I thought I had better dust off my computer and get something into print, even if it is just to make the transition for a new Editor a little less daunting and give him or her another month to get their head around things. I believe that it is imperative that the Rivet does not become a thing of the past, as it is essential there remains communication to the membership. I was disappointed that no one put their name forward as Editor at the AGM. Chairman Bill, could you, or someone on the committee, get busy and search for a suitable person to take my place please? I believe that an honorarium should be offered, or search for someone outside of our branch and pay for their services. It is not as though we are ‘on the bones of our bums’ Thank you Frank James for taking on my Beaded Wheels Reporter position. I simply need a break.
There remains one burning issue, in my opinion, about the future of our branch succession planning. Looking around our members, within say the next 20 years, many of us will be dead. Sure, we have a few new members always coming through, but are we doing enough to retain them? There is a gaping hole which I firmly believe needs filling. We are doing nothing to attract a group of people who own or are passionate about vehicles outside our core interest Classics/ Hot Rods/ Modifieds and the like. Most of these owners are the younger brigade, well younger than the vast majority of us. I realise we do have some younger people in our ranks, and these are extremely important members to guard our future. But overall our public image needs a good shake up. We are seen to be staid and set in our ways, even a little cliquey, by the majority of the public and many members. I know that several in our midst mutter about my passion for modifying some of my car collection, although very few to my face. We have to change our ways or eventually risk closing down.
I implore the incoming committee to:
1 Change our name to Vintage and Classic Car Club. Some other branches have done this.
2 Have another class of vehicles in our rallies to incorporate those not presently covered.
3 Canvass members views on the above.
An ideal platform to address that we welcome ALL vehicles, is at the coming Cancer Daffodil Day Run, where many vehicles and people outside of our membership attend.
I have been accused, somewhat humorously, of sounding like a broken record, whenever I have mentioned changing our ways and name. Water off a duck’s back, as I say what I believe. Branding and the image that is conveys is so important in any club or business.
Here is hoping we have a new and enlightened editor for the July Rivet. My office staff and I will give full training and assistance to this person.
Yours in cruising, Ian Higgins.
Chairman's Report — June 2026
This last year has been a very enjoyable year as Chairman and I have enjoyed working with a very good team of Vintage Car and Motorcycle enthusiasts. Special thanks to our secretary, club captain, rally secretaries, committee, assistant treasurer.
Thanks also to Hinemoa for her incredibly generous donation of vehicles to sell with the profits coming to the Club. I remember thinking initially this will be a huge challenge but thanks to our local members and the wider vintage car community the vehicles were all sold within the time frame given.
We have had a couple of successful working bees and our clubrooms are looking very tidy and well maintained. Many thanks also must go to those members who have helped. There were also delicious morning teas accompanying these. Vintage Weekend was very successful once again with the park up on Saturday followed by the cruise around Wanganui. Thanks to Ann. Heather and I were in her Model A and enjoyed the reactions from the many people we passed. “I used to have one of them when I was younger”. The Burma Rally included a gymkhana this year which again produced many favourable comments. Bruce’s run on Anniversary Day was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Our annual motorcycle rally was again a success with 33 competitors and a great day enjoyed by all.
Our annual rally held last week were down on numbers which is a common theme when talking with other VCC clubs around the country. Probably a sign of the times but a great day none the less. Ann and I in her Model A had to finish the rally on the back of a tow truck, however it was a great day. Due to the low numbers we decided to move the prize giving dinner to our clubrooms which we found worked very well.
I wish to advise members that, at the close of nominations for positions to be elected at this Annual General Meeting, only some nominations have been submitted.
The Committee recognises that member participation in governance is important to the ongoing success and sustainability of the organisation. While some positions are still available, the committee have agreed to continue and consider options available under the constitution and relevant regulations to fill any vacancies and ensure the continued effective operation of the organisation. Members who are interested in contributing are encouraged to express their interest and engage with the Committee regarding future opportunities.
On behalf of the Committee, I thank all members for their ongoing support and commitment to the organisation.
Bill James
Club Captain’s Report– June 2026
May saw some club members park up at the Toy Fair, and their cars attracted a lot of interest and favourable comments from members of the public. Our Annual Rally has just been and gone for the year - a big thank you to all those who helped as marshals for the day. Sorry for the toilets not being open at the start of the lunch stop, but we got it sorted in the end. I’m sure some of you found eating your lunch in the school yard brought back memories. For the June Sunday run on the 21st, we will be taking a lazy drive around the place with plenty of spots to stop and take photos of your car. Afterwards, you can send your favourite photo to Hinemoa, and she will update the display on the TV in the club rooms to feature your vehicle.
Annual Club Captain Report.
