One issue in particular popped up and we think it’s probably best to give you all a heads-up sooner rather than later.

Some trails are getting a few too many back-up drivers which meant some riders/wagoners missed out on a trail this year. We would like you to consider if a personal back-up driver is absolutely necessary (all trails have a system of transporting your gear and feed from place to place), if it is then could you possibly ‘group up‘ and share someone else’s driver? Some trail bosses will be setting minimal limits on back-up drivers.

Dates for 2011 are confirmed as 26th Feb to 5th March (some trails are starting later but we all finish together on the 5th.

Here’s a bit of an idea (not yet set in stone!) about where the trails will be starting from and how many days on each. You can click on the place name below for a google map if you are unsure of where they are – if the link doesn’t work you can easily search each start location on google maps .

Trail Boss:            Start:            Duration:

Stu Moore,  Stanton Station, Kimbell – 7 days Riding

Alistair Gibson,  Ribbonwood, Omarama – 6 Days Riding (restricted back-up drivers)

Steve Vickers, Shag Point - 4-5days Riding

Tony Roderique, Dunback – 6-7 days Riding (Clover leaf trail)

Alice Stewart,  Mt Cook - 7days Riding (very limited numbers, unassisted)

Chris Bayne, Near Kyeburn – 7 days. Light Wagons (restricted back-up drivers)

Tony Cumberbeach, Moeraki – 6 days Heavy Wagons

Sandra Cain, Glencoe station (somewhere near ‘the Dasher)- 4 days Walking

Don Morrison, Mt Dasher Station. 3 days. Walking

Peter Dymock, Kyeburn – 3days Walking (unassisted, very limited numbers)

Morley Williams, Dansey’s Pass Holiday Park - 3 days Walking, (Clover leaf trail).

If you haven’t already done so it is recommended you become a member of the Goldfileds Trust to increase your chances of securing your trail of choice. Trust members get priority when the registration forms are coming back in and a trail is getting full.

You can become a member on-line or by down loading a PDF from here http://goldfieldstrust.org.nz/2009/06/12/otago-goldfields-heritage-trust-membership/

Thanks very much for your interest. I hope to see many of you in Oamaru next year.

Terry Davis

Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust

P O Box 91

Cromwell 9342

03 445 0111

021 284 6844

www.goldfieldstrust.org.nz

www.cavalcade.co.nz

Dunstan House was our first destination as the original Hotel in Clyde back in 1863. This old Hotel is a beautiful example of good restoration which was actually started by our very own patron Fleur Sullivan back in 1968 (one of the rooms is named after Fleur). Thanks very much to Margaret for opening up the premises (usually closed for the winter) and letting us have a peek down the cellar and walk out onto the balcony, the fog just added to the ‘mood of the olden days…’

Second stop was at the Chatto Creek Tavern where Lesley treated us to fresh baked scones and Tea/Coffee as she entertained us with the history of the Hotel and relic’s displayed therein. Of particular interest was the story of the original proprietors wife who had to keep getting married after successive husbands died (i.e. ‘falling’ on a pitchfork…) because women were unable to hold a licence by themselves.

Then we popped out to Matakanui, rarely visited but a wealth of gold mining history and some wonderful old buildings remain in Matakanui. Thanks very much to Ross Naylor for coming out of the warmth of his home and talking to us in depth about the area’s history.

And just down the road is the ‘Matakanui Welcome’, otherwise known as the old ‘Bry Bread’ Hotel. This was a fascinating example of a Hotel that was renovated into a woolshed! Luckily Tony Glassford’s family bought the place and have been keeping the sheep out but with a lot of damage already done this place may not be around as long as other historic places so we are feeling very fortunate to have had the opportunity to see it.

We then did a quick drive-by of Cambrians and nearly got the bus stuck turning around in this ‘quaint’ collection of houses before pulling up outside the Vulcan Hotel for lunch. Mike and Jude put on a beautiful vegetable soup with garlic bread for lunch and we had time to go for a wee walk to view the lake – as you can see we had exited the fog at this point and the views were quite stunning.

After St. Bathans it was a 30min drive to Wedderburn where the new proprietors were good enough to show us around and tell us about the history of the place. The wonderful rock front on the Hotel you see in the picture was added in the late 1990′s.

Naseby was our final destination for the first day. We arrived in plenty of time for a quick nap before the evenings activities of curling followed by a very satisfying roast dinner.

