Late in 1977 or very early in 1978, for some now unremembered reason, Jenny and I bought two Axolotl’s and a small tank. It didn’t take too long before we realised that we didn’t know a lot about these creatures but we were managing to keep them alive. We were members of the Wellington Zoological Society (Inc) and, as luck would have it, we got notice that the topic for the next meeting was "Axolotls". We of course attended - the address was given by one Don Picken and one Ed Parker, so everything that follows is totally due to them.

It was a very informative address and we immediately signed up as members to WAWGS. Attended my first meeting and was approached by said Mr Picken advising me that the Club was looking for a new Treasurer - hell what do I know about accounts - I was a salesman and left all that number stuff to "someone-else", but prepared to giving anything a good go I said OK - funny but next meeting was the AGM and I was duly elected. Fast learning curve stuff - must have worked as I was Treasurer for 10 consecutive years. During this time we sort of progressed from one Axolotl (I will never forget the morning my Mother-In-Law rushed into our bedroom indignantly complaining there was a beast in the lounge - yep Mr Axolotl had escaped from his tank and was roaming around the lounge - had been out for some time as was dry and sticky - picked it up (Yuck) and back into the tank (with a brick on it) - yep it survived) to building a room (heated) under the house which at one stage housed over 30 fish tanks plus those in every bedroom (don’t think Jenny has ever forgiven me for a thermostat failure that boiled her prized, specially imported Guppy’s). Built a 3 tier tank enclosure in our lounge with one housing Myrtle the Red Eared Terrapin. While our kids were still small we kept skinks and gecko’s plus the mandatory rabbit and guinea pig and bird. Had quite a zoo.

After 10 years as Treasurer I decided a change of scenery was in order so put myself forward as Secretary and held this position for a further 6 years and enjoyed the business of it all - wrote and published the monthly newsletter, delivered all the printed copies to the then "poster" (Ed Parker) and sat around a table folding, stapling and labeling for postage - all while sampling some of Ed’s fine home made fruit wines - them’s were the days !!

Now I am retired I am down to 2 display tropical tanks in the lounge and one breeding tank (Guppies) in the fishroom (which has become the "wine room").

Well that is all Pond water under the bridge but I made lots of great friends in the Club with many treasured memories (although Mr Parker has a lot to answer for as he got me into fruit wine making too). Hic !

All the best,
Brian Breese
(1939-  )
Joined the Society 1977
Elected Treasurer 1978-1988
Elected Secretary 1989-1993
Elected a Life Member  1988