Tamworth Vintage Car Club Inc.

Committee for 2014-2015

President Greg Campbell 67671306

Vice President Carl Casson 67659456

Secretary Alan Early 67624744

Treasurer Lyn Hession 67608343

General Committee Brian Orman 67605105 Brian Chesterfield 67625928 Bob Hession 67608343

Plate Registrar Bob Hession 67608343

Rally Director Roly Morgan 67608280

Ladies Committee All Lady Members

Magazine Editors Greg & Margaret Campbell

Inspections & Public Officer Brian Orman 67605105 Property Officer Ken & Emily Brooks 67613679

The Tamworth Spark

Official Newsletter of the Tamworth Vintage Car Club

July - August 2014

Feature Article ~ Paul Boyd’s old Chev trip

The Club Magazine is printed Bi-monthly and members are invited and encouraged to submit articles to the Magazine Editors.

General Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, at 7.30pm in the Salvation Army Complex on Goonoo Goonoo Road Tamworth

Club Runs are held on the Sunday after the monthly meeting. Runs depart from the White Street car-park, unless otherwise advised. Members of clubs receiving this magazine are cordially invited to participate in the activities of T.V.C.C. To satisfy regulations, the receipt of the invitation must be recorded in your club minutes and acceptance forwarded. Address all correspondence to: The Secretary Tamworth Vintage Car Club PO Box 3275 TAMWORTH NSW 2340 or www.TamworthVintageCarClub.com.au

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TVCC EVENTS CALENDAR – AUGUST 2014 ONWARDS [17/8/14]

The following events have been categorised to assist those vehicles on Conditional Registration:

CLUB EVENTS: These are events which are organised by our club and details of participating vehicles

will be automatically recorded in club documents. Carry Club magazine or events calendar with you:

DATE 2014 DETAILS

21 Aug Annual General Meeting at 7.30, followed by normal Monthly Meeting

24 Aug Monthly Run.

4 Sept Pie Run to Currabubula Hotel

18 Sept Monthly meeting

21 Sept Monthly Run

2 Oct Pie Run to Werris Creek

16 Oct Monthly meeting

19 Oct Monthly Run

Unless otherwise notified, our Sunday monthly runs leave from Bicentennial carpark at 9.30,

and our Thursday Pie runs leave from Viaduct carpark at 11.00

Roly Morgan is our Rally Director. Please contact Roly if you have any queries.

INVITATION EVENTS: It is essential to advise the Club before participating in these events. This

can be done at a meeting, or ring the Registrar. Carry Club magazine or events calendar with you:

DATE 2014 CLUB DETAILS

31 Aug Lions Cl Swap Meet + Car & Bike Show at Dubbo Showground. Hugh 6882 4864

6 Sept ANC Aberdeen N’hood Ctre. Big Boys Toys & Family Day. Di 65438457

6-7 Sept MMEC Moree Mot Enthus. Jellico Pk, Moree. Fun Run & Show/Sh. Phil 67521020

11-13 Sept Lockyer Laidley Spring Garden Flower & Arts Show. Fran 0417 072 726

13-14 Sept GVCC D’dah & Nbri Clubs. North West Swap Meet at G’dah Showground.

28 Sept B to B Bay to Birdwood Pre ‘55 + 12 day Motorfest 22 Sep – 3 Oct. Dir 82586547

4-5 Oct KMC Kootingal Mot Cl. Dungowan Fair & Machinery Day. Tony 0407831253

5 Oct Shannons Show n Shine at Geoff King Oval, Coffs Harbour. Stewart 0407706299

5 Oct Motorlife Motorlife Museum Motoring Expo at Kembla Grange. 0408 211 844

3-6 Oct TDAMC Tam Dist Antique. Great Eastland Hub Rally - Tamworth. Val 0427656149

12-18 Oct DB Club Dodge Brothers Club. Nat Rally for Dodge Brothers vehicles (1914-1938)

at Forbes to celebrate Bodge Bros centenary. Geoff 02 4868 1252

30 Oct-3 Nov RROCA Rolls Royce Cl. Tamworth in Spring Tour. Includes Werris Ck, Armidale,

Oxley Lookout, “My Fair Lady” & Nundle. Michael Jeanes 67661787

2015

3 - 6 April Armidale Easter Rally

30-31 May Dubbo 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Dubbo Club. Matt 0428 827 287

June Moree North West Rally

29-30 Aug Coffs Har Smoke on the Water Festival (Centenary of Rail) John Bojarski Ph ?

