Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

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.