Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
President’s report 2022-2023
It is my pleasure to present this report.
We have had a full on year, of major and minor events, contained within a varied trip programme which in turn has been affected by a few wet Wednesdays! The latter being most unusual but hopefully not setting a long term precedent; one benefit being to remind us that there is no substitute for wearing and carrying the right gear for the weather on the day.
Majors being a very enjoyable Xmas function at Taieri Mouth with standout entertainment, as well as discovering the efficient taxi service that exists down there….This was followed by a successful week at Bannockburn that comprised a varied walking programme, some walks being a first for many of us, as well as undertaking a Tour de Dunstan and environs on Les bicyclettes. . The travel agents we used
for this event were most efficient and we look forward to their offering planned for Kelvin Heights and the Queenstown area in the coming Autumn, but of course we do need to get through spring and summer first!
Our recent 35th birthday and mid winter celebrations were outstanding and subsequent discussions thought provoking. The photo show displaying a trip down memory lane is currently to hand and we are hopeful it can be made available shortly.
We have had a range of new walks and variations on previous walks and have tried to pick up on those not done for some time. The big turnout to support the Halo Project at Long Beach was wonderful and a more than useful adjunct to the flax clearing undertakings we do. As discussed with a range of folk we are assessing with the Green Hut Group how we can take a ‘working bee’ approach to the track clearing work and continue the club’s contribution to track maintenance on our side of Flagstaff/ Swampy. More on this shortly.
The Committee and sub committees/ web team continue to fine tune processes and communications such as the ability to print the trip programme from the website, as well as the ongoing reassessment of fuel costs The latter has been recently looked at again for when we do the summer trip programme. We have looked at why disclaimers of liability are not required as well as settled a process for walks to accommodate folk who may wish not to complete the full walk on the day.
Our membership has blossomed through the last few months and stands at 109, with some pending! Our life members are Bev Harvey, George Haggie, Margaret Smith and Molly Vaughan.
For your information the current office holders and Committee members offer themselves for re election and Graeme Souter has been nominated for the sole vacant standard position on the committee.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed in so many ways outlined above to make a successful year, supporting each other is a hallmark of the club.
This year will be the last for Jill Dodd on the committee as she has decided ‘to retire’. Jill has had a lengthy stint since 2015 as vice president/president/past president and of course acting president during Covid. In addition, Jill has initiated a range of trips, first aid training as well and events such as the recent Halo project contribution and more. We look forward to walking and talking with you Jill for many years to come!
I move that this report be adopted.
Seconder
Phil Keene, August 2023