2-5 Oct CVV&RC Condobolin Club 1915 Ford T Rally at Condobolin. John 0427 953 399

FOR WEDDINGS, SCHOOL FUNCTIONS, EXTENDED OR INTERSTATE TRIPS, ETC:

You will need a Permit to Move. These must be obtained at a meeting prior to the event, and carried to

the event. In extenuating circumstances, separate arrangements can be made with the Clubs Office

Bearers to obtain a Permit to Move.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE: Ring the Registrar and advise details before proceeding.

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From the Editors Desk

t’s a bit sad for me to sit here and punch the keyboard for the last time doing The

Tamworth Spark but maybe one day I will return and give someone else a break. I see no reason why I won’t submit the odd article to help out in the future as I know that these little bits often make it easier to finish off the magazine. I have had a great deal of pleasure and the odd heartache doing The Spark from initially stamping my own take on it by altering the structure and layout, I have drawn widely on my mad friends who send me the odd funny that is suitable to reprint and then I have had to use my own experiences from the runs that we have been on to make up the story and insert the pictures. I hope that you have enjoyed what I have given to you. To whoever takes over I wish you all the best and feel free to make The Spark your own as I did. You only need a bit of computer skills to be able to do the job and along the way you will find something that you would like to try to make it look different as I did when I discovered “Drop Caps” thanks to a course done whilst not working. Thanks to all who have read and enjoyed The Spark Greg Campbell 16/8/14

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

irstly, some statistics. We have maintained our membership at about 40 for some

years. It is actually closer to 80 when family and friends are included. Some members have departed for various reasons, and we have some new faces that have joined which has resulted in our membership status remaining about the same. At present we have 44 vehicles on Conditional Registration which range from 1924 to 1979. The composition of our vehicles is: 1920s = 7. 1030s = 9. 1940s = 2. 1950s = 8. 1060s = 11. 1970s = 7. Enough of the statistics and onto some thanks and I really appreciate the efforts that everyone has made to make my job as enjoyable as possible. The AGM will bring about some changes which are consistent and inevitable in the changing world we live in, and the thanks and congratulations and well wishes to those involved will obviously follow. So what’s coming up or likely to come up that we might need to turn our thoughts to? The Bush Council is doing an admirable job in representing the Clubs and maintaining a steady helm in regards to the Conditional Registration scheme. However, there would appear to be two areas of possible unrest. Firstly some people from other clubs just don’t seem to be able to accept the NSW decision regarding the Victorian log book system. We have spent considerable time on all of the implications as a Club and I have been further involved as a delegate. So without sounding rude, if some people don’t want to accept the overall decision of all the Clubs on the log book system, then I suggest they pack up and move to Victoria. (Gee, I never thought I would say something like that). Secondly there is fine line between restoration and modification. This is an active issue that is presently being addressed so you will hear more as it unfolds, but please keep an open mind on it as your thoughts will be important. It will all be sorted eventually, so just continue to enjoy your Club and your motoring. Alan Early

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Veteran & Vintage Chevrolet Association of Australia (V.V.C.A.A) 45th Anniversary Rally, Warwick Queensland, may 2014.

he VVCAA has an anniversary rally every five years, the 45th was held in Taree in

2012 and the Queensland branch held their 45th anniversary in Warwick in May this year. I have been a member of the VVCAA for 39 years and have attended quite a few of the anniversary rallies. Nerida and I attended the Warwick rally with Nerida driving our 1957 Bel-Air Sedan and me our 1930 Chevrolet Sports Roadster.

I was a tad apprehensive as I had not had the 30 roadster on a long trip for many years however I am happy to say that it ran beautifully. In fact, the second Moonbi Hill was the only time I had to go back a gear all the way to Warwick. Mind you, even though it was still reasonably mild in May, having not fitted the side curtains and wearing only shorts and a tee shirt, I was very grateful for a nice hot cup of coffee when we stopped at Guyra. And yes, Nerida did tell me how stupid I was. The rally was held over seven days with plenty to do and see, and was very well organised. There were eighty Chevrolets registered, with the oldest being an unrestored 1914 (100 year old) Royal Mail Roadster and the newest a 1985 Camaro. Unusual now days, but great to see, was the fact that 60% of the cars were from the 20’s and 30’s and most were driven, not trailered, which is just fantastic. The Southern Downs Regional Council provided a meet and greet on the first evening, providing drinks and finger food for a few hours, even the

Town Crier and Mayor were there to welcome us. It was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new members. The first day of the rally was a display day in Leslie Park. As there had been decent rain prior to the rally the park looked magnificent and Warwick really lived up to its claim of being the City of Roses. The beautiful surroundings, accompanied by eighty Chevrolets all displayed in year order made for an impressive site, even if you weren’t a Chevy enthusiast. Later in the day the local car club also attended and parked their cars for display.

