WINGS AND WHEELS - TIGER MOTH RIDE

On Saturday 18 February, Deirdre and John Blakemore and John’s Uncle Colin (who was visiting from the UK) travelled to the Hood

Aerodrome in Masterton for John to have a ride in a Vintage Tiger Moth. One off the bucket list for John. The weather was perfect with no wind at all, as we took off into the Wairarapa sky, up to 1000 feet to take in the sights in and around the valley floor and hills, and

Wheels & Wings, continued from page 16: Also due to this weather event, we were treated to several Bentleys from New Zealand and overseas, which had called into the Hood

Report to Wellington Branch on the VCC Executive Meeting

(Held

in Christchurch 4th and 5th March 2023)

By Phil Kidd

Note: The executive consists of the Elected Office Holders of the Club (Management Committee) plus each Branch Delegate.

For those interested all reports can be made available by request from the Branch Secretary.

The following is a summary of the major points.

Club Financial Position, The Club finances are in a really strong position with a small operating surplus budgeted – currently slightly negative ($7,188) but interest and yet to be accounted Beaded Wheels income to be accrued amounting to $9,251. Very good report put together by the office administrator – Karen Duffell.

An up-to-date picture of the National Office systems was given by Murray Trounsell, with an overhead projector showing the interaction now available to Branch Secretaries. Branches have the ability to download membership details and soon be able to update membership and vehicle details directly. The new system has proven its worth with the level of reporting functions now available; an example being a full report on reasons given for resigning – a total of 17 categories ranging from no reason to financial reasons.

Reports were received from the North and South Island Club Captains on events held, plus Beaded Wheels, Speed Steward, FIVA and Archivist. The most important matters were the reports regarding the NZTA, LVVTA and the Federation of Motoring Clubs (FoMC).

Essentially the VCC has been taking a proactive role in pursuing matters regarding our vehicles – whether they be two, three or four-wheeled. The overarching body though that the government listens to is the Federation of Motoring Clubs. While the Minister has given the “all clear” for 12-month WoFs, the delay is due to bureaurocrats.

The Federation of Motoring Clubs has chosen an Auckland-based firm to conduct a very comprehensive survey of all members belonging to the organisation and will even include individuals who have collections and who are not otherwise “caught”. A similar survey conducted in the UK came up with some staggering figures about the overall economic impact

Report on VCC Exec Meeting, continued from page 18: of the “old car business” of which the UK Government have really taken notice. The importance of the results of this survey (which has been delayed by eight weeks from the 1st March due to Cyclone Gabrielle) cannot be underestimated. Armed with this information, the FoMC will have considerable clout in its negotiations with government. Garry Jackson from the FoMC was invited to speak to the meeting and he gave a very good overview of the importance of all member clubs and associations working together. All attendees were very impressed. In addition the CEO of LVVTA, Tony Johnston, was invited to give a presentation and this went over extremely well. In essence any modification to a vehicle is required to have LVVTA certification, the overall driver of course being safety. They are aware of the special treatment that needs to be received by our mostly older vehicles and are working hard to ensure the “way is smoothed”. Likewise they are actively recruiting the right sort of people throughout New Zealand who understand, and have a proper knowledge of the right approach for our vehicles when they have been repaired.

Facebook number of followers has gone from 1280 on 1 April 2019 to 3,497 as at 23 February 2023. This included1167 approvals and 166 declined.

A Notice of Motion to tidy up the Club Constitution, to include ratification of the VCC being “The Historic Vehicle Authority of New Zealand”, was agreed on. This is to be voted on at the AGM in August. The current makeup of the Club by age is as follows; Over 90 year-1.4%, 80 to 89 years - 14.9%; 70 to 79 years - 38.2%; 60 to 69 years - 25.9% and under 60 years - 19.5%.

Daffodil Day and the continued involvement of and beneficiary being the Cancer Society, and possibly The Heart Foundation or Hospice, was discussed at length with the upshot being a substantive vote to continue this arrangement for a further three years.

