Newsletter 44 - March 2017
From Clan Chief of Ayson (the 9th) – Hugh Francis
Dear Clan Members,
Now that the Christmas holidays have passed I do hope 2017 has started off with a positive outlook for the year ahead.
For Christmas and New Year our family came to us in Palmerston North which was really good. Also it was a rare chance to put up a real Christmas tree and decorate it. We then spent ten days at Omori (Lake Taupo) clearing up our grounds amid the wind and crazy weather. However, the good bit was indulging in several wines with neighbours to wash down smoked trout – indeed a treat to share.
It is important for you to note the date planned for our next National family gathering and I pass on my sincere thanks to Sub-Chief Bevin Watt for volunteering to manage the event for us. I do hope it does not delay any further climbing ventures in the Himalayas that he might have had planned! The reunion date next year will be held Easter (30 Mar -2 Apr 2018); and will be in the Dunedin, Balclutha and Gore area. Bevin and his Committee will advise the main venue and programme once it has been agreed. Some of you might be disappointed that it is not being held in the North Island. However, I am of the firm belief that many see the southern region as our ancestral home. It is also important that new generations coming to our reunion can tread in the footsteps of our forebears, can explore the places of significance and to pay homage at Warepa and the local environs.
So I trust the word will be spread far and wide along with coaxing the younger generation to attend this significant all important event. There is plenty of time to now plan accommodation and travel, and, also the early bird check to “grab a seat” to Dunedin if you intend flying.
Last year was notable for having the Family Tree ancestry site launched (see http://www.clanayson.nz/family-tree); we mourned the sad passing of Peter Giffen Ayson - our 6th Clan Chief, along with other Clan members, and family gatherings including a Clan Ayson Picnic at Woodhaugh Gardens in Dunedin and Kaka Point. Thank you to Dot Johnston and her team for organising everything so well and for her report in this newsletter.
It would be appreciated that all Clan members who receive our communications please rise to the occasion and pay the very low annual subscription of $15 per household that is now due. Unfortunately, the Clan does not receive any sponsorship so we rely on your valued contribution to remain fluid. I think you would all agree that the following figures are quite disappointing, i.e. in 2014, 13%, paid, and, in 2015, 9.6% paid - 2016 figures are assumed to be much similar. With the impending reunion your support is vital.
A huge thank you to Lindy for putting this newsletter together in a professional manner; and, also we are always in debt to Mick Cullen for his expertise in printing it.
Lastly, for your info, Mary and I have an exciting five week trip booked for May/June to Scandinavia, Russia, and Cities of Eastern Europe.
To all of you go safe, go well.
Hugh Francis
Greetings from National Secretary, Lindy Daniell
To procrastinate is to go against the old saying, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
Well, I procrastinate no longer! I have finally sorted through boxes and boxes of slides and negatives, both our own and those inherited from our parents and grandparents. Two years ago I purchased a small digital basic copier for $90.00 and somehow it vanished to the back shelf out of sight. The visit of my cousin recently prompted us to view the slides of our shared grandparents and we realised how important it was for us all to have access to those family memories. So the digital device was found, and one by one I copied and pasted, cropped and renamed, then sent them into the ‘cloud’ for all to see and enjoy.
I was amazed how many were losing quality with time and how unimportant many scenic photos were so I concentrated on the slides with family only. I am hoping my children will appreciate one day that their inheritance of three generations of slides has been reduced.
My first Ayson Reunion was in Christchurch in 1990 and I shared this special time with my dad Graeme Ayson who took this slide of the Saturday night dinner.
It is exciting to have another National Reunion occurring in 2018 and we want to make sure everyone is kept informed of progress and plans. However, with the cost of postage restricting us to one or maybe two newsletters a year, we need to use email as much as possible, or the website. If you are receiving this by post can you please advise an email alternative if you have one. Also, it would be great if we could attract a sponsor for the costs of communications, i.e. postage and the website. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you
Lindy
Greetings from the Clan’s previous Secretary, Caroline English. (Great granddaughter of Ann (Ayson) Watt)
My first association with Clan Ayson was in 1953 when my father, Eric Watt, took me to the Centennial celebrations in Dunedin. Forty-three years later, from 1996 until 2013, I became the Auckland Branch Secretary.
