Veteran Vintage and Classic Club Bendigo Inc

The Bendigo Distributor July 2015

Christmas in June70 members gathered at the Clubrooms to celebrate Christmas in June on Saturday evening, 20 June. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening filled with table conversation, a fun variation of Kris Kringle, and a really great roast meal with plum pudding for desert.

Kaye Diss hosted the Kris Kringle game and lead us all on thinking two of the really good prizes were a meat tray (we thought a tray of meat) and a dinner for two (we thought at a restaurant). During the game

these two prizes were exchanged around the room more than a dozen times each only to discover at the end of the game that the meat tray was a an empty polystyrene tray from the Coles butcher and the dinner for two was a bag of instant noodles.

We are extremely grateful to Peggy and Clive Bennett and Kaye and Bill Diss together with their helpers for preparing the scrumptious meal and to Kaye for decorating the tables and Clubrooms so beautifully.

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Dragons Abreast Historic Machinery and Vehicle EventIt was a great weekend despite the cold and sometimes damp periods during the Dragons Abreast Historic Machinery and Vehicle weekend event at the Bendigo Show Grounds 30-31 May.

We started Friday morning by building the engine compounds and setting out the markers which this year was all housed on the oval surface and trotting track. The Show Society gave permission for Peter Robinson to use his little rotary hoe along the trotting track fence. It was great to be able to have a working exhibition for the public to see. By nightfall we had 22 tractors and several engines on site including Alan Nankervis excellent display of rare outboard motors. I want to thank everyone involved in setting up the event which seemed to take no time at all with so many willing workers.

On Friday night and the Engine Club took on the task of security. The announcers box provided a great place to view the entire exhibition area.

Saturday morning was cloudy and cold but it wasn’t too bad and heaps of items began rolling in. Cars, more engines, trucks and lots more tractors. Half the oval was soon filled with an excellent display. The tractor trek left at 10am. I want to thank Sandy Ireland for bringing the pies and pasties out to our lunch site.

The tractors headed to the airport and then turned left at the Rifle Range and onto the Longlea forest. From there the track became fairly rough. We followed the Army Reserve fence for some time and eventually emerged out of the forest at Maggs Lane in Longlea. It would have been an even more an interesting trek if we had an inch or two of rain just prior the trek as there were a number of places where water runs through the area that we were negotiating our way through.

After a couple of stops we eventually found our way to Bowles Lane. We then turned right at the Strath Eppalock road and started our trip back to Bendigo via some unsealed roads that I didn’t know existed. We were well lead by Tony McEniry who knows this area well. At 2:45pm and after travelling 55 kms in all we arrived back at the Show Grounds in time for some to attend the David Brown Club meeting.

The tractors that took part were: Ford - 2, David Brown - 1, Lanz Bull Dog - 1, Fiat - 1, 135 Massey Ferguson - 2, Massey Ferguson 35’s - 6, TEA 20’s - 4, Chamberlain - 1 , Yamaha - 1, WD7 International - 1

The Yamaha is just a very small tractor although it kept up to the larger ones really well and its wheels would have done thousands of more turns than the rest. Well done to Peter.

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Veteran Vintage Classic Club Bendigo was responsible for overnight security and showers of rain made it fairly cold work when our volunteers were out and about looking around.

Again on Sunday we had a great display of vehicles and trucks. Some tractors had headed off Saturday night but over 30 were still on display throughout the day. We ran a grand parade at 11am and that delighted the crowd as we did a few runs along the Market side of the trotting track. It was good to see the engines running and the special display of a Massey Ferguson bailer running in its own compound.

Showers in the afternoon caused the crowd to drop off and the Market stall holders were starting to pack up. So we did the same and in no time at all the fencing was down and loaded and the engines secured back onto their transport ready for home. By 4pm there were just the last couple of tractors waiting to be taken away and a couple of cars. Other than that you would not have known we had been there which is amazing given the number of items that had come and gone over the three days.

For those interested in tractors it was interesting on the way home that I had an 8 x 5 trailer with a stationary engine and rabbit ripper on behind the W6 International and at one hill it would not pull all the way up in top gear. Then I

came home with the TEA 20 with a tandem behind with 50 star posts and cyclone fencing etc. that we used for the safety fence and I would estimate I had about the same weight in both trailers. The Fergy on the same hill pulled all the way in top gear.