Sunday started with the ‘full cooked breakfast’ at the Ancient Briton Hotel. Then still under beautiful blue sky’s we drove back over the hill to the Ida Valley and down to the Ida Valley Station Hotel. We were very fortunate to have the keys to this privately owned residence mailed to us and as well as some history researched by Martin, Richard Skinner (honorary life member) was able to recal a few stories from his younger years working on the railway lines.

Our final stop of interest for the weekend was Moa Creek where we had the added bonus of a guided tour of the newly restored Moa Creek Cemetary. This cemetary had been lying in an increasing state of disrepair for several decades until January this year when a descendent of some of the Cemetaries  residents decided it was time to do something. Restorations have been done (and more planned) to the remaining headstones and a stone wall entrance way has been constructed. If anybody knows any of the history of the Moa Creek Cemetary Jeff Sawers 03 4487923 would be very keen to hear from you.

Then it was back across the paddock to the Moa Creek Tavern where Sue had some wonderful fresh-baked scones and tea/coffee for us in front of a roaring open fire – an appropriate end to a winter weekend exploring historic hospitality!

To see pdf files of the panels please click here (8MB).

Did you know the Lindis was, in fact, the first site of gold discovery in Otago!!??

Click here for the presidents report http://goldfieldsinc.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/presidents-report-for-2010-agm.pdf

Click here for the minutes of the 2009 AGM http://goldfieldsinc.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/oght-agm-dunedin-2009.pdf

Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust newsletter and Cavalcade up-date.

Important: Could you please RSVP about the AGM whether you’re coming or not just so I can confirm I have everyones’ correct addresses.

Thanks very much to all of you who have sent in your subs for this year. For those of you who haven’t received a reminder in the mail you can pay on-line or down-load a membership form from:     http://goldfieldstrust.org.nz/2009/06/12/otago-goldfields-heritage-trust-membership/

Members are cordially invited to the AGM in Alexandra on the evening of the 25^th June 2010 at the Centennial Court Motel complex. This should be an interesting meeting with Martin Anderson and Terry Davis presenting proposed new strategies moving forward for the Trust and the Cavalcade. Members and friends of members are also invited to participate in a ‘Historic Pub’ crawl from Alex to Naseby taking in some classic old Hotels of both the licensed and no-longer licensed variety. Full details and booking form are attached below.

Next year the Goldfields Cavalcade will be following trails to Oamaru around the dates of 26^th Feb to 5^th March. The Oamaru host town committee has plenty of local Cavalcaders within it and they are very excited about showing off their area and hospitality.

It is with real regret that we say farewell to Winston Parks and Sam Graham who are departing trail bosses. Luckily we do have two new trail bosses (so far) keen to cut their teeth en route to Oamaru.

Alice Stewart is keen to take a ‘roughing it’ trail to Oamaru – this will be an unassisted riding trail open to VERY experienced riders only who are confident leading a spare horse.

Morley Williams is organising 3 days of walks from a central base at the Danseys Pass Holiday Park, located about 30 minutes drive from Oamaru at the start of Danseys Pass Road, for Cavalcaders who would prefer a change from a long distance cross country route.

Peter Dymock will be taking the ‘roughing it’ hiking trail over from Sam Graham leading a hardy crew over the Kakanui mountains.

All the other Trail Bosses will be back with routes specially designed for fun, comradeship and a sense of achievement while taking in the best that South Canterbury, North and Central Otago have to offer.

What has the trust committee been up to in recent weeks you may ask?

Terry has been busy organising the AGM and Historic Pub crawl. Also Cavalcade preparations for Oamaru next year are well under way – We are looking for one new Trail Boss to lead a riding trail suitable for good riders but possibly first time Cavalcaders – if you know of someone please give Terry a ring.

Terry’s other key project is ensuring he has all your contact details correct. There have been a few issues of members not receiving all the information. Terry asks for you to RSVP so he can be sure you are receiving the newsletters. Terry will be phoning (eventually) all those who haven’t RSVP’d checking their details and possibly asking them to add us to their safe sender list because a common problem is emails going directly into your ‘junk’ folder.

The trust executive have appointed Jill Hamel as project coordinator for a proposed restoration project to be done on the Alpine Stamper Battery in the Fraser basin region of the Old Man Range. This project is still in its early stages with approvals being sort from various bodies.

We are about to run a reprint of the very popular (and now revised) Nevis Valley Historic Sites Viewing and Walking tour brochure.

