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WHITESTONE CHATTER

October/November 2017

In this Issue 1. President’s 2. 2017- 2018 Elected &

Appointed Officers Important Dates

3. Committee info 4. Committee Info 5. Community updates &

ASTRA 6. I.F.F. Day 7. G uest Speakers & an

ode from Lyn 8. Farewell to Elaine Ford

& thoughts of a new Altrusan

9. Zimbabwe memories 10. District Fifteen &

International 11. International – Logo 12. Christmas wishes

Altrusa International of Oamaru P O Box 64 Oamaru 9444 President Hele n Newlands [email protected] Meetings Star & Garter 9 Itchen Street, Oamaru 2nd & 4th Mondays at 5:45pm District Fifteen Website: www.altrusa.org.nz Altrusa International Website www.altrusa.org

President Helen’s Hearsay Where on earth is the year going to? It is hard to believe it is mid-November when I’m writing this for our 3rd Whitestone Chatter for the year. It has been a busy few weeks for us all. Congratulations to the Extravaganza Committee for another wonderful evening. It is wonderful to see a whole club effort such as the Extravaganza work so well. I’m sure every member was involved in some way, so it gives us all ownership of the event. WELL DONE EVERYONE.

Oamaru North School was an excellent venue for our Area IFF day. It was a very informative day, thoroughly enjoyed by our guests from Invercargill, Queenstown, Taieri and Timaru. Well done Maria for organising an interesting and varied programme for attendees. Thank you to Jean, Nancy and Julie for a delectable lunch and the Board for a lovely morning and afternoon tea.

Christmas is fast approaching, I hope you all have a really special time with family and /or friends over the festive season. Then in January you can sit back, relax, enjoy a wine or two (or something else) and recharge the batteries.

I love this quote by Andy Rooney “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly” I guess that will certainly be true here this Christmas as for the first time in five years the whole family will be together for Christmas Day and I can just imagine the mess and the noise.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Helen Newlands.

Oamaru Club

Altrusa International of Oamaru President: Helen Newlands P O Box 64 [email protected] Oamaru 9444

Altrusa International of Oamaru Inc. 2017 – 2018

BOARD:

President: Helen Newlands

President Elect: Norma Dovey

1st Vice President: Lyn Cartwright

Corresponding Secretary: Claire Jelgersma

Recording Secretary: Liz McIntyre

Treasurer: Kath Mercer

Immediate Past President: Robyn Moynihan

DIRECTORS: Senior Yvonne Blaikie

Junior Sue Preston

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Liaison: Jan Sutherland

Service: Lynne Isbister

Communication: Pam Balcombe

Literacy: Bev Manson

Vocational: Lynette Budge

Membership: Anne Brown

Finance: Kath Mercer

ASTRA: Liz Ballantyne

Nancy Allan, Jenny Cleland

Parliamentarian: Kath Mercer

Archives: Sue Preston

IMPORTANT DATES

October ~ Service 2 Board Meeting

9 Business Meeting – Star & Garter 5.45pm

16 World Food Day

23 Programme Meeting – Star & Garter 5.45pm Gift wrapping Lavosh for Extravaganza evening

24 Make a difference Day

28 Coffee Morning at Vanessa’s Hampden

November ~ Vocational 6 Board Meeting

13 Business Meeting - Star & Garter 5.45pm

18 I.F.F.Day Oamaru

25 Coffee Morning at Milligans 10.00am

27 Programme Meeting – Star & Garter 5.45pm

December ~ Liaison 4 Board Meeting 10 Human Rights Day 11 Christmas Meeting – Star & Garter 6.15pm In The Pipeline Our 43rd Birthday ~ February 22nd ‘The Year of 75’

Magic Mums ~ March 3rd 2018

Seniors Lunch ~ date to be finalised 2018

District Fifteen Conference ~ May 4th -6th 2018

Change Over Evening ~ May 28th 2018

From the Editors – We hope you enjoy this issue of the Whitestone Chatter for the 2017/2018 year.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed. Please keep your items/news coming in. Information for this Communication team’s last Newsletter needs to be in by 16th APRIL 2018

Your newsletter can be only as good as the information we receive. The Communications Committee:- contact [email protected]


OCTOBER – Hosts - Service Committee .

