The first 25 years. Years 1987-2002.


1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994
1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |2000 | 2001 | 2002


 
2002:

40th Anniversary celebrations:
The highlight of this year was the celebration of our 40th birthday at the Millennium Hotel in Rotorua - a hotel of International standard. The 4th floor foyer focus was a display of historical memorabilia, photographs and newspaper articles which were well read and appreciated. The new WARO banner was displayed in the room where the 40 attendees received their name tags and a brochure listing all past Presidents and the names of people present to celebrate. The three founding members present were honoured most appropriately, received a gift of flowers and cut the birthday cake. 40 Year Continuous Membership Certificates were awarded to Celia ZL1ALK, Vicki ZL1OC, Zelda ZL3AAB and Rae Braddock ZL4NI (was ZL1FI). A further booklet containing profiles of these 4 founding members, some photographs and reports on previous birthday gatherings at Paengaroa in the north and Rangiora in the south was produced following the celebrations.
A pure silk WARO scarf complete with emblem was introduced at the lunch. Thanks go to Rosemary ZL1WRO and Jacqueline ZL1JAQ who arranged for the design and making of this addition to WARO's supplies. The Anniversary Award was well supported by the membership and keenly sought by all for a period during March.

The AGM was held in Nelson this year with Cathy ZL2ADK presiding over a very small group of 8 in the absence of President Bev ZL1OS. The only changes in office this year were Rhondalin Houghton ZL1RBH became Secretary, Jacqueline Goodenough ZL1JAQ, Sharron May ZL3AE and Jeanne Gilchrist ZL4JG joined Bev Gillman ZL3TCR on Committee. Changes in Appointed Officers subsequently confirmed by the Executive were Librarian - Joline Beale ZL1UJB, Bulletin Editor will be Bev ZL1OS and the Official Broadcast Co-ordinator has been joined by Rosemary Boshier ZL1RO (was ZL1WRO). All reports were received and it is noted that the Columnist for Break-In Margaret McConnachie ZL3UD is now into her 10th year of keeping all informed about WARO activities.
A rule change for the Thelma Souper Memorial contest this year to allow the OMs to contact each other, and the differential in the scoring calculation worked well. Results - winner YL section Jeanne ZL4JG, OM section Bernard ZL1WT and DX YL section Gwen Tilson VK3DYL.
30 year Continuous Certificates were awarded to the following -
Gael Pye ZL2SZ, Carol Johnston ZL1AJL, and Darleen Magen WD5FQX our first DX recipient who were all profiled in the June Bulletin.

WARO Achievement Award 2002 recipient was Jeanne Gilchrist ZL4JG for services to WARO and Amateur Radio over 21 years. Margaret ZL3UD presented both the Myrtle Earland Memorial Rose Bowl and the WARO contest trophy to Jeanne at an Otago Branch meeting in July. This is the first time a member has been awarded both trophies in the same year.

Silent Keys:
It was with deep regret that we recorded the passing of two long standing members -
Gwen Leslie ZL2OI on May 25. She joined WARO in 1988 as ZL2NAD, upgraded to ZL2UKG in 1990 then ZL2OI in 1994 and was an active operator when elected as Treasurer in 1991 to 1994, a job she carried out meticulously in the days before computers.

Noelle Godfrey on May 28. Noelle joined as an Associate member in 1978 and remained a loyal and supportive member. She was responsible for making many delightful soft toys and knitted several aran jerseys which often had a topical poem attached for Conference raffles and other occasions when WARO was fundraising.

Records:
Photographic and electronic records held by the Librarian and available for viewing include the International YL2000 album and CD as well as the reproduced 'First 25 years of WARO' in booklet form and on CD. The history can also be accessed through our website - currently (in 2002) at www.qsl.net/zl1os/

A large contingent of members attended the ALARAMEET at Murray Bridge in South Australia during October and those who continue to travel widely often have their experiences documented in the Bulletin. Sharron ZL3AE tripped off to the YLISSB Convention in Alaska, Biny ZL2AZY and Cathy ZL2ADK represented WARO in Palermo at the International YL2002 function and several others visited family and friends scattered across the globe. At this time with the facilities available to the Bulletin Editor many articles are favourably enhanced with the ever increasing number of photographs - we are very much into the 'virtual reality' world these days and the Editor Bev ZL1OS is to be commended for the manner in which she incorporates these aspects of modern times. On the domestic scene several area get-togethers also forge more friendships and provide regular activities such as the presentation of trophies for the Auckland area 'Powder Puff Contest' that has been held on VHF frequencies since 1983 and still enjoys very active participation. YL winner this year was Lynnette McDonald ZL1ULM (now ZL1LL).

Footnote:
Compiling the second part of the NZ WARO History at this time, from records available and my memory, has been a very interesting exercise to mark our 40th Anniversary. For those members who have been around during this period I am sure some memories will be rekindled, and to others possibly an insight into the 'workings' of WARO through these last 15 years.

My thanks to Celia ZL1ALK for checking this contribution for our archives.

Jeanne Gilchrist ZL4JG
November 2002.