Each year, we celebrate Christmas time with a Potluck Dinner. 2024 was extra special as we were also celebrating 70 years in our clubrooms at Fairfax Ave and the retirement of Norman and Pat Dewhurst from being Mid-week Tour coordinators for over 25 years. So there was a lot going on for one evening...

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We had 70+ people come along to celebrate, which is a great number these days. It was great to see the clubrooms so packed out.

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Shaaran Price had baked and iced a 70th Birthday Cake and it was rather special to have our two Life Members - Barry Robert and Norman Dewhurst QSM and 4 Chairmen - John Campbell, Martin Spicer, Alan Price and Shaaran Price all there to cut the cake. 

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This was followed by a wonderful summary of the formation of our Branch and significant events that have followed over the 70 years by Norman Dewhurst. Here are those words:

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Auckland VVCC 70 years

 

"When Shaaran asked me if I would say a few words tonight on the 70 years here at our Clubrooms, she said about 5 minutes would do. How does one put 70+ years into 5 minutes?  Not possible, so I have chosen to try and list some of the highlights and the people.

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"My memory goes further back than my membership, as I already knew many early members; Rod Welch, Jim Francis and Phil Jones to name just three. Phil was always onto me to join as, in his words, “we haven’t got an Essex like yours.”  Rod and Phil were very much America inclined in a Club that was at that time more English. Perhaps influenced by the then hit movie Genevieve?

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"Barry Robert was, at the time, the appointed “Mentor” for new members, and he was very good. Jim Lewis was secretary and the club was deep in the throes of organising our first big rally based at Western Springs stadium. Jim wasted no time in capturing me to help

 

"Initially this Auckland club was totally separate from the NZVCC club that had been formed several years previously.  When we affiliated with the NZ club we were allowed to retain our original title of the AVVCC, but now sub-titled 'a branch of the NZVCC'.

 

"Early meetings were held in the Foch Ave Hall, with committee meetings in various small rooms rented at the Auckland University, and private homes. Bulletins were done on a Gestetner printer at the home of John and Audrey  Irvine. Once MOTAT got going they welcomed us into their complex where for some years we enjoyed many happy times, particularly the socials.  More than once we all went home from socials in daylight. On one occasion we had gate crashers trying to join in our festivities only to be met at the door by Earle Gill, dressed as a priest, (it was a fancy dress do) who welcomed them;  'Welcome my sons, do come and join us in our prayer meeting'. They chose not to. Socials formed a major part of our activities under the leadership of Alan Roberts and his team. 

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"From the early days clubrooms of our own were talked about culminating with a positive decision authorising the committee to go ahead with finding premises. A number of sites and buildings were investigated. One of these was a brand new multi purpose complex which we would have shared with MOTAT. It was very attractive on paper, but hindsight tells us now that we made the right choice in buying this property, which was a family home at the time.

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"Notable achievements: Auckland has, over the years, hosted two and a half National AGM meetings for the NZVCC. I say half because the first one was in conjunction with the North Shore VCC, held at the Mon Desir Hotel in Takapuna.  The second was in the DB Mangere Hotel and the third was at the Double Tree Hilton in Karaka.  All were acclaimed.

 

"I can say that for the last 60 years this branch has not only been well represented at National level, but we have had an above average input at management meetings.  We have organised two National Veteran Rallies and three National Motorcycle Rallies, plus two or three National Easter Rallies. We are probably the only Branch to have ever organised a 24 hour Reliability Trial, not once, but three times. Our library is arguably one of the best resources of historic motoring literature in the country. We might not have as much land as others, but we do make good use of what we have, what with the library, spares, restoration equipment and of course our facilities for socialising.

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"Sub sections: In addition to the usual small group meeting our largest sub-section has been our motorcyclists. Ably led by the likes of Linda and Norm Maddock and Martin and Lynda Spicer, to name just two of many, this group have always been prominent, to the extent that they have attracted members from a much wider geographical area than just Auckland. 

We have also seen the Commercials get together, John Campbell being the last convenor, there is an opening there for someone there. Stationary engines were catered for by Selwyn Carseldine and likewise could reform.  Our committee’s  have always recognised that all facets of our Club objectives need to be encouraged, notwithstanding that hill climbs and racing adherents are already well catered for by neighbouring Branches. A case can be made for different branches to concentrate on different aspects.

 

"Personally, I think that more members should be using the panel-beating equipment up in the barn.

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"Events: The “Hunua 100” rally was originally called the Springtime Rally and was for Vintage only vehicles. When Lyon’s farm was used for the lunch break the route concentrated on Hunua. Times change and when George Lyons died we started to use all of Auckland. Rod Welch campaigned for years to allow veterans to enter; this eventually became the norm as long as they accepted vintage style motoring. Now the name has almost reverted back, now the Hunua Spring Tour, to reflect changing times. Other changes include the Rear Wheel Brake Rally, the Hospital Run, the Gymnic, (remember when on the day before we always had to have a working bee at Murphy's Bush to clear the gorse and blackberries and mow the grass to prepare a spot for our group?)  For several years we had an annual Commercial Campout, as well as Campout weekends for all and sundry. And the Provincial Rally, hosted alternately by us, Waikato, and BOP.  Time marches on relentlessly. Some things change, hopefully for the better, and we’re glad to see other things continue the same.

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"This brings me to the point where I have said enough; long may we enjoy this Club and our historic motoring/riding."

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