CHMC ANNUAL YOUTH AWARDS

2026  AWARDEES

Council was pleased to recognise the dedication to historic vehicles shown by 4 young restorers by awarding them each a grant to assist in puchasing parts, supplies and necessary services for their current restorations. Each demonstrated an enthusiasm for historic vehicles and is involved with their local CHMC club, dispelling the notion that youth today have no interest in heritage vehicles.

CHMC's Youth Awards for 2026 were awarded to:
• Adrian, a high school student from Parkes. Adrian is restoring of a GQ Nissan Patrol Cab/chassis, and was nominated by Parkes Antique Motor Club.
• Cameron, is restoring a 1928 Chevrolet. Camerion is a high school student from Evatt, ACT, and was nominated by the Veteran & Vintage Car Club of Australia ACT.
• Travis from Murrami, was nominated by the Griffith Historic Motor Club. His restoration project is a 1942 Chevrolet truck 
• Lachlan, a high school student from Springvale, is restoring a1953 Willys CJ-3B Jeep and was nominated by Wagga Wagga Veteran & Vintage Motor Club

2027 CHMC YOUTH AWARDS ARE NOWOPEN FROM NOMINATIONS

Purpose: To support young people, aged 10–30, interested in historic vehicles
Practical and Creative Options: CHMCr ecognises that enthusiasm for historic vehicles may be in expressed in different ways.
The Award Categories are offered for current projects in either:
• Preservation and Conservation of an original vehicle, or
• Restoration repair and renewal of a historic vehicle, or
• Research enquiry into and documentation of a historic vehicle or vehicles, or
• Photography capturing the essence of historic vehicles and the communities that support them.
Recently completed projects may be nominated in one of the Categories and be eligible for an Award of Excellence. Eligibility: Applicants must be aged between 10 and 30 AND nominated by a CHMC NSW Inc. affiliated club
Awards Grant: The Awards are a Grant of up to $2,000, allocated either to one applicant or shared among several. The Grant may be used, for example, for tools, parts, materials, skills training, heritage vehicle studies or historic vehicle communities i.e. a CHMC club.
Selection Process: Awards are merit-based and assessed by experts in each category.
Application Period: Opens September 1st, closes March 1st

Inspiring Young Restorer Recognised with 2025 CHMC Youth Award

May 2025. The Council of Heritage Motor Clubs NSW Inc. was pleased to announce that Lachlan Holgate, a 15-year-old student from Wagga Wagga, was 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. Lachlan used his Award Grant to purchase parts needed in the restoration of his Willys jeep. At the CHMC Delegate's meeting at Cowra in October he displayed the jeep under restoration, and gave a talk on the work so far. Lachlan was also formally awarded his 2026 Youth Award Certificate. In 2026 Lachlan displyed his Jeep at the ex-military histpric vehicle rally at Corowa, and promtoed the CHMC Youth Awards. 

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 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. I’m excited to continue progressing with my project and to contribute to the preservation of historic vehicles.”

 "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."