One of the runs was a trip on The Old Cobb and Co Route to Stanthorpe. Some of this was on dirt road and, once again, the Regional Council came to the fore by grading the road a few days before, just for the rally cars. They really know how to host visitors and make them feel welcome. We had morning tea on a private property on the edge of Storm King Dam, which is Stanthorpe’s water supply. The owners had a miniature train layout over several acres in an absolutely beautiful setting.

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Another day the organising committee hired a steam train for a run from Warwick to Clifton where we had a pie and pea lunch at one of the local pubs, absolutely delicious. Clifton is approximately half way between Warwick and Toowoomba. There was a raffle for two lucky people to go in the steam engine with the driver and fireman, one on the trip to Clifton and one on the way back. Unbelievably, Nerida won one of these, and without any persuading whatsoever on my behalf (it is still costing me), she was kind enough to let me go. What an experience, the last thing I ever imagined myself doing was playing Casey Jones for a couple of hours. The driver was an eighty one year old gentleman who had driven steam engines all his working life and he was such a knowledgeable and friendly old bloke.

One of the runs started with a full buffet breakfast at the golf club and entertainment by a very funny bush poet. We then went on a run through beautiful Darling Downs countryside and had a roast lunch at an old pub in the pretty little village of Killarney. We then proceeded up a reasonably steep climb to Queen Mary Falls and then further up again to where the Condamine River starts. We were so high up that when a helicopter happened to fly past we were actually looking down on it, the scenery up there was just spectacular. The rally organisers also arranged an indoor rodeo and other activities to keep us entertained. They also ensured we had enough free time to do such things as wine tastings at the various vineyards, visit museums and just enjoy the beautiful area around Warwick.

I am convinced that when you travel through Warwick you see the least attractive part as the beautiful parks, gardens, old buildings and countryside are magnificent, but are no that apparent from the highway. The presentation dinner on the last evening was held at the Warwick RSL Club and was a fantastic night, made even better by the fact that we won the best “up to 1930 vehicle” with our Sports Roadster

. So farewells were said as we all prepared for the trip home, and what a trip it was. On the way up to Warwick there was not one bit of road work and I barely even had to run a chamois over the cars when we got there. But boy, can they dig up a lot of road in a week. We left for home at 7.30am and five minutes south of Warwick drove into torrential rain and thunder and lightning that lasted all the way to Guyra. Even with the side curtains fitted to the roadster there was more water inside than out, I drove with one hand on the steering wheel and one occupied full time with the chamois, using it on the car and myself. As I write this I

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still have not had the enthusiasm to go to the shed and start cleaning the cars, as I know it will be quite a job. Paul & Nerida Boyd

Bob Hession’s annual Campout

et it be known to all members and their friends that Bob Hession has claimed the

date for his annual campout at Attunga.

March 6th, 7th and 8th

You can camp out on the 6th, the dinner will be on Saturday 7th and home on the 8th. Please note that this event will be a BBQ on the 7th not the normal camp ovens. There is a nominal fee to camp overnight and any funds raised will cover costs and the remainder will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.

President’s Annual Report.

thank you for listening to or reading this my final report as President. Margaret and I

came to Tamworth in March 2006 and shortly after that attended the Kootingal Pumpkin Festival and ran into TVCC members displaying their vehicles, we introduced ourselves and indicated that we had a 1966 MGB and before we left the display had been given membership forms and a very warm welcome. Great! At the AGM in 2007 I was elected to the position as President, a role I have held until this year. Brian Orman handed me a badge that says ‘President’ and said you may wear this occasionally but he was wrong. You don’t really need to wear it at all, I believe the role is to be an ordinary member who just does a bit more to help the Club and the members whilst having a good time yourself. It is not a position that requires airs and graces just a bit of drive and the desire to keep the Club viable. I have had my ups and downs but overall I have been proud to watch over a Club that has stayed steady in numbers, attended a variety of runs and outings and kept the movement

