CHMC ANNUAL YOUTH AWARDS
Inspiring Young Restorer Recognised with 2025 CHMC Youth Award
May 2 2025. The Council of Heritage Motor Clubs NSW Inc. is pleased to announce that Lachlan Holgate, a 15-year-old student from Wagga Wagga, is the recipient of the 2025 CHMC Youth Award Grant for his restoration project, a 1953 Willys Jeep CJ3B. Lachlan was nominated by the Wagga Wagga Veteran & Vintage Motor Club.
The Award judging panel were impressed with Lachlan’s enthusiasm for restoration and his commitment to the historic vehicle community. His Award includes a grant of $1500 to assist in acquiring parts needed for his Jeep’s restoration.
“I am truly honoured to receive this recognition,” said Lachlan, “and am very grateful for support from the CHMC NSW in helping me to restore my Jeep…..the generous Grant will greatly assist me in acquiring the parts…..I’m excited to continue progressing with my project and to contribute to the preservation of historic vehicles.”
The grant is part of the CHMC’s Youth Awards initiative to assist young enthusiasts to fulfill their ambitions in projects involving either restoration, preservation, research or photography of historic vehicles, and to acknowledge their efforts in those areas. "We are thrilled to support Lachlan.” said Jim Hatton, President of the CHMC. "His dedication to historic vehicles exemplifies the kind of future for the movement that we aim to foster through this program."
CHMC YOUTH AWARDS TO HONOUR YOUNG HISTORIC VEHICLE ENTHUSIASTS
The Council of Heritage Motor Clubs NSW Inc. (CHMC) Annual Youth Awards, celebrate the dedication and enthusiasm of young people for historic vehicles by recognising and rewarding their passion, talent and efforts in vehicle restoration or conservation, or in studies of vehicle history in writing or photography.
Under the motto “Our Youth Are Our Future” the Annual Awards commenced in 2025 and aim to inspire young enthusiasts to preserve or restore historic vehicles through their own projects in preservation, restoration, research or photography. Awards of up to $2000 are offered to assist with current projects, for example, for tools, materials or parts; or to gain skills or training; or to pursue heritage vehicle studies. Awards of Excellence may also be made acknowledging quality in a recently completed historic vehicle project. The Awards are offered in four categories:
• Preservation and Conservation: Encouraging young people to engage with scientific techniques and methods for conserving a vehicle’s originality
• Restoration: Supporting efforts and skills in the repair and renewal of a historic vehicle
• Research: Promoting inquiry into historic vehicles or automotive history in NSW
• Photographic: Recognising creative projects that capture the essence of historic vehicles and the communities that support them.
Applicants must be aged between 10 and 30, at December 31 in the year the Award is made, and are nominated and supported by a CHMC affiliated club.