48th ANNUAL CHMC Rally
Easter Rally at Narrabri 30 March – 2 April 2018
by Allan Boyd, STHARC delegate
This year’s CHMC Annual Rally was hosted by the Namoi Valley Antique Vehicle Club (NVAVC). Rally entries were represented from 28 CHMC affiliated clubs plus a few other non-CHMC members with 88 vehicles ranging from an early 1921 to 1986
It was a 690km drive for Chris and me in the Camry towing the 1961 BMW R60/2 in the motorcycle trailer. We left Thursday morning with an overnight camp at Mendooran, north of Dubbo, then drove Good Friday morning arriving in Narrabri at lunchtime to a hot day, blue skies and bright sunshine.
Friday was registration day at the Narrabri Tourist Information Centre with a welcome cuppa and light lunch provided by NVAVC, CHMC Committee meeting for Chris in the afternoon, while I unloaded and fuelled the BMW. The CHMC AGM was held that night from 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the Narrabri RSL Club and was well attended by Committee, CHMC affiliated clubs delegates, observers and visitors. The only office bearer up for election was the RMS Liaison Officer position, and Peter Wright, Tamworth Vintage Car Club (TVCC), was elected unopposed. Bill Waddell will continue to provide support to Peter and the rest of the Committee. Ken Morris, Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club (NRVC) was appointed as Assistant RMS Liaison. Allan Haggerty, Griffith Historic Motor Club (GHMC), gave an outline of the 2019 Griffith Rally which will give participants many opportunities to visit well-known Griffith tourist attractions and a few not so well-known, some interesting runs such as the Handyman’s Tour, and a bag of Griffith brochures. I provided a brief outline of the 2018 Half Yearly Meeting that STHARC is hosting, and the meeting accepted Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club’s offer to host the 2019 Half Yearly Meeting.
Saturday morning started with a vehicle display and judging at Leitch Park, located behind the Tourist Information Centre, where vehicles were set out in accordance to Club groups. It was a popular venue for the public to view the display and participants to undertake their voting for best vehicles in the various categories. At 1pm were the tours: those who nominated the Santos Gas Field Tour were transported by coach, and the other tour to the Narrabri Fish Farm was a follow-the-leader drive in your own vehicle. Chris and I had opted for the latter tour. The Fish Farm is a fairly recent venture for a local who provides fingerlings for hatcheries: Murray Cod, Golden and Rainbow Perch, and he breeds yabbies for a growing market. At the end of the talk he provided clear fresh bore water and cooked yabbies – we enjoyed the yabbies which have quite a sweet meat.
In the evening, there was a dinner and quiz night at the Narrabri RSL Club, as well as a bush poet who gave us some of his original Aussie yarns and some more traditional ‘pomes’; it was an entertaining night.
Bright blue skies, sunshine and not a cloud in the sky greeted us Sunday morning. We started Easter Sunday with a short ecumenical service out in the open behind the Tourist complex, followed by a welcome cuppa and slices in the Information Centre. After a briefing and issuing of maps, participants drove to Wee Waa, or in our case Allan rode and Chris finally was pillion on his magnificent bike, taking one of two routes: half via the Kamilaroi Highway and the others via Yarrie Lakes Road that went past the CSIRO Australian Telescopes Centre. The return was the opposite to the route taken out.
We all met at the Wee Waa Namoi Echo Museum for a tour and lunch; all was well organised. The Museum’s claim to fame is that the structure was the pulled down and resurrected Horden Pavilion (from Sydney) built the same way as the Sydney Harbour Bridge – all rivets, no nails. The locals/families and cotton farmers poured into town to view the 80+ vehicles on display.
Sunday night was Presentation Dinner at the RSL Club where the CHMC perpetual trophies and 6 other trophies were announced. Parkes AMC, a club smaller in numbers than STHARC, won the Mal Maison Shield two years in a row for the best Club display and rally participation. I received a perpetual trophy for the Best Motorcycle. A great night was had by all. And there was another quiz just to keep the merriment rolling along.
A farewell breakfast on Monday morning was provided by the NVAVC at their Club House in West Narrabri. In the building’s previous life it was the Narrabri Shire Council Chambers – the Shire must have been small 60 or so years ago. Following a bacon and egg roll each and a cuppa, Rally participants departed to their various homes, and so we farewelled our many friends promising to catch up at the Griffith Rally (Riverina) in 2019.
No excuses STHARC members we are only about 4 hours away from Griffith, so let’s give Parkes AMC a run for the “Best Club Display”!
