September 2015
For those who have never been on an IFFR week-end in New Zealand the following gives a good insight into the sorts of events that were experienced.
It was held in the Franklin District, the Potato and Onion capital of New Zealand over the weekend of 3rd and 4th September 2015.
Our itinerary was as follows:
Friday Casual Dinner in the Restaurant from 6pm.
Saturday 3rd
7.30am Breakfast in the Restaurant (we knew the All Blacks were on but the bus still departed at 8.30am)
8.30am Bus Departs from the Carpark by the Wholesale Store for the day’s activities.
8.45am Turners & Growers Hydroponic Glass Houses where we see how tomatoes grow without soil. Our host Jason Green assisted by PDG Mark Tregidga.
10am AS Wilcox & Sons new vegetable Pack House where vegetables are washed, and bagged and boxed. This is an example of many such Pack Houses in the area. Wilcox are a huge onion growing operation.
11am Traillite Motorhomes with host Mandy Davies. This local firm has grown over 60 years from making small single axle caravans in 1954 to NZ’s premier Motorhome Manufacturing facility you will see today.
Midday We will have our packed lunch at Mark and Margaret Tregidga’s home in Pukekohe surrounded by their splendid garden.
2pm Next stop Gellerts Nurseries with our host Kelly Isaacs. Gellerts is a very large propagator of vegetables and house plants which they supply throughout New Zealand to growers, garden centres and florists.
3.30pm A short drive to Ardmore (sorry ladies) to visit Warren Denholm at AVSPECS to see amongst other aircraft a Mosquito under construction then around the corner to Pioneer Aero where Paul McSweeney and his team are rebuilding some very exotic Warbirds such as a mid engine aero Cobra. (I did say sorry ladies didn’t I).
Back to the Hotel to relax and freshen up for dinner.
6pm Dinner in the Conference Room 1st Floor of the Hotel where we will be joined by President Mike Stewart and members of the Rotary Club of Tuakau.
Speaker : We are fortunate to have Bryan Cox, an aviator known to most of you, as our guest speaker who will talk about the New Zealand Corsair Squadron in the Pacific and some aspects of general aviation in NZ.
Bryan has written several books on these subjects.
Sunday 4th
7.30am Breakfast in the Restaurant
8.30am General Meeting in the Conference Room 1st Floor.
9.30am Bus departs Carpark
9.45am Visit the Alexander Redoubt which is a local piece of NZ early history (which we don’t have much of). Read the information sheet in your goody bag.
10am We visit the “Awaawaroa Alpaca” farm with our hosts Lynda and Bruce Mathews. Lynda will show us around the property and let you get up close to these amazing animals. We will have morning Tea here and a good look at some Alpaca products.
Midday A short visit to “Beyond Roses” where Sharon will show us their small budding Rose operation. In the Drury area there are a number of flower growing properties.
1pm Lunch at the “Red Shed” Café and Garden Centre” where your PRE-ORDERED lunch will be served. A nice place with a quirky atmosphere.
2.30pm Next stop will be the famous “Glenbrook Vintage Railway” where we will be taken on a steam train ride through to Waiuku. We will return via the engine shed so keep a good look out for “Thomas and friends, as I have it on good authority that they sometimes visit. The Railway is a magnificent project that has been running for many years on volunteer labour.
5.30pm Arriving at Castaways Clifftop Restaurant at Karioitahi Beach to have our final dinner and watch the sunset over the Tasman Sea.
The restaurant won the Beef and Lamb Excellent Award in 2013.
8pmish The bus will return to Tuakau Hotel.
Judy and I (Phil Pacey) hope you have enjoyed our small corner of New Zealand. Safe travels.
November, 2010
On November 4, Joyce Condon past. Joyce was the wife of Past World President Brian Condon and founding fellow of the New Zealand Section. Brian and Joyce attended many Fly Ins here in New Zealand and around the world. Joyce will be sadly missed.
Our condolences go to Brian, Joyce’ family, and her many friend from around the world.
March, 2010
Fellow member Fred Bain and his wife Eileen had the engine on their aircraft fail while they were flying to the Motueka fly in on Friday afternoon, March 26.
Following is the extract as reported from the local papers…
A couple flying a single-engine plane had to make an emergency landing on Paraparaumu Beach.
Emergency services raced to the beach after receiving the message that the Cessna 172, flying from Ardmore, south of Auckland, to Motueka, near Nelson, had engine problems and was forced to make an emergency landing on Paraparaumu Beach at about 2.45pm yesterday.
