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Nelson Branch Newsletter – September 2011

87

The full pdf is available at: NZCFSNelsonSeptember2011.pdf

~ Next Branch Meeting ~

Friday, 30th September .. Hearing House .. 5:30 pm

 

FOCUS ON FAMILIES

Our meeting will hear stories from two families, now living in our region, but with a close connection with China.

THE ALBORN FAMILY STORY:

Although their children were not born in Shanghai, Johnna and Brendan’s three children, Finn and Jade (both 10), and Neve (3) have lived there all their lives until returning to live in Riwaka last year. The twins attended an international school where their mother Johnna was teaching.

They are all fluent in Chinese and the children are continuing lessons in Nelson, while Brendan maintains his business interests in China. They will be talking about their life as an ex-pat family in Shanghai.

THE BRUDVIK LINDNER FAMILY STORY:

The plight of orphaned girls in China so moved American couple, Lori and Richard that they decided to adopt two daughters from there.

Many of us have met Lark (11) and Wren (6) at our functions. They are now well settled in Nelson and the girls go to St Josephs Primary School, and, like the Alborns, have regular Chinese lessons. Lori and Richard will be talking about their 2010 trip to China when they completed Wren’s adoption, and made a heritage trip for Lark to her home county in Hunan visiting her orphanage and meeting the woman that took care of her as an infant.

 

MEALS ARE $12 PER MEMBER OR GUEST

Please contact Barbara Markland to register for the meal by Tuesday 27 September

Ph. 544 4712 or email: [email protected]

 

SISTER CITY DELEGATION

After several delays, it was with great excitement we finally greeted the business delegation from Huangshi at Nelson airport on Tuesday 30 August. The party was made up of 6 officials and 6 entrepreneurs, and two translators. They had been invited by the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce and their three days in the region were well occupied visiting businesses and industries associated with the Chamber of Commerce.

At the Mayoral Dinner on the first evening, NZCFS was represented by Phillip and Chan Woollaston, Barbara Markland and Marilyn and Colin Gibbs. The Mayor paid tribute to the role of NZCFS in establishing the original friendship links which were now on the threshold of extending into economic development areas.

On Thursday afternoon the delegation walked through the Chinese garden and over the bridge, accompanied by members of our executive. Debbie Daniell Smith from Nelson City Council made the Chinese translation of the garden walk available for the first time, and the visitors took many photographs in the garden and on the bridge.

Later we walked them from the Rutherford to the Nelson Oriental Restaurant where Colin and Marilyn Gibbs had brought new-born twin lambs for a bit of agricultural entertainment.

Upstairs, the restaurant was brightly decorated and an enjoyable banquet was served. Special thanks to the Woollastons for providing wine for the toasts, and to the restaurant staff for their extra care.

Thanks also to our bilingual membership: Lillian, Ivan, John, Jifang, and Kevin, who helped to make this such an enjoyable friendship occasion together.

 

NELSON PROMINENT PERSON FOR 2011

We are delighted to announce that Anne Todd-Lambie, a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit has been selected to represent Nelson NZCFS on the Prominent Persons and Leaders Tour for this year. Anne is a widely respected lawyer, with a long history of commitment to the National Council of Women, advocacy for the rights of women and children, and service on national and international committees. While in China Anne hopes to meet with the Federation of Women and legal organisations. We look forward to hearing about her trip early next year. Please join us in congratulating Anne.

 

BRAIN FRIENDLY TEACHER TRAINING COMES TO NELSON

Our last meeting on August 19 was the last night in Nelson for a group of 12 teachers from Beijing and Nanjing attending a teacher training course with Christine Ward in Nelson. Their programme included lectures and workshops on teaching methods, visits to schools and NMIT, and some tourism.

Enormous thanks are due to five NZCFS members who provided homestays. They all provided much more than required to help the visitors enjoy their three weeks in Nelson. Special thanks are also due to the Woollastons for their winery experience and the Gibbs for their farm showcasing.

