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.