A number of the Executive - including our President, Dianne Quarrie, Tony Bartlett and North Island Club Captain Kaaren Smylie- are not offering themselves for re-election and this highlights the need to provide

Report on VCC Exec Meeting - continued from page 19: (via an altered constitution?) for people with experience to take on Management roles. Dianne has served extremely well over the past 18 years as has Tony for the same length of time and Kaaren 9 years. Dianne has indicated she will nominate existing committee member George Kear for President.

The matter of the proposed Constitution was very heavily discussed by two series of workshops to gauge the response of each Branch to the proposed changes as advised to members. Interestingly our Branch was not alone in the conclusion it reached – that only minor alterations are needed. It is however recognised that some change is inevitableespecially recognising that a succession plan is necessary at Management level. More debate on this issue will happen.

The good news is that three Branches have put their names forward for hosting the next Vero Rally. Watch this space.

Long Service Awards: Of interest from a Wellington Branch point of view, when the awards for long service were discussed, the issue was brought up of recognition of paying your subs for a continuous period of fifty years against the view, held by many Branches, that a total of fifty years (not necessarily continuous) should be recognised. It was agreed by those present that where possible the 50 year awards be made by either the President or a member of the Management Committee, with all other awards (25 and 35) being made at Club level. This matter will be up for discussion by the Wellington Branch who are the instigators of the Award recognition system now taken over by National Office and would take the form of a Notice of Motion.

The Club Strategic Plan was tabled and I will ask our Secretary to send this out as it gives a good overview of the direction the VCC is going. By way of observation, the Canterbury Branch did an excellent job of hosting the event at their Clubrooms at Mclean Island.

The next Executive Meeting and Annual General Meeting will be held in Nelson next August and it is my intention to ask another member (future Chairman?) to accompany me, thus ensuring continuity.

Phil Kidd, Wellington Branch Delegate

EV BATTERIES From: The dEVil's Advocate

Selwyn Warren has sent this link to a video: https://drive.google.com/file/ d/1uRJaz8cXOpFoR16ZKP2G72pmzcVewRKF/view?ts=641a6385 and says: I've switched from EVs to Global Warming for a change this month, as I think this is important especially when the UK contribution to GW is only 2%. Ours would be much, much less.

(Ed: I think you can click on the link in the emailed pdf version of the magazine. Otherwise you may need to copy the link above and paste it into your computer search engine.)

Wheels & Wings, continued from page 17:

P.S. For those who wish to do the Nevis Bungy jump (near Queenstown – a mere 134 metres), it is free for over 75s. Our Uncle Colin at age 80 has set the bar, completing the jump in 8.7 seconds!

John Blakemore.

(There’s a challenge for the keen! Ed)

Vcc Membership Benefits

BLUEBRIDGE

Coming Events

Sunday Run on 2nd April: Meet at Ruby’s Café at 99 Mana Esplanade for coffee or lunch from 11am onwards. Then, between 12.30 and 1, go to the Police Museum in the grounds of the Police College (at 24 Papakowhai Rd, Porirua). There will be a talk about the museum at the start of the visit.

7 to 9 April; Wheels at Wanaka. 21 to 23 April; Highland Fling

WELLINGTON BRANCH RUN TO MAKARA, SUNDAY 23 APRIL

For details see pages 8 and 9. Please note that meals at the Makara Café need to be pre-ordered by Sunday 17 April.

30 April: Mangatainoka American Car Day :

9:30am - Gates open for all cars and Tui shop, café and restaurant open; 10am - Gates open for public; 10:45am – All competing cars to be parked; 11am - Registrations close, live music starts and judging begins; 11:30am - Guided Brewery Tour starts (from $25 pp); 12:30pm - Prizegiving (A $500 Tui voucher is up for grabs); Photo opportunity in-font of the Tui Tower for all cars immediately after prizegiving; 5:00pm - Brewery closes.

7 May: Manawatu Branch Post-Era Cars Rally

- For all Club PV to P80 Vehicles:

9am Meet at Clubrooms, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North for tea/ coffee before the Rally; 9.30am Rally Briefing; 10am First car away. Run length: Approx 160 miles; Fuel is available after Lunch stop - 80 miles; Bring your own Picnic lunch (inside venue available if req’d); Run will end at the Clubrooms for Prize Giving and BBQ Dinner. Contact Wgtn Branch Secretary for entry form with further details.