STHARC Roll Call:
Allan & Chris Boyd 1961 BMW R60/2 600cc
David Buckley at Bangkok Night Market near Seacon Square
The Dusit Princess is a reasonable priced 4/5* about a 100-150Bt (about $4-6) taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport. It’s still a vague way out of Bangkok, which sort of sprawls all over without a real defined centre. I sometimes overnight at DP on the way home after working the week in Ayutthaya. It’s across the road from Seacon Square – a huge HUGE shopping mall. I was told behind that was a night market. Ho hum. There are 100s of night markets in Bangkok. I don’t usually bother – $4 T shirts and $10 Rolexes are not really my thing. This one is 2nd biggest, near Seacon Square on Srinakarin Road and I was told it was retro hip hop funky groove 50s with a lot of antiques, and … historic cars. In Thailand? Yes. And bikes. And scooters. And someone’s decided they really need a diesel loco to complete their collection! And an Airstream Caravan. Out the back of the complex they have complex of speed shops, restomods, garages and STUFF. Restored motor vehicles, old style petrol pumps tin plate signs. Lots stuff. Old mailboxes and telephone boxes. And maybe a 100 vehicles! Its open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Go see! (PS I’m going back tomorrow morning to see if I can get photos in daylight daylight ) David Buckle”
David Buckley in Shenyang China
March 2018 work trip to Shenyang, NE China (to help get a rabies vaccine manufacturer pre-qualified by WHO), so very close to the N Korean border. -5 to +5C so getting warmer but still a lot of snow and ice around – Jan would have been below -25C. The city population of over 6 million is very modern, but dates back 6,000 years ago, so pre-Pharaonic.
Sunday afternoon shopping and taken to an 8 level hardware store, each level the area of a Bunnings but all small stall-holders, selling everything from chainsaws, plumbing, welding, air compressors, mechanics tools, chain hoists up to 20 ton, spray painting, 2^nd heavy construction equipment. Etc., etc. Heaven. And cheap. About ½ Aussie price. Bought about 20kg STUFF, just OK as I have a 2 x 20kg
luggage allowance. Then onto to a sports good and camping shop, to buy a new travel backpack. 1 level but again the area was about the same as a Bunnings.
Last tea – SERIOUS tea. 3 levels in a mall, each floor same as the David Jones mall in Civic, nothing but tea and teapots and stuff for making tea, or serving tea. Most expensive tea was $1000. No. I didn’t buy any.
Tomorrow I have to knuckle down and wrestle with rabies – yes, I’m vaccinated and boosted every 2 years. Not a fair fight – I win. Too easy.
David Buckley
Doing it tough – 15-30 course banquet every night – but -11oC tomorrow and snowing/icy sleet. Will be pleased to get home and just have a sandwich for lunch.
Jane Nock’s Trip to the USA. Railroad Days in Snoqualmie, WA, USA 18 to 20 August 2017
On my recent visit to my son and his family I enjoyed the celebrations associated with this annual celebration. The Saturday started with a Pancake Breakfast – 2 pancakes with maple syrup and topping of your choice, including fresh fruit and a plain or iced donut, juice, tea or coffee all for $5pp, at the local Fire Station. The Grand Parade down the main street of Historic Downtown Snoqualm-ie was very popular, featuring the mayor and his opposition for the forth-coming elections, the police, fire brigade, some cars from the Legends Car Club, local community groups, a band, cheerleaders and my favour-ite, a pirate ship float with swashbuckling pirates and a real cannon that went off every 10m or so along the full length of the main street.
Stalls lined both sides of the street and featured arts, crafts and various stallholders. We bought tickets to take the 90 minute return train trip through spectacular scenery to North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls. Our carriage of choice was a restored vintage one.
The Legends Pacific NW Car Club put on one of their 2017 Classic Car Shows on the Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm. Interestingly enough they wel-come all hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, trucks and motorcy-cles. Trophies were awarded in 21 classes! Class Descriptions were Stock to 56, Stock 57 to 65, Stock 66 and up, Modified to 50, Stock Truck, Modified Truck, Street Rod to 48, Custom 49 and up, Chevy Tri Five (55,56,57), 80 and Up, Sports Car 2 Seater, Unfinished, Orphan, Foreign, Ford Muscle Car 60 and up, GM Muscle Car 60 and Up, Mopar Muscle Car and Up, Motorcycle, Modern Muscle and Special Interest. People were friendly and happy to chat.
This celebration certainly gave me a snapshot of the history of Snoqualmie and the hardships faced by the pioneers of the area. It also reinforced how dog and child friendly Seattle and this part of the world is.
If you would like to know more about the area or the Legends Car Club do look it up on the internet. By Jane Nock
47th ANNUAL CHMC Rally Albury 18 – 22 May 2017
by Allan Boyd, STHARC
The CHMC Annual Rally was hosted by the Antique Car Club Albury Wodonga (ACCAW) and was planned to coincide with the Albury Wodonga Club’s 50th Anniversary, the National Heritage Motoring Day (NHMD) and the Victorian Federation Meeting of Delegates. This involved a lot of planning and work for the host Club, as the Rally was spread over 5 days.
Thursday, the first day, ACCAW provided a welcome morning tea, a “check in” at the Albury Showground, then an early bird tour of about 73km with lunch at Burrumbuttock. On return to Albury Showground it was meet and greet those arriving and another cuppa.
