AORANGI - TRICAR
NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE VINTAGE CAR CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
CLUB ROOMS
19-25 REDRUTH ST. TIMARU SOUTH
Timaru’s First Car Built by C. W. Wood
NOGGIN AND NATTER
First Thursday of the Month
Our AGM was held on Thursday evening of the 5th June. One of our longest serving members, Eric ROBINS was unanimously awarded an honorary life membership by the meeting, having been a member since 1958. Eric has held various positions within the club and still attends events & does the club-rooms gardens for us all. Congratulations Eric! Committee positions were re-confirmed, with the addition of Kevin MERCER, who was elected as Vice-Chair for the coming year at our 1st committee meeting.
We bid farewell to Gavin & Michelle MUNRO (Club Captains) and to Alistair Day (Past Chair) - and we thank you for you service. Kevin Manchester takes over the Club Captain role and he will co-opt help as and when required...
Grant Mitchell was elected to our Swap Meet Committee.
Branch Awards were also presented: Russell Dale - 50 years. Michelle Munro - 35 years. Anne Bunt, Phillip Garner, Ross Walkinshaw, Colin Hawke - 25 years.
Rebecca George from NZVCC Management Committee presented the badges.
Other Branch Awards: Stephenson Trophy - Best Restoration - Gavin Ladbrook (1935 Chrysler Airstream Sports Roadster
Lyalldale Trophy Best Branch Performance - Lex Westoby - outstanding motorcycle rally representation locally/nationally
Chairman's Trophy - Barry Barnes - continued contributions to our Library, up-dating Constitution, and delegate to AGM/Exec meeting
Navigator's Trophy - Nola Day.
Parts Shed Trophy - Clive Merry
I also spoke briefly about an approach we have had from Kyle Park, at Seadown - relating to an opportunity for potentially our club to become involved out there in the future, in some shape or form. We have received a written invitation to this end, which we will share and discuss in due course. Looking to use our 7th August 'Noggin' night where we could discuss this matter openly and in more depth. This would include representation from Kyle Park committee members too on that night...if interest is evident, then we would look to form a small sub-committee to investigate the whole concept & it's viability in further detail.
We also hosted our Annual All British Day out of Caroline Bay on Sunday 1st June. This was well attended by 96 vehicles, including a good number of Jaguar Club cars and a 'host' of Minis. Thanks to Kevin Manchester for his organisation of this event and to our regular helpers on the day! Lunch venue at the Morven Domain was a great venue too...
Our next 'Noggin' - Thursday 3rd July 7.30pm - The Raptor Trust visit with hopefully 2 birds...
Saturday 2nd August - 'Rosewill Sporting Trials' at Bruce Washington's property, organised and run by Kevin Mercer & Bruce Washington. Great opportunity to see some experienced campaigners and some new & younger competitors learning how to control a vehicle!!
Sunday 3rd August is set down as a 'young drivers' day. Come along and see these events in action!
I note that recently Ashley MILLIKEN was recognised with an award - becoming a 'Member of The Order of St John'. Congratulations Ashley! This award is: 'by invitation and recognises individuals service & achievements related to the organisations missionfocus on 1st Aid, medical response and charitable work..' One of the many organisations that Ashley has contributed and continues to significantly over many years.
Best wishes as Winter arrives... Colin HAWKE - Chair
PARTS
DEPT. REPORT June 2025
Winter is here, and as you all know it is not pleasant first thing in the mornings. But down here at the Parts dept. its business as usual regardless of the weather!
The team just get on with sorting and finding space to place items, although some of these are becoming a little too hard to find space for! Out in the back of our workshop ,floor space is becoming a premium due to the number of engine blocks and heads.
If you are after an engine block or head for your model, come on down and have a look, that one just might be there.
We are open every Wednesday morning from 9am to 12 noon at 19 Redruth St. Timaru.
Barry Smith Parts Manager.
NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY July 2025
by Barry Barnes
As members who attended the AGM will be aware there has been no change of control in the Library. I have been doing the job for over 20 years now and would never have imagined that would be the case when I first took it on. I still enjoy it so its no problem from my perspective. Latterly, Clive Merry has been joining me in the Library and I would invite any other members who hitherto may not have been into sorting parts but might like to potter around in the Library on a Wednesday to join in also. You still get to enjoy a cuppa and some camaraderie down in the Parts Shed morning tea room.
The missing numbers in our Beaded wheels collection have now been put to rights thanks to members donating same.
Life Member
At a small ceremony at the parts shed on Wednesday June 18th, Eric Robins was presented with his Honorary Life Membership badge.
His nomination letter was read at the 2025 AGM and unanimously approved by all in attendance.
Congratulations Eric.
Anne Bunt, with Pauline Young, after being presented with her 25 year Badge
SCVCC Website Updates www.southcanterburyvintagecarclub.co.nz
To access other club newsletters go to www.vcc.org.nz scroll to News from our Branches as hard copy newsletters are not mailed out now.
SCVCC website - June 2025
- June newsletter placed up
- Enter Events online page - updated, linked directly from homepage and events pages
- Events page updated to 2025/26 - would recommend to print this page out
- SCVCC Committee updated
- Behind the scenes wordpress updates
Upcoming - More stories of various runs, online version of newsletter, information about upcoming events, members vehicles in gallery, Stories and photos from members are ENCOURAGED and can be sent through to website.scvcc@gmail.com
35 year and 25 year Award’s were presented by Rebecca George at the 2025 AGM
35 yearMichelle Munro
25 year -
Colin Hawke, Phillip Garner & Ray Walkinshaw Anne Bunt was not present to receive her award
Club Trophies for 2024/2025 Presented by Colin Hawke - Club Chair
Stephenson Trophy
Best Restored Vehicle
Gavin Ladbrook
Parts Shed Trophy
Clive Merry ( File Photo)
Lyalldale Trophy
Best Branch Performance
Lex Westoby
Chairmans Trophy
Barry Barnes
Navigators Trophy Nola Day
End of Season Run
Our End of Season run, organised by Kevin Manchester took place on a mild 25 May, attracting over 20 vehicles from between 1926 and 2001 vintages to our Redruth club roomsthe teas and coffees served by Sandy McMillan and his granddaughters going down well. With a briefing by chairman Colin Hawke, along with an acknowledgment to the late Shona Weir, we were on the road by mid morning.
The run took us south-west via Otipua, across the Pareora bridge into Southburn, up into Lyalldale and down into St Andrews, before reaching the rolling hills of Otaio and Hunter, nestled under the Hunters Hills and Waimate - a trip through the labyrinth of streets and avoiding the route of the Waimate 50 Street Sprints event taking place that day. The lunch venue was Waimate’s historic precinct, Bushtown. With a talk had about the progress of the Bushtown - there is now a narrow-gauge railway almost ready for passengers - and a exploration of the various historic buildings, it was soon to the tōtara tree that was planted in October 2013 by our branch by then chairman Alistair Day and then vice chairman John Foster - Alister and John reenacting the photo taken that day, the tree - and surrounding trees - now no longer a twig, almost being the height of a house.
Overall a great run, with added entertainment after being the Waimate 50, and a SH1 road closure detour at Otaio resulting in many hundreds of cars crossing the otherwise a couple of cars an hour Gray’s Crossing river ford.
