Max McKenzie
Max was born in 1932 in Rochester. He has since found out that his parents attended the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It was also the starting up of ABC Radio. What a great year.
He married Shirley and has two children. Sadly Shirley passed away in 2000.
His first job was at Rochester Bendigo Motor Co. in spare parts, instead of as a mechanic. This was when the first Holden came out.
He went on to get an apprenticeship.
His father died when he was about two and his mother moved the family to Geelong in about 1956.
He went on to work at Heaths Motors as a mechanic, then on to the RACV for 33 years.
Max’s first car was a Morris Oxford which he purchased with three friends, for 30 pounds.
The cars he should have never sold was a 1939 Ford V8 convertible which he bought for 330 pounds and sold for 168 pounds. Oops. Also a 1942 BSA and side car.
He has had a Consul, Holden and an ED Falcon.
He now owns a 1969 XW Falcon V8 which he acquired when he got a call to Fords 50 years ago as an RACV driver. He asked the owner if he wanted to sell it and then waited. Who says good things don’t come to those who wait. His daily drive is a Mazda and he also owns a Dodge 1951 King-sway, a Norton Motor bike and a Honda Postie scooter.
Max’s dream car is an early Mercedes convertible.
Max joined the club when it was in the Nissan huts in North Geelong and attended for two meetings, then started again at the Showgrounds.
He has attended numerous Sunday Runs and the Bay to Birdwood and also Tasmania. He loves Tinker Days and just being a part of the club.
He enjoys the friendship and has met some great people. He also enjoys Probus and is a Wednesday Warrior at the Showgrounds which led to him being made a Life Member of RGAPS.
He also became a life member of our club in 2010. He has been on the Swap committee since 1998, assistant editor and caretaker of our rooms since 2001.
He has collected the mail since 2000 and was made Clubman of the Year in 2003. He received the Eric Baker Award in 2009 and was on the Committee 2001 to 2007.
His partner during all this time is Jeanette.
The last thing Max said to me was the Club has been his life since he retired and he has enjoyed every bit of this great interest.
What a busy man and a legend.
- Sharyn
Western District Historic Vehicle Club
Our club includes people with a wealth of knowledge and experience that we wish to preserve.
This is the seventh in a series about these “Club Legends”.