KAPITI MID-WEEK RUN

WEDNESDAY 26th April

Kevin Buck has organised a visit to the Museum of Audio Visual Arts and Sciences at the Coronation Hall, 1 Avenue Road, Foxton. This houses a huge collection of film cameras, radios, televisions, records, tapes, etc. It is also home to Radio Foxton which broadcasts all day, every day. The Wednesday group visited the museum a few years ago and it proved very popular.

Coronation Hall was built as a picture theatre, an ornate building with a single giant screen, and it still has 200 art deco seats in the upstairs dress circle. The Museum has over 5 million feet (947 miles) of film in its archives, and we will be given a screening of This is New Zealand, a 20-minute film made to showcase New Zealand at the 1970 Expo in Japan. As well as showing a beautiful, scenic view of the country, it is a great snapshot of how NZ saw itself over 50 years ago.

Meet at the museum at 11am. Cost is $10/person, or $8 for Gold Card holders. After the Museum we'll have lunch at Mrs Nubbs Cafe which is about 100 yards away at 72, Main Road, Foxton, aiming to be there by 1pm.

Please let Phil Pearce know if you are coming by Friday 21st April. Philip Pearce: Email: nzpearce87@gmail.com Mobile : 027 274

ADVANCE NOTICE: 21 May

Wellington Branch Ladies Rally.

Please note Men that there will be a Baking Contest!! Keep the date free, and start practising.

Note: This will probably not make the grade!

Ferry Discounts For Vcc Members

See details on page 26 of this magazine.

METALIMMERSIONSLTD

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• ABRASIVE BLASTING

• POWDER COATING

We are the company that offers you

Total immersion stripping of Car bodies and panels

Vero Insurance

If you arrange your car and household insurance through Vero, the Wellington Branch gets a commission. In 2021 the amount was approximately $4,159!! Well done everyone!

WE TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS

Contact: Warren Leslie

Phone: (04) 232 6880

Fax: (04) 232 6882

11 Wall Place, Tawa

Email:

Warren@MetalImmersions.co.nz

FREE QUOTATIONS

BUY & SELL

For

SALE:

Advertisements are free to Wgtn VCC members and will be repeated four times.

230 Vac Spot Welder

Commercial type from 1960's, foot operated. Please contact Don: mdhawkes@xtra.co.nz or 04 232-8514

Wanted To Buy

1949 Austin 16/4 gearbox. Please phone John Kinvig 0274 524 326 or 04 234 1262.

WANTED

Left front door for 1971 Bedford CF. Don't mind a little bit of rust. Please contact Ivan; phone 021 470 333 or email ivangardiner38@gmail.com

AVAILABLE: Boxford Model A Lathe, (c1960s?)

- 4 1/2 ", bed length 30"; - Screw cutting;

- Norton type quick change gear box; - cabinet mounted underneath drive;

- powered longitudinal and cross feeds

- 4 jaw chuck, boring bar, tool holders, live/dead centres, face plate and driving dogs, fixed steady, etc.

Contact Branch Secretary Alastair: mccarthys@xtra.co.nz

Yarn/Wool Wanted

Do you have any wool (any type and in any state) lying around that you no longer want or can use?

TheNaenaeKnittingNattersneedmorewooltomakebabyandchilditemsfor PregnancyHelp,FosterHope,theRedCrossRefugeeSupportProgrammeand localPrimarySchools. WooldonationscanbeleftatVCCPetonewherePeter Rickettswillcollectit,orcontactChrisDopson: 049381984or021362322

WELLINGTON BRANCH - CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Club nights are on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in the Clubrooms, Halford Place, Petone (Eastern end of Jackson St) starting at 7:30pm

The Clubrooms are also normally open for casual gatherings on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12:00, and for Noggin & Natters on Fridays 7:30pm.

Motorcycle Meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Butcher & Brewer, 75 Jackson Street, Petone at 7:30pm.

April Club Night

(Start time 7:30pm)

A talk by Wendy Turvey of WSP Material Testing Laboratory

WSP provides experimental research and testing that assists the design and construction of major national infrastructure projects.