Newsletter 43 - August 2016
From Clan Chief - Hugh Francis.
Dear Clan Members,
Well sometime has passed since the last newsletter, but that is not to say we as the Executive have been relaxing too much! A lot of work has been ongoing on behind the scenes, especially with the Ayson Website and The Family Tree.
The Family Tree with some 6554 names going back to 1575 AD was due to be launched about last November 2015. Unfortunately, ancestry.com. that has the Family Tree Maker application, decided to make changes that delayed our progress so we waited to see what would eventuate. It was worth the wait and we were able to launch the “Ayson Tree” live on 25 Jul 2016.
To have access to the Tree the procedure with the appropriate form is found is at: http://www.clanayson.nz/family-tree. You are all strongly encouraged to get involved here because “head photos,” important dates, and life histories need to be entered. Without your serious input certain branches of the Tree and your family could become overlooked forever. I am sure there is help close to those who are unable to scan photos for input.
Our sincere gratitude is extended to Lindy Daniell and Dot Johnson who have worked tirelessly on a seemingly impossible task to get this all sorted with the assistance of our website guru Michelle Fisken. However, much work is ongoing with inputs going through Lindy and Dot.
I was deeply saddened when Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson (6th Clan Chief – the longest serving for 18 years) died last May aged 92. Lindy and I flew down to Dunedin to attend his funeral in Gore along with Neville Peat, Les Green and including five others of the nine Executives. Being a long-time resident and respected member of the community and involved in many organisations, it was no surprise that the Calvin Community Church was to its capacity of 400. Trevor, the youngest son, managed to return in time from the Czech Republic where he is based. Our sincere condolences are extended to Mary and the family.
During Peter’s time as Chief he made sure each region had a local Secretary to keep in touch with members in their area. This is a very important part of the Society’s structure and we need to continue with his vision so that our family continues to be informed and linked together. We are looking for someone to fill this role in the Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury, Christchurch and possibly Nelson/Blenheim region so if you would like to help please contact me to have a chat. The role involves sending out newsletters to your area and encouraging get- togethers or summer picnics that all can enjoy.
Luckily, Lindy has been covering here, but we do need these positions filled so please consider stepping up, it is not an onerous task – we need your help!
Edward Charles (Ted) Ayson passed away in Levin aged 89 - July 2015. Ted was another stalwart of the Clan to whom we are indebted along with Peter D G Ayson who contributed enormously to the production of the Clan book, “The Ayson Story, Glenshee to Otago, 1853 – 2000." The biographies of both gentlemen are detailed on the website.
Very many thanks to those who made a donation to the Lake Falconer Ayson – gravesite restoration which is now complete. The event detail is described at - http://www.clanayson.nz/events/other-events.
Our next major project is the intention to hold a National Gathering in 2018 (the last was in Dunedin 2013) – more details to follow later.
Just a reminder the annual subscriptions (only $15) were due last January. Strangely enough we need your sub to survive, and to cover the costs of the Website and Family Tree. Please check the last page for the subscription procedure.
Lastly, a special thank you to Lindy Daniell for the compiling of this magnificent newsletter, and, also to Mick Cullen for its printing, especially in colour giving it that professional look.
On behalf of Mary and myself, we sincerely trust you are all both healthy and happy; go safe - go well.
Clan Ayson Picnic
Woodhaugh Gardens, Dunedin
Sunday 20 November 2016
11am onwards
Bring along your picnic lunch, refreshments, chairs, and rug and join fellow Clan Members for a picnic in Dunedin’s lovely Woodhaugh Gardens. The picnic will be in the area off George Street where there is a Paddling Pool, Toilets, Playground and BBQ area.
There are children’s play areas, many short walks you can take, or just sit and enjoy the company of each other. Children’s activities will be arranged.
If the weather is inclement the alternate arrangement will be:
The Otago Classic Motoring Club clubrooms at Rapid No 18 Leith Valley Rd (which is a continuation of Malvern St - the Old Leith Valley School. Car Parking and Hot Water will be available.
The first Ayson Gathering was held in the Woodhaugh Gardens on the 21st March 1953 where over 200 descendants gathered for a picnic. This was to mark the Centennial of the landing of the first Aysons- Peter and James.
Contacts:
Dot Johnson 03 471 0632 or 027 227 1411 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Heather Hore 03 486 1711 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sandra McGregor 03 443 9287 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
National Secretary
It has been a very rewarding experience for me to have an involvement in the web site and Family Tree. This project has very real importance and when our late Chief Peter gave it his blessing I felt he was content that the foundation he and previous executives had put in place would hold strong for future generations. We are now getting enquiries from all around the world and it is wonderful that people are reaching out to us and wanting to be part of the global family.
