Held at the Thames Valley Deer Stalkers Lodge, the perfect setting for a deer cullers reunion. Caught up with friends made over the last few years, and enjoyed meeting a few new faces. Including Allan Farmer. One of the longest serving government hunters, with forty years on the job.
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| Having a yarn with Allan Farmer at the reunion |
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| Arrived in the mail yesterday, Allan kindly sent me his book to read. Halcyon Press. |
I was very much looking forward to meeting Keith Purdon, who knew Frank down south. Particularly in the off season when they all hit the hotels in Queenstown and Wanaka. Keith remembers his hunting days like it was yesterday, and it was a delight to sit and listen to his stories.
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| Keith Purdon, ex Field Officer, now 92. Ive interviewed Keith by phone, but this was the first time we met. |
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| With Pamela and Keith Purdon. |
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| He watched over us the entire time. What a magnificent animal. every other head was dwarfed by him. |
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| Some interesting finds on the display boards. George Erceg second row on left. And Ross Courtney, back row. |
It was nice to see Ross Courtney at the reunion. I interviewed Ross two years ago at the Kuripapango reunion. After he finished up culling, Ross trained as a psychiatric nurse. He has a big heart and is a gentle and kindly man, and I can imagine he would have been a great nurse. An engaging and interesting man to talk too.
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| The Daily Post, 17 July 1969 |
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| Found this on the table. |
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| Brenda Murcott, Arthur's wife. Sat with her Thursday evening and we enjoyed some light conversation, and all the racket going on in the background, all the boys catching up. |
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Awesome couple, Tom and Karen Te Ata.
Tom and Karen live in Te Urewera, on Tom's ancestral land. I was fascinated by their lifestyle. The only way to reach their home, is by horse or by foot. They've invited me to stay sometime...hmmm that will be interesting, not too good on the old horse, but hell what an offer. We sat and talked for ages, I asked them many Qs about their life. Tom's very interested in the deer cullers history, so I'm sending him some of my articles, in an envelope of course, they don't have the internet ...yet. I said, so lets be pen friends then. Karen is awesome. She said she was missing some very important fruit bottling days coming to the reunion. She gets out once a week, they very connected to their wider community. I think they said its about 4 hours hike to get in. Thats if the rivers not flooded!! Glad they made the trip and looking forward to keeping in touch with them. |
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| Day trip to Martha Mine, Waihi. |
On the Friday, we had a wet day out in the bus, didn't get to do the Karangahake Gorge windows walk, hit the hotel instead, and had a beer. We did get to visit the Martha Mine and Battery, which I loved for its gothic look, a stunning edifice.
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| Old Martha Mine Battery |
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| Ghost trophies. Thames Valley Deer Stalkers Lodge. Paeroa. |
Other highlights, besides the great food and atmosphere, I enjoyed talking with Jock Spinks, Graeme and Jenifer Reinhardt, always nice to see Andy Leigh, the editor of our newsletter, and Alison, the co editor. Great to see our President, Dave Pratt and his lovely wife Helen. Wayne and Janet King, and everyone else, too many to mention. Lastly though, big uppies to my hosts, Basil and Kaye Morrison. They put me up (or is that put up with me!) for three nights, and were so easy to get along with. We sat and yarned and enjoyed a lovely glass of wine...or two... at the end of each day. Basil was our guest speaker at the Saturday night dinner, a born and breed local, and ex mayor of the region, he had some great stories to share, and is a wonderfully entertaining raconteur.
What a weekend !
To all my deer culler mates and their partners, keep well guys and gals, and see you next year.