Friday we met at the Showground and vehicles were divided into White, Blue and Red groups for the day’s tour incorporating lunch at the Old Gaol at Beechworth. The tour commenced at 10am in the rain but this did not deter the attendees. As Chris had to attend a CHMC Committee meeting after lunch, with some photocopying required beforehand, we did not go on the drive. The CHMC AGM was held that night from 8pm – 10pm at the Albury Entertainment Centre and was well attended by Committee, delegates, observers and visitors. The election of Committee went smoothly and the current Committee Office Bearers remains unchanged. Two clubs applications for membership to CHMC were accepted by members.
Saturday morning the rain had cleared and the White, Blue and Red groups of cars set out on the day’s tour of the ‘wine areas’ with all the groups meeting at the Corowa RSL club for a delicious lunch and in sunshine. The array of vehicles in the carpark drew some attention from other club members and a few locals. That night was the Rally Welcome Dinner with entertainment at the Albury Entertainment Centre that Chris attended whilst I enjoyed a quiet night in. Chris reported it was a lot of fun, and she returned back to the cabin with a few prizes won from participating in some funny and a few outlandish competitions.
Sunday the weather was warmer and sunny for the CHMC vehicle display and judging of cars, especially the Concours D’Elegance judging (won by a 1918 Daimler light 30 tourer), at the Lincoln Causeway Park Wodonga from 10am to Midday. John and Rosemary Thomas’ 1964 EH Holden was selected to be part of the Concours display, and was in a roped off area next to the entrance. The Holden attracted quite a bit of interest. After the morning’s judging, the combined National Heritage Motoring Day display followed when many other vehicle clubs joined the CHMC display. Many of the Rally sponsors attended the display such as Shannons Insurance, NRMA Classic Insurance, and Hume Bank. The large vehicle display attracted many locals and car enthusiasts.
That evening was the Gala Dinner and Presentation Evening at the Albury Entertainment Centre, the dress code was ‘Gatsby to Go-Go’. Great food, good company and many trophies were presented including the CHMC Perpetual Trophies; 34 individual clubs were represented.
Monday morning we packed up at our accommodation and returned to the Albury Showground for a Farewell BBQ Breakfast. There was another short tour for ‘those who didn’t want to go home’ but we were not one of them.
STHARC Roll Call:
John & Rosemary Thomas 1964EH Holden
Allan & Chris Boyd 1977 BMW 633 csi sports coupe
EWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE 2017 ANNUAL RALLY
COUNCIL OF HERITAGE MOTOR CLUBS (CHMC)
18 – 22 MAY, ALBURY NSW.
By Allan Boyd, STHARC
Husband to his wife; honestly dear, I didn’t buy the car, it just followed me home!
After the Sunday night Presentation Dinner, Chris and I returned to the Beema in the car park, opened the boot to put items in AND it would not close but was stuck wide open on its torsion rods.
So I tied the boot in position and drove back to the caravan park with a large F1 wing on the rear. We got some looks!
Friends and fellow CHMC Committee members Mike and Max Beale’s 1937 Chev driver’s window failed to shut, so we spent some time searching in a large well-known Warehouse for some rubber wedges to hold the window up; it was raining!
While searching in this Warehouse, there was a heavy rain storm causing the roof to leak in a number of sections of the Warehouse – so staff grabbed buckets off the shelves and put them to immediate use. It was raining so hard, we decided to stay and eat lunch at their snack bar.
Jenny Fawbert, CHMC webmaster, drove her modern car to the Rally, so she willingly accepted a lift from the Packham’s in the dickie seat of their Buick. At the lunch stop, Jenny had to do some tricky moves to exit the seat. Some whispered remarks were made about engine hoists.
One group of vehicle enthusiasts travelling through the Victorian countryside to the Corowa lunch venue only made it to Rutherglen and stopped. The wine tasting was so good, they settled in for a few hours of food and wine and “walking down memory lane”. Seems their vehicles were heard to rattle on the return trip to Albury – wine bottles we believe.
The Boyds booked into a caravan park cabin not realising it was very close to the Hume Freeway, its ramp entrances and the Sydney – Melbourne rail line. Another trip to that Warehouse – this time for ear plugs.
The Boyds 1977 BMW 633 is usually the lone wolf at rallies, but not so this time – there were two more: a 1976 528 and a 1986 535, both from Victoria. A trio of Beemas!
4th Annual Harden Murrumburrah Truck and Tractor Show-19th March 2017
Barry Bear represented STHARC at the 4th Annual Harden Murrumburrah Truck and Tractor Show on Sunday 19th March.
There was a good roll up of 8 Ferguson Tractors as well as a few other brands that we didn’t take much notice of, also, a good attendance of International Trucks as they were the featured make this year. There were plenty of table tops and prime movers of other makes to keep the crowd interested until wrap up at 3pm. The display was a bit smaller than previous years as there was two other truck shows the same weekend but still worthwhile making the trip.
Malcolm Roxburgh
Queanbeyan Hot Rods 28th January 2017
Clarendon Classic Rally September 2016
Grenfell Tractor Trek 17th & 18th September 2016. From Malcolm Roxburgh
I went to a tractor trek last weekend and it is amazing what little country towns hide. It rained on Sunday so we all went to the Chrysler Museum in the main street of Grenfell.
Dubbo Truck Show
