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FIRST TRACKS WITH THE PRESIDENT
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Welcome to our first substantial newsletter for the 2019 season.
In case you weren’t aware this will be our 63rd year as a club and we are now on to our 5th Patron, 30th Club Captain and 24th President (some more than once).
The committee (both pre and post the AGM) has been busy preparing for the upcoming 2019 season.
We held the 2018 AGM late last month celebrating a new Life Member, accepting a couple of committee position resignations along with electing a new President and Club Captain. The club had a very successful year with increased bed nights (resulting in improved income) despite the continual increase of our fixed costs being electricity, insurance and lease/licenses. We still have the new sewerage contribution costs to factor in either this coming year or the next. These still need to be determined but we have been putting money aside over the last few years in anticipation.
Representatives from the committee also attended the Ruapehu Mountain Clubs Association (RMCA) biennial forum. We were updated by The Lines Company (TLC), Ruapehu District Council (RDC), Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), Department of Conservation (DOC) and RMCA itself. Details are below.
RAL have been extremely busy this summer with their Gondola project and café redevelopments. Further details are below.
I would also like to welcome our new members for this year and look forward to meeting you all.
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2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
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Thanks need to go out to the 2018 committee for a great year, both with the weather but more importantly a well-run and economic club. The 2019 committee has changed a little with the resignation of both the President and Club Captain.
Marty Staines has been President for 8 years and Simone MacFarlane has been Club Captain for 5 years. They have resigned their positions but both are still on the Committee. However we have welcomed Anthony Moss onto, not only the committee but into the position of Club Captain and Greg Bennett has stepped into the Presidents role. The full list is below.
| Patron |
Rod MacFarlane |
| President |
Greg Bennett |
| Secretary |
Maggie McCaughan |
| Treasurer |
Marion Fournier |
| Bookings |
Vicki Moss |
| Catering |
Marty Staines |
| Works |
Shaun Stock |
| Club Captain |
Anthony Moss |
| General |
Thomas Schwarz |
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David Rankilor |
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Matt Ryder |
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Simone MacFarlane |
| Past President |
Marty Staines |
Some points to note:
- DOC have still to finalise upcoming sewer costs. They have had a changeover of staff and are at present reviewing the cost breakdown. We have been putting money aside over the last several years in anticipation of increased costs.
- We will be introducing a new category to the club Honours system being “Outstanding Contribution to the Club”. This may be awarded annually and the recipient may be nominated by a current financial member using a form similar to a Life membership nomination. The recipient will be awarded free annual subs for one year.
- We have introduced a prompt payment incentive instead of a 5% discount for annual subscriptions. The incentive may vary each year.
- Membership stands at 338 and we have a number of out of town applications on a waiting list. We have a maximum allowable number of out of towners capped at 63 of which we have 55 at present.
- New summer booking fees of $15 per night for members, $20 for non members whilst the whole lodge remains at $255 for members. This is still non catered.
- Booking rule change for our ‘premium’ weekend being Club Champs Weekend. Any cancellations must be received 2 weeks prior to the weekend for a refund.
- Life membership was awarded to Vicki Moss for her unselfish service to club over the last 10 years. Vicki is currently the Booking Officer.
- There was a door prize draw for a couple of awesome prizes donated from local businesses. The first being a river cruise won by Chris Wallace and a fishing trip won by David Rankilor. Thanks to Huka Falls River Cruises, Fish Taupo and Gordons Outdoors.
- The meeting was wrapped up with a presentation from Ross Copland, CEO of RAL. Details are included in the RAL section below.
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Annual subs for 2019 are now due and all invoices have now been sent. If you have not received yours please check your “Junk or Spam” boxes as we have switched to Xero for our invoicing.
Email your Treasurer Marion if you can’t find it and make sure you have
messaging-service@post.xero.com on your safe sender list so you don’t miss future invoices and your receipt with the new door code.