Sergeant Steve Kendrick said the engine started cutting out, then stopped. “With a strong tail wind and about five miles out, the pilot thought he could reach Paraparaumu Airport but realised it was a one-shot wonder to run in. Because the tide was out he decided to put it down on the beach.”
He said the pilot and his wife were unharmed and ambulance and fire services were not needed.
“He has owned a plane and had it well maintained for many years, the motor just decided to die on him.”
The pilot, Fred Bain, said he had been flying since 1960 and it was the first time he had been forced to perform an emergency landing.
“When the engine stops you have to land. I have never landed on a beach before – it came down to good training.”
His wife Eileen was shaken by the ordeal. “We had two choices, to land on the houses or the beach. He did a perfect landing, but I am quite shaken up. The main thing is we got down safely. Helipro and emergency services were wonderful.”
They left their plane at Helipro’s hangar while one of the company’s pilots flew them to Motueka so they did not miss their function.
Sept 2009
46 Fellows gathered in Kaitaia over 18-21 September 2009 for the second fly-in for 2009
July, 2009
Long time member Roger Leadbeater has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Drury Rotary Club. Congratulations Roger.
June, 2009
President’s Achievement Award
At the Birmingham Convention Roy and Marlene receives the President’s Achievement Award.
June 05, 2008
It is my very sad task to inform our membership that four of our friends died in a tragic accident last Sunday, June 1st during the Italian Section Fly-in at Venezia (Venice).
Marinella Ferrari and her husband Vittorio Rossetti
John Ritchie & Kevin Young
Marinella and Vittrorio are from the the Italian Section and both John and Kevin belonged to the UK Section.
At this early stage little is known about the possible cause of the accident which was doubly tragic as it followed a particularly enjoyable time for them and all of us during our visit to the Caproni Museum at Trento. It was on our return flight to Venezia (Venice) that the accident occurred on a nice but hazy VFR day. Monday morning we all attended a very moving memorial service which was held at the church that has been associated with the Franciscan order since 1044. Following the memorial service it was then a short walk to the airfield for further support and fellowship over tea and coffee.
Our sincere condolences go out to Marinella and Vittorio’s family, Matteo and Ilaria; Belinda Young and her young family, Dominic and Ilisha and to George Ritchie and family and to John’s daughter, Jenny Gilbert and her family.
May your God be with you all at this time.
With great sadness, your President,
Brian Souter
November, 2007 – Australasian Vice President
World President Elect Feroz Wadia announced this month that Phil Pacey has accepted the appointment of Australasian Vice President. The role is an appointment for the 2008-2010 term of Feroz Wadia and has the responsibility of being Feroz’s eyes and ears for our part of the world.
Well done Phil. You can count on the support of the New Zealand Section.
October, 2007 – Vice President New Zealand Section
At the ordinary meeting on Sunday morning Michael Bryant accepted the nomination of Vice President of the New Zealand Section IFFR following the resignation of Roy Marsden. Roy resigned in order to better meet other obligations he has. His letter of resignation was received with much regret and full understanding by the fellowship members.
At the same meeting Brian Fielder accepted the nomination as Vice President 2008-2010.
Voting will take place at the Annual General Meeting in Tauranga – Feb 2008.
June 21-29, 2007 – Post Salt Lake City Convention Fly-Away
Here are a few images from the www.iffr.org site that feature the kiwi contingent.
February, 2007 – Jacobus Gerardus (Koos) van der Helm
It is with a sad heart that we report the death of Koos on February 20 following a strong battle with cancer. Koos died at home surrounded by his loved ones; Aged 60 years young. The love of Greet’s life; Koos was an inspirational aviator who crossed the boundaries in aviation that separate fixed wing from rotary wing. While many people celebrated Koos’ life at St Alban’s Community Church in Hamilton, Koos’ 182, accompanied by several other IFFR members in their aircraft , participated in a fly-past over the church to salute a friend and fellow aviator preparing to take his final flight.
Messages to Greet will be past through on via email to chairperson@iffr.org.nz
January 26 2007 – Australia Honours IFFR Members
Mr Brian Condon – Past International President IFFR has been awarded the OAM for service to the community, particularly through the Rotary Club of Port Pirie and the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians.
Mr Trevor Steel – Present President IFFR Australia Section has been named Caloundra’s Citizen of the Year for his services to Angel Flight Australia.
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