ADVANCE AND RETARD
West Coast branch of the VCC
APRIL 2024 NEWSLETTER
SCENIC LAND RALLY 2024 IN CONJUNCTION WITH 150 YEARS OF CONNECTIONS
Contents
This month newsletter is focused on our 41st Scenic land Rally held on 23 March 2024
Front cover - Hokitika aerodrome with the Dominie aircraft and 3 of our rally cars and drivers photograph courtesy of Henry Priebe
Until we meet again, Forth coming events
Until we meet again
1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms, Shantytown 2nd May2024 7.30pm and on Zoom
3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown 21st May 2024 at 10.00 am
3rd Sunday – monthly run – Shantytown 19th May 2024,
Don’t forget we welcome present and prospective members to attend any of our events in your modern vehicle if you are unable to use your vintage/classic one, it is just good to have your company.
FORTH COMING EVENTS
Sunday 19th May 24 – Keeping it local - lunch at Shantytown – see Club Captains musings. Details
Westport and Greymouth - meet at Shantytown – for light lunch around 12.30pm Hokitika - suggest you gather at normal locations and travel in convoy to Shantytown a/a (Martin please work your magic!)
Lunch will be off the menu, it is not an extensive menu but the cafe is well sized.
As we are only using the King Dick Cafe we will not have to pay an entry fee (wear badges please or have other VCC ID in case you are asked).
IF you choose to look around and experience what Shanty town has to offer eg steam train etc then you will have to pay the entry fee – check out what’s available on the day with the reception.
It would be appreciated if you would let us know if you are coming so that we can give them an idea of numbers so that they can organise food and staff to cater for us especially as it is a Sunday in the off season. Thank you.
BRANCH AGM 16th June 2023 – 2pm Copper Room, Union Hotel Greymouth. Afternoon tea will be served at the end of the meeting, to assist with catering please let me know if you will be attending.
As always, committee members are required. We are also looking at having VOLUNTEER ORGANISERS who would not be on the committee but are club members and would be prepared to organise certain runs/events that they would be interested in doing eg the yearly rally, Daffodil Day and your local area runs etc. We have one and that is Nick Harrison, who we are thankful for, as he runs the Rosco Trials. The committee would need to be aware of what you are planning and
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would offer support and assistance. Its just a thought at the moment but please consider it and give us your ideas and comments at the AGM or before. We are also looking for a treasurer to replace Tom and 2 signatories – please contact Tom Griffin for further information.
Rosco Trials, Reefton June Sunday 23rd more info to follow.
Reefton St Johns fund raiser Car and Vehicle - Saturday 29th June 10am2pm as in previous years this will be held at the camping ground Reefton, gold coin entry for the Reefton St Johns ambulance all classic vehicles (and owners of course) are invited to turn up and display. Wrap up warm it is usually cold!
Daffodil Day 25th August – as advised by National Office - branch to discuss and confirm.
For you “swap meeters”
Hororata Swap Meet 21st September 2024 7am to 1pm VCC swap meet McLeans Island 11th,12th,13th October 2024
As always I am always looking for feature articles eg restorations, reports, articles, snippets, events, run ideas, recipes for the newsletter. please. Some of which may be put in the Beaded Wheels.
Club Captains musings
Firstly on behalf of the branch we give our thanks to Hokitka and Westport members present, prospective and guests for joining us. In fact we had an excellent turnout, 25 members and 12 guests/prospectives. It leads me on to “ringers” Martin in Hokitika does a great job ringing around members to remind them, and it works as the results show. Can we have someone from Greymouth and Westport please. We will cover Reefton.
I had planned to have a run to Mahinapua, sadly they close for the winter season on the 5th May. Shantytown as many of you know is the site of our club rooms and we have a small classic garage/ memorabilia display there. We use it for our coffee mornings/monthly meetings and occasionally for our rally dinner. BUT we very rarely use it for a “run” and, surprisingly, it is open every day of the year except Christmas Day! Has a good sized car park and King Dicks Cafe which is a good size although the menu is not extensive. If you choose just to use the cafe it is set in the middle of the historical town which is attractive, also in the entrance there is large detailed model of Greymouth old railway station, with tracks, trains and buildings which is well worth seeing. For those who choose to take part in the attractions as earlier said the entry fee has to be paid.
There is no run in June as so much is going on so next run in planning stage will be in July.
