It will be ‘business as usual’ for Barossa Valley General Motors Owner’s Club in wake of last week’s news Holden was closing down.
There are mixed feelings by the near 200 club members, ranging from shock, sadness, anger and apprehension.
Ms Nicole Semmler, Secretary for the past 19 years, explained that she’s been rattled by the recent announcement, and she isn’t alone.
“Holden plays a massive part in creating history and memories for many Australians and their families,” said Nicole.
“It’s an iconic brand of Australia. Having it come to a grinding halt permanently is like stealing our identity away.”
Barossa Valley General Motors Owner’s Club started in 1978, after gaining permission to use ‘General Motors’ in their club name from the GM headquarters in Detroit, USA.
Membership hovered for a long time at 30-40 people, until recently when conditional registration came in and numbers jumped to over 200.
Mr Jarome Graetz, Vice-President believes the Barossa Valley General Motors Owner’s Club will continue to appreciate and celebrate Holdens and other GM vehicles, perhaps with a little more passion now.
“We’re disappointed and sad for a number of reasons. Mainly because the iconic brand we love has come to an end, but also because of the impact it has had on the Australian industry and jobs,” said Jarome.
“The main shock came when they shut down production of Holdens in Australia in late 2017. Up to that point, Holden Australia were designing and producing world class vehicles and exporting to the world. Losing Holden and other local manufacturing was a big loss for Australia, and added to the cynical narrative of Australian skills and jobs heading off shore.”
Club member, Mr Will Boehm has been a big Holden fan since he was 16 years old, when he had bought his first HD Sedan.
At present, he owns a 1972 HQ Holden Kingswood V8, a 2010 SSV and recently purchased a 2018 Colorado Z71 Dual Cab.
“A highlight was back in 2003. I had a photo of my Holden HQ Kingswood signed by Peter Brock at the Birdwood Classic,” he said.
“I just love the camaraderie between the owners. I enjoy driving my vehicles plus enjoy entering my cars into Show and Shines.”
Also a Peter Brock fan is Mr Brad Agars, the Club’s current President.
Brad’s been a Holden fan for 30 years after seeing the Holden vs Ford rivalry at Bathurst on television.
He attended his first V8 supercar race back in 1996, watching Craig Lowndes win the championship at Mallala, with Peter Brock also on the podium.
“I’ve been to every Adelaide V8 race since and many interstate ones. The racing has become a family event and part of our life with the children supporting Holden too.... our son’s even named Brock,” said Brad.
“I am shocked at the news. I thought they may have ceased production/importation of the Commodore due to poor sales but not quit completely! For me, I can’t support or have membership with another manufacturer.”
Nicole agreed, with Holdens ‘in her blood’ and firmly in her family’s hearts. Nicole and husband, Jerome’s two daughters have re-named their 1973 LJ Torana and 2007 HSV Grange as ‘noisy cars’ and enjoy getting out and about in them.
She said her eight year old daughter even stated that she wanted to have a Holden for her first car when she learns to drive.
Nicole has grown up in the Barossa Valley General Motors Club since age five, and is in her 21st year of being a committee member.
Nicole believes nothing in their club will change, and Holdens will still be around for a long time, it’s just the moving forward that cripples the industry.
“The Holden dealerships will no longer exist and the Holden advertising in media will disappear, but the brand and name will not be forgotten in a hurry,” said Nicole.
“I believe the collectable models will become even more collectable and desirable to enthusiasts and investors alike. I’m sure I’ll hear many lament, ‘I should have never sold that Holden’.
“All I can say is they may have taken the future of Holdens away from us, but they can not take our memories. Holden will live on with many Australians for a long time yet!”
