AROC

Home

Club History

The Founders

The following people were present for the founding meeting of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of New Zealand. The meeting took place at the Suncourt Motor Inn Taupo, over the weekend of 27^th - 28^th September 1974

Tom and Sally Evison	Wellington
Mary Green	Palmerston North
Eddie Lowe	Gisborne
Les and Linda Singh	Wellington
Myles and Marilyn Stafford	Auckland

Life Members

The following are life members appointed for ongoing support and enthusiasm.

1978	Les and Linda Singh Myles and Marilyn Stafford Mary Green Eddie Lowe
1982	Dave and Ngaire Clark
1986	Fred Lennard - also named club ambassador
1989	David Rhodes Dot Louie Robin Lock
1992	Ken and Robin Garlick
1993	Roger Johnton
1995	Garry and Meg Macdonald
1998	Murray Campbell
2000	Bruce & Bridget Stewart
2007	Don Bradley

The Early Years

Controversy before Success.

As the accompanying information shows, following a series of advertisements in New Zealand papers Mr T. G. Evison of Wellington wrote to interested Alfa enthusiasts in April of 1974 and invited them to a meeting in Taupo to discuss the formation of a New Zealand Alfa club.

The meeting took place at the Sun Court Motel on the 20^th to the 22^nd September 1974. Eight people attended.

In March of 1975 the inaugural Annual General Meeting was held in Bell Block New Plymouth. At this meeting the club was formally established as an incorporated society and Tom Evison became the first president.

Latter that year Mr & Mrs Evison toured Europe and were very hospitably treated by Alfa Romeo while in Italy.

On his return he resigned from the club and the presidency claiming loss of interest in Alfas.

His actions created some cynicism and resentment amongst the remaining founding members. Fortunately for us, Les Singh took up the challenge and working with Linda, Eddie Lowe and Miles Stafford ensured that the club continued and flourished. Les and Eddie’s influence cannot be underestimated as they made major contributions guiding the club through it’s first ten years.

Dave Clark

1919 – 1985 AROC Stalwart.

Dave & Ngaire Clark joined the club in July of 1975 and soon became involved in club affairs.
By 1977 Dave had assumed the role of Secretary / Treasurer, a position that also included editorship of the newsletter.
In 1982 he was Elected President and held that position until his death early in 1985.
In his role of Secretary / Treasurer Dave made contact with as many New Zealand based Alfa owners as possible, inviting them to join AROC. His efforts helped expand the club from its small beginnings to one of the countries largest car clubs.
He achieved this by placing advertisements in daily papers throughout the country and sending respondents a registration form to complete.
These forms were recently discovered amongst items passed onto the club by Dave’s family. They make a fascinating record of some of the cars and personalities of the time.
Dave was an avid letter writer, corresponding with Alfisti from around the country and all over the globe.
For their enormous contributions to the club both Dave and Ngaire were made life members in 1982.

Bella Tirante - Award

1982	Dave Clarke (March) Les Singh (November)	1983	Fred Lennard (March) Dot Louie(November)
1984	Eddie Lowe	1985	Graham Cooper
1986	Alison & Graeme Wilcox	1987	Graeme Thompson
1988	Murray Campbell	1989	Ken Garlick
1990	Roger Johnston	1991	Bruce Stewart
1992	Justin & Jo Cox	1993	Peter Beck
1994	Graham May	1995	John Rhodes
1996	Ron & Maureen Stirk	1997	Dennis & Jill Marwood
1998	Adrian Gover	1999	Maurice & Jill McCarthy
2000	Rory McLelland	2001	Wendy Galloway
2002	Don Bradley	2003	Peter Wildbore & Michelle Andrews
2004	Mary Cornelius	2005	Graham & Joan Hilder
2006	Arthur Vowles	2007	Lane McPhail
2008	Glenn Watson	2009	Fiona Harrison

Leadership

TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF AROC LEADERSHIP.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FROM THE 1^st AGM IN 1975
This is a list of AROC members elected to Executive Positions and the years in which they were elected. Number of members present represents the number at the formal AGM not the number of registrants for the weekend event.