My years as National Secretary from 2011 to 2013 were short but busy and rewarding working with Ace Neame Clan Chief and Brian Crook Treasurer and their team in Tauranga. Much of that time was spent in communicating with Branches in particular the Dunedin Branch which organized the successful National Gathering in 2013 in Dunedin.
I am proud to be a part of Clan Ayson and glad that I have had the opportunity of working with and getting to know so many fine people! I look forward to following the news on the website and expect that the story it contains will capture the imaginations of many of the younger generation.
Regards to all, Caroline
Ayson family link in Scotland:
Neville Peat, Dunedin, (1.3.2 in The Ayson Story), and daughter Sophora with the legendary Glenshee farmer Jean Lindsay in August 2016. They called on Jean and her son, Sandy, during a tour of Scotland.
The Lindsays’ farm, Runavey, is across the road from Corrydon, the ancestral Ayson family home. Jean has welcomed a number of Ayson descendants over the past few decades and was instrumental in getting the Ayson memorial plaque installed in the Glenshee Church grounds.
She has visited New Zealand from time to time to see her sister.
Jean and Sandy run black-faced sheep and shorthorn cattle on their Highland farm. In the garden behind their stone farmhouse are a family of ceramic pukeko, which Jean brought back from one of her New Zealand visits.
Photo by Mary Hammonds.
WOODHAUGH GARDENS PICNIC, DUNEDIN
20 NOVEMBER 2016
The day started out very windy, but by 11am the sun had come out and the area in the Woodhaugh Gardens where we gathered for the picnic lunch was sheltered, so we were able to sit out in the sunshine and enjoy a day of renewing friendships and meeting new ones.
Apologies were received from: Neville Peat, Janet Sim-Elder, Mick Cullen, and Robyn Ayson all of Dunedin, Mary Ayson from Gore.
Hugh Francis (Clan Chief) and Lindy Daniell (Clan Secretary) would have loved to have joined us and conveyed their best wishes for the day and into the future.
Les Green (1.9.2) from Dunedin was able to join us after his prior lunch commitment.
21 Adults and 2 children came for a picnic lunch, some from far afield.
Ian & Jill Robinson (1.3.2) from Rangiora who were visiting family in Waimate came down and enjoyed their day meeting cousins some of whom they hadn’t met before.
Trevor & Vivien Appleby (3.2.2) originally from Kurow but presently living in Portobello, Dunedin came along and also enjoyed meeting up with new cousins.
Ian & Sandra McGregor (3.3.4) Central Otago Branch Secretary travelled down from Wanaka and at the same time caught up with sister Heather Hore and brother Jack Instone.
Margaret Allan (3.1.5) who was our Clan Secretary for many years came up from Gore and enjoyed the company of the cousins once again.
It may have not attracted the same number that attended the Clans first Woodhaugh Gardens Picnic in 1953 where over 200 descendants gathered for a picnic, but it was certainly very enjoyable and hopefully in the future we can repeat the day.
L to R: Jack Instone 3.3.4, Trevor & Vivien Appleby 3.2.2, Brendon & Anna Johnson (at back) 3.3.11
Margaret Allan 3.1.5, David Picard (at back) 3.3.11, Norma Hall 3.3.11, Ian & Jill Robinson 1.3.2
Toko Vakatini & daughters Leanne Schuck , Jess Vakatini (at back) wife Morna Picard holding grandson Theo Schuck 3.3.11, Toby Schuck holding son Ardie 3.3.11, Heather & Trevor Hore ( at back)3.3.4, Sandra & Ian McGregor 3.3.4, TrevorJohnson (at back) 3.3.11
– Insert Photographer Dot Johnson 3.3.11
Further success for rally driver Derek Ayson
Derek continues to make headlines yet again! After being invited to compete in Australia, Derek had great success in the NSW Border Ranges Rally gaining first place in 2wd cars, 1st in the Ford Escort Challenge, 1st overall in both Classics and Invitational.
He obtained 4th place overall competing with all high powered 4wd cars.