October has been Service Month - we have been involved with planning future projects in our community. As a committee we understand the importance, realisation and effect we can have in our community.

Service is giving of our time and talents to people in our community. The rewards are to see the benefits and enjoyment of the recipients as a result of this and the satisfaction that we have made them happy. Over the last few years we have achieved this with our Annual Seniors Luncheon, Magic Mums, delivery of meals on wheels, items to the food bank, helping with annual collection appeals of various groups, swimming lessons - just some of the projects we have undertaken. Service to our community is important to us as Altrusans.

NOVEMBER – Hosts -Vocational Committee It is always a real pleasure and an eye-opening experience to interview the applicants from Waitaki Girls’ High School and St Kevin’s College. All of the girls are very involved in a wide variety of sporting and cultural activities as well as achieving at a very high level in their academic studies. It always leaves me exhausted just trying to imagine the energy and dedication that is required to fit in everything. For example one student milked cows at 4.30 a.m. and again at 4.30 p.m. In between she fitted in school, training her own horses, and participating in any other activity that she was involved with. I guess that she managed to sleep at some point. Another two students had both been overseas doing volunteer work during school holidays.

x It is very affirming and reassuring to know that this calibre of teenager is growing up with high aspirations, in comparison to what it often portrayed in the media and what is so often shown on television. We wished that we could have awarded scholarships to all the applicants as any of them would have been very worthy recipients. Each school should be very proud of their students as they all presented themselves to a high level and made our job as a selection committee very difficult.

Committee Information

Tertiary Award winners for 2017 with Helen- St Kevins College – Ami Wallis going to Victoria University to study Architecture specialising in Sustainable /Environmental buildings. Waitaki Girls High – Mignon de Preez going to Otago University to do a B Commerce specialising in Accounting, her aim is to have her own Chartered Accounting business.


MEMBERSHIP ~ The committee has been ticking along, unfortunately we have no new members in the pipe line. Our display board of information and activities at Extravaganza created awareness.

We helped out with the Altrusa stall at the Extravaganza and had a great response from members and the public that purchased all our goodies. Thank you very much.

We wish all members a safe and Happy Christmas break, and next year we will be organising the changeover for Norma

COMMUNICATION – Have you looked at the web sites mentioned in the last newsletter? www.altrusa.org.nz and www.altrusa.org read the information/news forwarded to us as club members, finding out what others doing in their community.

Our news-letter is part of this network, your input into our news-letter is important, often members have a story to tell – as with Joan Edridge’s of her life in Zimbabwe. It refreshes our minds what we have achieved and what we have to look forward to – 43rd Birthday, Magic Mums, Senior Luncheon.

Have a Happy Christmas with family and friends; see you in the New Year from the team.

LITERACY- We have recently purchased some lovely, brightly illustrated small books, to go into the bags which we give to all new born babies in Oamaru during the year. Usually our committee get together, compiles the information pamphlets, booklets which go into the bags plus the book. My ‘Buddy’ was with me and asked to help, I explained what we were doing and why. I am an Adult ‘Buddy’ one of many who are part of the Presbyterian Support Otago Buddy programme. Adult buddies are paired with a young buddy, who we meet with weekly, to support, and encourage them to learn new skills e.g cooking, fishing, crafts, woodwork.

My buddy really enjoyed helping me, knowing they were helping Altrusa fulfil one of their many Services to the community. I am one of four Altrusans who are an Adult buddy, we all agree we enjoy the experience and encourage others to be part of programme. LIAISON ~ Our final meeting for the year will be held upstairs above the Star and Garter on Monday, 11th December beginning at 6.15pm for 7pm meal.

Altrousers are welcome and cost is $28 per person and this is to be paid as usual at the ground floor counter. Apologies to Liz McIntyre by Thursday, 7 December please. We will have a Raffle (3 draws) and proceeds will go to the Life-flight Service – you will remember a very thought provoking presentation earlier in the year by Sharyn Price regarding her personal experience. A box will be provided for those who wish to leave gifts for their secret friends and the evening will end with entertainment from The Liaison Committee!!!

Committee Information cont


LITERACY NORTH OTAGO ~ Request has been made for any spare baking tins and other baking equipment no longer required. Numbers are steady and the new environment is stimulating for staff and those who come for assistance.

