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Nelson Branch Newsletter – No. 4, June, 2015

151

 

 

“Bridging Two Cultures Through Education”

with Ian and Jane Lister

 

~ Next meeting: Friday 26 June ~

 

The full pdf of this newsletter is available at: NZCFSNelsonJune2015.pdf

 

ListersIan Lister is working to extend cooperation between the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and seven partner universities in China and, while furthering these links last year, Ian and Jane lived in China for six months. They very much enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and explore the country extensively.

Towards the end of June, they will be returning from another two months as Nelson envoys in China. This time, their trip included a visit to Huangshi, where Jane was able to visit three schools involved in our art exchange project. 

From his ten years of involvement, Ian will share his insights into China-New Zealand cultural and educational differences, consider more recent developments, and look to the future of the Nelson initiatives, especially with Huangshi. 

This will be remarkably fresh comment, as the Listers return to Nelson just the day before our meeting!

Before the meal arrives at 6 o’clock, we will be showing the short video presentation created by Aukje Both and Ferry van Mansum on the origins of “有办法 YOU BANFA!”, the theme we shared with the country at National Conference.

As usual, we will begin at 5.30 p.m. and then enjoy our buffet meal (cost $12), at 6 o’clock. Our speakers’ presentation will begin about 7 o’clock. Friends and visitors are most welcome but please notify Barbara when you contact her so that we have accurate numbers for the meal.

 

Friday 26 June  ..  Hearing House  ..  5:30 pm

 

To book please ring:
Barbara Markland   ph. 544 4712   by Tuesday 23 June
text: 021 447 180 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

LAST MEETING: It was a full house once again as members and friends enjoyed the exhibition and presentation by two branch members whose painting is strongly connected with Chinese traditions. 

Rosalina McCarthy’s minimalist landscapes and seascapes generated a lot of discussion. Members appreciated the insight into her ‘two brush strokes’ work, which looked so effortless, but was so full of meaning. All Rosalina’s work, for all its apparent simplicity, arises from extensive study, practice, and mental preparation.

After more than 20 years as a member, this was Jifang Black’s first opportunity to tell us about her art career in her home province of Shandong and how she has further developed her painting techniques since coming to Nelson. We were privileged to see a range of Jifang’s New Zealand native birds painted from ‘life’ along with some of her study exercises, life drawings and portraits in the Chinese style.

Both Rosalina and Jifang exhibited to a wider audience at the National Conference from 22 – 24 May.

 

MEMBER NEWS: We welcome Janet Jiang and Thomas Gracie as new members. They have moved here from Auckland and came along to our Chinese New Year Banquet.

Congratulations to Gail Collingwood who was elected to the Directorate of Sister Cities New Zealand at their recent conference in Wellington. Next year’s Sister Cities NZ conference will be held in Nelson. The latest Sister Cities NZ newsletter includes an article on the recent Nelson Mayoral delegation to China and is available at: http://sistercities.org.nz/files/SCNZ%20Newsletter%20May%202015.pdf

 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Thanks very much to those who have already paid their 2015 subscription. Reminders will be emailed (or posted) soon – your prompt payment would be much appreciated. 

 

COMING EVENTS:

Children’s Chinese Culture Holiday Programme: at NMIT on Monday 13th & Tuesday 14th July, in cooperation with the Confucius Institute. For any 8-13 year old friends and relations, further information, and the registration form, are available on our branch website or you can contact Lori on 021-02793563: https://nzchinasociety.org.nz/21125/chinese-culture-holiday-programme/

July Meeting (the last Friday, the 31st): John Black and Mark Soper will speak about their background and practice in Chinese Traditional Medicine.

Huangshi Delegations: Xu Zugui will be here in July with some media and education people from Huangshi. There will be a mayoral delegation in September to coincide with Nelson’s China Week events.

Nelson-Huangshi Schools Art Exchange: Our RAFE project exhibition at Refinery Artspace will link with Nelson’s China Week and New Zealand Chinese Language Week, from 1 – 14 September.

