Membership fell from 325 to 282 this year. The reasons for the fall in membership have not been analyised but the fact that students attending our Alpine Instruction and Spring Rock courses this year were not compulsoraly required to join the club may have had an impact. We are re-introducing the requirement for students on our 2002 courses to join the club.

We ended this year in a slightly better financial position than anticipated.

The amount invested in this charitable trust fund is now $10,536. An award of $500 was made early in 2001 to Andy Hoyle to attend an NZMGA course.

This year the section ran an Alpine Instructors training course (11 students), an Alpine Instruction Course (18 students), an Ice Climbing Course (7 students), an Rock Instructors training course (9 students) and our Spring Rock course (9 students). Special thanks to Ric Cullinane, Caroline Duggan, Alex Palman, Scott Taylor and all the other instructors and helpers that made these courses happen.

Speakers at section nights were Andrew Johnston, Beth Burdett, Toby Johnston and Matthew Stevens on the Section expedition to Snow Lake, Karakoram, Alex Palman on a new rock route in the Balfour Glacier area, John Barnes and Elaine Taylor on Italy’s Dolomites, John Palmer on Bouldering, Rob Suisted on Outdoor Photography, Rachel Davidson and Mark Ware on AIC 2001, Dave Garrity on Waikato Rock, Norman Hardie on Kanchenjunga, Don French on Mt Jannu. Allan Knowles judged the annual Section Photo Competition in June. We had a screening of the video "The Fatal Game" by Mark Whetu in September. Several section members also took the opportunity to show a few slides, and talk about, their recent trips at section nights during the year. All speakers gave excellent talks and were much appreciated. As usual we started off the year with a February Barbecue, this time at Fergs. The AGM was held at the April Section night.

There were club trips to Mt Taranaki 17-19 August (6), Ruahine Ranges (Ski Touring) 24-26 August (5), Mt Ngauruhoe/Pinacles (Ruapehu) 24-26 August (5), Girdlestone (Ruapehu) 21-23 September (16), Mt Te Ao Whakaere 14-17 September (11), Mt Paske 19-22 October (10) and Tasman Saddle 23 November – 2 December (7). Thanks to those that organised, led and participated in these trips.

The Wellington High School wall continues to be popular when it is open to members one night a week for a nominal fee of $5. The Spring Rock Course evening sessions where also held at this facility. Members discounted rates continued at the local commercial walls (Hang dog and Fergs).

The Baring Head event in the National Bouldering Series was held on 2 Feburay with a record turnout. Several Section members helped out running the post event BBQ.

Harry Anderson and Phil Suisted in their roles as section representatives attended one CCM each during the year.

Office holders at the end of the year were Chairperson: Alan Lowrie, Vice Chairperson: Ric Cullinane (Instruction subcommittee convener and AIC coordinator), Secretary: Matthew Stevens, Treasurer: Cathy MacLean/Nigel Roberts, Committee Members: Glen Hodges (Trips subcommittee member), Caroline Duggan, Maria Casidy, Simon Chapple (Newsletter Editor) and Kara Lipski (Section night administrator), National Representative: Phil Suisted (Trips subcommittee convener).

The following were non-members of the committee but carried out important roles through out the year: Margaret Fyfe (Patron), Scott Taylor (Instruction subcommittee member and Spring Rock course cocordinator), Derek Richardson (Library), John Barnes (Palmerston North Contact), Jane Furkert (Webmaster) and Dave Henwood (Auditor).

The following resignations were received during the year: Harry Anderson (Treasurer and National Repreresentative), John Nankervis (Committee) and Jo Roberts (Committee (Section night administrator)).

All committee and non-committee members, instructors and other helpers who have put in so much of their time and effort this year must be thanked. Without them the section would not continue to be one of the biggest and one of the most active in New Zealand. Thanks are also due to our local walls and retailers, Hangdog, Fergs, Mainley Tramping, Bivouac, Mountain Designs and Kathmandu, for their generous sponsorship of our photographic and bouldering competitions. The Hillary Commission is also thanked for its continuing support of our instruction programme, through both national funding and the Wellington City Council.

Alan Lowrie

Chairperson Wellington Section