The Alexandra Walking Tour no.1 Brochure is currently being reviewed for reprint and once that is done the Alex Tour no. 2 will be revised and reprinted also.

We have been taking stock of our strengths and opportunities for the future and look forward to presenting to you some proposed new directions at our AGM.

All the best and I hope to see lots of you at the AGM.

Terry Davis

Cavalcade and events coordinator

Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust

po box 91 • cromwell • 9342

Phone: +64 3 445-0111 • email: goldfieldsinc@xtra.co.nz

WEBSITE: www.goldfieldstrust.org.nz

OGHT AGM 25th-27th June 2010

Friday 25th June. The dinner and AGM.

• 6pm for buffet dinner at Centennial Court Motels and function centre. $25per person.
• 6.30pm welcome and Trust Power Awards presentation video while you have desert.
• 6.45pm AGM start – official business, election of office bearers, a plan moving forward…

Saturday 26th June. The ‘Historic Pub’ crawl. Bus tour to Naseby.

• 8.45am Meet at Centennial Court to board the bus/get into your car.
• 9am Dunstan House – tour.
• 10.15am Chatto Creek morning tea. (scones and instant coffee or tea) $5
• 11.30am Old ‘Dry Bread’ Hotel – tour.
• 12.30pm St. Bathans for lunch. (Soup with bread $10.50)
• 2.30pm Wedderburn Hotel.
• 3.30pm Naseby accommodation drop off. (Hotel rooms $85-$120,)
• 5.30pm Curling and dinner ($15 for 1hr curling, $29 for Roast Dinner)

Sunday 27th June. The return to Alexandra.

• 8am Group Breakfast at the Ancient Briton Hotel. ($16 continental and cooked)
• 9am board bus and farewell Naseby.
• 9.45am Ida Valley Hotel tour.
• 11am Moa Creek Hotel morning tea ($5) – followed by a quick visit to the miners cottages.
• 1pm back in Alex – drop off and farewell!

To reserve your spot please click here and print off the form.

It seems such a long time ago and a lot of water under the bridge since we went on our Field Weekend to Mt Somers. We have since attended the Christchurch show, drumming up prospective members and talking to current ones. During this time I had a very quick ride (in my go fast red car) back to Timaru to be with my daughter as she had our first Grandchild: so exciting! I would like to thank our members Bob and Faye who were so kind to let me stay with them during the show, their hospitality was amazing and also to everyone who worked with us at the show and did a fine job of selling those hats.

Bendigo Bakehouse

We have worked with DOC on the stabilization of the Bendigo Bakehouse; I found it fantastic working with the archaeologists scraping around the old oven with something the size of a teaspoon as we unearthed the rubbish that had covered over this. All this being done through sleet and freezing temperature but we came back to base for hot cuppa to thaw us out.

Mount Somers

The Mt Somers Field Weekend was another success story. The accommodation at the Staveley camp site was perfect as there were so many rooms for accommodation. We all shared this large kitchen and living area, enabling it to be very social. We started the Saturday morning meeting with our guide David Howden who took us firstly to a World War 2 ammunition dump. These were a series of about seven buildings built into banks of the surrounding land. Ammunition was stored there in purpose-built double brick buildings, ready, in case the Japanese attacked. These were so well camouflaged that most of the locals did not know they existed.

From there we went to the Buxton Lime Kilns which were built in 1888 and still have some old machinery and a workshop intact. Following this we visited the Stone Quarry which show- cased a restored cottage built in 1862. We all stood in this cottage while David recited a poem about the times and history, giving the feel of actually living in those times. I looked around at this stage and couldn’t find a dish washer or even a washing machine so decided living in the now is a better prospect but I certainly did appreciate a little of the conditions they had to endure, especially with the bitterly cold winters. We went to Webb’s silica sand quarry that provides the sand for glass making and also for golf bunkers. This is a massive hole in the earth where you are able to see the lines of colour of the different minerals. They found the silica sand deposit while they were looking for coal which is on the other side of the hill; it is so amazing to have such a diverse range of minerals in one area. We went up the road towards Erewhon Station on the edge of the Southern Alps where they did some of the filming of the movie, The Lord of the Rings. On the Sunday we went to Blair and Sarah Gallagher’s place where we had our lunch in their beautiful garden while Reg serenaded us, it was magic and especially for the ladies as Sarah has this amazing range of jewellery which she makes out of the agates found on or near their farm. This is just a small part of what we saw and did. Some of us were disappointed that we never saw any sign of the elusive Black Panther but we did watch an interesting film on it making some of us rush to our rooms afterwards in-case it was lurking in the undergrowth ready to pounce!

