NEW ZEALAND ALPINE CLUB, CHRSTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Media Release
Thursday 17 January 2008, 12.30pm
New Zealand Alpine Club to host gathering for Sir Edmund Hillary
Following the state funeral on Tuesday 22 January the New Zealand Alpine Club is to host an outdoor gathering to
remember and farewell Sir Edmund Hillary.
The gathering was announced today by Phil Doole, NZAC President; “The gathering has been organised in response to many
approaches from climbers and the outdoor community, looking for a way to interact in a less formal outdoor setting,”
said Mr Doole.
Lady Hillary has given the gathering her blessing, and acknowledged that Sir Edmund would appreciate a less formal
gathering of his many outdoor friends to celebrate his life and achievements with the wider mountaineering and outdoors
community.
The occasion will feature short talks by prominent climbers from New Zealand and overseas about Sir Edmund’s life and
achievements, the spirit of adventure he personified, and the many good works and adventures he will continue to
inspire.
The NZAC is liaising with the organisers of the state funeral to ensure the day runs smoothly.
Final details of the location, format and time of the memorial gathering will be settled later in the week.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The New Zealand Alpine Club is the country’s leading climbing organisation with over 3000 members. Sir Edmund Hillary
was a club member from 1945, was president of the club for two years and was made a life member in 1963. He has actively
supported many NZAC initiatives, the latest of which involved fund raising for the NZAC’s Home of Mountaineering
building in Christchurch which he opened in August 2006.
www.alpineclub.org.nz