This weekend was the last ever Brass Monkey Rally, held in Oturehua, but the revellers came and celebrated into the early hours.

For 40 years the motorcycle rally has been held each year in the Ida Valley - one of the coldest places in New Zealand.

Famous for its temperatures and majestically rugged beauty, the area attracts motorcyclists from across New Zealand and around the world. 

From Friday afternoon, tents were erected, bonfires lit, and music played, all while friends shared laughter and swapped tall tales. 

For us, the story was about the Oturehua residents and farming neighbours as the unsung hero’s for the part they played in the success of this event over the last four decades for a tiny town within Central Otago.

As the story goes, the Otago Motorcycle Club approached the late Irving McKnight, then Winter Sports Club President, if they could start the 'Brass Monkey' event in the Ida Valley given the cooler climate. 

The land they wanted to use, then owned by Jim McDermott, was perfect for the event aimed to attract 300 motorbike enthusiast to the rally. The community was reluctant and uncomfortable with ‘motorbikers’ staying in the neighbourhood.  

Irv had many discussions with the community people at that time, and the common thought was it couldn’t be done. But it was Irv's “anything is possible attitude and foresight for what it could become” he said yes to the Otago Motorcycle group, and told the community he will find a way to work it out.  

Forty years on and over 4000 attending the legacy event, Irv would be proud of the support it has provided to the tight knit community and to see his son Murray, Daughter in-law Sharon, and grandson Fraser McKnight still keeping the calendar free to gift their time and energy to the events success.

Four decades on, third generation Fraser McKnight is still volunteering to do his bit to support the community. 

The funds raised over the years have been used for the upkeep to many of the community assets such as the swimming pool, the community hall and sports club facilities. It has also been used to provide the financial support to local sports people who have achieved sporting success outside of the region. It has provided the upkeep to the community grounds, but what is more valuable is how it has kept a small community together.

Wrap up at the Oturehua Railway hotel. Local volunteers were provided drinks and food as a small thank you for their efforts.

A partnership strong to the end

Picture: From left, Greg Becker, President of the Winter Sports Club and Stuart Evans, from the Otago Motorcycle Club

What was going on behind the scenes had started some months ago with organisers Rowena McDermott and Tina Becker as project managers, ensuring no stone was left unturned. Committed to the core, they camped out at the event, and with just three hours sleep over the 36 hours, they are two of a committee of volunteers to be recognised for their time and commitment dedicated to bring such a large event together.

This year, over 100 volunteers from the community worked tirelessly around the clock from Friday until Sunday to cater for over 4000 people who attended the event and clean up after the event to bring the farm, now owned by Ken Gillespie, back to its grandeur.

It has become a tradition in the town to be involved in some respect. 

The 8pm - 1.30am Saturday shift workers still smiling as they provide good country food to a famished crowd.

Given there was a kitchen at the skating rink, one key part of the partnership was for the Oturehua locals to provide good country food as the annual community fundraising project.

“I’ve enjoyed helping with the catering and changing the menu year on year to evolve with the needs of those attending” Says Sharon McKnight, who has helped prepare food for the event for the full forty years. 

When asked about what's next Sharon replied,

“We are not sure what is next to raise money for our community, and while talk of a summer event is on the cards, it would be difficult for our farmers to provide time during what is then their busy season. I'm sure we will find another way, that’s just the type of people we are in this town”.

The rain didn't stop the crowd from enjoying the entertainment from Jordon Luck.

A fun and controlled crowd of 4,000 people made it to the 2021 Brass Monkey to cap off the legacy of the event. 

With the “not so tiny” temporary tent town perched on the edge of the valley, the sights and sound of the Brass Monkey brought joy and plenty of nostalgia for years past. 

With the heritage of the event fondly remembered, maybe, just maybe, it or something similar might come back in the future. 

We are told to “watch this space”.