Well, my first year as your Club Captain is over, and I think I did alright. No one has complained to me. We had some great Sunday runs around the city and visits to some interesting places. The Daffodil Rally was well attended again this year, with the scatter -run style sending people every which way. Although the numbers were a little down for the Burma Rally and the weather was like a cold winter’s day, everyone seemed to have a great time. To change things up a bit, we had a gymkhana at the lunch stop to test drivers’ skills, and it went down well and created a lot of laughs.
The Annual Rally, held this year at the end of May, saw people enjoying some back roads not often used and making the most of the summer conditions, with lunch outside in the sun. We have had some interesting people come in to talk at club nights over the last year. The Shiny Parts Auction, Restoration of the Year and Item of Interest nights created a lot of support. Thank you to all those who helped at events and organised speakers for club night. I look forward to what this new club year will bring.
Wayne Gedye
Annual Rally 2026
By Ian Higgins
Sunday the 31st of May was our Annual Rally Day. A lovely fine and sunny morning greeted entrants and their vehicles, plus quite a few interested onlookers, to the Cornmarket Reserve on Somme Parade overlooking the Whanganui River. Numbers were disappointingly lower than usual, down to thirty five vehicles. A sign of the times, perhaps high fuel prices or people away over the long King’s Birthday weekend.
Never the less, spirits were high as everyone lined up their cars ready for starters orders. After a briefing was held, contestants were sent on their way one by one, armed with the route instructions and with a reasonable gap in between to prevent a traffic jam and contestants merely following the car in front. After all, this was a competitive event. Our intrepid travellers exited the city boundary by way of the City Bridge, up Durie Hill and onto No. 2 Line. Turning onto Warrengate Road, the route took contestants to Marton, then into Wellington Road and onto Makirikiri Road. SH 1 loomed as we exited onto Kakariki Road and turned into Pryces Line, where the first manned checkpoint came into view. This was the start of the timed section. Many twists and turns took our travellers steadily towards our second manned checkpoint on Junction Road, marking the end of the timed section. On the way, we encountered a very long road with the misleading name of Short Road. This was one section with double yellow lines most of the way, making it quite difficult to pass slower cars. Thankfully, those following a lower speed setting pulled over wherever possible to allow those who elected a faster speed to pass safely. From the checkpoint, after more twists and turns, we made our way to Halcombe School for a welcome lunch stop, after traversing a lovely stretch of metal road to add variety to the route. All on the way to the school, we had a series of silent checks to record, which went towards the final points scored. The route was a very interesting one, covering roads that I wager not too many entrants had travelled on prior. Congratulations, Club Captain Wayne, on plotting the course.
The afternoon run was non-competitive, with the opportunity for metal road enthusiasts to traverse this section and then return along sealed roads to Whanganui City and our clubrooms. Some opted for a more direct route back. Afternoon tea was served before all departed to clean up and change clothes, then returned to the clubrooms for more socialising. A lovely dinner was served before prize-giving took place. A great day out driving our roads and enjoying the scenery that this well-planned event had to offer.
Thanks to all those members who assisted in making our Annual Rally such a memorable event.
Annual Rally 2026
Prize Winners
Veteran: 1st: Lee and Karen Taylor 1915 Ford Model T
Vintage: 1st: Bryan and Viv Christie 1929 Ford Model A
2nd: Bill James and Ann Bernsten 1930 Ford Model A
Post Vintage: 1st: John Miles and Toni Jenkins 1938 Austin12/4 2nd: Craig and Wendy Ryland 1939 Chevrolet Master
Post War: 1st: Frank and Liz James 1959 Austin A35 2nd: Jim Bilby and Mary-Ann Vandyk 1957 Ford Zephyr M2
Post 1960: 1st: Graham and Thelma Jack 1976 Ford Capri 2nd: Mike Green and Les Kelly 1964 Hillman Minx S5
Post 1980: 1st: John and Wendy Bullock
1985 Citroen 2CV 2nd: Martin Dodge and Christine Galbraith 1993 Mazda MX5
Overall Winner: John and Wendy Bullock 1985 Citroen 2CV
Best Dressed Lady: Wendy Ryland
Best Dressed Man: Dave Mc Dermid
Furthest Travelled: Graham and Thelma Jack from Tauranga
All the above prizewinners were from Whanganui, apart from Martin Dodge and Christine Galbraith (Feilding) and Graham and Thelma Jack (Tauranga)
Annual Rally 2026
Above left: Overall Winner and 1st Post 1980-John and Wendy Bullock, Whanganui. 1985 Citroen 2CV