There will obviously be an ongoing yearly cost to the Clan to keep the site operating and we seek your help financially to do this by keeping your subscription, and donations, up to date please. The only income we have is from your generosity. There are details included with this newsletter.
We are very grateful to our Dunedin Secretary Dot Johnson who is “the keeper of the archives”. In her care is a suitcase of memorabilia collected over the years by previous Chiefs and members. Dot has meticulously recorded the contents of the suitcase as well as listing the collection of Ayson memorabilia held at Toitu Early Settlers Museum in Dunedin. I would like to personally thank Dot for being so supportive and instantly helpful to me as National Secretary. She and I will continue to make sure the web page is running as it should be and that the family tree is maintained and updated for the next generation.
Local Body elections are just a couple of months away and we can be really proud of the determination of New Zealand’s pioneering women who signed the Women’s Suffrage Petition. We have only recently become aware that Ann Watt, (4th child of Peter and Douglas) signed the document as Mrs John Watt. Mary (Giffin) Ayson and her daughter Adelaide Ayson from Gore, and many more from around their district were also signatories. It was a huge undertaking to circulate the petition around New Zealand and with 23,853 plus a further 7,000 signatures it became law on 19 September 1893. Despite the short timeframe for voter registration, 109,461 women, about 84% of the adult female population, enrolled to vote in the election.
Archives NZ and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has digitised the main petition and encourages members of the public to submit further information online. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/women-voting-in-1893 ['Women voting in 1893', URL: Ministry for Culture and Heritage]
As Chief Hugh has said it is important that we continue with Peter’s vision to have area Secretaries to be liaison people in each district. If you would like to have a gathering in your area please let me know as I have the area database and we can make it happen.
I do hope you enjoy reading our newsletter, especially the achievements of our younger members.
Lindy
FROM THE REGIONS
Lindy Daniell from Central Districts Region reports:
We have previously reported on the restoration project to the graves of Lake and Alice Ayson at Taita Cemetery in 2014.
The day after the unveiling my sister Claire and I thought we had better check whether the resting place of our Grandfather George, 4th son of Lake and Alice, was in need of attention. We knew he had been cremated at Karori Cemetery and assumed that he rested there, however we discovered that his ashes had been scattered on the grave of his father, Lake Falconer Ayson, at Taita as he had wished. We were astounded that we had been there the day before not knowing this. So Claire and I have now added a plaque recording his interment there. What a difference a day makes!
It is hoped that we can erect a further memorial on the same site to the honour the six sons, William Douglas, Charles Lake, Hugh Fraser, George Dabinett, Leslie Duncan and Francis (Frank) Catlins Ayson. If you are a descendant and would like to donate to enable this to occur please contact us.
Jan Jackson from South Canterbury Branch reports:
Doug Ayson 1.5.1. – Reflections. Last August/September, 2015 an exhibition of the late Doug Ayson’s art was held at Central Stories in Alexandra. Doug was self-taught – specialising in pen and ink drawings, airbrush paintings and large murals. Doug passed away 15 April 2014 and the exhibition was a celebration of his life and his talent and was professionally presented with skill and hard work. It was enjoyed by a large number of people, among them, many of our Ayson Family.
L to R. Maree Hocking (Weston), Luke Anthony (Ranfurly), Jan Jackson (Timaru), Linda Ayson (Cambridge), Nick Young (Ashley), Dot Johnson (Dunedin), Heather Hore (Outram), Sandra McGregor (Wanaka)
"The Practice” in Ranfurly, will have some of Doug’s art for sale over the summer months.
Joanne (Jo) Sutherland (nee Gold) who is the great granddaughter of James & Annie (Low) Gold 1.9.7.] reports on the
Kaka Point , Gold Family Reunion.
Descendants of Annie Enid (nee Low) and John (James) Gold 1.9.7 gathered in April 2014 at Kaka Point. Nearly a quarter of the large family attended. The gentleman seated in this photo is Bruce Gold, the youngest of Annie and John’s family of 8 children – 6 sons and 2 daughters.
The Gold cousins are looking to organise another reunion in the near future.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Derek Ayson - Derek Ayson is the grandson of the second Clan Chief Eric Ayson and son of Murray and Joan Ayson.
In early August he competed in the Catlins Coast Rally with great success. Conditions were treacherous with severe ice and snow covering the many Catlins coast roads. Derek came 3rd place overall, 1st Classic and 1st two wheel drive.
