A day for lilies and pearls
According to long-held tradition, a 30th anniversary should be celebrated with lilies and pearls, and they were top of the list when Cliff and Naomi Horncy began planning the festivities marking 30 years since the establishment of the Far North branch of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.
The Karikari Community Hall was bedecked with the flowers and gems, and the theme continued with the dainty lapel pins given to members when they arrived.
Meanwhile, before the celebratory ball and dinner, special membership awards were presented to some of the Far North stalwarts, including locals Derek and Barbara Gibson (15 years’ membership), Brian and Audrey Mulcahy (25 years), and founding members David and Sue Green.
David also had another claim to fame, in that he was present at the very first AGM of the NZMCA in 1956, even if he had only just become more than a twinkle in his father’s eye, and was still in the “development” stage.
His parents were members No 14, and he grew up with many happy childhood memories of holidays “on the road.”
There was another surprise when Cliff and Naomi Horncy were awarded life membership. The couple were clearly astonished as Far North area vice-chairman Michael Bain and national board member Sharon King presented them with flowers, badges and other gifts.
The couple, described as the salt of the Earth, had been valued stalwarts of the organisation for many years.
Cliff thanked everyone for the acknowledgment, saying he and Naomi had had no inkling of the honour that had been bestowed upon them, and that they had enjoyed all that they had done.
The anniversary cake, made by Naomi and displaying icons representing the two Far North NZMCA parks, was cut by David and Sue Green, and enjoyed by all.