The Case and Vintage Farm Machinery Club caters for enthusiasts of all makes and types of vintage machinery. While based in Christchurch city (population of approx. 390,000) on the Canterbury plains, it’s current membership of approximately 200 is spread nation wide.
The Canterbury region, in the center of the South Island is a highly productive farming area, producing sheep, cattle, deer, dairy, arable, horticulture and forestry products. Much of this is produced on the plains, the largest area of flat land in New Zealand. This meant that Canterbury was generally at the forefront of farm mechanization in New Zealand, and as a result has a large population of vintage machinery.
The club has staged various large vintage machinery rallies in the past, and members presently display machinery, and attend shows, rallies, and displays etc through out the country.
Club meetings are held on a monthly basis and usually involve a guest speaker, club members sharing their experiences (overseas trips, work experiences etc.) or showing of movies from the club library etc. A monthly newsletter keeps all members informed of the club’s matters and activities. This includes articles of interest to vintage machinery enthusiasts as well as having a free classified section.
The club has a large library of vintage machinery books and manuals, also a library of 16mm movie films which have now all been transferred onto DVD's for preservation purposes (generally of promotional or servicing nature) and some videos. Use of these items is available free to members. It also has for sale a supply of club monograms, badges and other items.
An
executive and committee look after the day to day running of the club,
with more significant issues being discussed at the monthly meetings.