Joy Bus is back

Hundreds of hot rods drew envious stares as they cruised through Orewa for the inaugural Hibiscus Rodders Beach Festival in Orewa last weekend.

American flags flew and the hot rods, all pre-1985 cars of American origin, parked up so they could be viewed at close quarters.

However, as well as taking in the hot rods, the public also gravitated in large numbers towards the humble Joy Bus, positioned on Orewa Reserve on January 28 as part of the festival. As well as offering children a free ice block, the Joy Bus drew crowds who had fond memories of the bus doing its rounds in Orewa in the 1980s.

The connection between the hot rods and the home-built bus is Rodder Sharon Morris-Belcher, whose father Keith Morris built and drove the bus.

The bus became a much-loved part of the Hibiscus Coast during the 1980s and 90s, offering rides to the public.

“My dad could not be separated from the Joy Bus, even when he became very ill, prior to his death in 1999,” Sharon says. “He would pick people up in the bus, play music, show them around and give them gifts.”

Keith raised money for community groups, including raising enough funds to build the Orewa Youth Centre. With the help of his two sons, Ron and Craig, he also built Hillary House and, with the help of Vic Edwards, arranged for the Sir Edmund Hillary statue to be erected in Hillary Square.

Keith was awarded a QSM for his work, which Sharon says he did “from the bottom of his heart” and has a street named after him in Orewa.

Prior to going on view at the festival, the bus was repainted and repaired with mechanical work carried out by the staff of Orewa Automotive & Electrical. One of the original signs was discovered stored at Ike’s Emporium, and new signs were provided by Orewa New World.

The Rodders are well on the road to ensuring that the bus becomes roadworthy and hope to use it as a sort of mascot, bringing it to community events with Craig Morris at the wheel.

Image: Members of Hibiscus Rodders prepare the Joy Bus for its appearance at the Beach Festival. Keith Morris’ grandchildren Harrison and Sasha hold a photo of their grandfather and the bus. Sharon Morris-Belcher is in the driving seat.