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

Life Members

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

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.

Leadership

TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF AROC LEADERSHIP.