Cheers and good travelling Bruce
41st Scenic Land Rally 2024 - 23 March
report and pictures
Zoe Gough.. The pictures of the Dominie were taken by Henry Priebe
This year it was decided that the rally be held in Hokitika. On planning the event, Judy and her team were approached by a group organising the 150 Years of Connection to mark the 150th year of Westland formally existing as a district (formerly a province). That’s 150 years of connection to the rest of the world – first by foot, then by horse, carriage, ship, car, train, and later plane. To celebrate, Westland is hosting a flurry of events over the period of August ‘23 – August ‘24, to join in with them. This was agreed, and they kindly sponsored our badges which were designed to reflect our Westcoast branch as well as the 150 years of Connections, the result as you see was very attractive.
I am going to start this report with thanks to all that put in time, effort, shoe leather, petrol, sanity and goodness know what else to make it the enjoyable rally that it was from the start at Greymouth to the end at the Heritage park and the collecting and marking of the quiz sheets. Heck even the weather was great. Those who contributed willingly to the rally itself ie vehicle numbers, back up trailer and the backup crew, and to those who gave the prizes which were given to the winners/losers, and spot prizes on the day.
Vehicles started to arrive ahead of the start time at the hall behind Grey District Council offices, the camera crew for the day as part of the 150 yrs celebration were there taking shots and interviewing. It was very well supported from all over the South Island in fact there were 68 entries of which only 25 were from the Westcoast. Many of the visiting entrants have become regulars which is heart warming as it proves once again just how the warmth and beauty of the Westcoast is appreciated. Long may it continue.
Something has caught Kevin’s eye?
John our chairman and Don
Nick & ‘Annettes 1989 Landrover110 beside Leigh & Maureen Joblins (Nelson) 1947 Chevrolet Thriftmaster
Colin the first kick starter to arrive on his Suzuki
What’s Tom explaining!
We welcomed Miles from Hector our youngest and newest member on his first rally in his 1989Toyota Sprinter Carib
TC, looking great, started handing out the rally packs early which was very much appreciated by all the entrants
Good turn out of the public to see the vehicles
No Zoe hasn’t lost the plot
Dave could not come on the rally due another commitment (speedway track grading) but he didn’t let us down, he came to see us off in his “other” mode of transport! Thanks Dave
Kick start corner I think there were 6 motorcycles the weather was great for them
Official bit - now the debrief..
Alistair and Arthur discussing the route Arthur is the driver - good to see them
Steve Randle/Bruce Marshall 1975 Ford Mk2 followed by Bill & Wendy Dense’s 1956 Austin A40 Ute
The rally commenced at 10am with 15 seconds starts which worked well, of course I lost my glasses and had to go to the chemist to buy a pair before I got going, typical. I knew I was going to have a problem when I got confused at the first clue.
The route was excellent, the weather perfect taking us out of Greymouth, via Bodytown, Marsden, and out at Paroa, through Kumara turning right at the ROCK sign this was a new bit of road for me and gravel to boot. I had an “oh dear” moment when I realised the road had a wide ditch full of menacing water on my passenger side that I had to drive alongside “Toughen up Zoe”, onward and upwards have faith in the “bubble”. Thankfully I had no cars in front, raising a dust but a couple behind me were lost in mine. Continue on past the Dillmans Dam and Power station, carrying onto Goldsborough where you pass a small camping ground (route plan stated “ its a cute camping ground with reasonable facilities” perhaps a future visit I think to myself). After this I past some of the rally entrants taking a great interest in a shed/gate I assumed it was the Stafford Cemetery, although I did not see a sign. Back onto tar seal, quite pleased with myself at having safely mastered the gravel (had an accident on gravel on the Kangaroo road 24 years ago resulting in left foot sustaining a Liz's Franks fracture, very bad bruising and so on, hence a bit wary!) The “bubble” did not miss a beat or even slide. Somehow I got confused about here and surprised my self coming out on the main road to Hokitika. At the roundabout I turned for the Blur Spur and turned up into the parking spot by the railway line to get my bearings only to find others there, “where I stated I was lost”. After a butty
and advice that I was on the right road I set off in pursuit of the lunch stop! More gravel as we went through what I guessed was a logging road, many corners inclines and declines, I felt more “lost” by then the clues and answers had beaten me. In hind sight I think I was using the quiz sheet instead of the clues! I had several stops to check, then other vehicles came into view so I guessed I was on track. Eventually I got on the main road noticing the Hau Hau road intersection which confirmed I was okay. Onward and past the sign for Kaniere Heritage Park set deep in the bush, no other vehicles in front or behind. Doubt assailed me I had gone wrong somewhere? Turned the car and set off back the way I had travelled. Few kms along the road and lo and behod rally vehicles coming towards me it was when I saw Fred I knew I was wrong and they were right as he was one of the route planners! Another turn around and back the way I had come. Phew eventually I ended up at Lake Kaniere, the lake was calm, sun shone, the lakeside was full of cars and picnic tables and people talking eating and enjoying a beautiful afternoon.