 

Back: Bill Findlater (EDA), Andy Joseph (Kaumatua), Paul Matheson (Deputy Mayor of Nelson), Dave Bromwich (National President NZCFS) Front: Christine Ward, Hu Hong (Confucius Insitute), Richard Kempthorne, (Mayor of Tasman District), Jin Zhijian (PRC Consul-General Christchurch), Hu Jianhuai (Director General Asian & African Affairs, Youxie), Zhang Weixiao (Canadian & Oceanian Affairs, Youxie)
Back: Bill Findlater (EDA), Andy Joseph (Kaumatua), Paul Matheson (Deputy Mayor of Nelson), Dave Bromwich (National President NZCFS)
Front: Christine Ward (President NZCFS Nelson), Hu Hong (Confucius Insitute), Richard Kempthorne, (Mayor of Tasman District), Jin Zhijian (PRC Consul-General Christchurch), Hu Jianhuai (Director General Asian & African Affairs, Youxie), Zhang Weixiao (Canadian & Oceanian Affairs, Youxie)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE & AGM, NELSON 22 – 24 May: Congratulations have been flowing in from around the country. People who were in Nelson for the 2007 conference have declared that we have upheld the high standard set then. So, once again, Nelson put on a great show, along with many innovative touches, and created a friendly and inclusive atmosphere which did not require a huge budget.

Accolades must go to our Nelson Executive who worked for months to cover the many requirements for hosting a conference. Their time and energy commitments were huge, and so many ‘second-mile’ efforts were freely given. As well as their other duties, four of our executive home-hosted eight visitors, who were so grateful for this extra hospitality. When it came to the weekend of 22-24 May, many other Nelson members contributed willingly by meeting visitors at the airport, providing airport transfers and VIP sightseeing trips, helping with decorating the venue, bringing bamboo greenery, providing goods for the sales table and banquet raffle, and helping on the sales table. We are still sending out thank you messages to all these special people who contributed so much to the success of the weekend.

kapahakaWe are most grateful to our major sponsor, the Nelson Regional EDA (Bill Findlater), and to Philip and Chan Woollaston for the banquet wines. Printing services donated by O2B Healthy, the EDA, the Cawthron Institute, and the Nelson City Council meant we could provide colourful conference handouts. Other local firms donated wine and juice, goods for the raffle, and material for the registration packs.

MayorsSpecial mention must be made of the helpfulness of Tahunanui Primary School, especially the Principals (past and present) who accommodated all our unusual requests, and to those who produced the amazing children’s kapa haka presentation which set the scene in such a heartwarming way for a conference focusing on youth activities.

ConsulArtworkAnother important feature of the weekend was the exhibited artworks. Jifang Black and Rosalina McCarthy showed their uniquely interesting paintings. There were China photographs from Pam Frahm, and some huge and amazing hangings by Auckland calligrapher/artist Chen Xinming which incorporate Chinese and Maori iconography. Original cards by Jifang, Pam, and Rebecca Wu were available on the sales table. Ma Baoru’s photographs, which she left with us after the Auckland conference, were also displayed and then taken north to be scanned for website posting. 

SingingConferenceFor the first time, Chinese language was featured in the conference theme. “有办法 You banfa! There is a way!” became the catch-cry as many NZCFS branches made presentations about how they had found fresh new ways to address the goals and objectives of the society during the last year.

An extended lunch time on Saturday showcased a variety of activities. The local Taoist Tai Chi group impressed, as did Rebecca Wu’s compelling Gu Zeng playing and Mingyang’s magic show and powerful fan dance. Many enjoyed watching Chen Xinming’s brushwork, and practising calligraphy themselves with Prof. Hong Hu from the Confucius Institute. Going back for even more of Mark’s special tea occupied some, and the sales table was a hit throughout the weekend. 

Some highlights, mentioned by delegates and VIPs were:

  • Being met at the airport by friendly Nelson members
  • Tahunanui School’s kapa haka welcome performance on Friday
  • The great film by Aukje and Ferry on the origins of “You Banfa”
  • Mark Soper’s special conference tea and associated conversations
  • The stories of their exchange by Lauren and Lucy from Tauranga
  • Lunches, especially the soup, provided by the Waimea Soroptimists
  • Fun generated by the raffle and prizes at the banquet
  • The range of goods on the sales table, for the He Ming Qing fund
  • Mingyang’s fan dance at lunchtime on Saturday
  • Meeting old friends and finding new ones in the warm atmosphere
  • The contribution of the Youxie delegation and the Consulate
  • Helpful information in the registration pack, and the lozenges and
  • Hearing fresh stories from young people about current activities.