1975 New Plymouth		12 AROC members present
President	Tom Evison / Les Singh
Secretary / Treasurer		Miles and Marilyn Stafford
Notes:	Inaugural Annual General Meeting. AGM itself lasts 15 minutes

1976 Taupo		29 AROC members present

President		Les Singh
Secretary / Treasurer		Miles and Marilyn Stafford

1977 Wanganui		17 AROC members present

President		Les Singh
Secretary		Reg Gregory
Treasurer		Geoff Dohig
Notes:	Also mentions Dave Clark as secretary

1978 Tauranga		18 AROC members present

President		Eddie Lowe
Secretary / Treasurer		Dave Clark
Notes:

1979 Cambridge		35 AROC members present

President		Eddie Lowe
Secretary / Treasurer		Dave Clark
Notes:	Any resemblance between the programme outlined above and what actually happens will be a coincidence. Prior to 1979 fees were $2.00. Raised to $7.00 in '79

1980 Palmerston North		84 AROC members present

President		Eddie Lowe
Secretary / Treasurer		Dave Clark
Notes:	Regional areas started to hold regular meetings. Total AROC membership - 396

1981 Christchurch		70 AROC members present

President		Eddie Lowe
Secretary / Treasurer		Dave Clark
Technical Editor		Les Singh and Bruce Robson
Notes:	New editor Les Singh pens the name "ALFA NEWS", for the club magazine. Total AROC membership - 606

1982 Palmerston North		119 AROC members present

President		Dave Clark
Secretary		Geoff Samson
Treasurer		Grace Chan, Kevin Louie
Membership Secretary		Bryan and Marilyn Johnston
Technical Editor		Les Singh
Notes:	Fees raised from$7.00 to $10.00 Biella Tirante awarded to Dave Clarke (March) and Les Singh (November)

1983 Taupo		77 AROC members present

President		Dave Clark
Secretary		Geoff Samson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Graeme and Alison Wilcox
Editor		Les Singh
Notes:	Fees raised to $15.00. Taupo race track used for club meeting for first time.

1984 Wellington		70 AROC members present

President		Dave Clark
Secretary		Geoff Samson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Graeme and Alison Wilcox
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
Notes:	"ALFA DIECI" - 10^th Anniversary. Meetings vote to affiliate to MANZ. Fees increase to $20.00 due to affiliation

1985 Nelson		46 AROC members present

President		Fred Lennard
Secretary		Heidi Swinbourn
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Graeme and Alison Wilcox
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Healy
Notes:	Members mourn the sudden and un-expected death of ex-President and life member Dave Clark.

1986 Masterton		43 AROC members present

President		Bill Ritchie
Secretary		Dot Louie
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Healy
Notes:	Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch all had MANZ Reps

1987 New Plymouth		33 AROC members present

President		Bill Ritchie
Secretary		Dot Louie
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		-
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Healy
Notes:	First National race meeting at Pukekohe at Easter. No editor was appointed. Yvonne and Peter Gentry, Bob Louie and Roger Lacey all had a turn.

1988 Timaru		36 AROC members present

President		Garry Macdonald
Secretary		Dot Louie
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		Roger Johnston
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Tony Roberts
Notes:	Annual track meeting at Manfield is re-named 'Manfield May Madness'. Subs raised from $25 to $30

1989 Auckland		54 AROC members present

President		Garry Macdonald
Secretary		Janet Anderson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		Roger Johnston
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Tony Roberts
Notes:	"ALFA QUIN DICI" - 15^th Anniversary

1990 Lower Hutt		51 AROC members present

President		Garry Macdonald
Secretary		Janet Anderson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		Roger Johnston
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Tony Roberts
Notes:	-

1991 Picton		51 AROC members present

President		Garry Macdonald
Secretary		Glenn Watson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Ken Garlick
Editor		Roger Johnston
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Beck
Notes:	First 'BP - ALFA' race meeting held at Ruapuna. Total AROC membership - 759

1992 Taupo		66 AROC members present

President		Garry Macdonald
Secretary		Glenn Watson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Christine Wilson
Editor		Roger Johnston
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Beck
Notes:	-

1993 Napier		58 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Glenn Watson
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Christine Wilson
Editor		Justin Cox
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Beck
Notes:	Total AROC membership - 676

1994 Queenstown		59 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Adrian Gover
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Christine Wilson
Editor		Justin Cox
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Beck
Notes:	"IL VENTISMO" - 20^th Anniversary. AGM votes to adopt the new AROC logo. Total AROC membership - 681

1995 Auckland		32 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Adrian Gover
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Christine Wilson
Editor		Justin Cox
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Peter Beck
Notes:	200^thEdition of the 'ALFA News' is published in July. Fees raised to $40

1996 Lower Hutt		39 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Adrian Gover
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Stephen Wilson
Editor		Rory McClelland
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	-

1997 Blenheim		44 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Adrian Gover
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Stephen Wilson
Editor		Rory McClelland
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	Total AROC membership - 548

1998 Rotorua		36 AROC members present

President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Michelle Andrews
Editor		Rory McClelland
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	AROC NZ web site opens and then lies dormant until 2001. Total AROC membership - 546. Fees raised to $45.

