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Nicols Creek, Moon Track, Swampy Ridge, Pineapple and Shortcut Tracks

Square10/09/2025. Nicols Creek, Moon Track, Swampy Ridge, Pineapple and Shortcut Tracks. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Gwenda Farqharson, Lyn Keene.
20 Trampers met at Leith Valley Road, our tramp followed the Nicol’s Falls track. Continue reading “Nicols Creek, Moon Track, Swampy Ridge, Pineapple and Shortcut Tracks”

Fairfield via Abbotts Creek Track to Wingatui and Mosgiel

Mosgiel square 103/09/2025. Fairfield via Abbotts Creek Track to Wingatui and Mosgiel. Grade 2.5. Combined.  Leaders: Barbara Shackell, Jenni Wright, Sandy Webb and Esther Willis.
Barbara Shackell has certainly set the bar high for both effort and organisation for this combined tramp.

Continue reading “Fairfield via Abbotts Creek Track to Wingatui and Mosgiel”

AGM Minutes August 2026 – Draft only to be confirmed

Draft Minutes of the 38th Annual General Meeting of Taieri Recreational Tramping Club held on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at the Taieri Bowling Club at 1.30 p.m. 

Present: John Gardiner (Chair), Alison Hales, Anne Ward, Avis Williamson Barbara Shackell, Betty Finnie, Bill Cubitt, Bruce Wright, Chris Wither, Clare Banks, Dave Roberts, Diane Paterson, Eleanore Ryan, Graeme Souter, Graham Thurlow, Grant Shackell, Gwenda Farqharson, Helen Morris, Jan Butcher, Jane Bruce, Janette Abbot, Jay Devlin, Jenni Wright, Jenny Finnerty, Jenny Wilton, Jill Reid, Jill Thomas, Jim Finnie, Julie MacKenzie, Karon Read, Katrina McKenzie, Kevin Burke, Lester Harvey, Linda Partridge, Lyn Keene, Marijke Schofield, Martin Hickley, Neil Hodgkin, Pam Cocks, Paul Coffey, Pauline Thwaites, Peter Beal, Phil Keene, Phil Morris, Raewyn Keene, Rhonda Wilson, Robyn Hickley, Ross Davies, Sandy Webb, Sarah McCormack, Shirley McRandle, Shona Munro, Spen Walker, Sue Beal, Sylvie Watt, Val Cayford, Wendy Begley, Wendy Langley, Wyn Davies and Yan Campbell 

Apologies: Adrienne Ensor, Anne-Maree Wigley, Jill Dodd, Esther Willis, Heather Casey, Carolanne Buchanan, Chris Bezett, Di Bezett, Karen McInnes, Jenny Flack, Alison Evans, John Barratt, Jan Palmer, Heather Reid, Pam Clough, Sandra Lawn. Rod Ward, Carolyn Pridham, Katherine Martin, Theresa White, Noel McRoberts 

Meeting Opened 

John opened the meeting, by first acknowledging our Life Members, and congratulating Jim Finnie on his upcoming 90th birthday the next day. He was congratulated with applause. 

Minutes of Previous Meeting 

The minutes of the 37th AGM were taken as read, having previously been circulated. 

Moved Anne Ward , seconded Jenni Wright that they be confirmed as a true and accurate record. Carried. 

Matters Arising 

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes. 

Correspondence 

There was no correspondence. 

President’s Report 

John’s report for the year was circulated with the agenda and taken as read. There were no comments/questions pertaining to his report. (Attached) 

  John moved that his report be adopted, seconded by Barbara Shackell Carried. 

Financial Report 

 The financial report was circulated with the agenda.  

The Committee at its meeting on Thursday 18 June, 2026, recommended that the annual subscription remain at $15 and joining fee remain at $10.

Trevor Flack has kindly agreed to continue as our reviewer for 2026-2027 financial year. 

A card with a small token of the club’s appreciation for Trevor’s services is to be given to him. 

There were no comments/questions. 

Sarah Mc Cormack moved the adoption of the Treasurer’s Report, seconded Pam Cocks Carried. 

