Old Thingamys (Graham Godby)

Graham first had contact with Luggate when he and his late wife Betty passed through on their Honeymoon in 1955. Graham said he fell in love with the fishing, people and the climate. In the early 1960’s Graham and Betty built their crib in Reid Avenue and then finally moved up here full time (Graham having left his job as an accountant in Dunedin) to work in the office for Upper Clutha Transport. Graham worked for UCT for 19 years and has now been retired for approx 8 years.

With outdoor bowls very much a passion over the years for both Graham and Betty, Graham still found time for many hobbies such as fishing, gardening and gold mining with a suction dredge down at the Clutha and Lindis Rivers, the Luggate Creek and at Bannockburn. Most was very fine gold but a couple of good sized nuggets mostly out of the Lindis and Bannockburn areas.

“Old Thingamys” Graham also started collect collecting memorabilia of old blacksmith gear and farm machinery. When asked what got him interested in old things his reply was “I kept looking in the mirror”. Among some of his many many treasures is a two man bush saw that has a painting of the red bridge on it done by Gus Nisbet late of Lake Hawea. A fantastic old water wheel that Graham collected from Mt Barker also graces his back year along with an old cart holding several milk cans

Graham has also found petrified wood up the top of Little Criffel and has polished this.

Rock Hound or "Silly Old Fossil" as some of his friends would call him.
Finding Rhodonite and Jasper down at the Clutha river started off yet another interest and apart from the local rock Graham has rocks and rough gems from many other places. Who would have thought grey old rock found on the side of the river could have such beautiful colours inside. Polishing takes 4 lots of 22 hours with 4 different grits from course grit to a fine grit then the final polish only takes 15 – 30 minutes.

The raw unpolished stone

Polished Rhodonite

Jasper

What do you best enjoy about living here? The people, weather,
Betty and the kids just loved being up here

Opening of the new Luggate Playground

The new playground in Hopkins St was officially opened by the Mayor Clive Geddes on Easter Saturday and was well attended by around 50 people.


What a wonderful facility for our town. There have been hords of children enjoying the playground everyday.

"Photo courtesy of the Wanaka Sun"

A huge vote of thanks must go to our Luggate Community Association and in particular the playground sub committee of Mark Orbell, Claire Deacon and Lynda Davison who had a vision of a natural playground rather than all plastic.

"Photo courtesy of the Wanaka Sun"

"Photo courtesy of the Wanaka Sun"

"Photo courtesy of the Wanaka Sun"

I must also commend the designers on incorporating Luggate icons in the design such as the red bridge and a spitfire.

"Photo courtesy of the Wanaka Sun"

The tunnel slide is also a sure winner with our boys and the flying fox always has children using it. Even our wee boys of nearly 3 years are able to use this.

The opening was finished off with a BBQ and a great day was had by all those who could attend.

Luggate Horse Trek - March 09

On the 4th March 09 the Luggate Hotel organized the most awesome trek from Wanaka over Criffel and Lake McKay Stations to Luggate.

After a huge BBQ breakfast we set off from Rodeo Grounds in Wanaka and walked up the Cardrona River Bed. It was then a short distance on Faulks Road until we turned left into Maxwell Road and then right into Boundary Road. From there we turned left along Mt Barker Road and then finally right into Smith Road which would then lead us over the hills through Criffel and Lake McKay Stations and finally down the Luggate Creek to finish at the Luggate Hotel.

Walking up the Cardrona River Bed

We stopped for a break and lunch (provided by the Luggate Hotel) plus plenty of liquid refreshments. As you can Sean is finding the drinks a little heavy.

After a bit of a climb it was time to give the horses a puff and to let the riders have a good look around

The views looking back towards Wanaka were spectacular

In the distance at the end of the valley you can just make out the Luggate township

Because of the steep grade of the track it was easier on the horses to get off and walk down some of the way

Ginny Nelson certainly looks like she is enjoying herself and her new horse Ben took the day in her stride

After a steep downhill walk it was time to give the horses a well deserved rest and the riders a well deserved refreshment stop at the cattle yards before we made our way back down the Luggate Creek to end our journey at the Luggae Hotel

The horses didn't seem to mind being inside the hotel and Roger Moseby and trail boss Don Patterson certainly enjoyed sampling the local brew

The day was finished off with a fantastic buffet dinner followed by a band "Little Green Men" who played on till late.

What a great end to an incredible day. Well done to the Luggate Hotel for hosting such a wonderful event. I know I won't be the only one lining up again next year.