1 OCTOBER CHINA NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS
Christchurch Branch had a very successful banquet for 150 people well organized by a small committee that attracted Kelvin Coe, Mayor of Selwyn District where the recent earthquake had its epi centre, Member of Parliament Lianne Dalziel and representatives of many local Chinese organisations. A special thanks to the Rewi Alley Chinese School for their strong support.
CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE
The banquet on 1 October gave many Christchurch members their first chance to meet and share individual shocking earthquake experiences. Those whose houses’ future are in limbo thank fully are very few, includes National Executive members Bill Willmott and Diana Madgin. This coming week will see announcements on what land cannot be rebuilt, but it is the stress and strain that cannot be described, or easily relieved. At this stage no assistance is being sought – thankyou for your kind offers.
NELSON BRANCH VISIT
Thanks to President Christine Ward and her committee for my very worthwhile visit and opportunity to meet many members at a branch meeting two weeks ago. I enjoyed talking about where I saw the future of our Society, sharing food with everyone and sitting in on their committee meeting. A very active branch that anchors its Sister City Committee as well.
CHINESE INDUSTRIAL COOPERATIVES
It is with pleasure that I advise of the recent election of National Vice President Dave Bromwich as a Vice Chair of the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives (Gung Ho) at its recent meeting in Beijing. Dave has put much effort in recent years into assisting various Gung Ho projects although he stresses it is New Zealand’s long association with the organisation which is the primary reason for his appointment. Great to hear a full complement of Society Members have joined Dave on the 2010 Projects Tour this month visiting a Gung Ho project amongst others. Want to learn more about the formation of Gung Ho? See the excellent documentary “Gung Ho – Rewi Alley of China” Nzonscreen.co.nz and search “Rewi Alley” – excellent material for a branch meeting.
PROMINENT PERSONS & LEADERS DELEGATION
Our 2010 Delegation reports that they received fantastic hosting and experiences participating in the two yearly Sister Cities Conference attended by past presidents Jimmy Carter of USA & Jorge Sampaio of Portugal, former Prime Ministers of Japan and Togo plus Princess Salotte of Tonga. The delegation visited the Shanghai Expo and Nanchang and other sights in Jiangxi Province. A special delegation attending was the Maori China Friendship Association enabling New Zealand to be much better representated.
TOUR LEADERS WANTED
Do let Trevor Linyard know if you are interested in leading one of our tours planned for next year, contact him at [email protected]
TEACHER URGENTLY REQUIRED – SHANDAN
Conversational English – teaching qualification or degree required, age limit of 65. Salary 3000 Yuan per month, travel support & apartment provided. Contact Dave Bromwich [email protected].
Regards
National President
New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc.
Download a pdf of the National President’s Notebook October 2010.