In November/December he won the Silver Fern Rally 2016 - a marathon event of seven days at high speed on (closed) gravel roads. There were many entrants including 19 international world champion rally drivers from Scotland, UK, Wales, Sweden, Australia and other places. Second place and four minutes behind Derek overall was the several times Welsh driver, Merion Evans. This was Derek's first time entering and to pull it off coming first place overall was a skilful effort, with car unscathed and performing incredibly well through such endurance. His only brush with leading throughout was a puncture on a stage coming into Gore and lost four minutes changing the tyre which had wrapped its self around the diff. However, this was the only drama and with a concerted push of increased pace, he regained his lead which he held for the remaining several days back to the Christchurch finish.
Derek is always full of praise for his co-driver, the maintenance crew who change tyres, fuel up and any other repairs and always appreciative of his sponsors. The route this year began in Christchurch and headed south and inland down as far as Gore and the Catlins and returning back north over other inland and coastal twisting gravel roads. For further details, enter on Google: "Gore's Derek Ayson wins Silver Fern Rally 2016".
Artist Murray Ayson (father of Derek) has just completed two full weeks at the Dunedin Railway Station in the Otago Art Society rooms painting every day on site during his Exhibition of his works which has proved a very worthwhile exercise.
A marathon in its own right, Murray stands at his easel from 10am-4pm and enjoys talking with visitors of the locations where he paints his images from.
Upper Eglinton Valley. Photo - Lindy Daniell
Murray’s work has won a number of awards, including:
Hope & Sons Art Awards "Peoples Choice" Award, Dunedin (2014)
Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards "Peoples Choice" Award, Dunedin (2012)
Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards "Peoples Choice" Award, Dunedin (2011)
Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards "Peoples Choice" Award, Dunedin (2010
Edinburgh Realty Premier Art Awards "Peoples Choice" Award, Dunedin (2009)
City of Dunedin Art Awards “People's Choice” Award, (2008)
City of Dunedin Art Awards “People's Choice” Award, (2007)
Wrens/Mosgiel Rotary Art “Sponsors Choice” Award, Mosgiel (2005)
Hope & Sons Exhibition “Sponsors’ Choice” Award, Dunedin (2004)
Otago Art Society’s Annual Exhibition, Dunedin (2003), 2 awards:
- Maurice Kerr Award for Excellence in Traditional Painting
- Lula Currie Award for Art Society Members’ Choice
The Mainland Art Awards, Dunedin “Peoples Choice” (2002)
South Otago Art Society, Edna Peterson Award - Winner (2001)
You can find Murray's artworks available for sale at his studio or in a number of New Zealand galleries. https://www.murrayayson.com/
Congratulations Neville Peat
Dunedin author Neville Peat, author of over 40 books, was presented with the Copyright Licensing NZ Writer’s Award at the inaugural National Writers Forum and a grant of $25,000.00. These funds will enable him to write a book entitled “The Invading Sea” which will look at climate change, sea level rises and policies NZ should introduce to address those impacts.
“A national policy statement on coastal hazards is pretty urgently required so that people can be more assured of the future.”
Neville is expecting the book to be completed by the end of the year or early 2018.
Paula Browning, CEO of CLNZ, said, “the awards and grants the CLNZ Cultural Fund provides contribute to the New Zealand publishing industry by giving writers time to write and by investing in other projects that support New Zealand writing and publishing. We’re delighted that this award is going to a New Zealand writer who will be able to bring a complex subject to both New Zealand and overseas readers”.
74 applications were received for the award this year, covering a wide range of topics and subjects. Amongst a very strong field of candidates, the judges revealed the final decision was not an easy one to make. However, those that stood out were applications that paid close attention to the awards criteria, had engaging writing samples, and who were from applicants actively engaged with a prospective publisher.
Congratulations to Mick Cullen who now adds this Supreme Award to his 61 Gold and 40 Highly Commended Awards gained since 1993. The printing of our newsletters is certainly in expert hands. Thank you Mick.
ALL BLACKS STAMP WINS SUPREME PRINT AWARD
The Adidas jersey that was worn by the World Cup-winning All Blacks in 2015 is a winner for a second time – now taking the coveted Supreme Award at the 2016 New Zealand Pride In Print Awards.
