Far North Focus
March 2025
John McGee’s 1958 Dodge Kingsway
Who’s Who for 2024/2025
Committee: Winston Matthews, Murray Cormack, Keith Lyndsell, Tom Deverall, Naomi Mason, Steve Edwards, Margaret Deverall, Margaret Ilton.
The full list of the elected officers is circulated with the minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting
If at any time you see things at the Clubrooms that require maintenance, please let Steve know.
Steve Edwards 09 401 6239
Calendar of Club Events 2025
April
12th Saturday Monthly Meeting 1.00 pm with Parts shed open at 2 pm.
19th Saturday Brian Parker Rally
20th Repco Caffeine & Classics
May
10th Saturday AGM at 1 pm with monthly meeting afterwards
11th Mother’s Day Run…Win
18th Repco Caffeine & Classics
June
14th Saturday Monthly Meeting
15th Repco Caffeine & Classics
28th Molloy Trophy… Terry & Sue
Club Notices
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New Members
Welcome to the FNVCCC Club…
Paddy Kelly, who has participated in club activities since November. It is great to have you join the Club. We wish you every success with the final adjustments for your Riley. And it is a warm welcome to Kevin Dalbeth & Denise who also have joined us on recent excursions and have applied for membership and who reside in the ‘skinny part” of our club area…north of Awanui! Welcome on board.
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Brian Parker Memorial Rally
This will take place on the 19th April.
Meet at the FNVCCC Clubrooms, Aurere, from 9.45 for morning tea. The run will start at 10.30. [An entry form is at the end of this Focus.]
Bring your morning tea.
The run is approximately 60km and it includes gravel & tar sealed roads which are narrow in places and of course there are the Far North corrugations, along with the odd pothole.
The winners will be decided using a question sheet you record on as you travel.
Conditions of Entry:
Driver’s licence and Club membership cards must be carried. If the winner is from another Branch, a miniature trophy will be awarded so the original remains with the Far North Club.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Any vehicles may be entered, but only financial club members with Club Eligible Vehicles will be considered for awards.
All Members attending, please complete the entry form.
It is a ‘buy your own lunch’ event. An email has been sent to Members with the entry form, menu with these details. Entry forms can be emailed to: 4ed.focus@gmail.com or text to Marg Ilton 0221008119
You may bring your entry form in on the morning, however… meal orders need to be to in by May 16th to minimise waiting time on the day.
This is not essential, however ordering on the day will mean your meal will be in the order of all general customers. It is Easter Saturday and Mangonui will be busy. By having meals pre ordered, Staff can prep our meals beforehand and have a much swifter service for us.
Most meals are approx $25-28. You will pay for your meals at the counter.
There will also be counter food which you may purchase and there is no need to pre order that.
A little background information about the rally. Brian Parker is one of the foundation members of our club.
Brian was a keen young man in his early 20s. His vintage vehicle was a Plymouth car which had been cut into a farm truck. It was his project to restore.
He was diagnosed with brain cancer, and he was determined to stay active in the club, even during his sickness.
Our Sub branch of the V.C.C. was formed in 1975 and Brian passed away in April 1976.
In recognition of Brian's input in the Club, an annual Memorial rally was inaugurated.
The Brian Parker Trophy incorporates the unique radiator cap from Brian’s Plymouth, which he had hoped to restore.
Far North Vintage & Classic Car Club
Annual General Meeting
To be held at Clubrooms, Aurere, Taipa.
Saturday 10th May 2025 at 1.00pm
Agenda
1. Attendance
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of Previous AGM 11th May 2024
4. Matters Arising
5. Correspondence
6. Presentation Audited Financial Accounts for year ended 31st March 2023
7. Reports: Chairman, Club Captains
8. Election of Officers for coming year
9. Reappointment of Auditor for coming year
10. General Business
Nomination forms are included at the end of this Focus.
Our monthly meeting will follow the AGM.
Club Clothing
Purchases of club clothing may be made at any time from DD Gold in Kerikeri or Kaitaia.
Please order directly from DD Gold and arrange payment and collection of your garments with them.
Next Club Meeting Saturday 12th April
1 pm
Parts Shed will be open
Caffeine & Classics
3rd Sunday every month 9.30 to 11.30
Next date: Sunday 20th April
Ka Uri Awanui
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
From the Chair…
For us, March started on the road back from the Sidecar Rally in Nelson.
As we were passing through Auckland on Sunday 2nd and both the Jowett and Morgan Clubs had displays at the Brit and Euro Car Show we decided to call in on our way.
A good thing we got there early – if we hadn't got a handy car park Lyn would have taken all day walking to the entry!
This show is MASSIVE! and FREE! Luckily for us, the Jowett and Morgan Clubs' stands were next to each other.
I wandered round most of the stands and was particularly impressed by the Citroen and Jaguar displays, both were large, diverse and well organised.
The following weekend Tom and I represented the Branch at the Exec meeting in Christchurch.
On the way to the meeting we were driven via the new Club Headquarters. The two buildings (office and archives) are on separate titles so could be split in the future if required.
The location is handy for the airport and Christchurch clubrooms.
The old (earthquake damaged) Headquarters building is to be auctioned in April.
At the meeting the subject of joint membership was raised. The number of joint members is falling off. It was suggested that the layout of the online renewal form is not as clear as it could be, (I noticed this when we renewed) and the form is being updated,
A guest speaker from NZTA gave a talk on re-entry certification. This covers imported vehicles and those with expired/lost registrations. A requirement is proof of entitlement, proof of previous registration, etc. These are not easy to get - especially as there are no records pre-1996!
At least NZTA acknowledge there is a problem.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
There was discussion on some details of the new constitution –nothing too contentious! The constitution will need to be approved at the August AGM.
