1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |2000 | 2001 | 2002
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1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
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1994: A year of quite memorable events - Patron Pearl Neilson ZL2QY was made an Honorary Life Member for her dedication to WARO and the amateur radio hobby and she also featured in an article printed in the 'Sunday Star Times'. Pamela Blackett ZL1WPB at 10 years of age became the youngest person to gain an Amateur Radio Operators Certificate in New Zealand. With the promotion of her accomplishment in the media (both printed form and television), the opportunity to have regular VHF contact with cosmonauts on the Russian spacestation MIR, and the ugrading of callsign to ZL1PAM Pamela was to receive the Young Amateur of the year Award at NZART Conference in Blenheim in 1995. President Dawn ZL2AGX was made an Honorary Life Member for services to Kapiti Branch NZART. Social activities abound with many regional gatherings including some northern YLs enjoying the action at the Hamilton Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in April and the mid-winter 10 pin bowling experience of the Canterbury members. Visitor from space: Keynote speaker at the New Plymouth NZART Conference this year was new WARO member and astronaut Dr Ellen Baker KB5SIX who also addressed our AGM and presented WARO with a framed montage of pictures taken from the space shuttle Columbia whilst she was an on-board Mission Specialist. Ellen experienced at least 3 space missions with NASA. Win Parr ZL1BBN and Marjorie Smith ZL3TC both received 30 year Continuous Membership Certificates. Joanne Watt ZL4UJO of Oamaru Branch NZART received the NZART Youth Achievement Award for best examination results 1993/1994 and was given complimentary membership to WARO for 12 months. Several Associate members, including long time WARO supporter Betty Holt (now ZL1UBZ) passed the exams during the year and came to fully appreciate the 'on air' experience as licensed operators. Total membership at April 30 was 257. The Privacy Act was causing problems in as much as Ministry of Commerce - Radio Operations Division no longer provided NZART with new callsign information thereby denying us the opportunity of contacting many of the newly licensed YL operators. International Travel Host Exchange scheme now includes New Zealand with Dave Johnston ZL1AMN as co-ordinator. Many members will become involved in hosting DX amateurs in the years ahead. Thelma Souper Memorial Contest: During the contest this year a station consisting 5 YLs worked together as a Club station to give some of them, who were Limited licence holders, the opportunity to gain contesting experience. At this time no allowance for club station operating was contained in the rules. After lengthy deliberation and consultation Contest Manager Chris ZL1BQW moved the following amendments to the rules - "1. Club Stations may be operated by multiples of YLs providing that they are WARO members and have licences applicable to the band being operated. 2. If a Club station worked in this way sends in a log with a declaration stating that it's operators are both fully licensed as well as being WARO members, they will be considered as a legitimate contact and ONE multiplier." After considerable discussion this motion was carried. Winners this year were Shirley Jardine ZL2TSJ, OM section Ivor Williams ZL1AGO and VK YL Dorothy Bishop VK2DDB. NZART Official Broadcast: Cathy ZL2ADK has agreed to present a 'WARO segment' on the monthly NZART Official broadcast. ARDF Activity: The first national ARDF competition was held during the NZART VHF Convention at Kaiapoi during Easter with Anne ZL3VR being one of the main organisers. A group which included Anne ZL3VR, Margaret McConnachie ZL3UD and Cheryl ZL2VCC travelled to Stockholm for the World ARDF Championships with 250 competitors from 25 countries participating. Silent Keys: Ethel Adnitt ZL1BLL in her 82nd year. President of WARO for 2 years from 1975 and was very active on the S.I.R. net. Margaret Raffles ZL1TDB a loyal member since 1967. Robyn Kendall ZL1ROB DX member Austine Henry VK3YL. Licensed May 1930 and served in the Royal Australian Air Force Wireless Reserve during the war and also took WIA classes in morse code training of service personnel. Some achievements listed were ARRL DXCC Honor list in CW - currently listed third in CW DXCC General list - foundation member YASME and member of YLRL, YLISSB and RAOTC. The quarterly Bulletin continues to keep all informed of activities planned, enables us to share experiences of those who have travelled abroad or member involvement with more local events and once again match the voice with the photos appearing in the December issue. One article of note which featured in the June issue was NZART Conference in New Plymouth through the eyes of 11 year old Associate member Kathy Armstrong ZL1315. A very different perception of events from a very young member. Go to 1995
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