computer.
Daffodil Day—Sunday 23 August 2026. Once again Ford will be sponsoring this event.
At our April Branch meeting we will have a discussion on awarding of trophies. We have many trophies for veteran vehicles. Do you think if there is only one vehicle entered in that class that they should win all the trophies for that class? Please think about what you would like and be part of the discussion. Engraving costs are significant and is it about competing with fellow members or just turning up on the day?
Waimea Motorcycle Rally 9 May 2026 meet at the Crescent at 10.30am. $10 entry fee. Lunch at the Riversdale Tavern organiser Donald Ward phone 027 294 7692
Moped Run 6 June 2026 meet at the clubrooms at 1pm. Riding around Otatara with interesting places to visit on the way. Organiser Wayne Calderwood phone 027 201 2103.
We are looking for photos of our past club patrons
1955-57 - Mrs A.S. Russell
1958-68 - A Walmsley O.B.E. – have photo
1969-81 - I.D. McIvor M.B.E.
1982-85 - A.V. Russell
1986 – 2008 - J.R. Lindsay (Ray) – photo on wall
2008 – N.A. McMillan
If anyone is able to provide a photo of any of the above past patrons, please let me know. New member Shane Harpur Welcome to our branch,. Shane has a 1928 Dodge Sedan.
The Waihopai Rowing Club has once again asked to use our clubrooms for a function on 1 May 2026. The club uses our facilities annually and always gives us positive feedback from their members.
50-year Service Award— Stewart Russell will be receiving his 50-year service badge before the Post 60/ Post 80 dinner on Saturday 16 May 2026. We welcome members to come along to support Stewart and his family in receiving this award. Mark Wilkinson, the South Island Club Captain, will be making the presentation on behalf of the National Committee.
We will be ordering DX postage paid envelopes before postage increases on 1 July 2026. The price is significantly more than we paid for the current supply so if are able to forgo your printed copy being posted to you, and pick up your printed copy at the clubrooms on Saturday night or meeting night, let the Secretary know.
One thing no one ever talks about when you become an adult, is how much time we debate keeping a cardboard box, because it’s, you know, a really good box.
Wife: Shall we try a different position tonight?
Husband: Excellent idea.
Wife: Ok, you stand at the sink and wash the dishes and I will lie on the sofa and watch TV.
Parts Shed
The parts shed will be open the afternoon of meeting nights between 1 & 4 p.m. The following people can be contacted at anytime if requiring parts or information on parts in our Parts Shed. John Burke 217 8177 & 027 226 0067 or Ray McCulloch 03 217 9667 Library
The library will be open on general meeting nights between 7&9 p.m. Other times by appointment - phone 021 159 8319
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc) Southland Branch
Notice is hereby given that THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of this branch will be held following the monthly members meeting on Thursday 28 May 2026.
AGENDA
Apologies
Minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting Matters Arising Chairman’s Report
Annual Accounts
Branch Levy Election of Officers
Signatories
Presentation of Trophies
General Business Change to Constitution
General Business and Nominations for Office Bearers must be given to the Secretary by Thursday 14 May 2026. (14 days prior to the meeting).
Carol McGarry, Branch Secretary
Copy of the minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting are included in this Rumour for your information. We are looking for nominations for the Branch Committee. Nomination form below.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc), Southland Branch Nomination Form
Nominations close with the Secretary, P O Box 1240 Invercargill on 14 May 2026. If less than the required nominations are received, extra nominations may be called for at the Annual Meeting. Note that Nominator, Seconder and Nominee must be financial members.
I certify that I am not disqualified from being elected or appointed under the Constitution rules of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Inc. Southland Branch or section 47(3) of the Act.
I accept the nomination for the position of (Signature of Nominee)
Southland Museum Opportunity
Our club has the opportunity for a display in the new Southland Museum. Motoring started in Southland last century by Scots engineers. Motorcycles were made and cars imported. Cars raced to Dunedin and back (reprimanded by the newly formed AA). Colonel Glidden transversed New Zealand, leaving Bluff with his around the world 1905 Napier. He was proving a motor car could make the distance.
If practical for the museum, we could have a garage front (Southland Garage) with two motorcycles, cars, petrol pumps and signs. The club Darracq being part of the Southland’s motoring history could be part of the exhibit. The museum opens at the end of the year or early next year. I do not think the exhibit would be a big job.
A keen member or members are wanted to achieve this on behalf of the club. It would be good to show the club’s involvement in recording local motoring history. Members thoughts on this. Russell McIvor.
For Sale
1912 Renault—Restored in 1978
Reg and WoF. Electric start, good hood. Tipping transporter trailer and some spares included. $50,000.00. Contact : Ashley Bell on (03) 215 6154
For Sale
Five C49 Tyres on Jaguar 15 inch rims. I unused and 4 half worn. Contact Arthur Warren phone (03) 217 9378
Wanted to buy
197 Villiers 3 speed gearbox housing
Contact Russell McIvor on (03) 217 8481 or Donald Ward 0272947692