All our efforts for the weekend were appreciated by the ladies on the gates and they were happy with the number of tins they had filled and I hear now that the funds will be used to make much needed repairs to their promotion team’s racing boat.

I wish to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped out with the setting up, packing up and the running of this display. Thank you to those who came in for the security shifts on both Friday and Saturday nights. I would also like to thank everyone who came along with items to display and I am sure you will agree that it was a terrific display once again.

Submitted by Neil Athorn

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Club President’s Monthly ReportHello to all,

Winter is here with the days are getting colder and we have had some good rain which is needed.

Your 2015/16 annual fee is due and must be paid by the September General Meeting. The fee remains at $60 for the year. In past years the committee has been quiet patient with members who have paid late by sending reminder notices. We cannot do that this year, as VicRoads stipulates that if your fee is not paid in September and if you have a vehicle with red plates we are required to immediately inform VicRoads that you are no longer a financial member of the Club your red plates will be cancelled. After that you will be driving an unregistered vehicle and your insurance coverage will become void. Non-financial members cannot vote at the AGM either. So please pay by September!

Shortly you will receive a questionnaire in order for us to gather relevant information to make sure our Vehicle Register is up to date. This is also a new VicRoads requirement.

The AGM will follow the September General Meeting, Would you please take some time and consider being available for nomination to one of the positions on

the Committee of Management. If elected I am sure you will find serving on the committee a very rewarding experience. It is a good way for new members to become involved as well.

I want to thank Clive and Richard for arranging our visit to the Great Stupa. I was a very interesting experience. It will be an amazing structure when it is finished. The meal at the Marong Hotel was very good and all who participated has a very enjoyable day.

By the time you read this, Christmas in June will be over. 70 people registered to attend. We are so fortunate to have such good caterers in our club as Peggy Bennett and Kaye Diss and their helpers (Clive and Bill) to take on such a big task. We greatly appreciate their efforts.

This year our Annual Dinner will be at the Clubrooms. Please put your names on this list if you wish to attend. This is always a great night.

Ashley Gray President

“The dealer says the warranty is good for the life of the car but he’s not responsible if the vehicle doesn’t live very long.”

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Club Captain’s Monthly ReportMidweek Stupa runThirty of us made the mid-week run to the Great Stupa; all went to plan until we reached the Stupa at about 10am. As we were pulling into the parking lot many of us thought that Clive’s little Fiat was on fire, it was laying down a smokescreen that would have done any battleship proud. Close inspection revealed that the smokescreen was due to an oil leak onto the exhaust manifold. Once inside the stupor’s guest centre, Ian Green ran a slide show for us he reviewed the work that had been done on the Stupa to date and where it was heading in the future. He also introduced us to the Jade Buddha the largest in the world and to the basics of

the Buddhist faith. We then did a walking tour of the Stupa itself, I think it’s safe to say that most of us were impressed. Heading out from the Stupa to the Marong pub for lunch we had a little more excitement, Terry’s old Matchless refused to start even after much pushing around the parking lot. So Terry left his bike at the Stupa and we all departed for the pub, the meals and service were good. On getting back to the Stupa, Terry gave the old matchless one kick and she started like a champ; you just have to love these old beasts of ours, they are occasionally troublesome but generally they are a lot of fun.

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Christmas in June70 people attended the Christmas in June event, it was a great success.

NGV Exhibition on Design Innovation and the Australian Car On 10 July we are planning a day trip to the NGV’s exhibition: Shifting Gear, Design Innovation and the Australian car. We plan on getting to the exhibition by train; our train will depart Bendigo at 8:45am we will be returning on the 3:15pm train from Southern Cross. The connections between Southern Cross and the NGV will be made by tram. Tickets for the train can be the free passes that some of us have, concession tickets or full fare, the club is not paying for transport. It is worth noting that if you

from steam powered horseless carriages through the classic Aussie Ute, muscle cars, V8s and dazzling concept cars. There will be a sign up sheet at the next general meeting, but if you can’t or haven’t signed up feel free to just come on the day and leave with the rest of us as there is no limit to the numbers that can attend.

1960s night On Friday, 11 September starting at 6:30pm we will be running a 60s night at the Clubrooms. The food and music will all be straight out of the 1960s. If you can dress up 60s style, then great, if not just come as you are. It should be a great night. A three course meal will be provided for $10. A sign-up sheet will be available at the next two general meetings.