The New Zealand Post stamps entered by Dunedin-based Southern Colour Print is an industry first, in using rugby jersey fabric for a stamp that is perfectly useable for postage.
As a ground-breaking technology, the stamps also won the Industry Development Category for Pride in Print, which are the premier print and packaging awards in New Zealand.
The stamps celebrate the All Blacks’ win in the Rugby World Cup and had judges asking “what is it?” when they first picked them up.
Closer inspection showed the stamps featured mini cut-outs of the World Cup-winning jersey – using the actual material of the Adidas jerseys worn by the All Blacks.
The out-of-the-box thinking in using the materials worn by Richie McCaw, Ben Smith, Kieran Reid and company simply stunned the judges who said they had never seen the like before. As a result, the All Black stamps romped across the try line in the Creative Product & Design Innovation sub category of Industry Development and went on to win the full category and then the entire awards outright.
Design judge Angelique Sparnaay-Martin said it was a “first” to see a company using such materials. The way they have created this, there was no room for error. The end result was stunning. Stamp production will never be the same again after this.”
Southern Colour Print production manager Mick Cullen said a “let’s do it!” approach won the day.
“We looked at this and said ‘how do you print on a rugby jersey material’? It was something different and we took it on. It wasn’t easy at all but we made it work.
“We had to choose different processes because we wanted the colour to be just right. Then we had to die cut it and fit it.
“We compete on an international stage. Every year there is a different challenge and we take on the attitude ‘let’s do it’. This attitude comes from having experienced, highly-skilled staff members who have confidence in their collective ability to problem solve – the results the team at SCP produce never fails to impress!”
Southern Colour Print has won wide endorsement for their extremely-high quality, printing stamps for postal authorities internationally.
The Supreme Award will be officially presented to Southern Colour Print in Dunedin in June.
Clan Ayson Sub Chief, Bevin Watt conquers Kilimanjaro.
Andrea Chalmers is a cropping farmers’ wife from Ashburton. Andrea and I hatched a plan, so-to-speak, to have a go at Kilimanjaro the highest free standing mountain in the world. It towers above the African plains in Tanzania not far from the Kenyan border. This was a long shot from idle talk as we were just finishing the Gokyo expedition.
Three years later we headed off to that wonderful continent of Africa. There were 10 of us to climb the mountain and 5 to go on safari at the same time. Ten turned-out to be a very worthwhile number and considerably more than most groups. Porters and guides were brought together, thirty-five of them, and you should have heard the chatter of their deep African voices and their joyous laughter when they all got to their tent after our evening meal.
Our climbing group comprised two from Texas, and the rest from NZ a total of five ex the Nepal group and five ‘newbies’
Like Nepal we had chosen a cautious route involving ascending slowly and acclimatising or, as they say, climb high sleep low. We ‘followed the book’ and it worked and we all reached the summit. It was a challenge, because of the constant need to climb and the decreasing amount of oxygen in the air. Of the ten of us, six chose to camp in the crater of this volcano and the other four retreated to the camp of the night before. We had left that camp at 5.30am in the dark with our head torches on and step-by-step made it to the summit by mid-day. It was cold that night and my make-shift temperature gage recorded minus 12 C , By the morning our ever present water bottles were frozen through.
Did you know that going-down is easier than going-up? Well, yes it was but the first day of descent was hard, not because of lack of oxygen but because we travelled so far – 25 k’s in steep descent!
And the next day it was out, down through the tropical jungle, complete with rare monkeys and then lunch and presentation of certificates where we had lunch at our hotel!
There now, two mountains down and one to go.
Bevin
It is with sadness that we remember those who passed away since our last newsletter and we pass on our sincere condolences to the families of:
16 Sep 2016. Nigel John Cox - husband of Fiona.
09 Jan 2017 Mabel May Green - wife of Colin.
16 Jan 2017 Douglas Buchan - father of Jeanette, Dianne, Ian, Glenn (who died eight years ago), Alistair and Catherine.
04 Feb 2017 Russell Allan Johnston, in Timaru,
16 Aug 2016 Phyllis Mary Mullinder. Daughter of James and Margaret Davidson.