The Dunedin-based society, that started in 1936, is the second oldest in the country, trailing Timaru’s South Canterbury Model Engineers club by one year.
Life member Gary Douglas joined the club in 1957 and was pleased to be inching ever closer to his 70-year mark with the club.
Like others, he was at the clubrooms at the weekend, reminiscing about the decades he had spent there.
During that time he had seen a lot of change.
Before officially joining, he had been known to potter around the clubrooms, getting tips from other members.
"I started building model planes at about 12, and they crashed ... all the time.
"So I went to boats."
Over the years, he had moved through interests in different types of engines and modes of transports, helped along the way by other club members.
"Once you get in the club, you sort of go around."
The society’s original clubroom had been bought following World War 2 for £20, he said.
At first, when the club was set up in 1936, members met above Johnson’s Fish Shop in George St.
Society member Jim Woods has had only ticked off 47 years with the engineering society.
"I’m one of the young ones. At 60, I’m still the boy."
The weekend was all about "nostalgia" for everyone, he said.
It was all about "telling lies, how to build a boat, that sort of thing".
The clubroom was decked out with pictures from the past 90 years for members to reminisce over and many of the old models were out on display.
In World War 2, the society had assisted with war development through repairs and putting their skills to use.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, members created a motorised wheelchair for a young disabled member.
"We’ve always been community aware ... that’s the only way we can sort of get out there and be seen."
On Saturday, they also had a dinner at the Otago Gold Club that was attended by almost 60 people, including members and visitors.
Mr Woods said the club hoped to tick off 100 years in a decade’s time — however, for continuation of the society, they needed to draw in some young talent.
"We’ve just recently moved into modern technology, 3-D printing and laser cutting and that sort of thing — anything that’s interesting to make is what we’re interested in.
"Attracting people into the club has become awkward and difficult.
"A lot of people only want things now rather than prepare to spend a lot of time there ... but we’ve just got to move with the times."