Star Theatre movie night On the evening of the 24 July we will be doing tea at the Courthouse Hotel Eaglehawk followed by a movie at the Star Theatre, or it may be the other way round movie first and tea second. Sorry for being so vague but The Star has an event planned for the 24th, which will run in either the first slot from 6pm to 8pm or the second from 8:30pm to 10:30pm. Our movie will run in the slot not used by this event. The star is still working on its programs for next month. At the moment it looks like the movie will be about Brian Wilson and the Beach boys. I will get an email or an SMS out to you all when I get the details on the movie and its show time. The star will be contacting me with details around the end of June.

Heathcote Draft Horse FestivalThis year’s Draft Horse Festival will be held on 9 August at the Heathcote Show Grounds. Displays of all types are most welcome; bring your cars, trucks, tractors and stationary engines. You will have a great day watching the horses working in the nice surroundings of Heathcote.

don’t have a Myky card you may have two purchase one at the Bendigo or Kangaroo Flat station depending on where you are departing from. Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased at the door for $15 for an adult and $12 concession. The exhibition covers Australian car design

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Breakfast at the club rooms followed by Castlemaine run On Saturday 29 August at 8am we will be serving breakfast at the club rooms prior to sending off the veteran and vintage cars on their run to the Forest Street Oval in Castlemaine. The older cars will leave for Castlemaine around 9:00am, the faster classic and 60s-70s cars can depart later to arrive in Castlemaine around 10am. The day will be informal, the CFA will provide lunch at the Oval for a nominal price, or you can choose to find somewhere in town. This day will be a nice lead in to the Marong picnic which will be held on the following day Sunday 30 August.

Cars and trucks wanted for display at Showgrounds. The MWOA (Municipal works officer’s association) hold their annual conference at the Bendigo Showgrounds on 23-25 September. Last year the Club provided 8 vehicles for a small show located in the rear of the MWOA conference room. The vehicles will be locked up and guarded overnight. Anyone interested in making their car or truck available should speak to the event coordinator Peter Tange.

Cars wanted for display during the Bendigo Show We have been allocated space for up to 30 cars or other collectables to be part of the annual show, 23-24 October. Please let us know if you have a car or truck or collectable you would like to be part of this display. There will be a sign up sheet available at the next general meeting.

Annual Club Rally - Yeh All the available cabins at the caravan park have been taken; rooms at the Yeh Motel across the road from the caravan park are still available. A double will cost $99 a day for the week of October 2 through October 10, and a single will cost $90 a day for the same period. To book a room

please call Christine at (03) 57972660.

A Cautionary taleA classic car and motorcycle have been stolen in Bendigo over the last week; all of us should review the anti-theft measures that we are using to protect our vehicles. Just believing that area I live in is safe won’t protect your pride and joy from honest thieves. Nothing much is going to stop the hard-core gone in 60 seconds guys, but that’s where having your car well insured comes in.

Richard Paynting Club Captain

Notice to Members The following persons have expressed interest in Club membership and are completing their application procedure in line with Club policy. At the July General Meeting I will move that, subject to there being no objection, they be welcomed into the Club as a new members: Jake Napier and Frank Musk

Steve Lottkowitz, Club Secretary

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July - August 2015The following events calendar is necessarily abbreviated for this print newsletter. Refer to the Events Calendar on the website (vvccbendigo.org.au/events/) for comprehensive details.

July 2 - General MeetingAt the Clubrooms

July 6 - Swap Committee MeetingAt the Clubrooms

July 7 - Craft and Men’s Shed NightAt the Clubrooms

July 13 - Club Committee meetingAt the Clubrooms

July 2 - General MeetingAt the Clubrooms

July 6 - Swap Committee MeetingAt the Clubrooms

July 7 - Craft and Men’s Shed NightAt the Clubrooms

July 13 - Club Committee meetingAt the Clubrooms

July 24 - Star Theatre movie nightWe will start the evening at the Courthouse Hotel for tea, followed by a movie at the Star.

August 6 - General MeetingAt the Clubrooms

August 10 - Swap Committee MeetingAt the Clubrooms

August 11 - Craft and Men’s Shed NightAt the Clubrooms

August 16 - Vintage Rob Roy Hill ClimbThe VSCC once again takes great pleasure in inviting you and or your Club to compete and or display your car.