Next field weekend

We are now organising our next Field Weekend to Doctors Point in the Roxburgh Gorge on the 17/18^th April, taking a River Cruise where we explore the mighty Clutha River taking us to the isolated reaches of the historic and picturesque thyme studded Roxburgh Gorge where we will see miner’s huts and some of the most stunning scenery. We will also go to Tuckers Hill, the Conroy’s and maybe the modern Earnscleugh Gold mine. Some of you will recall doing a similar trip some nine years ago.

Could anyone interested, please contact our office with your intentions. We will then send you detailed information of the weekend.

TrustPower Community Awards

Most of you will be aware that we won the Central Otago preliminary last year and only last weekend were feted royally at the National Award in Nelson, competing with 24 other regions. Sadly we didn’t win (a tad difficult being up against a $12M hospital!) but were chuffed to be told we were in 3^rd or 4^th placing! Our (Roberta Laraman & Martin Anderson) presentation was first up, so we were determined to make a strong first impression. Many thanks to Mayor, Malcolm MacPherson and Mayoress, Susan MacPherson for accompanying us; and to Ross Wilson for the brilliant DVD he produced as background. It and the music he put to it still gives me goosebumps! Apparently Jim Mora is to produce a 26 programme, Channel 6 TV series and the award presentations should be TrustPower website soon.

The whole experience was amazing. All around NZ people are doing fantastic volunteer projects. As one man said, “New Zealand is made up of 90% volunteers and 10% credit cards!” I just wish we could have pulled it off for the benefit of all our hard working volunteers within the Trust and the Cavalcade – the unsung hero’s who make what we do possible.

Anybody interested in a Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture “Gold panner”

by Brian Moore

We are very pleased to offer you the opportunity to invest in one these beautifully detailed and enduring collector’s edition bronzes by New Zealand artist Brian Moore.

Born in Timaru, Brian grew up in Christchurch and has a great interest in the South Island and its rich history.  He is an established professional artist of some 30 years standing, whose works have been presented to such notables as HRH Prince Philip, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Peter Blake. Check it out at www.brianmoore.co.nz/gold.

And Finally …

Now one last note from me. As most of you know Roberta is finally resigning on the 31^st of March as Cavalcade Co-ordinator so she will have time to spend with her grandchildren but will always be in the background (thank goodness). Roberta feels that after months spent learning the ropes that Terry Davis will be splendid in taking over her role. We have great confidence in Terry’s abilities, he has passion, energy and has grasped the concept so he will take it into the new era beautifully. Terry is also going to be taking over my role, as due to health issues I have very sadly resigned but will still be kept on as minute secretary, and like Roberta will always be in the background if needed as this Trust, which includes you all members, does amazing work and I feel very privileged to be part of it.

Kay Boulton

We are very pleased to offer you the opportunity to invest in one these beautifully detailed and enduring collector’s edition bronzes by New Zealand artist Brian Moore.

Born in Timaru, Brian grew up in Christchurch and has a great interest in the South Island and its rich history.  He is an established professional artist of some 30 years standing, whose works have been presented to such notables as HRH Prince Philip, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Peter Blake.

Bronze sculpture

240mm x 280mm x 300mm high

Edition limited to 100 numbered & signed castings

$3750.00

(including GST & NZ delivery)

Well-known Alexandra identity Bill Tinker, Otago Goldpanning Champion, was keen to help Brian keep history alive with his artwork.  He was originally photographed panning on the banks of the Clutha, for one of a series of pen & ink drawings on early days in New Zealand, which then inspired this detailed sculpture. You can see the fine balance, muscle tension and concentration as he searches for specks of colour in the bottom of the pan.

Go to the web page: www.brianmoore.co.nz/gold for the background story and to see a slide show of views from various angles.

Bronzes are cast to order and take around eight weeks to go through the many foundry processes.

Email: info@brianmoore.co.nz for installment options.

We accept payment by direct credit, cheque, Visa or Mastercard, by phoning 09-427 5728

or on our a secure on-line order form: https://sales.net.nz/brianmoore/index.htm .

www.brianmoore.co.nz/gold