The Model Ship & Nautical Collection of Henry Kalazich

A Lifelong Love of the Nautical

Henry Kalazich (1936-2024) was a Sydney mechanic and motoring enthusiast, the founder of Parkway Motors in Collaroy (Alfresco Emporium now stands on the site), and a Life Member of the Pittwater Motor Enthusiasts Association.

Henry’s son Leigh Kalazich explains that his father was always mechanically (and maritime) minded.

“Dad wanted to join the navy when he was 15, but his father was against it. Instead, he started an apprenticeship at Young’s Collaroy Garage back in the ’50s (in Sydney’s Northern Beaches). It’s funny how life goes full circle. He ended up buying the premises in the ’80s with the help of mum and turning it into Parkway Motors.”

Almost immediately after earning a wage, Henry began collecting. His acquisitions included model cars and ships, maritime accessories, ship plans, books and prints. He also collected vintage cars, repairing and restoring classic models including a 1941 Buick, a 1949 MG TC and a WWII era Willys Jeep. A life member of the Pittwater Motor Enthusiasts Association, he won various awards for the restored vehicles, including his 1932 Chevrolet Confederate and a 1935 Singer Le Mans.

“Dad would go to a lot of car swap meets, and it was there that he bought a lot of the models and other items. If he went to a swap meet, there would always be someone with model yachts or ships,” adds Leigh.

Pictured: A Model of La Toulonnaise in Display Case

A Hands On Approach to Collecting

Leigh explains that his father was quiet and assuming about his collection, but there was a fascination with craft and construction. As an engineer, he always had a project, whether it was putting together a model ship or restoring a classic car.

“His biggest project was a yacht that he started building when I was a kid. We used to call it Inko’s dream (Inko being a Yugoslave nickname for Henry) because it was in the garage for years and years…  you couldn’t get a car in there,” he laughs.

When the family moved to a farm in Warriewood, the larger garage began to fill up with Henry’s now sizeable collection. While the boat sadly remained unfinished, there were plenty of smaller achievements, including a stunning 130cm long Model of Demelza, a Falmouth Workboat Yacht (pictured) that he hand crafted.

The family are now bringing the collection to auction in the hope that the items will bring as much joy to others as they did to Henry.

“There are some really great boats,” adds Leigh. “The Model of St Benedict Hull Trawler is a cracker, there’s a Large Model of the H.M.S. Anson built in New Zealand that comes with newspaper clippings about the model and the original ship, and there’s a fantastic African Queen Replica from the 1951 film with Krick D-7134 Two-Cylinder Steam Engine.“

Model Ships & Maritime Collectables at Auction

The collection features vintage and antique model ships and yachts, some fully cased, model kits in original packaging, nautical illustrations, books and maritime accessories.

Among the highlights – detailed models of The Mayflower and La Toulonnaise, both in display cases, and pictured, a large Vintage English Brass Binnacle Compass with Dual Oil Lamps.

The Model Ship & Nautical Collection of Henry Kalazich
Tuesday 19 August | 6pm
View Catalogue & Bid Online Now

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