1999 Bulls 25th AGM		84 members signed the register

President		Don Bradley - elected
Past President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Michelle Andrews
Editor		Rory McClelland
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	New amendment passed to allow drivers and enthusiasts of Alfa Romeo vehicles to qualify for membership of AROC. Persons who joined and had Alfas can still retain membership. AROC award to John Burrell. Burnt Piston award to Chris Townsend. Biella Tirante award to Jill & Maurice McCarthy.

2000 Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, Christchurch 26th AGM		52 members signed the register

President		Don Bradley
Past President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Michelle Andrews
Editor		Sue Coatham
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	Bruce & Bridget Stewart awarded life membership.

2001 Napier 27th AGM		75 members signed the register

President		Don Bradley
Past President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Michelle Andrews
Editor		Sue Coatham
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	Membership stands at 650 members. AROC award to John Anstice Burnt Piston award to Clive Conland and his daughter. Biella Tirante Merit award to Wendy Galloway.

2002 Mt Maunganui 28th AGM		74 members signed the register

President		Don Bradley
Past President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Sue Coatham
Club Shop		Murray Campbell
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	Membership stands at 595 members. AROC award to John Cornelius. Burnt Piston award to Clive Conland. Biella Tirante Merit award to Don Bradley.

2003 Dunedin 29th AGM		63 members signed the register

President		Don Bradley
Past President		Bruce Stewart
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Sue Coatham
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Jason Butterfield
Notes:	Vote of thanks to Murray Campbell for 22 years as Club Shop Manager. AROC award to John & Mary McTavish. Burnt Piston award to Leyton Tremain. Biella Tirante merit award to Peter Wildbore & Michelle Andrews.

2004 Masterton 30th AGM		76 members signed the register

President		John Cornelius - Elected
Past President		Don Bradley
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Sue Coatham
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at 575 members. AROC award presented to George Louie. Burnt Piston award to Stephen Martin. Biella Tirante merit award to Mary Cornelius.

2005 Wairakei Resort 31st AGM		65 members signed the register

President		John Cornelius
Vice President		John McTavish - elected
Past President		Don Bradley
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		David Rhodes
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at 581 members. AROC award presented to Bob & Margaret Hurring. Burnt Piston award to Robin Simpson. Biella Tirante merit award to Graham & Joan Hilder.

2006 Blenheim 32nd AGM		58 members signed the register

President		John Cornelius
Vice President		John McTavish
Past President		Don Bradley
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		Glenn Watson
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at 565 members. David Rhodes thanked for being Treasurer since 1983. AROC award presented to Ross & Christine Bulling. Burnt Piston award to Ken Garlick. Biella Tirante merit award to Arthur Vowles.

2007 Rotorua 33rd AGM		71 members signed the register

President		John Cornelius
Vice President		John McTavish
Past President		Don Bradley
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		Glenn Watson
Membership Secretary		Mary Cornelius
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at 560 members. Don Bradley given life membership. AROC award presented to Bruce & Bridget Stewart. Burnt Piston award to Tony Morgan & Sharyn Martin. Biella Tirante merit award to Lane McPhail.

2008 Wanganui 34th AGM		48 members signed the register

President		John McTavish - elected
Vice President		John Anstice - elected
Past President		John Cornelius
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		Glenn Watson
Membership Secretary		Margaret Kelly - elected
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at 571 members. AROC award presented to John Anstice. Burnt Piston award to Kevin & Anne Leabourn. Biella Tirante merit award to Glenn Watson.

2009 Greymouth 35th AGM		?? members signed the register

President		John McTavish
Vice President		John Anstice
Past President		John Cornelius
Secretary		Wendy Galloway
Treasurer		Glenn Watson
Membership Secretary		Margaret Kelly
Editor		Les Singh
Club Shop		George Louie
MANZ Rep		Arthur Vowles
Web Site Manager		Fiona Harrison
Notes:	Membership stands at ??? members. Biella Tirante merit award to Fiona Harrison. AROC award presented to Keith and Jeanette Howie. Burnt Piston award to David and Lyn Rhodes.