Shannon Stevenson
Two Buicks on End of season run. 1928 Master & 1926 –26 45X
Ford Model
Alistair Day & John Foster checking on the Totara tree
New Rail Track at Bushtown
Lanes Cottage
Clive & Penny Merry 1928 Buick Master
Lunch Break & Chat Time
Gray’s Crossing coping with SHW1 Traffic detour
Rodger & Barbara Baird 1989 Eunos Roadster
Calendar of Events 2025 / 2026
2025
July 10th Midweek Run
August 2nd & 3rd Trials Sat. 2nd Young drivers (and anyone who wants to try) Including motorcycles on 3rd
August 2nd Garage Raid Waimate
August 14th Midweek run
August 21st Quiz Night - Ashburton
August 25th Flower delivery for Cancer Society
August 31st Daffodil Day Rally
September 7th Opening Run – Ashburton
September 11th Midweek Run
September 14th Continental Rally
October 25th- 27th Mount Cook Rally
November 7th - 9th Safari Weekend
November 16th Veteran, Vintage & Commercial Rally
November 29th/
December 13th
Club Christmas Party (Subject to availability)
2026 - January 1st New Years Day - Fairlie
January 18th Ladies Rally
February 6th - 8th
120 year Commemorative run to Mount Cook
February 15th Chairman’s Run
February 21st Club Open Day
March 8th Mid Island Rally
March 22nd Motorcycle Run
March 28th Swapmeet
April 9th Midweek Run
May 14th Midweek Run
May 17th P Class Rally
May 24th End of Season Run
May 31st
Kings Birthday Weekend All British Day
June 4th AGM
On first day of winter in typical British weather 96 vehicles, all of British origin, materialised in the Caroline Bay northern carpark, the run organised by Kevin Manchester and supporters.
A number of these were vehicles from the Mini and Jaguar club, one in particular being a much modified 1957 Mark VII all the way from Taranaki fitted with a modern Jaguar engine and electronics, and extended in the wheelbase and fitted with a ramp to allow for the owner’s wife’s wheelchair to go onboard. With a briefing by Gavin Munro, and fundraising table doing a roaring trade, it was a lengthy English traffic jam along Virtue Avenue at 10:30am. The run took participants through Timaru and south-west to Southburn and Lyalldale, before reaching St Andrews and Otaio. The rolling hills of Hunter were traversed before Waimate was reached, where a few participants and vehicles met the glare of a television camera - it turned out that New Zealand television personality Guy Williams was in town, dressed in a retro suit and tie, and telling stories of Waimate into the camera.
After the celebrity encounter, it was through the gorge, with a new path on the old railway line alongside, and out across the Waihao area to reach Morven townshipthe old English tin on the Main Street attracting glances of a few - before reaching the end venue, the Morven domain, where for a fair part, a number of the same make and models were seen parked together, a few of us viewing all the cars high above from the play equipment - one person was even overheard saying ‘I wonder how much oil these cars will leave’ Thanks Kevin and team for organising a great run.
Shannon Stevenson
Registration Gazebo
Nora Hawke & Helen Rzepecky
Winners of $50.00 petrol vouchers randomly drawn from entry forms for the Rally
L-R Sheree Bowles, Debbie Nicholls, Alan Dunn & Neil Manchester
Destination -Morven Domain
Comfort stop in Waimate
Austin Roadster
Morris 1000 Panel van 1950 Wyvern & Velox
For Sale. Year 2000 Peugeot 306, one owner for 25years, well serviced, runs well. Just under 98,500kms Phone. 6881374.
Midweek Run 12 June 2025
Organised by Rodger & Barbara Baird
The day turned out to be cold and rainy, Rodger said there were no shingle roads and chains were not needed but? It was planned for snow views. Nine cars (some newer ones with good heater), 18 persons set off to enter Rothwell street on to Domain Avenue, through lights to Craigie Ave, College Road and to turn off Otipua Road into Coonoor Road. Then we took Landsborough Road where we entered surface flooding.
Yes now out in the country following Barton, Claremont, Brockley Roads. (towards the end here there was about 6 inches of water flowing through the ford making it interesting but accessible)
Out through Spur Road following Rosewill Valley Road catching up with Doake Road. Yes more surface flooding and another ford, fast flowing water. After turning down Highway 8 onto Falvey Road, crossed HWY 1 then left to Seadown Road to our destination… The Shearers Quarters. We were made welcome! The fire was stoked at one end and wall heater full on just where we all sat. Real cosy good cabinet food. Must say hot coffee and good food went down well. We know the apple strudel and carrot cake were very popular!!
