HISTORY OF THE BUICK CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA
The Buick Club of South Africa was officially established on Sunday 6 August 2000 during the annual Pretoria Old Motor Club’s “Cars in the Park”. Alex Duffey had invited 120 Buick owners throughout South Africa to the event to discuss the founding of such a club in South Africa. Thirty Buick enthusiasts attended the meeting and a steering committee consisting of Alex Duffey (Chairperson), Daan Marais (secretary) and Gerrie van Wyk (membership) was elected to go ahead with the official establishment of the club.
At the first annual general meeting held on Sunday 5 August 2001 at the Pretoria Old Motor Club’s “Cars in the Park”, the steering committee reported back on progress with contacting Buick owners in South Africa and presented a draft constitution for ratification by the members. At this meeting the first Executive committee, consisting of Alex Duffey (Chairperson), Daan Marais (Treasurer), Gerrie van Wyk (Secretary) was elected, the constitution was accepted and those present voted for an entry fee of R25 and an annual subscription fee of R50 to join the Buick Club of South Africa.
On 3 August 2003 twenty-five Buicks participated in the centenary exhibition of Buick at the Pretoria Old Motor Club’s “Cars in the Park” and at the annual general meeting held at this function, it was decided that the committee should investigate the affiliation of the club with either SAVVA of SAMCA. Membership forms were approved and the design for the logo of the Buick Club of South Africa was accepted.
At the fourth annual general of the Buick Club of South Africa on 1 August 2004 held at the Pretoria Old Motor Club’s annual “Cars in the Park” and which was attended by 20 members, a new executive committee consisting of Roland Harington (Chairperson), Alex Duffey (Newsletter editor), Chris Palk (Secretary), Daan Marais (Social events), Gerrie van Wyk and Leon Oeloffse was elected for the next three year term. At this meeting it was decided that the club should affiliate with SAVVA, that a Newsletter should be established and that all Buick owners throughout southern should be invited to join the club.