Photo galleries

We had an entertaining High-Country Run on Father’s Day the 7th of September starting from the Club House to Delegate. Our first stop was Bombala which, to everyone’s surprise - including locally born Fred Silk - was bustling with activity. A number of shops were open, as well as the fabulous “Kitchen Eighty-Ate,” where we enjoyed a good cup of coffee. With some time to spare, Euan - who clearly knows Delegate well - led the convoy on a sightseeing tour of the town. Right on schedule, we arrived at the Country Club at 12 noon for a buffet luncheon. There we met with true locals Allan Lindsay and the Hepburn’s, who are also members of the SCHVC. Those in attendance included Pamela Summerell and Craig Ruting, Robyn Vella, Euan and Selina McKinnell, Rod and Cheryl Newman, Deirdre and Geoff Easton, Fred and Dinah Silk, Judy and Tony Stove, Sandy and Ken Coates, Louise and Neil Thiedeman, Dorothy and Jim Hepburn, Graham Fife, Allan Lindsay, Rhonda Sutton, and Walter Küng. The Club extends its sincere thanks to the Delegate Country Club for its hospitality and for providing an excellent venue. The occasion provided both an enjoyable social gathering for members and an ideal opportunity to experience the scenic journey from the coast to the mountains.

Our British & European Heritage was held at Seahorse Inn on Sunday 24 August, where we had 19 cars on display and 37 members enjoyed a great lunch together.

Jimmy's Farewell On 15th August, family, friends, and community gathered at the Pambula Cemetery to farewell Jimmy McGrath. The enormous turnout was a true testament to the legendary life Jim led and the deep impact he had on all who knew him. The presence of so many, especially our devoted members, members of the Sapphire Coast Life Saving Club, brought comfort and strength to all, as together we remembered Jim’s warmth, generosity, and larger-than-life spirit. Thank you to everyone who came to honour and celebrate Jim’s remarkable life and lasting legacy.

SCHVC Open Day 2025 The open day was a wonderful event! The perfect weather, classic cars, and the recognition of the Learmont family’s contribution felt extra special. Dr. Michael Holland’s attendance and gesture in presenting a plaque is a great way to honour Peter Learmont and his family’s legacy. The Social Justice Advocates’ Solar Garden Project and their work in the Bega Valley are important topics, and it was great that they had the chance to share that with the public. Great entertainment was provided by Chris Ralfs and his Band, also the auction of memorabilia turned out lucrative for the Club. Kudos to everyone who helped make the day a success – from the organizers to the caterers’ cleaners and musicians! We bet this will become a beloved annual event.

Neville Leech has been busy over the last couple of weeks getting as many vehicles in the Learmont collection running and rolling in preparation for the auction. Neville has faced stale fuel, “molasses” in fuel tanks and carburettors, frozen points, locked brakes and perished tyres and tubes. It’s a big task to get these vehicles going after such a long time laid up and his efforts are showing positive results, with the auction soon to be announced.

22 Members enjoyed a pleasant drive to Tilba on a sunny Autumn morning, with Kevin’s Mini having a “BMC” day and losing a cylinder en-route. Kevin decided to turn back to try and locate the missing cylinder, and hopefully all went well! The Tilba winery is an excellent venue for Club lunches which members enjoyed. A number decided to return via the coast road via Bermagui and a few cars were noted blowing some cobwebs out the back. A most enjoyable day for all who participated.

On Easter Saturday some 50 VW Kombis and over one hundred enthusiasts showed up at the club for a meet and tour of our premises followed by tea and snacks. The visitors enjoyed the display of our cars and the most enlightening and entertaining presentations by our tour guides. Just listening to Neville Leech giving a history of Peter Learmont and his cars was very entertaining, excellent job Neville. Thanks to all the helpers, especially the catering team and organizers and tour guides, a special thanks to Alec Percival. As one can see, it was quite a remarkable sight with all sorts of weird and wonderful VW people carriers and campers on display.

On Sunday 17 March a group of 18 ventured up Brown Mountain to the Cooma Car Club for lunch and a look around their museum. Thanks to Charles Hodsdon for being the master of ceremony and taking care of the formalities CongratulaƟons to the Cooma Car Club for providing such a formidable display, some real beauties there. Should you pass through Cooma, have a look at the exhibit and enjoy a drink and bite to eat. The Motor Museum is open to the public every Tuesday 9am to 1pm, and the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm

Riley Car (parts) Collect On the 11th through to the 14th March five club members and one volunteer drove to the Riley Farm outside of Parkes NSW. Some 4 tonnes of chassis frames and other car components were identified and loaded onto two trailers. Thanks to Bob Cechet and John McNair for organizing the event. Fred Silk managed to get some Oldies started, the Wolseley hasn’t been fired up for 40 years. Good fun was had by all, on the second last day we managed to visit the McFeeder Car Museum at Forbes which is well worth to see and spend time at. You may want to hurry as the building is for sale and subsequently the cars will be auctioned off – some opportunities there for interested parties? Then a visit the CSIRO radio telescope at Parkes NSW, A remarkable iconic 64-diameter structure has been in operation since 1961. Finally ended at the Bogan Gate Pub for some cold beers and dinner.

Our run started at the “Vila" for delicious Coffee and Cake at Pam and Craig's home before heading off to Candelo, Wyndham, Rocky Hall and Towamba for a pit stop and finally on to Eden. This route gave members a chance to enjoy some of the excellent drivers' roads we have in the district - ending up at the Hotel Australasia "Pikes circa 1904 Italian Restaurant". Many thanks to Pam & Craig for getting the tour off to a wonderful start with afternoon tea. Most drivers thoroughly enjoyed letting their classic cars blow some cobwebs out the exhaust, and lots of smiles were evident on arrival at the Australasia!