AGM Thank you
We received amazing accolades for the hosting of the National AGM. I started organising this event in September 2024. The budget was approved by our National President George Kear, in April 2025. It became very clear at that point, that a subcommittee was needed. Sheryn Warren, Gerry Pethick, Ken Officer, Howard Kingsford-Smith and Donald Ward volunteered. They all pitched in with their ideas. Once the registrations closed on 11 July, the hard work started for me collating the numbers attending meals and requiring transport. Donald had invited those who wanted to, to arrive a day early to view the vehicle attractions in Invercargill and therefore we had an additional evening meal to provide and additional transport.
Ascot Park Hotel were very accommodating of our conference needs. Tony Warren and Ken Officer took the Darracq to Ascot on Wednesday afternoon and it looked amazing. Thank you, Tony, for the hours you put into cleaning it. Ken Officer assisted by Yvonne, Margaret Pethick, Raewyn Birss and Raewyn Murphy catered for the Thursday night meal at our clubrooms, thank you to you all. Thank you to Peter Pryde for being our barman that night and to Bakers Beyond who supplied the pies at a discounted price. All those who attended were very impressed with our facilities. The fire was mentioned several times.
We hired two vans for the four days, Mac McGarry and Dave Birss were the drivers from Thursday to Sunday along with Ken Officer, Gerry Pethick, Howard Kingsford-Smith and Geoff Ellis who all made airport pickups in their cars. Geoff assisted Dave and Mac in the vans at the airport by going into the terminal with the “SVCC Transport” sign to allow Mac and Dave to avoid parking fees. I cannot thank them enough for their patience and compliance to my instructions. Sheryn Warren kept track of the payments coming in and took leave from work to sit with me in the Ascot Foyer for two days to greet the delegates and attendees and provide them with instructions. We had gift bags for the delegates donated from Novus and E Hayes that needed to be handed out along with brochures on Invercargill and the all-important name tag that Sheryn had made for every attendee outlining what they had registered to attend. E Hayes had donated the lanyards. We knew the arrival times of the flights but had no idea when the delegates driving to Invercargill would arrive. The two vans with Mac, Dave and Geoff in addition to airport pick ups took people to Bill Richardson’s Transport World, Classic Motorcycle Mecca and E Hayes Motorworks as and when people wanted to go.
We had invited Gerry Forde to open the AGM on Saturday morning, and he did a terrific job getting our Chairman Tony Warren to Hongi with the Far North delegate and teaching him to roll his “R’s”. Thank you to Neville Hall who took the photos.
We were required to provide Saturday afternoon entertainment for any attendee not part of the Executive Committee. I asked Brendan and Rebecca Sparks if they would help here and they arranged a cinema screening at Awarua Communications Museum for 22 people. Thank you both very much. Those who attended also got to see the museum and were taken to Stirling Point for a photo opportunity with the signpost.
Saturday night’s dinner theme was “1967” and thank you again to those who attended for dressing up. Photos below. Our guest speaker was Noel Atley who spoke after dinner about his experience with the making of the World’s Fastest Indian movie. Many of the attendees had no idea there was local input into the making of the film and that Noel had travelled to Bonneville and was heavily involved in some parts of the movie.
The van drivers were back at the Ascot on Sunday morning to take people to the airport and to our clubrooms for morning tea. Tony Warren even had some with him in the Darracq. We catered for over 60 people. Thank you to everyone who made food for the morning tea, the members who displayed their cars and to Ray McCulloch and John Burke for opening the parts shed.
I overheard that we made some sales. Special thanks to Noeline Coutts who helped in the kitchen with Ken and Yvonne Officer and Margaret Pethick. The vans continued throughout the day taking people to the airport and Gerry and I also transported the last of our guests to the airport on Monday.
