WEST COAST BRANCH – VINTAGE CAR CLUB
Where are they off to?.................
This months contents
Front cover - Where are they off to? – The Portal at Federated Mining Snowy River Project
Local calender of events
Report Sunday Run 16th April to Federated Mining & the story of Ikamatua Church Gallery
The Fair (Es)sex - New Section for we ladies!
Committee members
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN …
1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms at Shantytown 7.30pm
3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown at 10.00am
4th Sunday month – Club Run
If you are at a loose end during the month think about coming along to the morning tea at Shanty Town. These mornings are always enjoyable and a great way to spend time in great company.
Don’t forget you are welcome to attend any of our events in your modern vehicle if you are unable to use your vintage one, it is just good to have your company.
LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE
21 May Club run Paroa Hotel* Afternoon tea presentation to John Boyes
11 June 2023 AGM 2pm ** Copper Room, Union Hotel,Greymouth
18 June 2023 Rosco Trials *** Rosco’s Yard, Reefton
*Paroa Hotel Afternoon tea 3pm Numbers of those wishing to attend please by 17th May
**AGM – 2pm - afternoon tea will follow so we require numbers of those wishing to attend please by 7th June.
If any of you would like to take a position on the committee or have any questions/comments you would like addressed at the AGM but cannot attend in person please send them by email to us.
***Rosco Sporting Trials –
Organiser and Contact Nick Harrison - email annetteandnick@extra.co.nz
Phone 03 7328819 mobile 0275419296
Eligibility, Classes, Rules and Regulations can be obtained from Nick
Time Table
8.30am Assemble at the venue for vehicle inspection and briefing
9.30am Competition begins
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm Afternoon competition begin
3.00pm approx Competition finishes followed by prize giving at Rosco’s workshop
Good luck to all who take part in this exciting, muddy and wet event
20th August 2023 is Daffodil day full details will follow when organised.
Report on the Federated mining Trip 16th April 2023 by Zoe photos Mel (Fed Mining), Fed Mining & Zoe
A visit was organised for our April Sunday run to the Federated Mining Snowy River Project, Ikamatua. As this run was of particular interest to the West Coasters many of whom live and work amongst mining of all types we were not disappointed with the turn out. We had a preferred limit of 50 which we met easily. Many members came in their VCC vehicles as the weather was lovely. We met at Ikamatua then drove in convoy up the Snowy River road to the mine site, noting that the mine has already done improvements to the roading and have kept the mine site as unobtrusive as possible.
This is a working site even on a Sunday, clothing, H&S regulations and site regulations were adhered to as well as being vehicle conscious as trucks were moving overburden from the mine. We were greeted and parked by Mel Caddie, Admin Officer for the project, who was our go to and guide for the visit. Mel apologised that due to sickness of her colleague it would fall on her to take the tour. We were split into two groups of 25 signed in had high vis and hard hats issued. The first group set off for the short walk and briefing to the Portal.
The remaining sat in the sun outside the admin and facilities area, water was available. (I was very aware of the openness, earthiness and “no bull” attitude of this project and of the people we met there.) The first group returned, Mel set off with the next group. The Portal (mine opening) is set in bush up a slight graded incline, the area has been cleared to minimise disturbance to the bush it is located in. Trees edge the portal and roadway. Even though there is the sound of the fans working to suck air into the shaft you can still hear the bird song from the Bell birds and other species, fern and natural vegetation is growing around and even through the huge steel portal supports. Mel was an excellent guide, clear to hear and understand, knowledgeable, very patient answering our questions with openness and obvious passion for the project. The twin tunnels are now 3.2km long and work commences on Diamond Drilling.
Refuge centres have been constructed each with their own rescue equipment and telephones, each section has its own doors which are sealed when not in use so the fresh air goes directly to the working section. These are the huge air ducts that suck the fresh air into the tunnel.
After the tour Mel gave a brief video presentation. It had been an excellent visit.
We left there and those who wanted to went for lunch at the Ikamatua pub. A visit to the old Ikamatua Church had been organised with the owner, an artist from Reefton Maria Wistrand who has made it her art gallery, it was lovely to enter, still retains its originality with the pews, altar and organ and has a sense of calmness. Maria also had some of her art on show.
Ikamatua Church Gallery – by Maria Wistrand
I purchased the deconsecrated Ikamatua church (formerly St Stephen's Presbyterian Church) 11 years ago with the intention of restoring and preserving it. My vision for its purpose and use has grown and changed over time. The interior remains set up as a church with its altar, pews etc and I currently use it as a gallery to display my original artwork.
I am an artist who likes to photograph, draw and paint an eclectic range of real and imagined landscapes and objects which often feature the West Coast. I make two dimensional work using whatever art materials I feel will best represent my subject matter. I draw with pen and pencils, charcoal, ink and pastels. I paint with watercolour, acrylic and oils. When I take photographs I sometimes reimagine them differently through digital manipulation. Stylistically I am inspired by the work of New Zealand Canterbury regional artists such as Bill Sutton, Don Binney, Colin McCahon and Robyn White.
In my business 'Reimagined', I help people connect to their special memories and the nostalgia of their experience of the West Coast by creating quality framed and unframed prints and hand crafted and printed cards of my original artwork, so others can have a memento or a gift for a loved one to remind them of the Coast and past times.
Artwork can be purchased from me directly at my Reefton Studio and Ikamatua Church Gallery. My cards are also currently available at The Left Bank Gallery in Greymouth, This & That Lotto in Reefton and the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre.
The Ikamatua Church & Gallery is open by appointment and when the signs are out.
For more information contact Maria 0274146181.
Those that wished to went to the Ikamatua Pub for lunch or to the On the Spot dairy. We had a lovely Sunday the weather, company and visits were excellent.
I would like to thank Del from Pump Services, Ikamatua for letting us use their toilet facilities.
The Fair Es(sex)
Our club has a large number of Fair Es(sex)es so I thought it might be fun to have a section for us. Gents feel free to read, and even, if so inclined, try out recipes or even contribute. At this point Bruce did a double take and is completely mortified! Why I think? Many of us have our own or share vintage vehicles we drive them maintain and love them we can share tips, contribute stories of how we got cars, trips we have done and so many things, not only vehicle orientated but of interest and maybe useful information of where to get things and so on.
To start I have put in this (yes its a recipe)
Mariana
Warren
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