August 16 - President’s Mystery RunLeave the Clubrooms at 10:00am. Lunch at a hotel (the Club to pay)

August 17 - Club Committee meetingAt the Clubrooms

August 22 - Annual DinnerAt the Clubrooms

August 29 - Breakfast at the Club Rooms8am breakfast at the Club Rooms prior to sending off the veteran and vintage cars on the run to Castlemaine

August 29 - Tour to CastlemaineThe Federation of Veteran Vintage and Classic Vehicle Clubs invites you to take a Tour to Castlemaine.

Bring your veteran or vintage vehicle and join others for a pleasant cruise to Castlemaine a day before the Marong Picnic. Drive in company with like-minded enthusiasts and enjoy a pleasant day. Classic vehicle owners don’t despair, we want you too. Please join us in Castlemaine at the oval in Forest Street.

Parking and food will be available

August 30 - Morong Federation PicnicMarong Football ground (Malone Park)

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Bendigo Swap Committee Meeting 11 May 2015Present: As per attendance register.

Apologies: Nil.

Site Bookings: Still some indoor ones in the REC building but these will take up closer to the Swap.

With some ground lay out changes by the Show Society Rebecca feels there could be another 16 sites near the main gate.

There are no public phones at the Show Grounds anymore and reference has been removed from the map.

In front of the BEC building along the narrow section between the building and oval only Rotary and YMCA have allocated sites in there.

Volunteers: Over June the Federation Clubs will receive details of their members who have volunteered so far to be workers at this year’s Swap. Clubs will be asked to confirm all is still in order for these people to do their shifts.

40TH Year: Still looking at items and chasing cheaper quotes on the carry bags which all appear to be more expensive that 2 years ago which shows they are popular. The good thing about bags is that they continue to advertise whilst they remain in use. Cheapest quotes to date were 3,000 cost $4,230.00 and 7,000 cost $4,550.00. Ashley pointed out that the main Committee of the Club was not in favour of this expenditure of swap funds. Rebecca pointed out that the Federation Committee was in favour and as owner of the Swap it was their decision. The Federation had been made aware of the VVCC Bendigo’s feelings. Federation also noted that there was precedent set by celebrating other Swap milestones.

Magazine: Moved Clive Bennett Seconded Peter Hartland that there

be no magazine from the 2016 Swap. Steve Lottkowitz pointed out that he had submitted articles in 2014 that were not printed so they have some to carry forward. It was acknowledged that despite not all being sold that it did return a profit never the less and the Bendigo Club is not presently responsible for its production and content. It was felt that we must still do a site holders list and map and make that available to the public. Matter left as a motion on the table for more discussion at the June meeting.

General Business:

Equipment: Mary requires a new memory stick to down load the Volunteers programme and information as a backup. Resolved that a new one be purchased at $49.00.

Advertising: Neil reported that Paul Henderson has found that you can piggy back onto on line items such as the Bendigo Advertiser and have ads on there. People view these on their computer and mobile phones. Worth looking into costs.

Set Up & pack Up Tasks: Matter for a later meeting is to go over the lists and tasks involved in these two important operations.

Toilets: Rebecca is discussing alternatives for the public to use that do not involve the number of steps that the truck body ones have.

City Council: Question to be raised with their Major Events to see if they have any mobile toilets they supply free to larger events.

Radios: Neil to ask Mark if these would be possible to have for mark out day and the additional costs if we do.

Next Meeting: This will be on Monday the 8th June the Monday of the long weekend at 7:30 as usual.

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VVCC General Meeting 4 June 2015 (Draft Minutes)President, Ashley Gray, opened the meeting at 7:30pm and welcomed members and visitors including Jake Napier, Russell Barren and Robert Elliston.

MinutesMoved Don Roberts, Seconded Neil Athorn that the Minutes of the May 2015 meeting be accepted as a true and accurate record. Carried.

Business Arising None

Treasurer’s ReportTed Rahill read out payments for the month, receipt totals for the month, bank balances at the end of the month, and Club investment figures.

Moved Ted Rahill, Seconded Neil Athorn, that the Treasurer’s Report be adopted. Carried.

Club Captain’s ReportRichard Paynting corrected the date of the upcoming Star Theatre event, and encouraged members to view details on the calendar on the Club’s webpage.

Clive Bennett outlined accommodation arrangements for the Yea rally in October

An update will be printed in the July Distributor.

