President’s desk
Kia ora Koutou Prospective and Current Members,
First up, big thanks to those members who blocked out Saturday 10th February 2024 to help out on the Annual Open Climb. Unfortunately, as you will know, it was cancelled. Some of us stubbornly still went up the mountain lower down and I can say from my experience it was less than pleasant even at 1633 metres on both the Saturday and the Sunday.
You should have seen the Notice of the AGM in your inboxes earlier this week which takes the place of our next regular club nights time and location. Also keep an eye on HITAC and Facebook for a potential bonus club night in the works for March.
One of the repeating items for this year at the AGM is the election of officers who are so crucial for supporting our active membership in all facets of club activities. Thanks to our current committee and active members, we have found replacements for most positions but there is still a space for one more as I write this, so if you are interested in getting involved with the committee in 2024, I encourage you to speak to a current committee member ASAP to find out what it’s about being on a diverse team for a diverse club.
For those who missed it like myself, I have had reliable secondhand accounts that there was a great Health and Relaxation weekend held up at the lodge last weekend which a small group of members took up. After hearing what they got up to, or lack of getting up to in some instances, I am very disappointed that I could not make it. For myself I see these events as supporting the long-term health of our members, and by extension the community, as that is what the Taranaki Alpine Club is about – the escape of busy day modern life to get back to something pure and basic, being in nature. With the history of the club nearing a 100-year history in less than five years’ time and some keen active members already in the early days of collating some written and photographic material for a publication marking the approaching occasion.
Since this will be my last HITAC as Club President as I step down after six years on the committee, I would like to thank others who are stepping down from the committee, who are also taking time for themselves, family and other commitments for their sacrifice. I would also like to offer my ongoing support to the club members stepping up into committee positions to fill the 8000m boots, bringing their own energy and skills to the benefit of the club and its members.
Given the size and diversity of backgrounds within the club, one tip for new committee members you could learn from my initial blunders on committees some years ago, would be don’t take too much on yourself. There is great experience within our membership and if you give members just a small job of contributing to our club, that might just be the spark they want to more contributions in years to come.
With that out of the way I am very much looking forward to the upcoming 2024 club trips and will see you on the majestic maunga.
Conrad Murray
President