2019 Reunion - 1970 VFM Reunion at Wanaka

Our year was noteworthy in being the largest Dip 1, Dip 2 and VFM classes through Lincoln College ever, numbering 225, 185 and 96 respectively.

Of sobering thought, but also an incentive to our continuing 3yr class reunions is that 14% of our number have deceased, 7% we have "no trace", but delightedly we had 38% of us plus wives/partners totaling 75 for the weekend.

Festivities and fun commenced on Friday night at Edgewater ably directed by Derek Kirke, which at times was reminiscent of similar class gatherings at "Norms" of Tai Tapu 50 yrs ago!

Saturday morning conjured up memories of our Lincoln Field Trips as we piled into 2 "Yello" buses (Not Days Motors) to visit Randall and Alison Aspinall's Mt Aspiring Station, the last farming property up the Matukituki Valley running into Mt Aspiring National Park. It was most interesting hearing Randall explaining the issues facing South Island High Country run-holders including water, environmental, natural hazards and tenure review aspects together with his particular hurdles of managing a property with 40,000 "Tourists" each year driving through his main farm access! The weather was spectacular as was the view of the awesome Mt Avalanche from the homestead garden where we had lunch. We all came away very impressed that with the quality of management and understanding of all aspects of the environment as portrayed by Randall and Alison, our South Island High Country is in very good hands.

During the return to Wanaka we drove up the Treble Cone skifield access road to the base carpark which gave absolutely spectacular vistas of the whole Lake Wanaka Basin. Some partners were rather "intimidated" by the sheer drops on the downside on the way up - however we note they were all North Islanders!. Keith Whiteside gave a brief history of the "making" of what some had believed was an impossible access road, plus extolled the virtues of "the best skifield in NZ". 

Bruce Passmore gave a very informative rundown on the main high country

properties and owners within the view of Treble Cone. Bruce included details about a number which had recently changed hands, many to overseas buyers.Bruce also suggested that the Tenure Review "debate" had unfortunately focused on a few examples that were sensationalized as to outcomes and had not been balanced by the many other reviews which had achieved outcomes most beneficial to both conservation and farming interests.

The Saturday evening meal was held at "The Venue" where Maxine, on her last function prior to sale, presented us with a very impressive meal. We were privileged that Graham Tate one of our great lecturers proposed the Toast to Lincoln College, followed by a talk from a "Massey Alumni", Desiree Whitaker who co-founded the Cardrona Distillery, which we visited next morning.

Rather than going through a "Roll Call" at our dinner (it had become a touch "tedious" at some earlier reunions), we invited brief written "Bio's" from all with about 50% success - we gave them out in our "Welcome" pack and many commented that it was a good initiative but would be better with more contributions.

Sunday Lunch at the Cardrona Hotel wound up the main proceedings where the "Unanimous Decision" was taken that our next class reunion will be held in New Plymouth in 3 yrs time. 

A number of participants extended their reunion by visiting Stewart Island organised by Murray Halstead.

Cheers from the Wanaka Organisers'

Derek Kirke, Bruce Passmore & Keith Whiteside