Our Club History: How Did it Begin?
By Ian Mclean
2022 marked a milestone of the 40th Anniversary of the incorporation of Veteran & Historic Motor Cycle Club Ltd. as a Public Company on 24 June 1982. But the origins of our club started years before this time. Our founding member, Wal Gaffney, has provided notes on his efforts and endeavors to form a club that catered for older motor cycles, their preservation, restoration and use in sporting events and social gatherings. Wal was assisted by Jack Bourne, an early club member, who searched old club records, correspondence and club news letters and magazines to compile the events that led to the formation of our club and it’s early beginnings.
This is an abridged version of their notes that I hope covers the early times of our club.
Wal Gaffney, like many others in their youth, had an interest in motor cycles from well before WW2 and has since owned, ridden and restored many motor cycles. He had been a member of several motor cycle clubs based in Sydney, however, in the late 1960’s his interest in older machines led him to join the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Ltd, a club that formed in 1946 in Great Britain. This club catered for all motor cycles over 25 years old, with no cut off year, meaning that all machines would in time be eligible for inclusion while other clubs maintained a cut off year, like 1940.
The year 1975 saw only the Vintage Motor Cycle Club of Australia (NSW) and the newly formed Classic & Enthusiasts Motor Cycle Club operating in Sydney with neither,in Wal’s opinion, offering the same benefits as the British based club.
Wal was aware for some years that there were a number of fellow members of this overseas club living in Sydney having similar views and interests in motor cycles and motor cycle sporting events, so in July 1975 an approach was made to the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Ltd (England) with a request for approval to form an overseas section here in Sydney, Australia.
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club of Australia (NSW) was not at that time affiliated with the British club. Formal approval was given on 23 July 1976 to form the Australian Section.
Members of the parent club, residing in Australia, were contacted advising that the Australian Section had been formed.
And so the origin of our club, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (Australian Section), was formed. The club had a name and some potential members, so now the real work commenced on recruiting members and growing the club.
On 29 April 1977 the first club meeting was held at the Trades Hall, Sydney, and so the formation of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (Australian Section) had come to fruition.
On 28 July 1977 an application was made to Dept. of Motor Transport to be
included in the Permit to Move scheme which enabled vintage machines to be used on public roads to participate in club organized events and activities. The Dept. of Motor Transport advised that the club would first need to affiliate with the Council of Vintage, Veteran & Thoroughbred Clubs.
Affiliation was sought and the application rejected due to an objection raised that the club name was similar to the Vintage Motor Cycle Club of Australia (NSW).
In August 1977, with a membership of 40 motor cycle enthusiasts, the first newsletter was published. The president was L. Smith, Secretary & Editor Wal Gaffney and Treasurer Brian Greenfield.
In September 1977, approval was given for a Gymkhana Day at Arcadia Circuit owned by Eastern Suburbs Motor Cycle Club.
Affiliation with the ACU was sought and granted to enable members to act as ACU Officials and continue in competition and obtain competition licenses if desired as there was a competition section of the club. During this time a number of good days were spent by club members with their families at Greens Motor Museum at Leppington.
On 20 April 1979 after much disappointment and correspondence with the Council of Veteran, Vintage & Thoroughbred Motor Clubs and the Dept. of Motor Transport the club was formally advised that approval had been granted to participate in the Permit to Move scheme without being affiliated. With this hurdle finally overcome, rides and rallies were organized and attended with many enjoyable days spent in good company of the growing club membership.
A decision was made to change the structure of the club and the club name and form a Limited Liability Company to offer the club and it’s officers legal protection and access to suitable insurances.
Existing financial members were canvassed and agreed to transfer their membership from the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (Australian Section) to the newly incorporated Veteran & Historic Motor Cycle Ltd. Since the name change the club continued to grow and prosper due to the excellent foundations laid during those early years and the hard work, perseverance and dedication of the members and club officers.
May we continue on for many more happy years.