NZ Deer Cullers 50th Reunion

The reunion in Tuatapere, March 11-12-13, was a success on every level. In attendance around 160 people. I had a great time talking to everyone and interviewed several people over the weekend, for the Frank Erceg Project, and also for the upcoming article on the Deer Cullers 50th for NZ Outdoor Hunting magazine. To date, is to be published in their June/July issue. Will confirm this closer to time. Here are a some photos from the weekend.

   Saturday, we lunched at John & Helen O Brien's, Lake Hauroko. As you can see by the photo, lots of very interesting things to look at.

And on my way to the reunion...my bike took a beating, so I left it outside Pitches Store in Ophir.

Lake Monowai

Monowai River

On Sunday, we made a quick trip down to the bottom of the South Island, a few miles south of Tuatapere.

We passed through Mossburn, the venison processing capital of New Zealand, and at the diner, they make a mean cappuccino.

The cake was cut on the Saturday night by the president Dave Pratt. 

Bus trip into Lillburn Valley on the Saturday.

Outside the crib of the late Jock Murdoch

The woolshed built by Archie Clarke, on road to Lake Huaroko. Archie was an Internal Affairs culler. His historic hut built in 1941 named after him, still stands in Fiordland National Park.

It was a highlight to finally meet Allan Duncan, top tally deer culler, expert marksman of his era, a fine hunter and he went on to become a pilot in the venison export industry. 

Found this photo on the memorabilia table. Uncle Vic fourth from left, and Ron Scott whom I meet at the reunion. 

Old cullers sharing memories, I sat and shared a jug of beer with L to R: Stan Hammond, Fran Scott and friend and Ron Scott, as he is now.

On left, President of NZDC Inc. Dave Pratt, chatting with mates at the reunion.

Had a great time chatting with Alby Lewis, he knew Frank and we talked a bit about some of those times.

The NZDC Inc. Commemorative Badge.

NZ Deer Cullers 50th Reunion March 11, 12, 13

I'll be looking forward to sampling some of these famous Tuatapere sausages

I leave tomorrow for Queenstown, and staying nearby at beautiful Alexandra for four days, before driving down to Tuatapere on Friday morning with one of Franks mates, Bill Henderson, aka Billy the Kid.

The reunion is going to be well attended, and we'll be taking over the town for three days! its gonna be big, and lots of fun. Highlights for me will be recording more stories and meeting new people. Looking forward to seeing Gerald Goodger again, meeting Johnny Von Tunzulmann for the first time, and visiting the late Jock Murdoch's crib at Monowai. Jock was good friends with Frank, George and Jock Erceg. I wrote Jock's tribute for NZ Outdoor Hunting magazine Vol 75 Issue 6 in October 2013. So visiting where he spent much of his life, and meeting people I interviewed over the phone will be special. 

Another highlight - a trip to nearby Lake Hauroko, the deepest lake in New Zealand and 24th deepest lake in the world at 463m (1,516ft). Bill Henderson's father lived there after returning from WW2 and was known as the Hauroko hermit. Bill is going to take me there on Friday morning and share some of his stories about his father, we also have a scheduled bus trip and lunch stop there on the Saturday. And, I'll be meeting Lexie Cumming, Johnny Cumming's younger sister, she wants to meet anyone who knew her brother and is piecing together what she can of his life before his tragic death alongside Frank in 1965. It will be an emotional meeting with Lexie, (tears welling in my eyes as I write this). 

When I return I'll upload photos, and write some posts. Im also writing an article for NZOH magazine on the NZDC Inc. and the 50th reunion. Not sure which issue it will be in, but will post that when I know.

Cheers everyone, and thanks for visiting.

Louise.