President’s Report for AGM June 2012.
The last 12 months have been rather interesting. We have though, unfortunately experienced some broken windows
and graffiti splashed on the clubrooms and as a consequence have boarded
ourselves in! kids and vandalism, we think. Dave has installed a security light which may help as a
deterrent.
The club membership has been relatively static, but with two
or three new and re-enlisting members in Steve Manley Tony Bond and second
generation, Carl Silk. It is great to have them back, although Tony is a resident
of Napier, so rarely gets to catch up in person. Steve Manly has been to some meetings and also catches up at
various outings.
Carl is good for some newer ideas and some stirring to
balance things out. We catch up with Steve Waghorn at the beach hop and Kumeu. Robin has been and is at the moment over in the States doing
his thing and Andrew has moved to New Plymouth for a couple of years to manage
a contract for his employer. We look forward to their return and input to the club. We have had interest from a couple of others and we hope
that they will be able to join up soon. We wish all our members good luck in their endeavours.
Our club meetings have had regular attendance even though
there has been different members on any given meeting night,
Our thanks to Brent, and his chosen team, especially Megan,
for their magnificent effort and dedication, in arranging an end of year
function in our club rooms. A catered meal and some great camaraderie with a Christmas theme
was had by all. It is efforts like this that set the standard for future
events.
Brent and Megan also arranged and delivered some black button
up shirts, more dressy than the usual tee shirt.
Our thanks to Simon. He typically put in another great
effort with the garage run. Visits to some of our interesting garages, made for
a most pleasant and cruisy afternoon, with a pit stop and coffee at Brent’s,
then finishing at Barry’s with a bbq sausage sizzle for good measure.
The raffle ticket experience has successfully continued thru
the year and I have enjoyed doing the deed and thank all members for their
support and for helping willingly when required. We have 11 prepaid ticket
holders which generally makes for a quick sale. Approximately $200.00 is returned to the club per month, and
of course some great chin wagging is achieved alongside some prospects for
future membership.
We never had a prize giving this year. It seems to slip into
the too hard basket. If anyone feels they would like to put it together I am sure
a team would be ready to help. The trophies are all, bar one or two, at my place, and are
useful for impressing my random visitors. Being a small club with only a
handful of cars on the road, seems to create a few quandaries, in who deserves
what trophy, as a prospective recipient has possibly already had the trophy in
a previous year. Once again the situation can be easily revived.
Our club helped with the sale of the raffle tickets for
NZHRA successfully selling 150 tickets and earning some free ones and $150 for our club funds.
The club also sponsored Barry and myself to attend the 50th
anniversary of NZHRA, a formal sort of occasion at TePapa. A most enjoyable
evening, and our thanks to the club for the privilege.
New cars on the scene? Well at risk of missing someone, I
would mention Rammie’s big haul from the states, a 32 tudor, awesome. Ford of
course! Let the Nomad go. Kerry & Mellonie have had the 33 trimmed.
Clive has gotten on with his 38 revival. Steve Manley has the 40 pickup, and Milton has the coup well underway. I can’t
think of any others, but I’m thinking there will be someone or two missed,
coincidentally these cars are Fords. Interestingly tho we have our fair mix of
different makes and models of cars. Most members have been actively working and modifying and
just enjoying new purchases.
For my part, my Fairlane has had a rebuild of the rear end
suspension set up and wheels that have been modified to suit. Axles ex Robin
from the
U.S.
So far as my tenure as club president goes, I have really
enjoyed the honour and status, perhaps with a bit of guilt at not being able to
get to everything going. I, like the rest of us in this close knit club, love the hot
rodding scene, and especially the times when we are all together at any rodding
or social event.
Thanks to our secretary Rob, our treasurer Mylton and Lance
for managing a tight and clean fridge!
Ramie as delegate. Thanks to Dave for his enthusiasm and support and advice
when needed.
That’s it from me. I’m looking forward to another year with Gold Coast Rod and
Custom club, a most excellent bunch of blokes! And cars.
Martin Phillips.
