September 2018 News

Contents:

Remembering John Marshall
Change of speaker 20th September
Iron Gate Hut Consultation Meeting 6 September
FMC Newsletter August 2018
Anniversary Dinner Published 30 August
Working Bee at Opouahi Published 30 August

Remembering John Marshall
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of John Marshall.

John was a life member of the Napier Tramping Club, and will be remembered for his many contributions to the club, not only in his role as President between 1986 – 1989. He was also instrumental in initiating and progressing the building of the Auckland Tramping Club’s Mount Ruapehu ski lodge. They needed a plumber (Paul Exeter) and a builder’s mate (John). Every year, when the club hired the ATC ski lodge, John would be there. He would not miss this annual club event.

John volunteered his time to many DoC projects, not only the local Estuary group who weeded Westshore in Napier, but also in the deepest southern islands of New Zealand; Stewart Island, the smaller Codfish Island and Little Barrier Island off the North Island coast were among some of the places where he assisted in DoC conservation projects.

John was a keen member of the Napier branch of Forest and Bird.

His tramping was legendary. Ted Angove described his as ‘an easiest-looking walking style’. Once, John was dropped off at Makahu Saddle on a Sunday and picked up again at Rangipo on the following Friday (so he had also walked the Desert Road).

John was always a keen photographer, spending his later tramp years with camera and tripod in his day pack. Here is one of his photos.

Change of speaker 20th September
The speaker at the club meeting on Thursday 20th September has changed. It is now Keith and Sandy. They will be talking on ‘Walks around the lakes in Italy’.

Iron Gate Hut Consultation Meeting 6 September, Minutes
Members of the RUG group who are most impacted by the proposals for a new hut met DoC to discuss options. It’s a good sign that DoC is involving the outdoor community in decision-making. Iron Gate Hut is critical accommodation for the Whio Protection volunteers who monitor the trap lines in the Orua River and Western Ruahine area. Attached are the minutes of the meeting. RUG Consult Iron Gate Hut 6th Sept 2018

FMC – New rules, and General Meeting in October
An FMC General Meeting will be held at the Copthorne Millennium Hotel in Palmerston North on Saturday 27 October 2018. Clubs in the lower North Island are urged to send representatives. All other clubs are very welcome, too.

The purpose of the meeting will be to confirm FMC’s new rules, which were circulated to all clubs in March.

Most of the day will be dedicated to a workshop which aims to discuss tramping opportunities and facilitate volunteer hut and track maintenance work in the Ruahine, Tararuas, Kaweka and Kaimanawa forest parks. People from the Backcountry Trust will be there to tell you how they can help your club. A detailed programme and information regarding delegates/proxy voting will be distributed in the near future. Watch this space!

Kelvin Shaw (President) has asked for expressions of interest from club members and especially committee members who may like to attend the above meeting on behalf of the NTC.

Anniversary Dinner
We have booked the Puketapu Hotel Restaurant for our Anniversary Dinner on 4 Oct from 6.00 pm with the meal starting at 6.30.

Assuming we get in excess of 30, the main dining room will be for our sole use. In choosing this venue, we have taken on board the suggestions and comments made about choice of food, venue, options for those with dietary requirements and price.

If you are of Yorkshire or Scottish descent, do not have a dessert or starter and only drink water, then you could have a fantastic night out for just $16. We feel that this menu will cater for everybody. Some have already put their names on the list. So please advise Lynette Morgan lynette@airnet.net.nz or Kelvin asap. The invitation is also for partners and friends. See the reduced menu Reduced Menu 1 2018

Working Bee at Opouahi
We have been asked by EcoEd, the organisation that looks after the Kiwi crèche at Opouahi, to volunteer in a working bee to remove vegetation from the outside of the predator-proof fence. The date is 3 October. It is planned to leave Church Road at 8.00 am by car pooling, and return by 4.30 at the latest.

Requirements are: gloves, secateurs, clippers, bush saws, etc as well as your lunch and drinks. Please advise Kelvin if you want to be included.