Gazina’s memorial clean-up was a total blast!
People are often blown away by the views from our Gazina Elzinga memorial seat above Taradale. And three club members almost got blown away when they went to do the annual clean-up there on 31 May.
In near-galeforce winds, John Dobbs, Juliet Gillick and Tony Pluymers arrived on-site, after approval from local landowner Merv McNatty.
Tony and Juliet stuff another fadge
Tony brought his generator and Merv provided a key to access the nearby council water tap, so John was able to hook up his water blaster. The first job was to clear the overgrown vegetation. With loppers and saws, our trio cut out enough to fill more than three fadges, mainly with flaxes – plus other regrowth since last year.
John mans the water blaster – the wind was so strong, it distorted the photo!
Then came the water blasting. The wind was so fierce that John could only clean the sheltered areas facing the ranges because trying to tackle the other side meant the spray would come right back at him.
Merv dropped by to see how it was going and a stream of walkers stopped by as well.
It took almost three hours, but another visit with the water blaster is needed to finish off. And while the seats and concrete are looking much better, a coat of concrete sealer would preserve its condition for longer.
Thanks team, for all that hard work. The fadges were squeezed into Juliet’s Subaru and hats off to her for taking them to BioRich for recycling, to Tony for providing his generator and John for supplying that bit of extra blast on a dramatically blustery day.
Where we’re headed… in the second half of the year
The next six months of trips from July to December have been planned, and you can take a look by heading over to the updated tramp list. New users can also use the list to explore the club’s automated booking system, just by clicking on any destination. But first, be sure to read the notes about how to use the system!
Wilding pine update
The next trip will be Tuesday 8 July. We’re going back to the Lakes as the pines are re-emerging. Meet by the Omahu Cemetery at the start of the Taihape Road, Omahu, 7.50am for an 8am departure. Please contact giles.a.pearson@pb08.wixemails.com if you’re coming so he knows know how many to expect. If you know others who are interested, get them to sign up on the trust’s website.
Club and FMC Photo Competition 2025 – 14 August (club night)
Two photo competitions in one club. You can enter one or both competitions.
This year’s FMC competition. Categories include:
- Above bushline – (with human element)
- Above bushline – (without human element)
- Below bushline – (with a human element)
- Below bushline – (without human element)
- Historic (taken before Jan 2020) – an old photo, not a photo of old things
- Native flora, fauna and fungi
- Long exposure
Send your pictures to Sue at petesuem@gmail.com You will receive confirmation on receipt.
If there are more than two photos for each category, an independent judge will decide on the two to go to FMC.
Then there’s our club’s serious-but-fun competition. Categories include:
- Huts, structures and hut fun
- Scenery – water
- Scenery – mountains and bush
- Creatures, birds of the bush
- Club photo (more than two years old),
- Native flora
- Oh Bugga!
Bring your 6×4 photos to the club meeting on Thursday 14 August and place in the correct category. No more than two entries per category. No names, no words; it’s all secret. Then we vote.
There are prestigious prizes, so be in to win.
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