Update From Chairman Denys Boshier 12.pdf · 2019. 2. 13. · Denys oshier District 9920 09 5285067 Graeme Pierson District 9970 03 3107434 Mike Healy District 9930 06 8438061 Lenore

Update From Chairman Denys Boshier

Probus New Zealand Incorporated (PNZI) and its associated clubs are in good heart if the activity at our first AGM held at the Holiday Inn, Mangere at 11am on Saturday August 29th is any indication. Initially we expected that about 30 PNZI-affiliated clubs might send their representatives; but we had some 110 attendees, representing clubs from both the North Island and the South Island. There are now 277 Pro-bus clubs affiliated to PNZI - just on 67% of all the New Zealand clubs. We were delighted to see such interest in how PNZI is progressing since the inaugu-ral PNZI meeting on April 17/18 when the Steering Committee handed over the responsibility of the PNZI Centre to the new, democratically-elected Council of six members. My Report to the AGM is sent as a separate attachment with this newsletter. In my AGM report, I drew the members' atten-tion to the 15 topics seen by Council as being basic to the provision of a PNZI Support Centre which would be avail-able through our website to the clubs, District Associations and the public. The members attending agreed that expecting six Councillors to fulfil this task was unreasonable and accepted the challenge that the Centre members, that is the affiliated clubs and the District Associations, would have to increase the number of Councillors or un-dertake to contribute to the administration of the PNZI Centre. This matter is to be considered further by Council and the Centre members. Other matters considered from the Agenda included the necessity for more efficient communication be-tween the Council and the clubs. Council will consider this and support the Councillors in their efforts to com-municate with their clubs at least monthly. Clubs must make their own arrangements for the dispersal of these communications and the PNZI newsletters to their members. The final Report from the Interim PNZI Committee and its final Financial Report as prepared by its past Chairman, Dr Ross Gurney, were adopted by the meeting. Recognition of the contribution to the development of PNZI by Dr Gurney and the other members of the Initial interim committee was expressed and will be acknowl-edged by Council on behalf of the clubs. The recent retirement of Dr Gurney from the Council was also noted with regret and with appreciation for his enormous contribution to the development of PNZI. A number of remits for the consideration of the meeting were presented by several clubs. It was agreed that the venue of the AGM should change annually, that Club Affiliation/Accreditation Certificates be available to clubs desiring them, and although the specific motion addressing gender imbalances in our society was lost, there was general agreement that decisions re gender balance and skills offered in committee structures be left to the individual clubs. Some remits addressed items already being investigated by Council, so the Movers of such mo-tions spoke to their motion; but no vote was taken. The latter motions all affirmed Council decisions and actions already taken. It was very reassuring to Council that there was general agreement within the meeting that Council is ad-dressing the issues important to the clubs and is progressing in the right direction. With Probian greetings and best wishes to you all, Denys P Boshier (Dr), Chairman, PNZI, 31 August, 2015.

New Council District Representatives

Jim Taylor District 9910 09 9591022 Russell Tether District 9940 04 2981778

Denys Boshier District 9920 09 5285067 Graeme Pierson District 9970 03 3107434

Mike Healy District 9930 06 8438061 Lenore Townsend District 9980 03 4486414

From left, Pres. Denys Boshier, Secretary Jim Taylor, Russell

Tether, Mike Healy, Graeme Pierson. Absent, Lenore Townsend

Special Recognition

In the last issue of Highlights, mention was made of a Probian who celebrated his 99th birthday. He was Brian de Latour of the Palmerston North club. But he has been eclipsed by Selwyn Thompson of the Kerikeri Mens Club who recently turned 100. He is seen here be-ing presented with his life membership award by President Clive Blake.

Selwyn Thompson, 100 yrs!

Jubilee Celebrations

Recently, there were two 25th anniversary celebrations marking the formation of their clubs, namely, Temuka Ladies Club and Caroline Ladies Club.

Caroline Bay Jubilee

This club celebrated its jubilee anniversary on June 24th at the Gleniti Golf Club. The club still has many active founda-tion members. Four past presidents returned for the occasion.

The club has a garden group as well as Mah Jong, movie and theatre/

drama groups.

Temuka Ladies Club Jubilee

In May this year, the Temuka Ladies Probus Club celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a lunch held at the Grey Way Lounge, Timaru. President Lois Caldwell welcomed 43 mem-bers.

The celebration started with a presentation of sprays to 8 foundation members present followed by a Certificate in Recognition of the Distinguished Service of President, for 2013/2014, presented to Past President Renee Jones. Certifi-cates of Appreciation were presented to past committee mem-bers Brenda Prescott and Pat Cameron.

Caroline Bay 25th Aniversary

Temuka Committee “Choir” entertaining at the 25th celebration

Aotea Combined Probus Club

On May 25th, this club celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Cashmere Club. They were entertained by artist and writer from Lake Hayes, Da’vella Gore, who built her own home out of recycled wood from demolished churches.

The club has 150 members with a very ac-tive social program.

Aotea members at their 20th celebration

Above is a group from Fitzherbert Club celebrating their 18th birthday in August with, coincidently, 18 foundation

members remaining in the club. Celebrations included an organized quiz on general knowledge.