Lunch stop at Lake Kaniere and what a lovely day to sit by the lake, sadly yours truly was the last to arrive!
What a view ! Good to see entry form directions were followed and out came the picnics
Kick starters pleased to get their kit off and admiring their trusty steeds!
Lunch over and off we set this time I managed to be with the others so no chance of getting lost. Good journey we passed the entrance to the Treetop Walk and out onto St Hwy 6 where the route directed us North, where we turned for Lake Mahinapua where again we had another amazing view of a lake and surrounds.
Route then took us to Hokitika travelling alongside the river to the parking area on the sea front by the old concrete boat – mountains, river, sea, sand all in one spot. (Historical note this area was once the main ports from Australia).
Mr & Mrs Alan Graham from Blenheim in their 1930 Ford Model A Roadster were in contact via their phone sharing the rally with their daughter in Australia - modern technology meets with old.
Off again on the last leg our little group in convoy going through Hokitika, out onto and across the main road and ended up at the Westland Heritage Park our final destination. Here we were met by the smiling faces of Mariana and Warren where we handed our quiz forms over – now we could park and enjoy the Heritage Park where they had arranged for the famous Dominie to be at the aerodrome. (Editors note this Heritage park is run (I believe) by volunteers and it is well worth a visit. On special days they have various displays of local arts and crafts to look at and purchase. A cute little train takes children and adults around, plus all the displays, engines and many more aspects of bygone eras to see.)
Mariana & Warren welcome us to the finish, collect the quiz forms & start to mark!
Allan’s smiling face with the view of the river, St Hwy 6 bridge and mountains
The big engines fired up and doing a light display
Old looms memorabilia taking TC & Don’s attention.
Ruston Hornby engine
Thanks go to Kevin & Catherine Millar (Marlborough)1930 Ford Model A roadster pick up, Pat & Elaine Knowles (Westcoast) 1929 Chrysler roadster’65 and Kevin Tucker (Westcoast) 1930 Model A) for their willingness and patience having theirs and their cars photographs taken at the aerodrome with the Dominie. (photographs courtesy of Henry Priebe)
Then it was get ready for the dinner and prize giving to be held at the Hokitika Club
Dining room filling up as Mike enjoys his much needed refreshment (he was Bruce’s navigator, and the Standard Vanguard does give a very bouncy ride!).
This years trophies reflected the 150 years of Connections as well as our Scenic Land Rally, sadly when taking a photograph I did not take into account the light from the window. Thanks go to Tom for choosing the perfect colour and design of these trophies to reflect the Westcoast . Congratulations to you all.
A big thank you to the businesses and individuals who gave willingly and generously their support for our 41st Scenic Land Rally. Without your help we would not have been able to make the Rally the success it was
150 years of Connection
RB Devlin Auto Electrical Ltd
Smiths Speed and Spares
John Pfiefer Panelbeating
Trimline Auto Bodies
Bridge Motors
Clock Tower Cafe
Westland Engineering
Repco
Z Petrol Station Greymouth
Anonymous (you know who you are)
Rally winners
1 st Bill & Wendy Dense
2 nd Anne & Paddy Kennedy
3 rd TC & Don Scott
Nelson 1956 Austin A40 ute
Westcoast 1963 Morris Oxford
Westcoast 1958 Daimler Conquest
1 st Westcoaster home Anne & Paddy Kennedy
1 st Motorcycle home Allan Giles
Hard luck trophy Brent & Marie Woolhouse 1931 Ford A Furthest Away Angus Petrie Southland (Bluff) Rover 1991 Mini Cooper S
Spot Prizes
Tom Griffin, Anne & Paddy Kennedy, Alan Geary, Neil Manchester, Arthur Topliss, Terry & Carol Stretch and Miles Anderson
The Westcoast branches 41st Scenic Land Rally encompassed all the Westcoast as it took in all forms of water ie ditch (waterway), Dam, Lakes, river and sea, beautiful views, mountains, bush, forests, lake shore and beach. On top of which the hospitality and friendship that the Westcoast offers was in abundance it was a very very enjoyable day. Thank you to all from near and far for making it so.
Editors note this rally report has been written totally from my experience on the day.