Being a previous Catlins Rally winner he was seeded 5th to start with 89 cars. Derek’s skills driving his Ford Escort powered by a Nissan FJ20 motor, kept the car on the road throughout all six stages. Winning Stage 3 through Cannibal Bay with a new stage record, Derek said it was the only stage not completely covered with ice.
Reporting to his sponsors Derek wrote “We were going that slow even the Rallysafe unit flashed up "transmitting slow", even though the wheels were spinning and the speedo was showing 150km/h “.
Derek’s co-driver this year was 15-year-old Nikita Gibson, her first Catlins Rally. (Nikita’s parents were also both co-drivers in other cars). Derek has a dedicated volunteer service crew who travel to each Rally with him and he also appreciates the support of sponsors and family. Another three trophies now add to his already bulging trophy cabinet!
On August 27, Derek will be in Australia competing in the NSW Border Ranges Rally driving Ed Mulligan’s YB Cosworth powered MK2 Ford Escort.
Derek has also won the Otago Classic Rally three years in a row which no-one else has ever done.
Enjoy viewing some links to the Catlins Coast 2016 Rally on You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg7Yra9cVbk&feature=youtu.be
Thank you to Dave Loudon for the photo of Derek in action.
DAL PHOTOGRAPHICS & FAR SOUTH PHOTOGRAPHY INVERCARGILL
Matthew Morrison. Matthew is the great great grandson of John and Annie Gold 1.9.7.
Accounting Pod co-founder Judith Cambridge congratulates Compete for Cash Cow runner-up Matthew Morrison at the University of Otago.
Being chief financial officer for a multimillion-dollar dairy farming operation might sound a little daunting for a tertiary student. But University of Otago second-year commerce student Matthew Morrison did just that for three weeks.
Mr Morrison was runner-up in AccountingPod's nationwide dairy farm simulation competition Compete for Cash Cow.
Competing against 300 students spread across eight universities, he managed his virtual dairy farm for 22 days using the Xero accounting platform and AccountingPod.com's learning portal.
Students completed online challenges every three days involving a farm's daily operations and its financial data.
Finalists were then required to present their farm's third-quarter financial report and an "adding value to milk idea'' to a judging panel.
Panel member Kirsten Patterson, New Zealand country head of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, commented on the high quality of his presentation during the final judging round.
"Matthew impressed the judging panel with his use of the competition software, his business insight and attention to detail, plus his innovative ‘scrambled eggs in a bottle' new product idea,'' she said.
Mr Morrison, who comes from a sheep farm at Clinton, said the competition had "opened his eyes'' to the world of online accounting tools and also to the wider dairy industry. It was an enjoyable exercise, particularly learning more about the industry, he said.
At the moment, he was enjoying doing some work at Shand Thomson's Dunedin office.
From Clan Ayson Sub Chief, Bevin Watt. (on left). Bevin is the great grandson of Ann Watt, daughter of Peter and Douglas. 1.4.5
This is my first story about three mountains and a diverse bunch of people brought together by adventure and challenge.
In 2009 I heard a radio interview with Mark Inglis who was promoting an expedition to Nepal he was taking in April the next year. I was “in”.
Now it is often said that with travel, it is not so much the places you go to but the people you meet. We met our fellow travellers in Auckland, young, old, male, female, big and small, fit and not so fit!
All of us were heading to the Himalayas to climb mountains!
It was a wonderful trip and before landing in Kathmandu we could see the snow clad Himalayas to the right of the plane and, yes towering above the rest, was Mount Everest! We were excited with anticipation.
Kathmandu is a bustling dusty city that is full of intrigue and excitement. It sits in a huge valley of Nepal and is 1300 metres above sea level. The Nepalese people are lovely, smiling and polite but in the main quite poor. It’s a relief to have the shelter of a gated and good class Hotel.
The Mountains
All climbers of Everest from the Nepal side fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. This is the most extreme Airport in the world. It’s called the Tensing/Hillary airport and comprises one steep strip of tar-seal stuck on the side of the mountain. On landing you power-up-hill before throttling-off to come to rest on a small flat at the foot of the mountain. After landing we spent three weeks going from camp-site to camp-site, getting acclimatised and used to each- others company. My tent mate Ojan proved to be a most entertaining fellow. He came originally from Iran and married Julie a Kiwi lady.
This trek took us to the most amazing town you could imagine. Namche Bazar nestled in a mountain basin 600 vertical metres from the river below. A town built for the tourist industry complete with multi storied hotels and shops for trekkers and climbers. No roads to this place, a very few people may arrive here by helicopter but all the locals walk. Like-wise all the food, building materials, shop contents and fuel are carried in by foot or on the back of Yaks the sure-footed beasts of burden in this area. All climbers of Everest go through Namche as it sits above a sheer faced gorge so the town cannot be by-passed.