alive. I thoroughly enjoy the longer runs that allows the wheels to turn many times on that monthly run as that, in my opinion, is what being a member of a Vintage Car Club is about. We have introduced new things to the Club such as the Web Site which sadly has not been taken up by members but unbeknownst to many of you we have had a lot of interest from outside Tamworth about the Club, we would not have been movie stars if it wasn’t for the Web Site. I am proud of the things Margaret and I have tried to bring to the Club and I am proud of the Club in keeping Vintage Cars honest and alive. We are like the old farmer sitting and working his land to make a living (read enjoyment) and if we don’t move with the times it becomes untenable. We also have to be like him in ‘succession planning’. What are we going to leave for the future generation, a derelict object that is of little use or enjoyment or something that will last as a living entity. We have to keep the Club alive to hand on to the next generation who will get enjoyment from vintage cars. How do we do that? We all have to sell the Club and our activities, we have to get the cars out into new territory not just poking around town at our old haunts. Maybe we have to look to having more runs, some shorter ones for the older and harder to drive cars and longer ones to new destinations for the newer models. The Pie Run has become very popular and I see no reason why the concept can’t be widened to cover evening runs in daylight saving times and a second run on weekends to satisfy those who work, I am sure if we attract younger members the likelyhood of them working will increase. It’s all food for thought but nothing grows unless you feed it. Finally, this year has drawn to an end and as I have previously stated work is the only reason I step down from my role, I do not intend to let go completely and I will be available, one day, to take up a role again, if required. I wish my successor well and hope that TVCC will hold as much for him/her as it has for me. Greg Campbell, President 2007-2014

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From the Treasurer.

ere is my short story :-

Firstly I would like to say a BIG thank you over the past years for being Club President and Magazine Editor, your sense of humour, decisions and Presidents breakfasts held at your home, even the odd Christmas in July over past years and wish you well in your new job endeavours and Margaret also for her support with you and in the Car Club and Ladies committee and help with making decisions at meetings and hope to still see you both at times at Club meetings and Club runs. By Lyn H. The Treasurer.

Past Runs.

DURI SOUP & DAMPER. JUNE 2014

ur invitation was a little late but we managed to get 4 vehicles participating

being Peter – Mercedes, Carl & Beryl – Holden, Alan & Maree – Dodge and Bob, Lyn, Kevin, Jamie & youngsters – Falcon. The event is run by the Duri Branch Hospital Auxiliary with all proceeds going to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, and a guest speaker informed us about modern medical services and transportation. It was a bit of a coolish day so the soup went down OK as did the other tucker. 130 attended which was more than previous years and it was good to see a large turn-out from the other local historic car clubs. A very worthy cause and well done all round. Alan Early

JULY MONTHLY RUN

cars participated which is pretty good for a mid-winter run, especially after

some very ordinary weather. The Lookout for morning tea was perfect – bright sunshine, no wind, in fact I got my hat!

The idea of forming a circle for morning tea seating was excellent and full marks to the organisers for introducing it.

Then off to the Currabubula Pub which has been recently renovated and under new management. Mixed response here which calls for a balanced assessment. 9 cars went to the pub whilst 5 cars chose to have a picnic lunch. The pub provides good food and good service in very good surroundings, but it’s silvery. Especially for pub tucker. Good for a Pie Run though where you just get a pie. Anyway you’ve got to try it to find out so now we know.

Good day and good outing attended by: Brian & Heather – Holden, Stuart & Josie – Holden, Brian, Betty & Michelle – Morris Minor, Alan & Maree – Dodge, Roly & Trish – Ford, Merv & Amghe – Mod, Kevin Jamie & youngsters – Mod, Terry & Lyn. Holden, Bob & Lyn - Chev, Carl & Beryl – Holden, Kevin & Mary – Parisienne, Michael & Mary – Mod, Cliff & Phyllis - Chrysler. Alan Early – 21/7/14 __________________________________

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2014 NARRABRI NORTH WEST RALLY

hen you mix 46 cars and superb weather conditions you have all the ingredients for

an excellent rally. And this was no exception. And besides some fine vehicles, Narrabri Club also has a reservoir of entertainment talent. Read on. The town was pretty busy due to the nearby mining activity which happens to attract protesters which in turn attract Police. We had a few mine workers and Police staying at the motel, so Narrabri is doing OK out of it all, thank you very much. Anyway, back to the rally. Registration was on Saturday followed by a casual meal at the Golf Club where we were entertained by some enthusiastic young jazz musicians. We started Sunday with step by step instructions and a map for a trip around town. Confusion reigned with only 6 vehicles out of 40 odd starters going past the sale yards! But everyone found their way to the Museum for morning tea. Very interesting place especially the old gaol out the back, and the collection of devastating flood photos.