Interesting Visits

Polish Heritage and Trust Museum, Howick

Mt Hobson Ladies club reported on this interest-ing visit (www.polishheritage.co.nz).

On display are Polish history and culture, arts and

crafts, dolls in national dress, a feature wall of fa-

mous people, war memorabilia and various ornamen-

tal souvenirs.

But the highlight of our visit was the film. Over

morning tea our hostess, Ellen, told us the little-

known WWII background and then screened Poles

Apart, the story of 733 Polish orphans who came to

New Zealand in 1944. Forced from their homes and

country at short notice, these children began their

new life in a former POW camp in Pahiatua. In this

poignant and inspiring documentary many of them,

now elderly, talk about their experiences in their new

country, their successes and their sheer gratitude for

being alive.

The Great War Exhibition

Karen Bengosi, sales channel specialist for The

Great War Exhibition, advises that they have had

many Probus groups showing interest and booking to

come and see this exhibition in Wellington. With

this in mind, she invites inquiries to check on the

options and special group discount rates.

Contact: Karen Bengosi,DDI 04 978 2505, Mob 022

1406242. Web site, www.GreatWarExhibition.nz.

A note from Nth. Auck. Mahurangi Club

At a time when some clubs are struggling for member-

ship, the Mahurangi mixed club is thriving having

reached its maximum number of 140 members and now

with a waiting list.

From Opotiki Probus Club

Opotiki College head girl, Caitlin Papuni McLellan, created history at a recent Opotiki Probus Club meet-ing . When she delivered the prepared speech that won her the nationwide ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC annual speechmaking competition it was greeted to what was believed to be the club’s first standing ovation.

The 17 year old was one of eight young people to win an all-expenses paid trip to the centennial celebrations in Gallipoli as well as $1000 and a smart phone.

Eden Epsom Probus Club Life Membership Award to

Graham Gauld

Graham joined the Eden Epsom Club in 1999/2000. He soon

became the Treasurer and remained Treasurer until 2003 when he

was then asked to become Vice President and ultimately President

in 2004.

During this period, Graham was instrumental in the Club gain-

ing funding from COGS. This funding assisted the Club in keep-

ing the cost of trips at a low level.

Graham represented the Club at the Launceston (Tasmania)

Rendezvous and after his term as President and Immediate Past

President, the position of Trips Organiser was Graham’s next in-

volvement, which he held until 2012.

Graham also relieved in the position of Newsletter Editor for a

short time and often as a Club Speaker, with both Mini and Main

presentations. His involvement still continues as the reviewer of

the Club’s financial books.

With such a long, continued and dedicated service, the club had no hesitation in bestowing a Life Membership

award upon Graham Gauld, during the Club’s Annual July Birthday Luncheon.

Graham receiving his award from Pres. Joan Hook

Notice, Lost Property

After the AGM, Jim Taylor was handed a little pink L’Occittane notebook with names and addresses in it. If the owner would like to contact him he will see that she gets it back. Jim Taylor. Ph 09 959 1022 or [email protected].

THE PROBUS CLUB OF OREWA, CELEBRATING THEIR 28TH

BIRTHDAY

On Tuesday 10th August The Probus Club of

Orewa celebrated their 28th birthday with 93 members attending the meeting.

Their story began on March 19th 1987 when The Rotary Club of Orewa held a meeting to pro-pose that a new club be set up. There were 36 men present. In 2008/2009 women were invited to join the club and in 2014/2015 the first woman President, Yvonne Ambler, was elected.

Significantly in 2014/2015 the Club deregis-tered from PSPL (Probus South Pacific Limited) and registered with PNZI (Probus New Zealand Incorporated).

The club has 130 members and their monthly meetings are renowned for excellent morning teas. They have have a range of activities involv-ing walking, theatre, cinema and lunches.

Warkworth Probus Club Celebrates 30th, 40th and 50th Anniversaries

Warkworth Men’s Probus Club held a special lunch after its normal meeting on Monday 20th July at the Shoesmith Hall, Shoe-smith Street, Warkworth, to celebrate several anniversaries. The Men’s Club was founded 30 years ago; the first Probus Club in New Zealand was started at Kapiti Coast 40 years ago, and the Probus movement was started in Welwyn Garden City, UK, exactly 50 years ago.

70 members and wives were joined by invited guests from Pro-bus NZ Incorporated, Probus North Shore and Northern Association, and representatives from the Warkworth Ladies Probus Club (who are also celebrating the 15th year since founding) and the Mahurangi Combined Probus Club from Snell’s Beach.

Catering was provided by the volunteers from Warkworth and Wellsford Hospice in aid of their fundraising.

Peter Stewart (President of the North Shore and Northern Probus Association) presented certificates to Ruth Harvey for the Ladies Probus, and to Rick Taylor, President of the Warkworth Men’s

Club.

Bruce Kissling (longest serving member) and

Pres. Rick Taylor cut the 30, 40 and 50 cake

Part of the large crowd attending the August 29th PNZI AGM

Eric Cockerton, President Norm Smith, John Rea, Ken Boon