50th Anniversary Kaweka J and anniversary dinner

Kaweka J, Kaweka FP, Saturday 12 October 2024

Photo: At the memorial cairn

Seventeen made it to Kaweka J, on a beautiful sunny day (although the south-westerly breeze was a little chilly).  We had a tipple of champagne and chocolate biscuits to celebrate.

Trampers to Kaweka J: Campbell Living, Craig Mountfort, Anne Mountfort, Ali Hollington, Di Reid, Shona Tupe, Hilary Heath-Caldwell, Jenny Burns, Gaye Ebbett, Juliet Gillick, Elly Govers, Gerard van de Ven, Julia Mackie, Alison Greer, Phil Shakespeare, Fred Ramlose and Bob Vork

Ngahere Loop: Ted Angove and Simon Hill

Anniversary dinner

Later, more than 50 current and former members, partners and friends gathered at the East Pier Restaurent, for the anniversary dinner. After a glass of bubbly and nibbles, we had the group photo taken in the evening sunshine. Later, we were hugely entertained by Irene van Dyk (former Silver Ferns’ goalshooter) who told some stories about how she became a world-class netballer, playing for New Zealand.

We also heard from Ted Angove about the club’s connection to the Auckland Tramping Club, and our use of its Mt Ruapehu Ski Lodge. Alison Greer recalled a solstice tramp in the Whirinaki Forest Park, which ended up with a night under the stars and lots of snow. Ray Slavin remembered the antics on an early tramp in the Ruahines and Brian Mackie spoke about the unforeseen challenges of creating the anniversary edition of The Bushbasher magazine.

The programme was ably led by Di Reid, President.  Our evening ended with the cutting of the anniversary cake by Alison and Ted.