Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
President’s Report 2024-2025
It is with great pleasure that I present this report.
The Club continues to go from strength to strength based on the quality of it’s members as well as having a sound framework, at the same time keeping things reasonably informal.
Membership numbers are 131 with seven life members.
Major events have included
– the Xmas walk at Takitakitoa Wetlands with hosts Otago Fish and Game followed by the shared lunch and great entertainment at the Waihola Hall
– A week based at Kelvin Heights where a myriad of walks were undertaken including a touch of wilderness and walks based closer to lakes; a return to Bannockburn could be on the cards for 2026….
– a very successful ‘cuppa’ afternoon tea at Wals for those who we do not see so much at the regular walks
– 45 members attended the travel night that covered the Dolomites in N Italy, Melbourne and some of the USA National Parks as well as tips on how to get the best photos from your phone
– 65 members attended the mid winter lunch that followed a walk around Waihola Lake and looked at recent developments there.
My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed in making these all ‘a great day/ night out”. We have continued to fine tune communications with our web notices and information and the presidents’ updates have covered a range of matters. Unfortunately, we did not have the power to make every Wednesday fine!
We also made submissions to Councils on Puketapu/Palmerston Hill and the Tunnels Trust closer to home, it appears with some positive impact along with that of other submitters.
For a range of reasons our track clearing working bees were a little limited. I have met with the Green Hut Group and our machines will be kept warm over the winter by the main group and we’ll evaluate our efforts in the Spring. Again thanks to everyone who contributed.
The Committee has functioned very effectively and it has been enjoyable working with everyone. As this is my last report I would especially like to thank Jenni Wright, John Gardiner and Ross Davies for their advice, support and contribution and for making my role so much easier over the last few years.
Some of the reading I do, in fact a fair bit of it, is the work of Brian Turner who sadly passed away this year. In ‘Place’ he captures perfectly the essence of walking in the hills not too far from our homes
“….yet nothing is categorically
this, or that, and before the dusk
mellows and fails
the light is like honey
on the stems of tussock grass,
and the shadows are mauve birthmarks
on the hills.”
So vivid, spot on! I’ll see you in the hills soon. Keep walking keep talking. I move that this report be adopted.
Seconder
Phil Keene, August 2025