Election of Officers 

President: Dave Roberts moved that John Gardiner be elected as President, seconded by Barbara Shackell 

 Carried 

Vice-President: Chris Wither moved that Lyn Keene be elected as Vice-President, seconded by Anne Ward 

 Carried 

Immediate Past- President: Phil Keene. This is an automatic appointment. Secretary: John Gardiner moved that Wendy Langley be elected as Secretary, seconded by Sarah Mc Cormack 

 Carried 

Treasurer: Wendy Langley moved that Sarah McCormack be elected as Treasurer, seconded by Graeme Souter 

Carried 

Communications: Wendy Langley moved that Graeme Souter be elected as Communications Officer, seconded by Dave Roberts 

Carried 

Committee: Moved by Jill Reid and Seconded by Wyn Davies that the following be elected for Committee: Esther Willis, Katrina McKenzie, Sandy Webb, Robyn Hickley, Martin Hickley 

 Carried 

All positions for the election of officers were carried unanimously. 

Retiring Committee Members 

John acknowledged the valuable contributions of retiring committee members Jenni Wright, Barbara Shackell, and Pam Cocks, thanking them for their years of dedicated service. 

Retiring Communication Officer 

Graeme Souter thanked outgoing Communications Officer Ross Davies for his extensive volunteer hours upgrading the website’s functionality and content. He expressed appreciation to him and presented him with a card and a small token of our appreciation. 

Webteam 

Graeme acknowledged the Webteam—Chris Wither, Diane Paterson, and Marijke Schofield—stating that their hard work in maintaining current trip information and notices is highly appreciated. 

Club members 

Graeme also thanked all club members for their promptness in submitting trip notifications and trip write ups.

Life Membership 

Phil Keene was presented with life membership by Wendy Langley for his outstanding contributions as a club member.  

Phil was recognised for his contribution to core club activities, his years as President, and his administrative and operational leadership throughout. 

General Business 

There was no general business raised. 

John thanked Wendy for her contribution to our Club’s Administration and particularly the smooth running of this AGM. 

The meeting closed at 1:50 pm 

Guest Speakers: 

Lyn Keene arranged for the following guest speakers to talk to us. 

Sarah Davie-Nitis and Paul Coffey (Chairperson) from the Dunedin Tracks and Trails.  

Ant Wither- as a representative of the Tunnels Trust. 

Dean McAlwee (Chairperson) and Kevin Thompson (also Tunnels Trust) from the Taieri Trails. 

All speakers gave us an insight into their projects -how they began, what has been accomplished so far and visions for the future. 

Sarah and Paul talked about creating an off-road, trail network connecting Oamaru, Dunedin, and Waihola. Linking Dunedin to major regional routes and having them begin/end at the airport. A scenic route connecting northern coastal communities from Waikouaiti down to Port Chalmers, including Waitati and Orokonui Ecosanctuary. 

Ant spoke about the Wingatui Tunnel and the proposed trail from Fairfield, Abbotsford, Green Island through to Caversham tunnel and into Dunedin. Handouts were distributed to show the intended route for this. 

Dean talked about the proposed trail from Waihola to Outram and Mosgiel. He showed a video and photos of the recently constructed tracks in and around the historical trust township at Outram. 

Kevin supported the speakers mainly with visual maps. 

Neil Hodgkin thanked all the guest speakers and gave them all a thank you card with a small gift as a token of thanks for speaking to us today. 

The meeting concluded with afternoon tea.

Presidents Report 2025-2026

TAIERI RECREACTIONAL TRAMPNG CLUB
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2025-2026

Introduction
It is my pleasure to present The President’s Report for the term September 2025 to August 2026 inclusive. The year has been another eventful one for our very active Club.

Membership
– Our current membership stands at 130 with 13 new members joining us this year. Welcome to all new members.
– Sadly, two of our Life Members passed away this year – Margaret Smith and Molly Vaughan – our sympathies are extended to their families and loved ones.

