Chairman’s Report

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT// By Ian Elmsly

Well, we can all breathe a sigh of relief, Art Deco has been and gone! So firstly, a massive thank you to those members who got in behind and lent a hand across all areas where help was needed. From long standing members to new additions it was great to see you all mucking in and this is what makes a club. So well done to you all. As our main fund raiser, it is important that we get Art Deco right and first and foremost provide enjoyment and satisfaction for participants. I think we managed this with a successful “Leap Year” dinner on the Thursday night, where we fed, watered and entertained over 100 people. Fridays Rally was very well attended with a relaxed start (very well staged I might add!) and a great venue at Puketapu for lunch. Saturday’s morning tea gathering pre the Parade went off without a hitch with the judging of people and cars completed on time (and impartially!), prizes presented before dispatching to assemble for the Parade. This proved the usual trials & tribulations and muttering about “traffic management” around town and then the main feature of the Parade kicked off and we all settled down to enjoy showing off our cars. The afternoon cars rides went well despite the well parked cars around the “track” (clearly some Vintage Car owners believe they are exempt from using the grey matter when parking and consider they are the only ones of importance!) but we survived and the gratitude and pleasure from passengers makes it all worthwhile -a smile at the end

of the ride tells it all!! Sunday’s breakfast proved a challenge with the un-tropical weather hitting us and the clubrooms overflowing as we tucked into a great breakfast while being entertained by the Bay City Stompers, keeping out of the wind. Exit here and guess what – back into town and more car rides. Closed cars were the popular choice for many and although numbers were down, they braved the cold wind and there were smiling faces at the end of each ride, and that’s what it is all about. So well done to all you willing (or pressganged) volunteers who make this popular event a success. I’m not going to list your names but rest assured you willingness is appreciated by the committee, and doesn’t go un-noticed. In the lead-up weeks before Art Deco it was pleasing to note that we had a total of nine new members, so a big welcome to you and we look forward to seeing you at the various events. Sadly during these weeks we also had two members pass on in Bruce Carrad and Peter Koorey and our condolences have been passed to their families. So with all this activity done & dusted, maybe a week’s rest will be good (I know I’m going to slow down for a few days) before we move onto March. Let’s hope the warm weather holds for us and we can get back out there with our cars and have fun.