Above right: 1st Veteran and 2nd overall-Lee and Karen Taylor, Whanganui. 1915 Ford Model T
Above left: 1st Vintage-Bryan and Viv Christie, Whanganui. 1929 Ford Model A
Above right: 2nd Vintage– Bill James and Ann Bernsten, Whanganui. 1930 Ford Model A Tudor
Left: 1st Post Vintage-John Miles and Toni Jenkins, Whanganui. 1938 Austin 12/4
Annual Rally 2026
2nd
Above right: 1st Post War-Frank and Liz James, Whanganui. 1959 Austin A35
Above right:1st Post 1960-Graham and Thelma Jack, Tauranga. 1976 Ford Capri
Left: 2nd Post 1960-Mike Green and Les Kelly, Whanganui. 1964 Hillman Minx Series 5
Above left:
Post Vintage-Craig and Wendy Ryland, Whanganui. 1939 Chevrolet Master 85
Above left: 2nd Post War-Jim Bilby and Mary-Ann Vandyk, Whanganui. 1957 Ford Mk2 Zephyr
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Annual Rally 2026
Left: 2nd Post 1980– Martin Dodge and Christine Galbraith, Feilding. 1993 Mazda MX5
Above left:1973 Ford Mercury CougerXR7. Peter & Ann Robinson, Palmerston North
Above right: Wayne Marshall & Andrew Johnson, Whanganui. 1989 Subaru Brumby
Below left: 1971 Daimler Sovereign S1. Peter & Janine Jannings, New Plymouth
Below right: George & Leigh Buchanan, Inglewood. 1983 Daimler Sovereign
Annual Rally 2026
Top left: Glyn and Cathy Clements, Feilding. 1965 Morris Minor
Top right: 1993 Toyota Corolla. Barb and Mike Dewson, Whanganui
Middle left: David & Glenis Robinson, Whanganui.1975 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Middle right:1966 Sunbeam Alpine. Richard and Nicola Stevens, Whanganui
Below left: John and Anne Lawrence, Whanganui. 1976 Range Rover Classic
Below right: 1965 Singer Gazelle. Sam and Irene Wilson, Whanganui
Toy Fair Park Up
Well, ...Sunday 17 May rolled round and the weather looked favourable for our VCC display at the Springvale Stadium as part of the Toy Fair. This is the fourth time we orgainised a gathering of like minded members to showcase their vehicles. As it happened we trundled in after most of the retailers had unloaded to set up their stalls.
In all, we had 14 vehicles on display ranging from 1915 through to 1985 representing an appealing selection of motoring from earlier eras. We feel it's important to exhibit different vehicles each year, and on this occasion, it was gratifying to see the Branch truck make an appearance. Again, the VCC display was warmly received with the public appreciating our contribution to the day.
As the day wound down some retailers were discounting generously and so some worthwhile purchases were to be had, after all they didn't want to take home as much as they came with.
Well, that's it for another year, but most importantly we thank all the members who gave up their time to display their vehicles, - very much appreciated, thank you.
Pierre and Sietse
Club Calendar
Club Runs meet at the Clubrooms at 1pm unless stated
June 11th and 25th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
21st Sunday Run.
July 1st Club Night at 7.30pm.
9th and 23rd Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
19th Sunday Run.
August 5th Club Night at 7.30pm.
13th and 27th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
23rd Daffodil Day Rally. Details to follow.
September 2nd Club Night and Shiny Parts Auction at 7.30pm.
10th and 24th Ladies Coffee Meet at Mitre 10 at 11am.
20th Sunday Run.
Dear Sir,
Letters to the (former) Editor
Thank you for your stand up comments at the AGM, and for providing us members with a very professional club magazine.
As regards your concern over the club being rather clique in parts, I would like to offer a form of solution.
Many years ago in the UK I worked for Bass the largest brewery. My job roles were to ensure beer qualities in the many pubs, clubs and hotels.
I remember one pub I visited where a new Tennant had just moved in. In the bar was fixed seating against the wall. Above this were caricatures of various faces. Each face represented a person who would sit there on each pub visit. As you can imagine strangers were frowned upon if they sat where Daisy or Fred's caricature was painted. I often feel that when going to our club nights, looking around the room, and the same experience.
I am not suggesting that we treat people as children but its worth a suggestion. That one club night we sit somewhere else in the room.
A further point would also be name badges, which aren't as expensive as those currently offered by the club.
I appreciate that an answer may be" but they go to club funds". My answer would be if I go into a charity shop I would not overpay for an item that was overpriced in my view, even though its for charity. Name plate badges with pins similar to the ones handed out at some conventions would be a reasonable cost.
These are my views and I hope they are useful, as they aren't meant to be anything other than that.
Kind regards
Peter Stokes-Chapman
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