Thanks to Hancocks NZ for the major sponsor for the last five years.
Also, thanks to Jim at Super Liquor Putaruru for his sponsorship of this event.
And the story goes.......
5th NZ JD BBQ Report
It’s hard to believe the 5th annual Jack Daniels New Zealand BBQ has come and gone. As I listen to your feedback I am sure the 2012 BBQ will be a grand occasion and we all have a responsibility to grow the member numbers in 2012.
Monday 7 Feb.
Lutz arrived into New Zealand and Mike (OldNo7) picked him up at the airport and took him home. The next day Mike took Lutz around Auckland showing him the sights. Lutz managed to visit a Harley shop and buy a Harley shirt among a host of other activities.
Wednesday 9 Feb.
Mike and Lutz drove down to Brian’s (Tokboy’s) place and we gave Lutz his first taste of a traditional New Zealand roast lamb and Pavalova. It was great to finally meet Lutz in person and talk JD collecting. The next day Mike and Lutz went with my Dad to Rotorua to see a couple of the tourist spots, and also learnt about the forestry around Tokoroa.
Moz also flew into Wellington from Australia today and stayed with Shane and Ang (Jacktembernz). He was subjected to some outstanding hospitality and one of the finest collections in New Zealand. Shane was able to take Moz around some of the magnificent sights in Wellington.
Friday 11 Feb.
It was awesome to meet up with everyone at the Taupo All Seasons Holiday Park. This year we took over a different part of the campground which included a conference room and outdoor BBQ area. The set up this year was perfect and it has been booked for 2012 already. As we settled into the campground it was time to get ready for dinner at Ploughman’s. The meal was good and after a bit of chit chat we headed back home to the campground. Friends of Shane and Ang offered to drive us back to the campground and that was a tight fit, but we all made it back. Clint (Hillbilly) had arrived and it wasn’t long before Moz had cracked the Silver Select from the freezer.
Saturday 12 Feb.
Saturday saw the arrival of the last couple of collectors Steve (Blocker) and Maree (Twomms). This year we went out on mass and played Mini Golf. The morning was a lot of fun with a few hole in ones achieved as well as a few 7 shot maximums on a par 3. I played well and managed to win the 18 hole mini putt challenge by one shot. Steve who has a 1 handicap was not able to show is golfing ability on the small course. Then as tourists do we went across the road to the Hole in one challenge and a couple of members smashed a few golf balls into the lake. I hit the pontoon on my first shot, and Lutz showed some pretty great skills for a guy who likes shoveling snow.
From here it was a race back to the campground to have a quick lunch and get changed into some clothes ready for a jet boat ride in the white water rapids. We tried to get Lutz to bungy jump but he said “No thank you” in a firm and assertive tone. The jet boat ride was amazing, the boat driver managed to get us all wet while giving a tour of the Waikato River.
Back at the campground it was time to get ready for the Great JD bake off. There is a section for Sweet dishes and one for Savory. Each year the level of competition increases. My dad is the judge of the event and enjoyed the dishes that had been prepared, even having to try some two and three times to ensure his marking was fair and consistent.
After the bake off came a new event for 2011. The JD cocktail challenge made it’s mark and will be back in 2012. I had member’s calling me for three weeks before the event saying they had the best cocktail. All of the cocktails were different and all of a good standard. After Kim (Campground boss) had tried all of the cocktails and found a winner, the rest of us were able to sample all of the drinks.
It was getting into late afternoon and the tables were cleared to make room for the Trade/Auction table. This is a highlight as fellow collectors go head to head to bid on the various items. A master list is given to an independent person. Collectors go and make bids on paper and hand those in to the independent person who checks off the lists. The person closet to the reserve price gets the chance to buy it for the reserve. E.g., if the reserve is $100. Person A bids $95 and Person B bids $101. Person B is closest they pay $100. If the closest bid is low they choose to pay the reserve or the Seller can take a lower offer. If there are two people who bid the same then they are asked if one will drop out. If both people want it, then a coin is flipped.
The BBQ was fired up and we all ate after a long day of activities in the hottest of days.
After dinner a new event was included at the request of Martyn and Christine (Jack Devotees). It was an auction to raise money for the Maxwell House Multiple Scleroses Jack and Back appeal. Members were asked to donate items for the auction that would start at $1.00 reserve. The auction raised approximately $330.00 for the appeal which is a good effort from a small group of collectors in New Zealand. The bake off judge (my dad) was auctioneer and had a tough job controlling the unruly crowd. It was a great part of the night and one that will appear at the 6th NZ BBQ in 2012.
Finally, it is time for prizegiving and many thanks go out to alot of people.
Firstly to our Main Sponsor Hancock’s NZ. They have stepped up every year for the last five years to sponsor this event and we appreciate the ongoing support of Jack Daniels Collectors in New Zealand.
Thanks to Jim Smith from Putaruru Super Liquor for the sponsorship and discount offered to members. We appreciate the support from you.
Thanks to Lutz form Germany and to Moz from Australia for coming over and bringing over freebies for the group.
Thanks to the Bake off Judge and Cocktail Judge for the hard work you put in. I am sure many people would love to have your job trying all of the goodies.
Thanks to Steve for arranging the Shirts and Hats for the event as well as providing the late smoked chickens and sausages, they went down a treat. And finally to all the members for making this event what it is, without you we wouldn’t have an event. If I have missed anyone please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of your support.
Prize Winners
Hancocks Mini Putt winner for the worst score – Ang
Hancocks Cocktail Winner - Ang
Hancocks Prize draw 1.75l Cradle – Christine
Hancocks Prize draw 160th Birthday - Moz
Hancock’s JD Member Gifts – All participants received a set of GJ cufflinks.
Putaruru Super Liquor Bake Off Savory Winner – Shane
Putaruru Super Liquor Bake Off Sweet Winner – Ric
International Tourist Award Plaque and Ponamu (Greenstone) – Moz and Lutz
After prize giving we sampled the sponsor’s product and relaxed into the wee small hours of the night.
Sunday 13 Feb
At approximately 2.15am AussieJD (Mike) phoned from Australia to pass on his best wishes. Sorry mate I was asleep at that point but we appreciate the phone call mate.
Clean up, pack up, and say good bye and head home was the order of the day for some of us. The rest are staying on another day to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and all Taupo has to offer. All the best in 2011 and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2012.
Signing Off for the 5th Annivserary of the JD NZ BBQ 2011
Brian “ Tokboy” Reid
