2025 MWT Whanganui Convention
THE NZFMM 2025 MECCANO WHANGANUI CONVENTION.
The 2025 NZFMM convention was hosted by the Manawatū, Whanganui and Taranaki (MWT) Meccano Club.
It was held from Friday 11th April to Sunday 13th April at the Jubilee Stadium, 228 London Street, Whanganui.
Photos and videos by William Irwin unless otherwise noted.
Friday was the set up day with models being placed and discussions among individual modellers. The Saturday and Sunday were open to the public.
Group photo taken at the 2025 NZFMM Convention in Whanganui (Photo by Alex Baumanis)
Back row, from left: John Cook, Bob Smyth, Chris Torpey, Jeff Clark, Graham Lovejoy, Kaye Clark, Dave Greenwood (obscured), Denise Greenwood, Jane Couch, Simon Moody, David Couch, Nancy Jones, Brian Hickson, Margaret Tattersfield, Rick Vine, Snowda Barlow, John Stark, Stephen Butterworth, Rose Anderson, Stephen Styles, Eileen Carey, David Barnard, Max George (obscured), Linda Woermann, Stephen Westmoreland, Kerry Westmoreland, Dene Woermann, Neil Pluck, Janine Wrightson, Clive Nicols, Gillian George, William Irwin, Irene Collins, Shirley Hickson, Robin Rye, JohnJordan.
Front row from left: Wayne Blakely, John Seagar, John Freer, Neil Carey, Stan Baker, Richard Feltham, Stu Lindsay, Reg Barlow, Roland Jaspers, Peter Winter, Daryl Anderson, Graeme Wrightson, Alan Bensley, Keith McCallum, Paulette Morton, Chris Morton, Bryan Jones, Mike Howse.
Front row from left: Wayne Blakely, John Seagar, John Freer, Neil Carey, Stan Baker, Richard Feltham, Stu Lindsay, Reg Barlow, Roland Jaspers, Peter Winter, Daryl Anderson, Graeme Wrightson, Alan Bensley, Keith McCallum, Paulette Morton, Chris Morton, Bryan Jones, Mike Howse.
Above Photo by Alex Baumanis.
The NZFMM AGM was held at the Jubilee Stadium at 4.30pm on Saturday during which Roland Jaspers was elected as NZFMM President to replace outgoing president Reg Barlow. An excellent buffet meal followed of traditional NZ fare at 6pm. After dinner the various prize winners were announced.
The Prizewinners (presented by Roland Jaspers, NZFMM President) were as follows:
1st Prize Exhibitor Vote and NZFMM Senior Trophy: Stephen Styles for his Matchbox Manipulator.
Video below
Photo by Daryl Anderson.
2nd Prize Exhibitor Vote: Bryan Jones for his Figee Lemniscate Floating Crane
Third Prize Exhibitor Vote and 1st prize Public Vote (Peter Hancock Trophy):
Daryl Anderson for his "The Hornby Gutbuster 2" Roller Coaster.
Below is a video of the Roller Coaster in action!
At the entrance Daryl Anderson displayed a collection of Meccano and compatible sets from the Hawera Meccano Museum, including this magnificent 1973 Meccano set 10 in a 4 drawer oak cabinet in mint condition.
Also near the entrance was Neil Carey's magnificent NZR "A" Class 4-6-2 steam locomotive in full steam ahead mode.
A huge O Gauge Hornby electric railway layout occupied part of the hall providing constant movement of several trains at a time.
John Seager's well constructed Konkoly "Guilloche" designing machine supplied a varied number of patterns.
Photo by Daryl Anderson.
Display of some 1970's Meccano sets by William Irwin,
including the 1977 sets featuring boys and girls on the box lids which were unpopular and sales slumped!
Also by William Irwin, below, a Farm Tractor using the rare large road wheels 187b at the rear.
Also by William Irwin, below, a Farm Tractor using the rare large road wheels 187b at the rear.
Above: Giant Stiff Legged Derrick Crane by Brian Hickson (Mr Clockwork Motor) driven entirely by 3 clockwork motors in series.
Below, also by Brian Hickson, canal swing bridge driven again by a clockwork motor.
Below, also by Brian Hickson, canal swing bridge driven again by a clockwork motor.
Photos by Daryl Anderson.
Valentine Tank by Brian Hickson.
Above: Rick Vine and his collection of models including his PingPongAtron machine and King Ghidorah dragon.
Below (also by Rick Vine) the "Marbelous Meccano Machine" marble bouncer.
Twin Cylinder Motor Cycle Engine, a seldom built no. 10 set leaflet model, superbly modelled in pristine red/green Meccano by David Couch.
Robo-Dog by Dave Greenwood.
Row Boat by Stephen Styles.
Assemblage of Differentials by Stephen Styles.
1872 Double Fairlie Locomotive by the late Graeme O'Neill, and NZR Ka Steam Locomotive by Neil Pluck.
International Dump Truck by Neil Pluck.
Space X Starship launch pad by Richard Feltham
7 Foot Robot Display Shelf, by Chris Torpey.
Stephen Westmoreland and a second showing of his "Clucky the Hen" which won 1st prize at the Tinwald Exhibition in 2023.
Twirlifactor by Roland Jaspers.
Ring of Death by Roland Jaspers.
Meccano Cars by Mike Howse.
Above: Meccano & Hornby Boats and below: Meccano Aero Constructor Sets by Wayne Blakely.
Snail Cam Striking Clock by John Stark.
Fordson E27N Tractor by Bruce Geange.
Compact Meccano Ball Roller by Steve Butterworth of Melbourne Meccano Club.
Schmidt Coupling by Linda Woermann.
A very good video of the entire exhibition by Richard Feltham and his sister Jen can be viewed on the MWT club Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/100064619804927/videos/679758138544361
Another very good video of the exhibition made by Peter McGavin can be seen on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlfU0dJH2fE
https://www.facebook.com/100064619804927/videos/679758138544361
Another very good video of the exhibition made by Peter McGavin can be seen on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlfU0dJH2fE