27/08/2026. AGM.
Our 38th A.G.M. was held on Thursday 27th August, starting at 1.30pm, at the same venue as last year’s A.G.M. the Taieri Bowling Club, Mosgiel. With 60 members in attendance, on a cold, wet day, the meeting began with President John, acknowledging our 6 life members, and giving a special welcome to Life Member Jim Finnie, celebrating his milestone 90th birthday the next day (28th August). Jim being congratulated by acclimation. Secretary Wendy, then read the names of the 21 apologies received.
The initial, procedural aspects of the meeting – Minutes of Previous Meeting, Matters Arising, and Correspondence, being dealt with smoothly and swiftly. With the President’s Report being taken as read, along with the Financial Report (both being circulated with the Agenda to members prior). Motions to adopt each being carried unanimously. Concluding the Financial report it was noted that the Committee on Thursday 18 June 2026 recommenced that the annual subscription remain at $15, and joining fee at $10. With Trevor Flack having kindly agreed to continue as our financial reviewer for the 2026-27 financial year. A small token of our appreciation and card to be sent to Trevor.
The Election of Officers followed:-
President – John Gardiner
Vice President – Lyn Keene
Immediate Past – President – Phil Keene (An automatic appointment).
Secretary – Wendy Langley
Treasurer – Sarah McCormack
Communications Officer – Graeme Souter
Committee – Esther Willis, Katrina McKenzie, Sandy Webb, Robyn Hickley, Martin Hickley.
All positions for the election of officers being carried unanimously.
Our retiring Committee Members, Barbara Shackell, Jenni Wright, and Pam Cocks were then praised by John, for the personal attributes each brought to the committee, and their dedication.
Retiring communications Officer Ross Davies , was then thanked by new incumbent, Graeme Souter, for his extensive, voluntary hours spent upgrading our website’s functionality and content. A card, and small token of our appreciation being presented to Ross. Graeme then thanked the webteam of Chris Wither, Diane Paterson, and Marijke Schofield, for their hard work in maintaining current trip information and notices, along with club members for their promptness in submitting trip notifications and reports.
There was no General Business.
Without doubt, a highlight of the afternoon, was the awarding of Life Membership to Phil Keene. The presentation, ably made by Secretary Wendy covered amongst other aspects:-
– Phil’s history as a club member.
– His emphasis on connection when President.
– His administration and governance work on our Constitution, Trip Guidelines, and Grading system.
– His tramping abilities, being a DOC Tour Guide.
– His involvement with clubs and organisations outside of ours, relating to track and trap clearing, and the environment.
– Acknowledgement of his support from Raewyn.
If you would like to read Wendy’s full presentation speech, click on the following link.
Congratulations Phil.
In closing the meeting, John thanked Wendy for her contribution to our club’s Administration, and particularly, the smooth running of our AGM.
The meeting Closed at 1.50pm.
After a short adjournment, the meeting recommenced with John first thanking Lyn Keene, for arranging our five guest speakers, and Grant Shackell, for setting up and controlling the audio visual apparatus.
The Guest Speakers were:-
Paul Coffey – Chairperson of the Dunedin Tracks and Trails.
Sarah Nitus – Inaugural committee member of Dunedin Tracks and Trails
Ant Wither – Representative of the Tunnels Trust.
Dean McAlwee – Chairperson of the Taieri Trails.
Kevin Thompson – Assisting both Ant and Dean as a representative of the Tunnels Trust ant Taieri Trails.
All speakers giving us an insight into their projects, how they began, what they have accomplished so far, and their visions for the future. Significant coordination, and co-operation between the groups being obvious.
Our guests were suitably, and capably, thanked by Neil Hodges, and presented with a small gift as a token of our appreciation.
Afternoon tea, provided by members bringing a “small plate” concluded the day’s activities.
To quote Bill Gates:-
” You have a meeting to make a decision, not to decide on the question”.
John Gardiner.