Thanks to the good service and help from the SQ’s (This all made a good afternoon. Next time good idea to bring some gumboots!)
Enjoying a warm cuppa and sweet cake!!
Rodger & Barbara Baird, Nora Hawke, Ron Hammer & Nelson Bowden
Barry Yates with “ Bean” who is “number one pest controller” at The Shearers Quarters when he isn’t interrupted with a cuddle or food!!
In the Queue - Gloria & Tony McGillen, Lynette & Barry Smith, Kevin Manchester
120 Years celebration
South Canterbury Branch celebrates 120 years of the first car to Mt Cook.
CALLING ALL VETERAN, VINTAGE, AND POST VINTAGE VEHICLES
Thursday =5th February 2026 Overnight in Timaru. Friday 6th February = Timaru to Lake Tekapo Make your own Tekapo reservations now.
Saturday 7th February = Tekapo, = Mt Cook = Twizel
We have the Hotel at Twizel booked. ( 88 Rooms.) These will be booked thru your entry form. First In first served. Or feel free to book your own accommodation elsewhere. Contact Nola Day nola.day@xtra.co.nz for enquiries or entry forms from September 2025
Not on such as grand a scale as the 100 years, but a very important milestone in the motoring world. We have come a long way.
Rosewill Trials
Help required for the main event Saturday 2nd August
A minimum of 6 people will be required to assist on the day.
This year we will be part of the South Island Series and expect a large entry.
Please contact Kevin Mercer 0272009474 or email; khmercer23@gmail.com
If you do not want to help, please come along, you will be well entertained.
Hi everyone. Just a heads up regarding the Car Rally for Cancer. Our date is SUNDAY 31st AUGUST. Once again I am asking for gifts for the raffle we hold each year. I am happy to accept prizes anytime from now on. Any donations of money will get pooled and prizes will be purchased when sales are on.
Also I see where New World are offering stamps again in exchange for homeware. If you don't want these for yourself, then maybe you could save them for gifts for the cancer rally, or pass your stamps on and we can pool all those we get.
Just remember that cancer is affecting more people each year. Your support for this once a year CAR RALLY FOR CANCER is appreciated by many people.
Many thanks for reading. Nola
Sunday Night Dinner Chat
Office Bearers 2025 - 2026
Chairperson: Colin Hawke (Glenys) 6889955/ 027 4896663
Vice Chairperson: Kevin Mercer (Ruth) 027 2009474
Secretary: Pauline Young (Wayne) 6861833/ 027 5399225
Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) 027 2035007
Club Captains: Kevin Manchester (Ngadia) Kevin 027 5178769
News Letter Editor: Les Rzepecky (Helen) 021 1220011
Clubroom Convener:
Sandy McMillan 027 6155150
Parts Shed Manager: Barry Smith (Lynette) 6847405
Librarian: Barry Barnes (Carla) 6885105
IT Officer: Shannon Stevenson 6863263/ 027 2453519
Committee: All of the above
Ross Hamilton (Wendy) 021 2407137
Identification and Certificate:
Swap Meet:
Acting Chairman:
Alistair Day, Colin Hawke. Kevin Mercer (Ruth) 027 2025007 6889955/ 027 4896663 027 2009474
Colin Johnstone (Trish) 021 08189988
Site Convenor/ Secretary Michelle Munro (Gavin) 6864824/ 021 1726168
Treasurer: Nola Day (Alistair) 027 2035007
Ground Convenor: Barry Smith ( Lynette) 6847405
Committee: Gavin Munro (Michelle) 6864824/ 021 0528264
(Plus all above)
Krystal Munro 027 8567940
Grant Mitchell (Wendy) 021 2961126
Glen Hawkins 027 2076625
https://www.facebook.com/groups/southcanterbury.vcc