Former local car club gears up to celebrate 40th anniversary

These fellows have earned the respect of their fellow citizens from personal example a determined effort to make their community just a little better place in which to live.

Cpl. George Neufeld, a former RCMP officer with highway patrol, spoke these wise words 38 years ago in an interview with the Tribune-Post in 1969.

Neufeld was referring to the local Road Agents Car Club, which is currently gearing up for a reunion to mark the 40th anniversary since its founding in Sackville.

Charlie Austin, a former member of the club, still remembers the fellowship between he and his former club members even after more than 35 years since he was in it.

Austin is preparing to see many from his former crew during the reunion on July 13, and he admits he hasnt seen many of his old friends in several decades.

Some I havent seen in probably 30 years, said Austin.

The club was founded in 1967, starting out at the old high school formerly located on Queens Road.

Starting with only 10 members, interest grew and soon the membership grew to 30 teenagers.

Wed have dune buggy races, car washes, a lot of events, Austin said.

Gary Wiley, one of the clubs original members, said he and his fellow car enthusiasts were very active within the town, which allowed them to gain a lot of respect from both the police and the community.

Wiley says the RCMP and local police often acted as mentors for the club.

Cpl. Neufeld took us under his wing and helped us out as young fellas, said Wiley. We were doing good stuff in the community.

Wiley said their club kept young people off the streets, which was something the RCMP appreciated greatly.

As well, through the guidance of the RCMP highway safety was a big topic of discussion in the club.

Wiley also recalls several incidents where the club helped out with highway clean ups.

We cleaned up transport trucks that were in accidents, he recalls.

Wiley says that he and a few friends have been discussing a reunion for some time, and felt now was the time.

At around 5:30 p.m. on July 13 over 20 classic cars will cruise around town to pay homage to the clubs former days.

The members will continue to reminisce during the reunions dance at the Curling Club later that night.

While the dance is closed to the public, a Show & Shine is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. outside of the curling club for local car enthusiasts.