Payments received by 30 April will put you in the draw for a $150 lodge fee credit – there are three draws.
The draws will be made at the May committee meeting and winners notified.
Receipts for payments with the door code and link to the information booklet on the website will be sent out after the May work party when the door code has been changed and the booklet updated.
WORK PARTY LEVY
Work party levies are to be paid with the annual subs and will be refunded once a work party has been completed. There is NO REFUND for attending a new member’s joining or intermediate advancing to senior membership work party as these are compulsory and are not charged.
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LODGE SEASON BOOKINGS FOR 2019
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Seasons booking open on the 1st May and close on 31st May. You will be advised of the bookings you have been allocated by the 17th June.
July School Holiday bookings open 24 May and close June 7. You will be advised by 17th June of bookings you have been allocated.
All members who know what accommodation they will be wanting for the winter season (school holidays excluded) please advise the Booking Officer and follow the procedure below:
Make a booking by using using the winter booking form.
• Please note in the Comments Section “Seasons” and also any particular dates that are important to you or other information.
• The Booking Officer will allocate bunks (Please note: – you may not get all the nights you have requested.) You will be wait-listed for any dates you missed out on.
• 6 bunks are kept free for casual bookings.
• If these are not booked by Tues 10pm prior to the weekend the booking officer will advise those on the wait-list.
Payment for Seasons bookings – Once seasons bookings have been processed you will be advised which nights you have been allocated and payment instructions will be given.
To help plan your season bookings see the Season Events section below.
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| MAY |
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| 1 |
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Seasons Bookings Open |
| 11,12 |
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Work Party |
| 24 |
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July School Holidays Bookings Open |
| 31 |
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Seasons Bookings Close |
| JUNE |
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| 1-30 |
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Mates Rates |
| 1 |
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Happy Valley Opens |
| 7 |
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July School Holidays Bookings Close |
| 17 |
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Season/School Holiday Bookings Confirmed |
| 22 |
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Whakapapa Opens |
| 22 |
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Mardi Gras – Ohakune |
| JULY |
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| 6 |
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Mid Winter Xmas Party |
| 6 – 21 |
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School Holidays |
| AUGUST |
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| 3 |
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Christiana Derby Interclub Race |
| 17 |
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Haensli Cup Interclub Race |
| 31 |
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Rangatira Trophy Interclub Race |
| SEPTEMBER |
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| 7 |
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Tongariro Junior Race |
| 14 |
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Ngauruhoe Trophy Interclub Race |
| 21 |
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Taupo Ski Club Championships |
| OCTOBER |
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| 28 Sept – 13 |
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School Holidays |
| 28 |
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Whakapapa Closes |
| NOVEMBER |
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| 9,10 |
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Work Party |
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As we did last season we are offering Mates Rates for the month of June.
Non members can stay at members rates when accompanied by a current senior financial member between the 1st and 30th June 2019. You can make a booking now.
We see this as a great opportunity for members to get their friends up for a weekend or even a week and learn to ski. Whakapapa will have Happy Valley going from the 1st June with man-made snow (maybe even some real stuff) and then the rest of the mountain on the 22nd June. So, what a great opportunity to introduce your friends to the snow and if you have a season or life pass then you can treat them to half price lift passes.
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The first of the work parties planned for this year is coming up the weekend of 11/12 May and will be the final cleanup prior to the start of the season 3 weeks later!
Just make a booking through the website and/or give the Works Officer an email.
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RUAPEHU ALPINE LIFTS MOUNTAIN UPDATE
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Both the Club (at the AGM) and the Committee (at the RMCA Forum) have heard presentations from both the General Manager and CEO of RAL. We have summarised the main points but for further detail refer to their website. They are doing a very good job in keeping everyone up to date with their progress on the mountain.
Pertinent points:
- The Gondola is on track to open mid July. Crews are working 7 days per week. Most towers have been completed.
- The Waterfall Express is being removed the first week of May.
