Tēnā koutou katoa
As we near the end of one “WTMC year” and enter another one, it would be easy to focus on the many covid-19 issues that continued to face the club since I first became President nearly two years ago.
However, I feel hopeful that New Zealand and the club are at last on the verge of entering a “new” normal where we can focus more on other important things. This includes getting back more into the outdoors – tramping, mountaineering, skiing, kayaking, biking, packrafting, and lots more that the club offers and facilitates.
WTMC Southern Crossing E-W (Photo credit: Richard Manning) 
WTMC Southern Crossing W-E (Photo credit: Dan Nicholson)
For those not yet aware, this will be my last post as President as I will be stepping down from this role and the Committee after the upcoming WTMC Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 6 April, 2022, 7-8.30pm, both in person and online. Agenda items include a summary of the club’s financials, voting for the new Committee (which takes effect after the AGM), and voting for a proposed new club logo.
There are still a few Committee positions with no nominees. If you are interested in a role, email Aimee at .
All eligible members (that is, financially current members aged 18 years plus) will be eligible to vote. Anyone unable to make it may nominate a proxy on their behalf. All proxies must be emailed to at least 24 hours before the AGM.
More details of the AGM, including the agenda and Committee nominees are in the newsletter here.
There is plenty planned in the lead up to the AGM and for the next year. Club event nights are being held in person again (every second Wednesday from 7pm at the club rooms, 4 Moncrieff St, unless otherwise notified). Don’t miss the WTMC Social Event next Wednesday (30 March) from 7pm at the Fork & Brewer (not club rooms)
I’m still hearing about many trips and other club adventures – I’ve included a few tasters again – this time from the Southern Crossing trips led by Dan (West-East) and Richard (East-West) last weekend.
There’s loads more planned with details in the latest schedule – again a huge thanks to our Chief Guide, Anne and all our volunteer leaders. Anne is already working on the next schedule with a trip planning evening scheduled for 7.00pm at Moncrieff Street. There will be free pizza to help stimulate ideas and encourage leadership!
WTMC Southern Crossing W-E (Photo credit: Dan Nicholson) 
WTMC Southern Crossing E-W (Photo credit: Richard Manning)
Members should have recently received an email from Anne asking for volunteers to be the weekend emergency contact – without which there are no trips! If you are interested in volunteering, email and Anne will forward on the email.
The Families Group also has an exciting autumn planned ahead – camping and tramping, visit Paua Hut and the club lodge, and do some really awesome day walks locally. Email to join the Group’s mailing list.
The next year seems set to be better all round for the Lodge, with current covid-19 trends indicating a full winter season. More details in this month’s Our Maunga by Brian.
This is a final chance for me to formally say thanks – apologies if I forget some as there’s so many which reflects the wonderful generous spirit of the club.
Firstly, thanks to the numerous volunteers that help out in so many ways, from trip including Families Group leaders and coordinators; our emergency coordinator and the weekend emergency contacts; event organisers, speakers and greeters;; those helping with training, the lodge and hut maintenance; and the many other volunteers.
A massive thanks to everyone involved with the lodge over the last year – the Lodge Sub-Committee, bookings officers, Lodge leaders and others for the huge amount of work, flexibility and commitment to making things work with the various, often changing covid settings and requirements.
Thanks also to everyone on the Committee and our two Families Group coordinators– working through many complex issues in the murky, constantly changing covid environment. Thanks in particular to Tony for undertaking on many of the President’s functions for a few months while I dealt with some personal matters.
Our newsletter editor, Byron, is stepping down this year – huge thanks to all his work in editing, pushing for and publishing trip reports and more. I also want to acknowledge and thank all those leaving the Committee. I could list the huge efforts of each person, but will limit to Beverley who continued to efficiently manage the significant additional Treasurer workload due to covid while also moving the club to Xero.
Finally, a thanks to each of you – our WTMC members – for staying connected and involved, and helping to support what the club is about – getting out, encouraging and helping others enjoy our great outdoors.
Each of you is what makes the club and what makes the club so great!
It seems appropriate with our love of the outdoors including mountains to end with this whakataukī: Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
Noho mai rā ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa (Stay well, remain well all) – hope to see you at the AGM,
Maj-Britt