Major Events
– Christmas Function: This was held on 10 December at the Lee Stream Community Hall, and attended by 80 members, catering being provided by the Lee Stream School PTA. All agreed the standard of the meal provided was exceptional, especially for $25 per head. Special thanks to Wendy Langley for investigating this venue and event format.
– Bannockburn Camp: Held on 9 to 13 March at the Bannockburn Camp. Feedback from those attending being extremely positive. Testimony to the organisation and hosting abilities of Anne and Rod Ward and their helpers.
– Mid-winter Lunch: Held on 17 June at the Concord Tavern and attended by 60 members. Unfortunately, due to the weather, the prior planned walk to Tunnel Beach was cancelled. Again feedback from the event has been extremely positive. A big thank you to Barbara Shackell and Jenni Wright for organising this event.
– Social Get Together: Held on 30 July at the Village Green and attended by 27 members. This afternoon tea catch up was thanks to the initiative and organising abilities of Jenni and Bruce Wright – thank you to you both.
Initiatives and Activities
– Hand Held Radios: A set of Uniden UH755, two-way hand held radios were purchased on 23 January from Dunedin’s Hunting and Fishing for use on tramps and combined walks. The instant communication between Leader and Tail End Charlie these provide already proving valuable on several occasions.
– Petrol Prices: The volatility of petrol prices this year has been closely monitored and discussed at Committee meetings. By motion, approval was reached by the Committee to use the IRD Tier 1 petrol reimbursement rate. As in the past, vehicle rates for trips rounded up to the nearest dollar. Additionally, our trip programme has focussed on trips closer to home recently. This, in consideration, not only of costs, but also at times some supply uncertainties questioning the ethics of recreational fuel use. A thank you to Graeme Souter for his work on this.
– Trip Guidelines: “How to run a trip”. A new post on our website under Trip Guidelines has been worked on by Phil Keene. Under separate headings of “Pre-Trip”, “Trip Day”, “Medical”,
“What to Take” and “Post Trip” these comprehensive guidelines are designed to reassure and assist leaders to run trips. A huge effort – well done Phil.

Track Clearing
– Combined Workday with Green Hut Track Group: On Wednesday, 6 May, in conjunction with the Green Hut Track Group, a combined workday was held, clearing tracks in the Swampy area involving 17 Club members and 5 Green Hut Group volunteers. With our Club’s focus on the Swampy area’s tracks, future cooperative track clearing efforts with the Green Hut Group volunteers are ongoing, “spearheaded” by Graham Thurlow and Phil Keene.
– Track Clearing Days: Graham Thurlow, along with a group of our Club volunteers, are planning additional track clearing working bees. These are to be held on weekdays other than Wednesdays in the Swampy area. Thank you Graham.

Trap Clearing
– A new, Club-related, personal initiative involving checking, clearing and re-setting pest traps in the same Swampy area is under way. Assisting the Halo Project, trap clearing programme, with 8 Club members volunteering to help. Thank you to Phil Keene for coordinating this.

Website
– Communications Officer, Ross Davies, resigned as our Communications Officer at the 18 June Committee meeting due to other commitments. A special thank you to Ross for all his efforts in ensuring our website is such a valuable tool, and he will remain an important source of knowledge as he continues as a member of the web team. Special thanks to Graeme Souter for taking over the Communications Officer role.
– Future-proofing of Website: Our website future proofing, including backups, offered by our current Website host, is being investigated with the possibility of migration to a new host. This seemingly complex issue being investigated jointly by Graeme, with assistance from Ross.
– Capacity of Website: The capacity of our Website has been increased – doubled – so that we now sit at only 48% full.
– Use of Website. The use of the club’s website for non club specific notices has been discussed at length by the Committee. It has been agreed that this should be restricted to club related matters and activities.
– Web team: Our Website is ever expanding and becoming a more and more valuable tool for our club. Special thanks to the Web team: Chris Wither, Diane Paterson, Marijke Schofield, Ross Davies and Graeme Souter.

Committee Thank You
Our Committee has functioned well throughout the year. A special thank you to:
Vice President, Lyn Keene
Immediate Past President, Phil Keene
Secretary, Wendy Langley
Treasurer, Sarah McCormack
Communications Officer, Ross Davies, latterly Graeme Souter.
As well, Committee members assumed extra responsibilities as follows:
Katrina McKenzie as Hiking Coordinator
Pam Cocks and Esther Willis as Tramping Coordinators
Barbara Shackell and Jenni Wright as Social Convenors
Barbara, Jenni and Pam have signalled their intention not to stand for committee again. Thank you for the ability, enthusiasm and dedication you each brought. All these ladies may no longer be on the committee, but I know they will remain true powerhouses of our Club.
Special thanks to Esther and Wendy for their hospitality in offering their homes as committee meeting venues.
Thank you also to Annette MacRae and Dave Melish for being our PLB emergency services contact people.

Quote
This quote comes from Indian Industrialist and Philanthropist, Ratan Tata:
If you want to walk fast, walk alone
But if you want to walk far, walk together.
Lastly, thank you for the privilege of serving as your President this past year. I move that my report be adopted.

John Gardiner

Nichol’s Farm (Michelle’s Farm)

150 square20/08/2025. Nichol’s Farm (Michelle’s Farm) . Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Gail Williams, Lynley McArley.

After parking under the Outram Bridge, nineteen trampers made their way alongside the Northern aspect of the Taieri river on the flat and then began an ascent up into the hills along a farm track. Continue reading “Nichol’s Farm (Michelle’s Farm)”