Club AGM Report
On a clear but chilly night, 77 people met at the Victoria Bowling Club for the Wellington MTB Club 2024 AGM. The Club had the BBQ running, and with the bowling club’s bar opened, there was a great amount of chat happening.
Jono Baddiley, the outgoing President gave the annual report. The key points were:
Membership is slightly down on the 2023 year, at 1569. Membership is shared with Trails Wellington, and a combination of participation dropping off the covid-lockdown highs and a cost of living crisis are all being felt.
Participation in club events was up on the 2023 year, with 776 people taking part in the Wellington Enduro Series, and an additional 336 people participating in non enduro series events.
Trail updates from across the city were received from the trail projects the club supports. Mākara Peak Supporters were grateful for the support the club has given, including additional funding the club has provided when membership funding from Trails Wellington was deferred. Brooklyn Trail Builders reported that the soon to be named Trail 16 in To Kopahou was nearing completion, following over 2,900 volunteer hours of work over the past year. They’ve also planted an additional 2,500 trees in Waimapihi and Te Kopahou reserves, and are in advanced planning for more trails in Te Kopahou. The Karitane Dirt Jumps crew summarised the work that they’ve completed making what is now Wellington’s most sculpted jump line, and the challenges that they are working through with the council. The Miramar Track Project team provided an update on the work that has been done over the past year on the peninsular, including planning for a new grade 5 descending trail, and a climbing trail to make it easier to get into the park without having to ride up the road. The Belmont Area Mountain Bike Association (BAMBA) shared progress, along with the news that the rebuild of Electric Avenue has now reached its funding target (with $10,000 donated from the club). And Matairangi Trail Builders (who have been doing great work over the past year on Mount Victoria) provided an update on the work that they’ve been leading, including refreshes on a huge number of trails (Park Bench, Hippy’s, V and the hospital jumps), and the huge number of trees that have been planted over the past year.
One feature of the updates was a well-mannered commentary on who provides the best post-build BBQ and drinks. Look to hear more about this over the coming months.
Finally, Matt Farrar from Trails Wellington gave an update on the progress made over the past year. This includes the opening of Te Tuarā stages 1 and 2 on Matairangi / Mount Victoria, successfully lobbying the council for the annual trails budget to be doubled, planning on the upcoming Wellington City Council open spaces access plan, and consultation on the trails plan for Crow’s Nest above Crofton Downs.
Run By Volunteers. Volunteer participation has been huge over the 2024 year, with our biggest ever total hour count. 8,066 hours have been logged by the club and our projects over the past year, which is 226 days working 24 hours a day, or over 1,000 days at 8 hours per day. The club (including our executive) is truly #runbyvolunteers , and we’re very proud of the difference that we’re making for our members and the city.
Jono also provided an update on the funding that has been provided by the club to trail areas in the city. This totals $37,108 (including $10,000 commitments to each of BAMBA and the Wainui Trail Project to support significant trail refreshes.
New Website. Jack Ewing gave a demonstration of the Club’s just-launched new website (you’re reading it now). The site has been built by a team coordinated by Leasa Carlyon and Rob Lee, and delivers a fresh new look and easier flow for finding information.
Election of Officers. With John Baddiley retiring as President after 8 years, and Kiri Baddiley retiring as Secretary, two new officers were required to be nominated and voted in. David Smith was voted into the President role, and Reuben Smith as Secretary. Ant Bradshaw was returned as Treasurer. Jono thanked Kiri, Ant, and out-going committee members Leasa Carlyon and Rob Lee for all of the work that they’ve done over the past few years.
Volunteer of the Year awards were given to Charlie Ruck for his work in the Wainui Trail Project, including building an amazing set of grade 5 trails (including Fade to Black), and to the Matairangi Trail Builders for the amazing work they’ve led over the past year. Matairangi Trail Builders’ nomination was made by the Brooklyn Trail Builders.