HTC History

Silver Jubilee

10th July 2004.

Past and present members met at 'Out in the Styx' restaurant, Pukeatua, for a tramp and dinner to celebrate 25 years of tramping. We were most fortunate to have 6 foundation members - Edith Thomson, (first president) Janet Ryan, Annette Dench (nee Smith), Charlie Christianson, Rex Foley and Tony Grigsby. The club was delighted to welcome past members who had traveled from Hamilton and from afar, including Auckland, Tauranga, Bulls, New Plymouth and Christchurch, to mark this special occasion.

At 9am, 27 people gathered at the restaurant for a tramp up Maungatautari track, led by Jan Olsen and Bill Garland. Our walk took us along part of the new 'Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust' (MEIT) fence line being constructed and we stopped to hear Bill talk about the progress and visions of the project. Also to catch our breath as it was an uphill climb.

A bush bash took us through to the original Maungatautari track which we stayed on for a short while before dropping off to find a waterfall. 21 people continued off the beaten track while the others continued along the main Maungatautari track. Phillip Tree, was one to take the easier route back, having just regained the strength to tramp after a serious accident in August 2003, which had left him paralyzed from the neck down. Through sheer hard work and determination, he had shortened his stay in Burwood Spinal Unit to 10 weeks. We were thrilled that Phillip and his partner Margaret were able to fly from Christchurch to join in the celebrations.

To be commended on the bush tramp were Pam and Len Rodenburg's children, Billie (aged 10) and Katie (aged 8). We tramped up and down, over and under and these two youngsters just kept going with not a complaint. Lunch time was on a draughty ridge before heading down, around and about, to the waterfall. It was quite spectacular in that it was also a surprise to see a waterfall of such a height on Maungatautari.

We then followed downstream - in and out and over windfalls, until reaching another section of the new fence line. We walked through the enclosure on a newly formed track to return back to Tahi Road, just a short distance from 'Out in the Styx' restaurant.

At the restaurant it was showers, a soak in the spa pool for some and dressing up before the Mix and Mingle preliminary to dinner. Elizabeth Norton (present president) welcomed guests, followed by myself introducing the 6 foundation members. Then a Decade Stand of those joining in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000. Apologies were made from: Garry McCowatt, who was caught up with some caving friends from the South Island; Ruth Barratt and Lynne Ironside, both separately on holiday in the UK; Alan Hawes and Barbara Lowther, both about to leave for holidays overseas; and an apology for Gary Lokum from his Mum - he has been living in the UK for 4 years and has 2 daughters, aged 8 and 4 years. I was very thankful to Shirley Jones, Rex Foley and Charlie Christiansen for their great help in locating past members.

Prior to the marvelous dinner prepared by Lance and his wife Mary, John Featherstone said grace. To assist in the mixing and mingling, Lance suggested those on half of each table swap places before the main course. This worked well, with people meeting others that they did not know.

Edith and Elizabeth, Past and Present Presidents, cut the Anniversary cake, baked by Elizabeth and masterfully decorated by Val Hollands, with a pair of chocolate icing tramping boots on top. Dessert followed with the floor open to speakers.

Charlie, Bill Garland, Edith and John Featherstone spoke of earlier days in the tramping club. The Mix and Mingle atmosphere continued on into the evening.

Historic photo albums were available for perusal and a register was signed by the 53 people attending.

Most guests went home, except for a few who stayed to enjoy the rural accommodation and a hearty breakfast prepared by Lance and Mary the next morning. In all, a successful Silver Jubilee.

All contacts and report will be stored in the Hamilton Public Library Archives.

Isobel Smythe

Copied from Hamilton Tramping Club Bulletin, January-June 2005 issue number 62, pages 8-10.

See the Hamilton Tramping Club Bulletin, June-December 2004 issue number 61 for a club history prepared in association with this Silver Jubilee.

See the Photo Gallery for a photograph from this event.

Tramp Reflections

The tramp reflections are an account of the tramp writen by someone that went on the tramp, and published in the Bulletin and on the website.

HTC Bulletin

The bulletin is published by the HTC twice a year, and sent out by post to members at that time. The latest Bulletin is available on the website to view, together with the 25th anniversary issue (June 2004, issue number 61).