The consensus was that there was much to enjoy, inspire, and challenge. People enjoyed the colour and drama, the friendship and warmth, but they also left Nelson with fresh ideas and renewed determination to find new ways to pursue NZCFS goals. 

“有办法 YOU BANFA! There is a way!”

 

GanbeiBanquetVIPsBanquetGinaBanquetkapahakaaudience

 

JUNE CLARK’S GARDEN MEMORIAL: Many members and friends joined with Arnold and the Clark family in the Huangshi Chinese Garden on Sunday 31 May for a special planting of Arnoldpeony tubers as a lasting tribute to Past President June. 

JuneMemorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royden Smith gave the following tribute on behalf of the branch:

 

In loving memory of June Clark 

Nelson Huangshi Chinese Garden – 31 May, 2015

 

JunewalkingDuring the NZCFS national conference held here in Nelson last weekend, it struck me that one of the keys to a successful branch is undoubtedly having a wonderful president as our guiding force. Nelson Branch has been particularly blessed in that regard with people like Robin Brown (whose memorial tree is planted close by), Chris Mouter, Isabelle Jones, our current president, Christine Ward, and, of course, June Clark, whose dedication and leadership it is such a privilege to remember in our very special Huangshi Chinese Garden today.

Thank you for coming along this afternoon as we plant some peonies in June’s honour. In doing this, we show our great respect for her unassuming organisational and personal skills and just how much we all delighted in her company.

June began her many years of invaluable service to our branch soon after she and Arnold travelled to China with a New Zealand China Friendship Society tour. It quickly became apparent that she had much to offer and she became our Vice President in 2003, and was then President for six years from 2004 to 2009. 

Throughout this time, June was thoroughly dedicated to the goals of the Society and did so much to deepen our friendships with people in China and to extend these connections locally. With husband Arnold, June was pivotal in graciously hosting many Chinese guests and ably carried the flag for Nelson Branch at many national meetings and conferences. 

As our Nelson nominee on the 2004 Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegation, June enjoyed being hosted by the then President of China in the Great Hall of the People, and this was followed by a sojourn to Tibet. Always a strong supporter of Nelson’s Sister-City relationship, June was leader of our Women’s Delegation to Huangshi in 2005. Friendly links with schools, hospitals and businesses were greatly strengthened and these links have continued to grow with subsequent exchanges and delegations. 

She was also a driving force behind our branch’s commitment to fundraising for the He Ming Qing Scholarships, awarded to trainee nurses in rural China who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford their nursing education. 

Always very generous with her time and talents, June was instrumental in arranging many interesting and informative speakers for meetings and in assembling excellent nominees for the Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegations. She always enjoyed calling strangers and asking, “How would you like to go to China?”

Two particular highlights of June’s presidency occurred in 2007. 

Through her practical approach, and her personable, humble manner, June was responsible for the organisation of a very successful National Conference, highly rated by all who attended. A tradition that, we should note, was so wonderfully continued last weekend.

Furthermore, June was always closely involved with our Huangshi Chinese Garden project and her considerable ability in identifying possible trusts, and making thoughtful, detailed applications, ensured that we received many successful grants totalling nearly $100,000. Her wholehearted commitment and enthusiasm saw the official opening of the garden in November that year – a very special day for Nelson and for Nelson Branch. 

June was a wise and effective leader of our growing branch, and she was honoured for all her outstanding efforts with the awarding of Life Membership of Nelson Branch at our AGM and Chinese New Year Banquet last year. It was incredibly sad to watch as June gradually faded away during the rest of the year…

June did so much to improve our understanding of the Chinese people, to strengthen our relationship with our Sister City, Huangshi, and to see the Chinese Garden through to its successful, and delightful, completion.

So it is most appropriate that we join with Arnold, Ruth, Miriam and Nick, and Jasmine and Finn today and plant some peonies in her memory, with these particular varieties chosen because the flowers will best match the pink and plum colours that June often enjoyed wearing.

Peonies are the subject of many Chinese paintings and ceramic decorations and were designated as the national flower of China during the Qing dynasty in 1903. They are still accepted as the unofficial national flower of China today and it was a delight to have the opportunity to see so many of them in flower on the hill behind the Forbidden City in Beijing just a couple of weeks ago.

How wonderful it will be to come back here later in the year, and see these beautiful peonies in all their stunning, flowering glory and to remember with considerable affection what a wonderful person June was – a keen and dedicated gardener and a very special friend to us all. She is very much missed by all those who had the pleasure to know her.