Wherever we go we are surrounded by massive and beautiful mountains. Any photo you take is a good one!
Two days out of Namche our first person succumbs to altitude sickness and is advised to go down. We are now about 4,000 metres above sea level and we can all feel the need to breath more deeply and more frequently.
Eventually we reached our highest camp at a place called Gokyo. It was nestled in a valley beside a lake. We had passed two other lakes to get here and they were each frozen. Our tents were pitched on frozen ground and the next day was summit day. The name for Hills in Nepal is ‘Ri’. Gokyo Ri was right above our camp and all but three of us set-off the next day and succeeded on reaching the summit. 5,300 metres – the same altitude as Everest base camp! The view was spectacular and we all sat there in the sunshine looking in awe across to Mount Everest and its neighbouring peaks most of them higher than anywhere else in the world.
It was unimaginable that from hearing Mark’s radio broadcast in 2009 that I would embark on two more expeditions. To conquer Mount Kilimanjaro three years later then in 2015 we were back in Nepal just before the devastating earthquake killed an estimated 9000 people……………………To be continued in subsequent newsletters.
Sharni Ayson Shani is the great great granddaughter of William James Telfer and Eva Magdalene Ayson (Cooper) 1.5.1
Pupils of Kings and Queen’s High Schools teamed up to claim second place at the national secondary school surfing championships in Raglan last week.
From Left, are Ruben Peyroux (14). Elliott Brown (16), Shani Ayson (16), Jack McLeod (16), James Murphy (16) and Maddy Barclay (14).
The neighbouring high schools combined to achieve a South Island first at the national secondary school surfing championships held in Raglan last week.
The team of five King’s pupils and one girl from Queen’s finished second behind Mount Maunganui College.
King’s teacher Johnny Simmons said it was pretty ‘‘major achievement’’ by the team. It is the first time a South Island team has won a place in the top five.
"Normally, the North Island teams are really strong and the Mount Maunganui team has won it for the last three years in a row," Simmons said.
Maddy Barclay and Ruben Peyroux are also standouts in their age group, while Shani Ayson beat her surfing coach at Queen’s, Tash Civil, for the Otago women’s title.
Photo and article from Otago Daily Times 20 August 2016
OBITUARIES
Tribute to Peter Douglas Giffen Ayson
By Hugh Francis - Clan Chief of Ayson (9th)
Good afternoon everyone. Firstly, I wish to pass on my personal condolences, and also that of my wife Mary - to you Mary, Mark, Philip, Jeanne, and Trevor, your partners, respective families - and relatives. It is indeed a sad day.
I am Hugh Francis from Palmerston North, and proud to be the 9th Chief of Clan Ayson. Clan Ayson is the only registered Clan outside of Scotland.
Peter who we are honouring today was the 6th Chief, a position he held for some 18 years. Colin Marshall was the 7th Chief who sadly died in 2004 after about one year in office aged 69, and then Arthur Ayson Neame - named Ace, was the 8th Chief for 9 years including Acting Chief for 3 years. He passed away in Tauranga last year on 25 Jun 2015, aged 77. Therefore, Peter has been the longest serving Chief of the Clan and almost the oldest survivor, whereas Fergus Ayson, the 5th Chief for 15 years lived to 93.
On behalf of over 700 active members of Clan Ayson from within NZ - and overseas, I pass on their condolences to Peter and Mary’s family.
To put our connections into perspective - Peter’s great grandfather and my great grandfather were brothers. His great grandfather was William Ayson - the 6th born in 1840 at our ancestral home of Glenshee in Scotland; whereas my great grandfather was Lake Falconer Ayson - the 13th born in 1855 at Warepa where they settled here in Otago in 1853. Overall there were 14 siblings of which 11 were born at Glenshee, with the exception of Duncan the 8th in line who died aged 7. The remaining three were born in NZ. Large pioneering families seemed to be the norm in those days.
I met Peter for the first time at the 2013 Ayson Dunedin reunion. I was struck immediately by his quiet dignified manner which beneath indicated a man of integrity, determination and of strong will. Since that time, I had spoken with Peter many times over the phone, even up to one month ago. During this time, I learned of his involvement with the Warepa cemetery and complications with the local council – a long battle he had fought and won. Also, I learned of his other battles with overcoming major life threatening medical problems, and also just recently he had survived another bout in hospital. Notwithstanding, you will recall there was that incident about two years ago when a car came off the road smashed into their kitchen and partly into the lounge. Fortuitously, Peter and Mary just happened to be in another room at the time. This indeed must have been a frightening experience.
