The Wellington Aquarium & Water Garden Society (Inc)
Founded 1933      Incorporated 1943
Home	Meetings	Archives	Contact Us

How I Got Started

I was introduced to fish when our next door neighbour gave me four goldfish in a large battery jar. He complained that the water was always green and he never saw them.

When my brother and I went to the Pet Shop at the top of Cuba Street and asked for advice the owner said "put some gravel in" and I asked "what sort of gravel" and he said "get some off the side of the road" (I later learned that he knew a lot more about the birds he sold than about the fish he sold).
That was when I saw the Society’s magazine on the counter so I bought it and sent in my subscription and was accepted in 1951.

Going to meetings was scary - everyone knew more than I did so I learnt some tricks fast. I learnt the Latin name for two fish and one part of a fish’s body and used them whenever I had a chance to work them into the conversation. This strategy has lasted for over 50 years.
By the way, the fishes names were Hemmigramus Caudovittatus (Buenos Aires Tetra), Hyphessobrycon Innesi (Neon Tetra) and the Caudul Peduncle (the part where the tail joins the body of the fish).

It has been a very rewarding hobby over the years for all of our family - my late wife Muriel and our three children and two grandchildren have always been interested in fish. Daughters, Ann and June have been office bearers and June is currently Librarian. Over the years I have held most of the positions in the Society and I now have the honour to be the Patron.

Tom K. Atkinson
Aug 2005.
Mr Atkinson (1925-  )was first elected to the Committee in 1960 and has been an officebearer ever since.
He was elected a Life Member in 1977.
The Society recognised the support of his wife Muriel (  -2002) by electing her a Life Member in 1987and their daughter June was elected a Life Member in 2006.