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National Presidents Notebook February 2011

2011 CHINA DISCOVERY TOUR

Our exciting April tour is to be led by our very experienced and knowledgeable Tours Committee Chairman and National Treasurer, Royden Smith of Nelson who reports the tour group will be an intimate number of around a dozen. This will make for an even better experience as they visit the historic cities of Taiyuan, Pingyao and Zhenzhou, the wonders of Shaolin and the beauty of the mountains of Huashan.

They will visit the Longmen Grottoes, one of China’s three most precious treasure houses of stone sculptures & inscriptions, the White Horse Temple, the ‘Cradle of Buddhism in China’, & the Shaolin Temple where Chinese Zen Buddhism & Chinese Martial Art originated.

Contact [email protected] phone 03 547 6608 urgently if you are considering joining this group.

TIMARU BRANCH BANQUET

Congratulations to President Brian Foley and committee of the Timaru Branch for a magnificent Chinese New Year Banquet attended by some 60 people including Christchurch Branch President Judy and myself a week ago. A great event enjoyed by all.

TOM NEWNHAM

Sadly Tom passed away last December at age 84 and we were represented by Auckland branch President George Andrews at his funeral. Tom played important parts in our Society notably particularly in Shandan with the Bailie School there and in his writings in particular of Kathleen Hall. I think I too will always remember his smile and determination. Ian Howat, Hamilton Branch President tells on the wonderful story of when someone at a meeting upbraided Tom for carrying a NZCFS banner on one of his Queen Street marches and Tom’s reply “I remain unreservedly unrepentant”. Our condolences to Anne Newnham and other members of the Newnham family.

SIR ROSS JANSEN

Sadly we also record the death of Past Hibiscus Branch President Lady Rhyl Jansen’s husband Ross, well known as a former Mayor of Hamilton and for all his great works for the community.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

A full agenda with a number of important topics is scheduled for our coming meeting next Saturday 12 February in Wellington. These include options for possible changes to our constitution to meet the requirements of the Charities Commission and the separation of non-charitable activities including friendship, into a separate body. Do pass your views to your Branch President who as a member of National Executive will be able to attend or pass those views onto another member of the National Executive.

TARANAKI BRANCH VISITED

V.P. Dave Bromwich attended a Taranaki Branch meeting in New Plymouth when 10 people were present & he was able to brief them on Society affairs

CENTRAL REGION MEETING

On 29 January 13 members from five Branches including Chris Avery from Taranaki had an excellent meeting on national issues and topics as well as Branch membership and other areas of common interest. Ray Brownrigg and Christine Strickland also held an enlightening website training session.

Wishing you a Happy New Year of the Rabbit

Eric Livingstone

National President