VOL. 29 No 6 DECEMBER 2015 Terry Meads and Connie Lawtons 1969 Jensen Interceptor (Story Page 19) www.gawlercarclub.com GAWLER VETERAN VINTAGE & CLASSIC VEHICLE CLUB PO Box 640 Gawler 5118 www.gawlercarclub.com CLUB AIMS To encourage the restoration, preservation and use of veteran, classic and other special interest vehicles. To extend to owners, drivers, friends and all persons interested in such vehicles, the hospitality, privileges and conveniences enjoyed in connection with the club MEETINGS On the 3 rd Tuesday of each month in the Gawler Sport and Community Centre, Nixon Terrace, Gawler at 7.00pm. JOURNAL Available to all members bimonthly, on the web site or by post if preferred , in February, April, June, August, October, and December. FEE S Annual membership fee $50.00 due on 30 June (pro rata for new members). A “once only” joining fee of $50 also applies to all new members OFFICE BEARERS 2015/2016 PRESIDENT Fred Chapman H 8527 4049 M 0434 493 167 [email protected] Nolene VICE PRESIDENT Mark Chapman H 8522 6481 M 0417 808 594 [email protected] Pauline SECRETARY Gavin Launer H:8522 4953 M 0 422 998 980 [email protected] TREASURER David Kernich H 8522 3302 M 0400 946 496 [email protected] Fran MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Ron Stephens M 0417 848 541 [email protected] Barbara EVENTS DIRECTOR Bruce Williams H 8252 5971 M 0402 900 397 [email protected] Anne COMMITTEE MEMBERS Corrie Wake H 8522 2373 M 0407 717 666 Bob Carr H 8522 4017 M 0432 619 232 David Moule H 8289 0436 M 0418 404 140 Peter Dalton H 8258 1524 M 0428 975 465 CLUB APPOINTMENTS 2015/2016 PUBLIC: OFFICER Peter Bailey H 8522 5248 M:0424 070 812 [email protected] Kaye JOURNAL EDITOR Alvin Jenkin H 8529 2504 M 0427 973 051 [email protected] Sylvia PUBLICITY OFFICER Trevor Bellchambers H 8522 1864 M 0414 397 737 [email protected] Lyn AUDITOR Shane Bailey H 8523 2131 M 0418 825 497 [email protected] HISTORICAL VEHICLE Brett Unsworth M 0419 842 062 REGISTRARS Jenelle [email protected] Norman Matthews H 8254 3569 Judy Martin Stephens H 8636 2494 M 0422 830 365 Glenys Peter Tooth H 8522 1550 M 0407 316 423 Helen RESTORATION COORDINATOR Trevor Evans H 8280 7598 [email protected] Rosemarie FEDERATION REPRESENTATIVE Gerry Petrus H 8284 7808 M 0412 396 130 Karen SWAP MEET CO-ORDINATOR Michael Williams H 8523 1233 M 0407 605 354 [email protected] SEAL HOLDERS VOLUNTEER POSITIONS 2015/2016 SUPPER PERSON: Barbara McLellan DRINKS PERSON: Gerry Petrus FUNCTIONS COMMITTEE Tim Harvey M 0439 546 745 , Steven Harvey M 0414 900 277 , Lorraine East H 8524 4598 WEBMASTER Peter Bailey H 8522 5248 MERCHANDISING Kingsley Branson H 8522 3457 [email protected] M:0424 070 812 GVVCVC Journal December 2015 Page 2 THE PINERY FIRE: Wednesday 25 th November As this edition of the Journal was being prepared for print, we became aware of smoke to east of us at Port Parham. Within 30 minutes we were aware that a fire had started at Pinery and was heading towards Mallala with strong north to north west winds. At about 2.20pm the power went off, and 10 minutes later the wind swung to a very strong westerly. We commented “the CFS is going to be busy”. Little did we know the devastation that was to occur, with the loss of life and property. There will be few members of the Gawler Veteran Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club who have not been impacted, either directly or through family and friends who have suffered loss in some way. Allan Tiller who lost his life at Pinery, was a lifelong associate of your editor, we played football together in Primary School when the Long Plains and Pinery schools combined to field a team once a year, and then we attended Balaklava High School together. Allan’s wife, Jenny was in the same class at Balaklava as myself. Janet Hughes , of Hamley Bridge, who sadly lost her life whilst returning home, was very active in the community, and had been preparing for the Christmas Street Party which this club participates in. The impact on those who live in the area of the fire will be tremendous, and ranges from total loss of homes, buildings, machinery, fences, stock, pets, crops and feed, to the loss of all pasture ground. The latter has been complete through the fire area, and farmers are now facing the challenge of finding feed for their remaining stock. For intensive agriculture such as pigs and chickens, this has been further compounded by damage to the Ridley Feed Mill at Woolsheds which has removed that source of feed stocks. The loss of pasture cover will give rise to soil drift across the area, and any strong winds will result in dust storms. This is unlikely to