Visitors: Buddy’s partner Fiona & Viv’s husband Roy
Vice President Indeevar - standing in for President Michele - opened the meeting and welcomed our visitors.
Sustainability Talk
Indeevar drew members attention to the
South West NZ Endangered Species Charitable Trust who, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation are working to restore Coal Island in Fiordland National Park. Their aim is to establish a world class sanctuary for rare and endangered native species. Further information is available on their website.
“Trick or Treaty”
This week’s speaker was one of our own members, Buddy Mikaere (introduced by Bob
Sutton) and his talk followed on from last week’s presentation on the Treaty of Waitangi by Simon Beaton. In 1990 Buddy was appointed a Director of the Waitangi Tribunal and was involved in the organisation of the 150
th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. He regards the Treaty as “central to life” and it is his view that it has not been honoured. Since it was signed in 1840 it has been praised, decried, interpreted and reinterpreted through the courts and by the Waitangi Tribunal and envied by indigenous peoples across the world. He expressed the view that as we live in an ever-changing world this is likely to be an ongoing journey that requires a bi-partisan approach by political parties based on the delivery of justice and deserves respect and reverence rather than a
division.
Buddy was thanked by Viv Dykes
Notices & Announcements
Situation Vacant – Club Secretary
Simon Beaton advised that he was intending to stand down as club secretary and that the Board would be looking for a suitable replacement. Relatively easy job requiring approximately an hour a week. Simon is waiting to receive your application!
Raffle: The vino was won by Lisa and claimed with obvious delight.
Sergeant at Arms – Andrew Knowles:
Andrew used Google to aid his research into the significance of 9 February throughout
history and was able to provide examples of “national stupidity” and insights into Valentine’s Day (February 14)
In most places celebrating
Valentine’s Day, women can expect chocolates, flowers and a
romantic dinner from their partner. However, in Japan, it’s the opposite: women
give chocolates to the men in their lives—from their boyfriends to their coworkers—although not all chocolates are equal.
Parting Thought from Simon Beaton
“Do one outrageous thing every week.”