These, along with their beach walks, were highlights for city-based Chinese. NMIT was supportive too, putting on a welcome and lunch, a tour, and providing buses with Kevin and Yoyo as faithful interpreter-drivers. Another group of education researchers and teachers is already planning for a repeat visit next year, possibly March/April.

These two photos show some teachers studying the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, and another group enjoying the results of their dumpling-making.

 

NATIONAL GOALS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS

The following goals have been adopted by National Executive, giving branches a guide to goals which they could adopt also. Nelson members are invited to have a look through these and notice how we are moving in the right direction in most areas.

One thing we are doing relating to the use of Chinese language is sponsoring the Chinese translation of the map and audio for the Chinese Garden Walk. Debbie Daniell Smith has worked with Andrew Petheram at Nelson City Council to prepare the written and spoken information for the garden walk which will become part of a series of tourist walks in the city.

NZCFS have provided funds for the translations and recordings required which have been done by Rebecca Wu and Fresh FM.

 

KEY ACTIVITIES and GOAL FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS (2014)

Education about China: Raise the level of education and awareness of New Zealanders and provide information about China through Branch activities and supporting Sister City relations.

Aid / Chinese Projects: Support selected development and aid projects in China with established Chinese partners such as Women’s Federations, Industrial Co-operatives and educational institutions.

Educational Tours to China: Actively promote current quality and volume of educational tours to China giving preference to visiting partners and remote areas.

Chinese Language: Give proactive support for Chinese language education in New Zealand.

 

SISTER CITY TREASURES

In November there will be a public showcase for sister-city gifts held in Nelson. Combined with a Japanese Sister City delegation, the opening of the Huangshi Garden bridge, and the visit of the Chinese Ambassador on November 18th for opening the bridge, Nelson City Council will present a display of sister city gifts.

NZCFS members are being asked to contribute display items for this event. The gifts will be displayed in secure cabinets in the City Library alongside the stories of their presentations on significant Sister City occasions. Some shop windows in Trafalgar Street may also be used. Collection of suitable display material and stories will be made before the end of October by your Branch executive and handed for suitable security to Debbie Daniell-Smith, the curator of the display on behalf of NCC. This will also be an opportunity for us to see the gifts which have been presented, over the years, to city Mayors and council officials.

 

FINAL MEETING FOR 2011

On Friday, November 18, the Chinese Ambassador will be in Nelson for the bridge opening in the afternoon, and to speak at our meeting at the Council Chambers from 5.30 pm. Your Branch executive is working with NCC to prepare suitable celebrations for this important day. Mr. Xu Jianguo, born in October 1955, is a native of Zhejiang Province and holds a Bachelor’s degree of Engineering and Law; associate professor.

 

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING AUGUST 19

Members and guests, including 15 teachers from China and NMIT, were welcomed by President Christine Ward.

The meeting enjoyed a round of inspired singing by our ‘brainfriendly’ Chinese guests and this was reciprocated in kind by the members present. The group of teachers were in Nelson for professional development programme, studying teaching methods.

Yang Naiqi was also introduced to the meeting. She is the exclusive agent for NMIT and responsible for helping to establish education partnerships between NMIT and Kaifeng University, Hunan University of Technology and the Zhejiang Hydro Water Conservancy College including bachelor and diploma programs.

It was also reported by Royden of the sad loss of Trevor Linyard and Peter Cornwall. Members offer condolences to Zhi Fang on the recent loss of her father.

Members are making progress with the impromptu language lessons and many are now able to say our Society name in Mandarin. Well done! For those that require a little more practice: “xin zhong you hao xie hui” (NZCFS).

 

DONATIONS

Members are to be congratulated for their generosity in making donations to the fund for Songjiazhang Village. We are delighted to report that our goal of $1000 has been achieved. Our focus can again be on raising money for the He Ming Qing Scholarship Fund. Members are aware that this is a very worthwhile scholarship, remembering the NZ nurse Kathleen Hall and paying for the training of nurses in China who are then bonded to give some years of service to their villages. The donation tin at meetings will again be labelled ‘He Ming Qing’.