improve until seasonal rains arrive in April/May. At the time of writing, all the Christmas festivity preparation continues to be in full swing, and the Mallala, Two Wells, Freeling and Hamley Bridge Street parades are still on. Full details follow this report and you are urged to take your vehicles along to these parades as a sign of support and a “cheer up” to those communities which have been affected. A number of our me mbers have been directly impacted by the fires. Keith and Leonie Kluske at Woolsheds were fortunate to keep their home but lost 2 other houses on their property, including Leonie’s childhood home. As a result 2 tenants are now without a home. Keith’s club registered Wolseley and a Morris Minor were garaged at these premises and were lost. The Kluske family, in common with many other farmers also lost machinery in paddocks in the midst of harvesting. At the time of writing the situation for former members Bill and Margaret Johnson is unknown. Bill and Margaret have retired to Balaklava but their property (and Bill’s collection) is within 1 Km of the ignition point. Our President, Fred and Noeline Chapman’s property forms the southern boundary of the fire zone. They sustained minor damage but Fred received an eye injury whilst fighting the fire, necessitating medical treatment. Trevor Lowe is a brother to club member Glenys Sambell , and he has suffered total loss. Trevor is a well known supplier of pea straw to the district and beyond. Mike and Deb Williams’ daughter Belinda lives on the outskirts of Daveyston and lost a number of outbuildings but house is OK. Allan and Cynthia Kempster spent an anxious night as the rear boundary of property was affected, and they wanted to be sure that trees did not catch alight, but they have no property damage. Reports are that all is well with Graham Ferris , who lives on Barraba road near Mallala, although two near neighbours lost their homes. Bob Houston at Hamley Bridge advises that all is OK with them, although he spent time putting out spot fires on their property. Many historical properties, some up to 150 years old, were lost. These include the former Grace Plains, Barabba, and Pinkerton Plains Schools, the Murphy homestead at Murphys crossing, Gwenbank, and Woolsheds homestead (owned by Keith and Leonie Kluske). As a result of this devastating event, this Journal is a little late in getting to you. DONATIONS TO PINERY FIRE RELIEF WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DECEMBER MEETING GVVCVC Journal December 2015 Page 3 WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR FROM THE EDITOR AND HIS SUPPORT STAFF (THANK YOU SYLVIA !) Gawler Veteran Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club Christmas Function Sandy Creek Oval Sunday 13 th December 3pm for activities for all the family Bring your vehicle, your kids and grandkids Bookings Essential $25.00 per person Contact Anne Williams NOW for tickets (8252 5971) Christmas Street Parties The local communities love to see the older vehicles out and about at their street parties. It is a great opportunity to take your vehicle for a run, promote the club, and interact with our local communities. Dress up your vehicle with lots of Christmas bling and enjoy. Mallala Thursday 10 th December, meet on Airdrome Road 5.30pm for 6pm. Alvin Jenkin is coordinating 8529 2504 Two Wells Friday 11 th December, meet on Wells Road 6pm for 6.30 pm. You must prebook your vehicle for this, contact Bob Dyer 8520 3601 Freeling Friday 11 th December 4pm. Contact Trevor Bellchambers 8522 1864 Hamley Bridge Saturday 19 th December Meet 6.30 pm for 7pm at Hamley Bridge hospital, Bob Houston is the contact 8528 2550 (Note change in time) Mallala Christmas Parade Thursday 10 th December Club vehicles to line up on Airdrome Road north of old hospital at 5.30pm. GVVCVC Journal December 2015 Page 4 2015 Two Wells Christmas Parade Friday 11 th December. The GVVCVC has been invited to take part in the Annual Two Wells Xmas Parade again this year. They have indicated that they can accept up to about 15 vehicles. This event is very well patronized with several thousand people attending each year. The street parade starts at 1900 hrs, (7pm) and proceeds along Old Pt Wakefield Road from Wells Road to the oval and return (two runs of the main street). The start location is on Wells Road adjacent to the CFS Station. The main street will be closed from 4.30pm to 9.00 pm. Access for our vehicles is available through the barrier in front of the Two Wells Tavern (the corner Old Pt Wakefield and Gawler Roads) vehicles should be in place on Wells Road 30 mins prior to start.