Everyone’s efforts were hugely appreciated, and very positive comments were received from all who attended. Carol McGarry
Photos from the AGM
Thursday night meal
Forthcoming Events
24th August 2025 - Daffodil Day (in conjunction with Macaulay Ford)
30th August 2025 - Round the Takis - see advert on page 11
7th September - 50 year presentation - Owen Wilson and Allan Black
12-14th September 2025 Biennial Rally based in Reefton entries to rootesgpnz@gmail.com, entries close 22 August
27th September 2025 Alexandra Blossom Festival Rally
4th-5th October 2025 Otago Branch 55 Dunvegan Motorcycle Rally
4th October 2025 - Post Vintage & Post War Rally
10-12th October 2025 Canterbury Branch Swap Meet
25-27th October 2025 South Canterbury Branch Mt Cook Rally
14-15th November 2025 Banks Peninsula Monte Carlo Rally (Biennial Event)
16th November 2025 - Swap-meet and Open day at the Car Club
22nd November 2025 - Arrowtown Motorcycle Rally
30th November - Josephville Hillclimb (Gore Branch)
31st January -1st February 2026 Edendale Crank Up Day
5-7th February 2026 South Canterbury Branch - celebrates 120 years of the first car to Mount Cook
15-21st March 2026 Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring – Nelson
Waikiwi Craft Sale
Opportunity to sell your Crafts and Bric a Brac, or promote and fund-raise for your club/group!
Waikiwi Market, St Stephens Church Hall, North Road, Waikiwi
Saturday 6th September, 25th October & 22nd November $10 own table $15 one of ours OR just come along and see what bargains are available Book with Daphne 021 353 1301
Hillclimbs
Cars pre 1995 are eligible as long as they have a VCC VIC and Logbook
Saturday 18 October: Summit Road, Gebbies Pass, Banks Peninsula (in conjunction with RATEC). More details soon.
Sunday 19 October: Kinlock Road, Little River, Banks Peninsula (in conjunction with RATEC). More details soon.
Sunday 9 November: Hawkswood, North Canterbury (in conjunction with the Country Gents Historic & Sports Car Club and RATEC).
Saturday 29 November: Coronet Peak Hillclimb, Queenstown (in conjunction with the Queenstown Car Club). This is a first time opportunity for the VCC, with Queenstown Car Club kindly inviting a field of 12 VCC eligible cars to this event. Contact Rod Corbett: rod.corbett88@gmail.com to register interest.
Sunday 30 November: Josephville Hill Climb, Lumsden (organised by VCC Gore Branch). Those keen to participate please email your contact details to Evan Henderson: hender1946@gmail.com
Mid-Winter Dinner - Sunday 27th July 2025
Forty four people turned up (with 6 MIA) for the excellent mid-winter meal on Sunday 27th July. The caterers Country Manor put on an excellent spread of Glazed Ham, hot vegetables and salad, the second course was a glorious choice between sticky toffee pudding with custard, ice cream or pav. Kenny Officer and Carol are to be congratulated on such a successful event.
Bathurst Day
Live at the Clubrooms, Sunday 12th October.
Kickoff at 11:30am
$20 per head - Hot food provided.
If you are keen, join us on Saturday 11th for the “Top Ten Shootout”.
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
For Sale
1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 litre, long wheel base. Travelled 141384 km. Light green metallic paintwork. Tidy car. Ex Steve Thomas $6,000.00 ono. Contact Barry on 021949531
1952 Morris Commercial. Sandblasted and painted. Brakes relined and overhauled Everything available to complete. Open to offers. Truck in Woodlands. Phone.0274322154.
Ford Thames r/f guard and bonnet $100 each also engine and g/box ask. Ph Bruce 032140426.
1962 Austin Cambridge A60 early restoration, Black Plates, drives well, $6000contact Ken 027 414 3377
1939/40 NASH PANELS, including both front and rear guards, bonnet and side panels, part of the pot metal grille (for a pattern), possibly a headlight surround??? (not sure, it's been buried in the shed for 25 years), and a boot lid, all for removal. If anyone wants them, it's all free, they just have to pick it up from Tauranga. The attached pic is just for identification purposes. Please contact Grant Harrison <inthweedz@gmail.com> or call him on 0274 625 666
1955 Austin A50 Cambridge - $3,500 but prepared to let it go to a good home. Car is not registered. Contact Neil Doak by email neildoak13@gmail.com
1910 D26 Brush Runabout with the only BRUSH 2 Cylinder-2.5 litre-Rotary Shaft Balanced. The only one in the world. Designed and manufactured by Alanson Brush. Contact our branch Secretary Carol McGarry on southland@vcc.org.nz for more information.
Car WOF tes ng
Full Workshop Repairs
Trailer Hire
Tyre Sales and Repair