This was Maitland Street in 1955. And the 1910 flood was even bigger! Then it was off on an hour’s drive for soup plus lunch at Maules Creek which is an idyllic quiet rural locality. Talked to some cows on the way out as well.

Members from Clubs involved in staging the North West Rally attended an informal meeting where representatives from Moree Motor Enthusiasts Club offered to host the 2015 North West Rally. This will proceed and Moree is to be congratulated on coming back into the circuit and bringing certainty to future rallies. It was touted that Coonabarabran might be a host contender but no representatives were present. Sunday night at the golf Club was dinner and presentation time with a 1929 Hudson from Inverell and a 1929 Reo from Dubbo picking up the trophies. I won a prize for a lucky place mat number – how’s that? Now for those Narrabri Club entertainers. The rendition of Patsy Cline’s She’s Got You and the stage production of Cinderella & Prince Charming were hilarious beyond belief and brought the house down. As Harvey Black said ‘the lucky ones will never see that again’ but the lucky ones will remember those acts for a long time to come. Something very different, and brilliantly enacted. So back to motoring. The 6 vehicles from our Club were Carl & Beryl – Holden, Roly & Trish – Ford, Neil & Bruce – Saab, Terry & Lyn – modern, Alan & Maree – Dodge, Cliff & Phyllis – Chrysler. Lionel & Gwen Bridge represented TDAMC.

Overall a good rally with congratulations to the Narrabri Club, and we will look forward to supporting Moree in 2015.

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Tamworth members.

Alan Early

Kootingal Pie Run – 3rd July

Photos from Michael Crawley

Some people can’t handle the truth. My Favourite Animal

Our teacher asked what my favourite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed. My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favourite animal.

I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favourite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again. I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am.

Today, my teacher asked me to tell her what famous person I admired most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders." Guess where I am now.

Bush Council Survey

embers will find attached to this magazine a pull off survey that has been circulated

by the Bush Council in respect to Modified Vehicles and HCRS. Please find the time to complete the survey and either return it to Bush Council or TVCC. I will reprint the message:-

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“In recent months, discussion in many quarters of the historic vehicle movement has been building over the proposed establishment of a conditional registration scheme for NSW modified vehicles. At this point in time we do not have information on any details of the proposed scheme.

The initiative for an M-Plate (modified vehicle) scheme is being driven by the ACMC. Council does not have any role in negotiations at the moment, however, the CHMC Committee thinks it would be wise to prepare for involvement if such action is necessary to protect the interests of our members.

Committee holds the view that an M-Plate scheme will not replace the H-Plate scheme but will sit alongside it as an option for members wishing to operate modified vehicles.

Although both schemes would be conditional, Council believes the conditions will differ significantly when comparing one scheme with the other.

Council will monitor progress of the M-Plate initiative. At the same time we wish to establish a position on the imitative, confident that our arguments represent the best interests of the members.

To this end we ask for your assistance by completing and returning the attached survey.

Your responses are essential to help us to gain the best understanding of the views held by the vehicle operators represented by Council. We encourage individual members of your Club to complete and return the questionnaire. A group response (that is, representing the majority view of Club members) can be returned but this should not replace responses from individual members.”

Annual Fees

Please remember that your fees are now due.

If you have not paid your fees by the end of August you are no longer a financial member of TVCC and

your Conditional Registration will be invalid.

5 Way Meet at Bingara

n Sunday 10th August four vehicle from the Club headed off from Attunga to Bingara,

those being Margaret & Greg Campbell - MGB, Peter Wright – Mercedes, Michael Jeanes – Rover and Brian, Lyn, Phillip & Betty Orman - Corolla for a very nice run. After negotiating the dead roos on the road and the odd

oncoming truck we arrived to a smaller than usual crowd as the date mix up had affected many Clubs. There was still a nice mix of cars, trucks and bikes with everyone enjoying the company.

Vehicles varied from the original to the modified such as this nice Fargo.

Michael Jeanes was able to tell me a whole lot about this

Sunbeam Le Mans, I discovered he was telling the truth when I read the big sheet of information laid out in the back parcel tray area. Nice one Michael, I believe you.

Just about all had left when we looked up from lunch, funny how

we often get carried away eating and talking. A nice long run on a fine day.

Greg Campbell 17/8/14 O