The Farmers Hall at Ruakura Research Centre was the location for the Waikato Tramping Club’s 60th birthday celebrations on Saturday May 15. It was transformed by ponga fronds, other native plants, tramping gear, archival and photographic displays into an inviting and interesting venue. Programme: 1.30pm Enthusiastic former and current WTC members gathered to celebrate and to renew old friendships, welcomed on arrival by Dianne and Selwyn June. The very fine Anniversary Bulletin, in fact a compilation of all 4 past reunion bulletins plus the 60th, was issued to attendees at this stage. People mingled, looking at displays and meeting and greeting others amid many exclamations of delight. 2.45pm A total of 124 people gathered in the cafe where MC Dianne June ensured the smooth flow of proceedings. The celebrations were officially opened by current President, Peter Phipps and following this John Wilson read apologies with details of messages sent with past memories and good wishes for the future. Richard Drake, who joined the club in the 1950s, then addressed the gathering, recalling memorable times from the earlier years in the club. This brought back memories for many and gave newer members an idea of the sense of adventure and dedication of those earlier times. 3.45pm Three generations of the King family, all of whom are current club members, were called upon to cut the superb anniversary cake – using a bush-whacker, of course! Diana Kelly had made a replica of Mt Ruapehu, complete with crater lake and a 60th anniversary flag marking the location of Waikato Hut. This was followed by afternoon tea, when we found that the cake not only looked amazing but tasted great too. Photo sessions: These were next on the agenda, ably executed by photographer Isla Trapski, with help from Helen and Don Burns to muster the masses and record names. Groups included those from each decade as well as Foundation Members, Life Members, past office- holders (Presidents, Club Captains, Secretaries and Treasurers) and Trampers of the Year. The ongoing involvement of some club members was clearly evident as they remained for photo after photo. There was much hilarity, particularly amongst the very large group from the 1960s! A photo was taken later of all those who had met their partners in the club. Another very large group! During this time, when not involved with photos, former and current members enjoyed chatting and looking at the many interesting displays in the hall, which Russell Lamb, Lesley Kuggeleijn, Robin Russell and Dianne June had put a lot of work into organising. Coloured dots on name tags denoting the decade in which attendees had joined the club were a source of interest and debate! 5.00pm The afternoon’s celebrations morphed into our Trek ‘N’Travel-sponsored Happy Hour, which provided further opportunities for socialising and viewing the displays of old and new gear, club trophies, photos of huts and activities, data shows etc. After 7.00pm A buffet meal was served, with 141 people filling their plates table by table to minimise congestion. The caterers coped very well, especially when so many people registered at such a late stage. Numbers were at the maximum for the venue and trampers do have healthy appetites! Throughout the afternoon and evening, between speakers, Dianne entertained us with excerpts and interesting snippets about the club which she had gleaned from past bulletins. Following the serving of the main course, Graeme King and David Rogerson joined forces to speak very entertainingly about their experiences during the middle years of the club’s history. After dessert current trampers were represented as Tracey Riley and Tania Willis presented a skit ably assisted by Lesley Kuggeleijn and John Davies. This was a source of great amusement and showed that fun and adventure still continue in the club today. President from the early 1990s, Lynne Bjarnesen, spoke briefly of her time in the club and proposed a toast to the next 60 years. Peter Phipps proposed a vote of thanks to the organising committee who were: Jean & John Wilson (co-ordination, past member data base, registrations and publicity), Dianne June (club history and willing volunteer for a multitude of tasks), Russell Lamb (photographic and old gear displays), Tracey Riley (design and organisation of everything needing printing, including the bulletin), Michael Nightingale (whose network of contacts provided many resources), Lesley Kuggeleijn (display of new gear) and Alan Wilson (bulletin editing). Sunday May 16 provided further opportunities for enjoyment and catching up. A Pavlovich bus took a group out to Waiorongomai Valley while some others went out by car. There were 2 tramping options, both of which included the old hut site. Back in Hamilton a similar sized group met at the Hardy Centre, adjacent to the Hamilton Gardens, for a continuation of the catching up of the previous day. Those attending enjoyed tea, coffee and morning tea/lunch in comfortable surroundings with the opportunity to chat and view photos. The weekend celebrations catered for 152 people in total and were much enjoyed by all! There was lots and lots of talking and lots of laughter! It was great to see good support and interest from current members. Thanks We wish to thank the following for generous contributions to our celebrations: Colin Hancock from Trek ‘N’Travel – Happy Hour sponsorship Cambridge Forest and Native Nursery – loan of plants to decorate hall Gremara Contractors – donation of sand for plant pots Ian Patton from Quantum Lodge – major raffle prize Sharon and David Payne, John Edmonds, Alan Wilson, Elizabeth-Ann and Michael Nightingale, Dianne and Selwyn June – donations of raffle prizes Alan Keesing – paint pail plant pots and loan of planks for group photos Graeme King – pongas and trailer use And all who helped with setting up, cleaning up and in many other ways.
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