Neil Athorn thanked participants in the Dragon’s Abreast fundraising event held on 30th and 31st May. Our involvement enabled the initiative to collect funds that will be used to restore the dragon boat. The associated tractor trek was good – 50 tractors, 24 stationary engines on display, plus much more. One lesson from the event is that we need a draw card to keep participants coming back – perhaps next year we could display historic caravans?

Swap ReportMerv Rushton thanked Neil Athorn for care taking the Swap Committee for nearly six months during his focus on family matters, child minding, etc. Special thanks to Beck, Mary and the team.

Communications Editor’s Report David Thorne thanked Rob Walder for contributing great photos for the web page. He acknowledged the request for a single column format version of the newsletter. David pointed out that each newsletter article appears on the Club website and wondered if that would serve the need.

Newsletters contain only a summary of the Club calendar. Members are encouraged to read the details on the web page.

Please let Steve Lottkowitz or David Thorne know when you get a new phone number.

AOMC ReportA meeting was held on 18th May 2015. See separate report in The Distributor by John Eade.

Federation Report No meeting.

New MemberPhillip Baker was warmly welcomed as a new member of the Club.

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General BusinessPlease park modern cars behind the Club rooms when attending General Meetings.

Alan Stevens knows of a 1963 Humber Super Snipe plus spares for sale. The vehicle is air conditioned. Asking price $3,000. Contact Alan - 0428 303 125.

Alan reported on a caravan rally he attended in Tasmania – 1,000 miles including re-tracing the route taken by the original owners of his motor home, comparing historic photos with current views – fascinating. The rally had 130 participants.

Geoff Windridge announced arrange-ments for new members.

Ashley Gray explained that members are welcome to use the Club’s photocopier for printing the newsletter from the Club’s computer, and for small personal jobs; but it is not available for hundreds of copies such as reproducing other clubs’ news bulletins. (Consumables are expensive).

Denis Rogers displayed a historic truck time keeper known as a “Tell Tale” – an early electro-mechanical version of a trip computer which recorded gear changes, speed, engine revs, etc. Also offered members a free look into a 1980 Glass Guide on caravan values. You just never know when it might come in handy ….

Frank Robins asked whether progress was being made towards updating honor boards. Yes, (slowly).

Clive Bennett needs a Fiat 500 carburettor. Please contact Clive – 0417 034 050.

David Thorne reported on his recent trip to China where he worked for two weeks at a printing company to host visitors over the new plant. David and his wife Ruth then a visit to a small town near Tirano in the north of Italy, where he met surviving relations and learned about his family heritage.

John Eade asked if anyone knew whether mirrors can be re-silvered in Bendigo. Yes – Masons Glass.

Ted Rahill (on behalf of all members) thanked Stuart Ridley for demonstrating scratch removal from automotive glass at the Club’s May workshop and craft night.

Neil Athorn had been to a meeting with VicRoads people. New log books are on the way. Club Plate vehicles transferring into a Club need a RWC if the old club has been de-registered by VicRoads. Otherwise, inter-club transfers of existing red plate vehicles do not require a RWC unless the receiving Club has introduced a by-law requiring such. However all vehicles transferring onto our Club Plate Scheme must be scrutinized by one of the Club’s Vehicle Safety Officers (Maurie or Rini). VicRoads staff said that the Government could extract a $1,400 fine for not correctly filling-in a log book (if the legislation and penalty units are literally interpreted).

Merv Rushton had spend a couple of weeks on holidays with friends and had visited a persimmon farm at Cobram where the family/owners had been in residence for several generations. Much old machinery had been restored and preserved. A recommended venue for a Club run.

Cleaning RosterJuly: Roy Bullock August: Rob Burns September: Colin Butler

The meeting closed at 8:28pm

“Isn’t it weird how when a cop drives by you feel paranoid instead of protected.”

“I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.”

12Vintage Veteran and Classic Club Bendigo Inc Website: vvccbendigo.org.au Enquiries: info@vvccbendigo.org.au

Winton 2015On Sunday 29 May, John, Reni, Tony, David, Arthur and I braved the cold and went over to Winton to the Austin 7 Classics, It was a very good day of racing and car displays. Even though the weather was a little cool it did not stop the crowds from attending and there was plenty to see.

The event was well organised again by the Austin 7 club.

Submitted by Robert Walder