~ Royden Smith (on behalf of the Nelson Branch)

 

SNIPPETS FROM OUR HUANGSHI/SHANGHAI TRIP – by Barbara Markland

The first dinner for Gail and me was with Sucy, her Dad, uncle, Zugui, Gongming, and Miss Tan, Ms Xu’s driver. Eight people ploughed our way through pork, chicken, fish, beef, duck, lotus root soup, eggplant in maple syrup, tofu/egg, sticky rice, water chestnuts/tree fungus, noodles and a vegetable dish with yam, pumpkin, sweet potato and corn. Delicious! It was lovely to see Sucy again.

HongBarbaraSnippets from Shanghai: My friend, Zhang Hong, had a friend write a programme for her iPad so she can check on the dog, a beautiful husky, when she is out. Security cameras in every room mean she knows where Aboa is and what she is doing. Useful when Hong is overseas and the ayi sleeps in to look after the dog. I wonder if the ayi knows the cameras are there! 

Hong’s son Julius is a fount of considerable knowledge. Hong said it comes from a love of reading books: ‘unfortunately not text books’. The following snippets came from Julius as we were roaming around Shanghai:

Hong’s great-grandfather was a Grade 2 bureaucrat (Prime Minister was grade 1), which was a profitable job. During the Cultural Revolution, Hong’s grandmother cut up his robes into little pieces, burnt them, and flushed the ash.

Taxis: You can call five companies by phone app. They can’t be flagged down during peak times.

Driver’s licence: After age 60 you need a medical every year. After 70 you can’t get a licence. There is zero tolerance for drunk driving. No alcohol!

Cars: Registration plates cost RMB80,000. They are auctioned once a month and very difficult to get. Cars from the suburbs/provinces can get nearly free plates but are not allowed to drive on certain roads at peak times: 7- 10 a.m., 4 – 7 p.m. Electric cars (Hong has one) get a free plate and the car is discounted by RMB 10,000. They can drive 120 km on charge. The difficulty is charging. Hong has a garden so has the facility.

Speed Limit: On the highway it’s generally 100 or 120 kph but, on the new elevated highway from Hong’s home in Songjiang District to Pudong, part of it is 80 kph as it goes over a residential area and a higher speed is too noisy for the residents. After 6 p.m. the Maglev train out to Pudong Airport has to slow down from 500kph to 300kph as it is too noisy for the cows on a nearby dairy farm. The rush of air is too noisy.

Shanghai Metro: There are now 14 lines (1 when we left in 2000). 22 are planned with 16 to be completed by the end of this year. There will be 1,000km of line.

Ayi (literally Auntie): Julius’s wife, Yvonne, had to stay at home on Sunday to supervise the 2 ayis who were doing the cleaning. They are each paid RMB25 an hour so 2 ayi at RMB25 per hour for 2 hours is RMB200. About $40.

Birth rate: 20,000 babies are born in Shanghai every year. The priority for young people now is a career, rather than children. 2-3 years ago a married couple who were both single children could have a second child. Now, if one of the couple is a single child, they can have a second child. The government is considering removing any restriction. 

Songjiang District: Where Hong lives, 50 km from Pudong Airport in south west Shanghai. Songjiang is one of 6 major districts in Shanghai and has been famous since the 15th century. During the Qing Dynasty it provided 25% of the national income. Hong lives in a housing compound with big houses and many trees and gardens built in 2000 with houses then costing RMB1.3 million. In 2005, Hong’s house cost RMB4.3 million. In 2015 houses are RMB9+million. Hong and Mr Wan have 2.5 floors with a guest room and storage room under the roof. The house is 300 sq.m. and the garden 800 sq.m.

Square Pagoda Park: There is a wall dating from 1370 with a creature, traditional name pixiu, made from blocks of carved bricks fired in a kiln. It swallowed the sun and was condemned by the Dragon King to the deepest abyss of the East China Sea. It has a dragon head, lion’s tail, scaly body and horses hooves and is a symbol of greed. In the Ming Dynasty, new officials had to come and pay their respects as a warning against greed. The park is known for azaleas which were in flower and made a beautiful show.

Guiyang, where we went on the PP & L tour, means ‘rare sun’. The saying for Guizhou Province is “all the 3s”  – “no 3 days of sun; no 3 sq ft of flat land; no 3 oz of silver per person”.