The Branch Manual is being reformatted, and will be an online document rather than hard copy. It seems the general opinion is that it is such a good doorstop, no one bothers to read it!
Nelson Branch report good interest in the International Rally. Entries officially open in April.
The North Island Easter rally is based in Cambridge.
Horowhenua Branch have offered to run the 2027 Easter Rally.
Our club’s March run was the postponed January beach picnic. This was most enjoyable with a good attendance in great weather.
I see from the minutes that there was discussion at the March meeting on Branch runs and rallies. I think the idea of a session after the June meeting is a good way to go.
The subject of runs and rallies is covered in the Branch Manual (see above). Branches have copies.
Here are a few of my thoughts. There is quite a lot of variation from Branch to Branch.
Social runs and Trophy Rallies have differing requirements.
The Far North Branch has the following Trophy Rallies:
Brian Parker (our main Rally)
Molloy Trophy
Dunny Run (joint with Northland Branch)
Mother's Day
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Father's Day
The last two are usually more social than competitive. There are also annual trophies decided variously on a points or merit basis.
The competitive element of a Trophy Rally is decided by the organiser and may be by such ideas as observation (rules apply for consideration of road laws, other drivers, etc.) quiz questions, etc. Major rallies may require a VIC for each vehicle. All runs & rallies require basic roadworthiness and may require Club membership, etc.
These are just a few thoughts that may be a basis for the June meeting.
In April we have the Brian Parker Rally on 19th .
The Northland Branch have their Swap Meet on 27th April at their clubrooms in Maunu.
Members with two or three wheels should note they also have their Motorcycle Rally on 17th May with entries closing 5th May.
Keith
Northern Club Captain’s Report
Due to unforeseen circumstances our March Rally was put on hold and a day at Ruth Reid’s beach took its place.
A good group turned up with an array of vintage cars.
Thanks to the organisers & Claude did a great job cooking the sausages and beautiful home grown steak, which he supplied �� - always very popular at picnics.
Thanks Steve for the great selection of awesome ‘real’ sausages.
There were grand children who made the most of the calm waters along with several enthusiastic adults, always good to see. The day was perfect, no wind and a light cloud cover, which was much appreciated by us all.
Again a big thank you to Ruth.
We are now looking forward to the Brian Parker Rally which falls on Easter Saturday. Members will have received an email with details of this event which are repeated in this Focus.
Looking ahead to May and our AGM - Marg has the nomination forms in this Focus and they have been sent in an email as well.
We need someone’s hand up for the Treasurer’s position, please.
Tom has accepted a nomination for President, thanks Tom.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Following the AGM Saturday 11th , we have the Mother’s Day run on Sunday 12th May.
Look forward to seeing a good muster for the Brian Parker Rally.
As it is Easter Weekend, it may not suit everyone.
Happy Motoring.
Margaret D
Omnium Gatherum…
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."
Mother Teresa
“Remember that recovery is a journey, not a destination.
Take it a day at a time and be gentle with yourself along the way.”
F N Caffeine n Classics
The amazing March weather obviously brought lots of people and their machines to Awanui. What a line up there was.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
FNVCCC
As discussed at our last meeting, plans are underway to celebrate 50 years of activities for our Branch. The celebration will be held on the 19th July 2025 at the Clubrooms. Our annual Prize Giving will precede the 50th celebration. Finalised details of the programme will be in the April Minutes.
The process to become a sub-branch of the Northland Branch began for our club when an inaugural meeting was held on the 23rd June 1975. This move was approved on the 19th of October 1975 and we were established as a Sub Branch of Northland on the 16th November, 1975.
Below is the front page of the April 1995 version of what is now our Focus. Publications then were not made with the ‘mod cons’ we enjoy now! Total respect is given to all involved with these earlier publications.
Car Club of New Zealand
Far North Vintage Car Club
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 10th May 2025 1 pm
Nomination Forms
It is preferred that completed forms be with the Secretary by Friday 3rd May.
Nominations for all officers’ positions will be accepted from the floor as well, on the day of the AGM.
I nominate ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
For the position of …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Signature of proposer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Signature of seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I accept nomination for the above position ……………………………………………………………………
I nominate ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
For the position of …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Signature of proposer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Signature of seconder ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I accept nomination for the above position ……………………………………………………………………
All positions within the club will be voted for at the AGM.
Please return your nomination form to:
Secretary FNVCCC
Naomi Mason 23A Okahu Rd KAITAIA
Or email to: farnorth@vcc.org.nz
Naomi’s phone number: 09 4081376
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand
Brian Parker Memorial Rally
Saturday April 19, 2025
Meet at FNVCCC Clubrooms at 9.45am for a 10.30 start.
The Rally is approximately 60km long and includes gravel roads. The winners will be decided using a question sheet
Lunch will be at the Remarkable Café & Seafood Restaurant, Mangonui at the conclusion of the rally.
Conditions of entry: Any vehicles may be entered but only Club Eligible Vehicles entered by financial club members, will be considered for awards.
Driver’s licence and Club membership cards must be carried.
If the winner is from another Branch, a miniature trophy will be awarded so the original remains with the Far North Club.
Brian Parker Memorial Rally Entry Form 2023
Name of entrant: .......................................................
Membership No: .............................................
Address: ..........................................................................................................
Ph No: …......................................
Driver’s name: …...............................................................
Passenger names: ................................................................................................................
Make, model & Year of Vehicle
…..............................................................................................................
Meal orders to:
Margaret Ilton: 4ed.focus@gmail.com 0221008119 09 4068565
Meal orders are outlined in the Club Notices in this Focus. The menu has been emailed to Members.
Meal orders must be in by 16 April.
Meals will be paid for at the counter, on the day.
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand