NORTHERN REGION EVENT REPORTS
Technical Evening - Colgray Motors - 18th May Once again, hosted by Colin and Peter, we an evening at Colgray's and were treated to a very informative course of instruction on a topic dear to all of us - car grooming! (very appropriate since this session predated our next middle distance run to the Far North on Queens Birthday)
Paul and Terry from Autoglym took us through the steps normally taken by a commercial car groomer - starting with the engine bay, then the wheels and undersides, on to the interior and then exterior.
Using Ross Stewarts' lovely Silver Wraith as a model, we were given a number of valuable tips for getting the best finish (with the least wear and tear!) and yes, they do start at the bottom.
I took a video of the whole procedure - copies are available to anyone who would like to see this version of the chauffeur's art - just email or give me a call. Our most sincere thanks to Autoglym for their time and interest (and the nice prize) and to Jane and Colin for the lovely supper afterwards.
Dick Neill
ESCAPE TO NORTHLAND - QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND. Whangarei members of the Club, Ray Scampton and Peter Romer, approached the Northern Region Committee some time ago with the view to designing a weekend in and around Whangarei and were encouraged to do so. The Northern Region Committee assisted by sending out newsletters advertising the weekend, while Ray and Peter did all the planning necessary. The result was a really enjoyable, well planned, relaxing weekend away.
Those driving North met at Westgate at the end of Auckland's Northwest Motorway. Doris and I were the second to arrive after Dick and Naomi Neill and we headed immediately over to STARBUCKS for a nice cup of coffee and a muffin. Returning to the car I realised that I had made one of those mistakes we all sometimes make: the car was locked and the keys were quite visible in the ignition. Opps! Happily Doris carries a second set in her handbag so all was well. Phew!
The group convoyed north following SH16 through Helensville and along the scenic Kaipara Harbour. It was not long into the drive that the rain set in. Well, it was after all forecast! It was also forecast that the rest of the weekend would be considerably better weather-wise and this turned out to be the case.
The first stop was at Richard Izard's farm just south of Wellsford on SH1. There we met up with Peter and Ray who had driven south from Whangarei in their respective cars to meet us. For many of us it was our first "fast" drive on a runway. Richard's farm is vast and scenic and includes a sealed runway and hangers to house his planes. At the far end he has just completed a new hanger capable of housing his luxuriously appointed 6 seater and several smaller planes. Evidently he and his wife prefer this method of transportation to Auckland given the wonders of Auckland's congested roading system. I did notice, though, that he drove his Bentley Flying Spur to meet us at the hanger…
Most of us lunched at the Skyway Café at the top of the Brynderwyns before continuing to Whangarei. Doris and I have visited this café many times over the last ten years. It is on the left at the top of the hill which makes it easy to get to and leave for northward bound travellers. It offers excellent parking, and under "new" ownership it offers an excellent range of food at very reasonable prices. But best of all it offers a simply breathtaking view which includes Whangarei, Whangarei Heads, Marsden Point, Waipu, the Hen and Chick Islands … need I say more.
That evening was spent at the Vintage Car Club rooms at HERITAGE PARK on SH14, a short distance from Whangarei Hospital. This complex includes the Clarke Homestead which was built in 1885, a woman's jail house, a school house, a full sized and a miniature railway, both capable of transporting visitors around parts of the park, and much more. In one shed that was opened for us a wide variety of vintage vehicles was on display, including New Zealand's oldest bus, dating from 1909 and now fully restored. Indeed there is a lot more for the family. Eleven Clubs are housed there and it was the Vintage Car Club that hosted us for an evening of pre-dinner nibbles (much of which was made by Sheila Romer) and drinks followed by a wonderful buffet featuring roasted chicken and beef. The profits from the $20 per person charge went to the local VCC Branch to assist with items like building upkeep and other maintenance needs.
After breakfast the next morning the group visited the Quarry Gardens in Whangarei. Now into its tenth year, the gardens are being created in some 60 acres of old quarry site. The walks range from quite arid (due both to the historical use of the site as a quarry and more recently to an arsonist who did his destructive deed four times before being caught) to sub-tropical bush. There is even a 4 acre lake fed by two waterfalls. As was pointed out during our guided tour, this is a work in progress and will never be finished.
After a lunch break in the Town Basin - where there are many excellent restaurants to choose from - most of us visited Hans Compter's property just north of Kamo. His car collection is vast although the majority remain unrestored. Many are the sole remaining example of their model or even marque either in this part of the world or world-wide. One of the highlights was his 1920 Silver Ghost which is known to be the largest car in New Zealand. I stand at about 180cm and had to reach my hand up high to touch the roof! Another in his collection is the car originally owned by Eva Peron ("Don't cry for me, Argentina").
The official part of the weekend concluded with dinner at the Kamo Club which provided a last chance for us all to get together before heading away the next day.
Indeed, taking our lead from Tony and Diane Cobb who were heading to Paihia for three days, Doris and I drove the short distance north to Russell in the Bay of Islands the next morning - just for one night. We stayed at Hananui Lodge, and our room was right on the waterfront. The owner suggested we park in secure enclosed parking across the road and we took him up on the offer. If you are in Russell in the next few months try the GABLES RESTAURANT. Its under the new ownership of a young couple. The Chef is from France and he is excellent! The young woman who fronts the restaurant is from Perth. She is pleasant and provides an excellent level of service. I hope they make it as their level of quality is close to that which earned this restaurant many awards in the 1990's.
The most surprising and pleasing aspect of the ESCAPE TO NORTHLAND WEEKEND was the membership turn out. In total we had 15 Rolls-Royces and Bentleys as well as 4 other cars. That added up to 38 people. Members and visitors came from as far away as Te Awamutu, Drury, Auckland and Kerikeri. Best of all: for at least four members and their families, this was their first club event and all of them enjoyed themselves enough to indicate that they would be back for more. Fantastic!
Doris and I certainly enjoyed ourselves and our time with all the participants. Indeed new Club friendships were formed.
BACK TO THE GRASS ROUTES This kind of event results in part from a short study I undertook earlier this year which mapped the nation-wide geographic dispersal of our membership. I reached the conclusion that many of our members were not being well served by the Club's existing Regional event management system. Events tended to be concentrated close to the three major membership population centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with only occasional events reaching further out. Those that lived more than a comfortable driving distance to and from these centres tended not to participate. We needed to return to our grass routse while maintaining the best of what had been developed.
The solution - in my opinion - was to develop events within these sub-regions designed by members living in those areas and targeted primarily toward members of our Club, other Clubs and to those who are not members but who share a common interest, but who all live in or close to the specific sub-region. Support would be provided by the regional committees in areas such as advertising (in the regional newsletters and the Club's magazine), finance (in the event that out-of pocket expenses were incurred), and planning advice (if requested). By advertising these kinds of events more widely, all Club members would have the opportunity to participate. This was the approach taken for ESCAPE TO NORTHLAND and it proved highly successful. Already a second such event is in the planning.
On the last night that we were all together - at the Kamo Club - I spent a few minutes going over forthcoming events. There is no doubt that one of the highlights on the Northern Calendar will be the Labour Day Weekender in Te Awamutu that is being developed by Colin Boyles and Allison Thomson, of Te Awamutu. Local knowledge makes for a far better event than distance planning, so this event should offer a lot of fun and enjoyment. We have many members in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty and we hope this will appeal to them as well as to those of us living just a wee bit further away.
I encourage all of our members, particularly those in areas like Whangarei, the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Napier - Hastings, Taranaki - Wanganui, and Otago - Southland, to develop events targeted at members living close by. Even one or two sitting around the lunch table makes for a wonderful time.
I wish you all Happy and safe motoring.
Rod Newport.
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