In closing, I must say we have lost a man who was dedicated to his wonderful and loving family, his church, the local organisations he belonged to, and to our Ayson Clan. Your loss is also our loss.
Peter - I wish we had met many, many years ago now knowing who you were and what you had achieved.
As a Clan - we thank you most sincerely for your unstinting dedication, for your valuable contribution to ensure that our roots remain connected and to flourish. You have built a mighty lasting foundation that will keep us strong well into the future for many generations to come.
Peter - to me you were an example of a grand elder statesman who will be sorely missed by us all.
Rest in peace Peter – you can be assured that the Clan is in good hands.
Dr Elspeth Joan Gold, Ph.D.
July 25, 1963 - August 21, 2015
Elspeth was the granddaughter of James and Annie Gold (Low) 1.9.7 daughter of Allan and Dorothy Gold.
Highly respected and cutting edge, there was more to University of Otago researcher and lecturer Dr Elspeth Gold’s active and full life than just academia.
Dr Gold whose body of work included nationally and internationally significant research on prostate cancer, died last year, aged 52, after a battle with cancer. Despite her deteriorating health, Dr Gold continued working until she was admitted to hospital the week of her death, a reflection of her enthusiasm for her research and her teaching roles.
While she might be best remembered for her academic work, particularly in the field of anatomy, there were many more strings to Dr Gold’s bow.
Born and bred in Balclutha, Dr Gold was a keen tramper and served at various times as president, chief guide, bush craft convener and social convener of the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club between the late 1980’s and 1990’s.
She represented the club on the Dunedin City Council working group, which led to the establishment of many of the Otago Peninsula tracks the club still traverses.
Dr Gold was also a member of the Dunedin Land Search and Rescue team and was involved with Youthline for many years.
However, it is through her world-class research into prostate cancer Dr Gold’s legacy will be created. She revelled in her research and teaching roles at the University of Otago and recorded a number of achievements during her time as a member of academic staff in the anatomy department from 2009 until last year. They included securing $1.6 million in external funding, prestigious postgraduate supervision awards and producing a number of exceptional students through her laboratory, which led to her promotion to senior lecturer.
Dr Gold was characterised by her zest for life and her selfless approach to the support, training and mentoring of her students and staff. She worked closely with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and received an Otago Innovation Proof of Concept grant in 2014.
She took teaching seriously and had a passion for inspiring her students and sharing her fascination for science as well as placing a huge importance on training the next generation of scientists.
These attributes were recognised with a best supervisor award from the University.
Dr Gold with her parents Allan and Dorothy, and her siblings, moved from Balclutha to Christchurch for about five years when she was a child, but later returned to Otago. She attended Macandrew Intermediate and Queens High School in Dunedin, before completing her postgraduate diploma in science, then her PhD at the University of Otago. She moved to Monash University in Melbourne as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2001 and returned to Dunedin in 2009 to take up a lecturing role.
Photo from Internet, Obituary from Otago Daily Times 27 February 2016
Brian William Crook. 3.3.11
29 August 1941 – 20 February 2016
Dot Johnson writes: My brother Brian was the second son of William and Annie Crook and great grandson of William and Joan Renton (Ayson) 3.3, Brian was born in Balclutha, where he attended Primary School and in 1951 moved with the family to Clarksville just outside of Milton. He attended Tokomairiro District High School (as it was then known as) where his great great grandfather Alexander Ayson was the first Headmaster.
When he left school he worked for an Electrical Company before heading up to Rotorua in the late 1960’s where he met and married his wife Sheryl, they went on to have 3 sons.
Brian and Sheryl were loyal members of the Jehovah’s Witness Kawaha congregation in Rotorua.
Brian worked for a Forestry Company for a good part of his life in Rotorua and then latterly, before retiring, for a Security Firm doing Security Installations along with his youngest son.
Brian loved running and entered the Rotorua Annual Marathon each year gaining his 15th year certificate. When his back no longer withstood the pressures of running he walked it a few more times. He loved to practice for these events in the Redwood Forest in Rotorua and knew every track that ran through it. He belonged to a walking group and sometimes went several times a week.
Brian was practicing for this year’s event when he suddenly collapsed and died in the Redwood Forest. The family takes solace in the fact that he died in a place he loved and loved to be in.
Brian was the National Treasurer of the Clan for 8 years from 2005 – 2013 and along with his wife Sheryl organised the very successful Rotorua National Gathering in March 1995.
Brian and Sheryl also hosted many of the Bay of Plenty gatherings that were held regularly over the years.
He was a loving father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by all the family.
Clan Ayson of New Zealand Society
Subscription Notice 2016
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DUNEDIN 9018
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