- There will not be a lift from Hut Flat up to the Knoll.
- An 8 seater chair is planned from the bottom of the Delta Chair to the top of the Knoll (but after the Gondola is completed at Turoa)
- Bottom of the Rockgarden just above Lorenz’s has been redesigned with a wider and flatter track allowing the merging of foot and ski traffic onto the Gondola and allowing better access to the Rangatira Express.
- Downloading and foot traffic will not be allowed on the Rangatira Express. Skiers will load parallel to the lift on the down side (and be seated around the bullwheel).
- 1st Tracks this year is Rangatira Express only.
- Knoll Ridge café is been given a major ‘makeover’. There will be two levels with the top holding the new Pinnacles Buffet Restaurant (south east side facing the Pinnacles), and the Pataka Express Café (much the same as existing). The bottom level will have the Four Peaks Alley which is a street cart idea and self catering area. There will be 4 containers set up offering various food styles along with a coffee cart and drinks cart. A small deck will look out to the Pinnacles. This will be expanded next summer. The containers will be open based on demand.
- Self catering is not allowed upstairs and any bags left lying around will be removed. You can self cater downstairs or outside.
- West Ridge Café will also operate on peak demand days.
- Hut Flat has been reconfigured to allow an easy downhill grade.
- The old Bridge Hut area has been remodelled allowing better entry to the top of the Rockgarden.
- National Gully has been filled allowing easier access to lower Tenants (narrow bit above Tongariro Ski Club).
- Centennial Gully and water course has been recontoured to provide easier and alternative access to the Rangatira Express.
- RAL are planning to release a club overnight car parking plan early May. This will include controlled parking after 6pm.
- The National Park bus service will continue.
- Next major lift will be a Gondola at Turoa.
- DOC will introduce 130 roadside parks along Golf Course below the speed restriction signs.
Further info is available on their website
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If there are other members of your family who want a copy of the newsletter (and other publications) emailed to them then get them to sign up here.
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We are running this facility in the newsletters so if you want to be included just email the details to the newsletter editor.
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We need to bring to the attention of all members the impact of recent Health and Safety legislation. It is up to all of us to be responsible and this is even more important in our Lodge with the risks of fire, storms and eruptions (amongst other things). To help facilitate this we are holding nightly club safety sessions (approx 5 mins) during the winter season.
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We would like to run themed weekends/days/events over the year.
As a result we are after ideas from members as to what would be fun, interesting and appropriate. Some ideas to date include a Saturday night published menu – say a lamb roast – bring your favourite wine, a poker evening, quiz night, fancy dress evening, movie night, other games evenings, booking a ski instructor for a day/weekend (race training, how to use your carvers, freestyle, young kids, older women/men etc), night skiing BBQ, mini ski touring around the skifield. To actually deliver any of these requires volunteers to make it happen so we would welcome your help to run one of these. Email your thoughts here
Carrying on from the winter theme above we have had some feedback about slightly longer summer events such as a walking weekend based at the Lodge (Tongariro Crossing, Round the Mountain tramps, Tama Lakes, Taranaki Falls etc) , another mountain bike weekend – varying in size and ability (Horopito Viaduct, Erua Forest, Caves etc - even combining them). A night at the Lodge then a night in the Whakapapaiti Hut or camping out for young families. Fishing on Lake Otamangakau and Whakapapa or Manganui o te Ao rivers. Sailing weekend to Boat Harbour/Waihaha etc. Hunting weekend in Erua/Tongariro/Kaimanawas. Rafting trips. Club organised overseas ski trips in the summer. Theoretically the list could be endless. All we need are some volunteers to put them together and run them. We would love to hear your proposal. Just email us.
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After this upcoming workparty the Lodge should be in great condition for this coming season.
So get those season bookings in, think about your gear and your fitness and not only what the club can do for you but what you can contribute.
We look forward to those bookings.
Until next time .......
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