ANNUAL REPORT 2009
On average, 7 trampers turned out each week (down 3 on last year), 12 hikers (up one on last year), while the ramblers maintained an average of 3. Bad weather caused 3 Wednesdays to be abandoned altogether.
In November, a 3-day Camp was enjoyed by happy campers at Sutton.
Our Christmas hike and lunch were once again held at the Waiora Scout Camp and enjoyed by 40 members. After lunch Bruce Spttle on his guitar led us in a good old singsong.
In February, some of our members participated in the Relay For Life, an event for cancer victims and in particular Colleen Gamble, a long-time member of the club and a past president (2000-02)/ Sadly Colleen passed away shortly afterwards.
Also in February, our trampers combined with 13 members of the Christchurch Over 40s Club on an enjoyable Cape Saunders-Mount Charles tramp.
We had some drama in April when one of our hikers, Elaine Day, became ill on the John Bull track. The others in the party reacted brilliantly to the emergency, with Elaine being hoisted into the Rescue Helicopter which took her to Dunedin Hospital where she made a good recovery. Well done to all concerned.
This incident, along with other accidents in our club and other tramping clubs, made us realise that it would be remiss of us not tin ivestigate the purchase of 2 Emergency Locator Beacons. Stephen Bennett (Dorothy’s son) kindly helped us to fill in application forms to the Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation and the Otago Community Trust. Meanwhile Elaine Day’s family most generously donated the money for one beacon and with the Bendigo Valley Foundation’s prompt and favourable reply we now own 2 Navcom Emergency Locator Beacons. A great outcome which will ensure safer tramping!
On mid-year dinner was held at Fat Harry’s in June, where 37 members ate well and enjoyed George’s irreverent rendition of “As Time Goes by”.
My sincere thanks to the following:
Secretary-Treasurer, Ian Fleming, world famous in Mosgiel.
The Programme Committee and Bev Harvey for printing it.
Pat and Bill McLean for looking after the attendance roll.
Hazel Leslie, who makes and sends appropriate cards to people throughout the year.
Tom Stratton, our Auditor.
The Committee, which has been a pleasure to work with.
Finally, it’s been a privilege being your President for the past two years. Thank you all for your support, and I extend my best wishes to Bill McLean as he begins his term in the ‘hot seat’. (Only joking, Bill). – Peter Bathgate.