SWIMMING ~ We will be continuing our swimming lessons again next year. The children who participated this year did very well, giving them confidence, a sense of achievement, which was also reflected in other areas of their socialising. Cheers Liz M CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA - although we did not have as many people through the door as last year it was still a very successful evening, there were new stall holders, 3 speakers, 35 raffle prizes donated by stall holders, people in the community and Altrusans. ASTRA had a pamper pack raffle and were pleased with the support they received. A sample of stalls and people who made the evening a success

OAMARU HOUSE ~ All going well – a reminder to people to request parking availability when booking.

ASTRA ~ With school exams and the end of the school year ASTRA is quiet.

The ASTRA girls Tylar and Ruby with the ASTRA Pamper raffle at Extravaganza.

Who could resist their smiles. Well done we hope they will join us again next year.

Updates of Community Projects and ASTRA UUPDATES


Oamaru North School -Torridge Street, OAMARU

Information Fun and Friendship Day

I enjoyed going to the I.F.F. day, I gained a lot more about Altrusa and enjoyed hearing about how the other clubs operate. From Queenstown only 2 could come, as there club was catering for the triathlon which was on that day and is a good fund raiser for them A very nice way to spend a Saturday Louise McNeill ~ first timer ~ Fellowship

Learning the art of covering books ~ Fun

Books for boys, the result of our work

The end of the day - good weather, excellent company, well organised, well fed (especially the gluten free chocolate cake), new friends made, old friendships rekindled,

Informative and interesting speakers Governor Christine Melville, Jeanette Borrell (former Governor 2013-2015), Sally Brooker (Oamaru Mail reporter).

Make sure you come to the next I.F.F day, each one is different and is held in different areas.

Thank you to Maria and to those who did the catering.


October Programme meeting – Extravaganza preparation

As our October programme meeting coincided with a public holiday, and attendance would be low, the opportunity was taken to prepare items for the Extravaganza evening. There was about 12 Altrusans and amid great discussion and hilarity we packaged the Lavosh.

November Programme Meeting - A quiz night Compiled at short notice, due to the unavailability of a guest speaker. 6 topics each, with 6 questions. The topics were Altrusa; Sport; Quotations; Famous People; Authors/Books; We worked in pairs, oiled the think tanks, questions were delivered under rapid fire, shouts of I know the answer but can’t remember, we surrendered. A good fun way to end the day, thank you Jean and Lynette.

AN ODE FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS

I AM A BAD ALTRUSAN, I'M SURE YOU'LL ALL AGREE, MEETINGS THAT I DO NOT MAKE ESPECIALLY NOT FOR TEA MEALS ON WHEELS, OLDIES LUNCHEONS, EXTRAVAGANZA AND OTHER FUNCTIONS, WHERES LYN THEY SAY - OH YES THAT'S RIGHT SHE WON'T BE HERE AGAIN TONIGHT! APOLOGIES TO ALL MY FRIENDS, I'LL REALLY TRY TO MAKE AMENDS FOR NEXT YEAR I CAN TRULY SAY, I'VE GIVEN BLIMMIN WORK AWAY! YEEHAH!!

Guest speakers October and November programmes meetings meeting

These were given along with a glass of wine. to those attending the Extravaganza evening, Members had made the Lavosh with the recipe in our previous issue, it Is surprising how one recipe can have many variations.

RESPONSE Lyn’s not here again, but we know what she is at, On call all night, no sleep, waiting for the bleep. Off Lyn goes lights are flashing, Will it be good or bad, happy or sad. But of one thing you can be sure if Lyn answers Your call – St John is on its way.


Reflections – On Saturday November 11th a number of our members congregated in Ashburton to attend the funeral and celebrate the life of Elaine Ford. Elaine was a long standing member of our Oamaru Club and after returning to Ashburton, the town of her birth, became a valued member of the Ashburton Club. A devoted member of our organisation and its philosophies was demonstrated by her service to many, many community groups. President of our Club for the 1985-86 year and District Secretary for the 2005-2007 Biennium were but two of the many offices she held within Altrusa.

A talented pianist and lover of all things musical she donated many hours of her time playing for the Oamaru Operatic Society and other musical events and, since returning to Ashburton, had continued to share her talent with musical endeavours within that community. The participation of a large male choir at her funeral service bore witness to her service within this and other Ashburton groups.

Elaine was a true friend to so many and will be sorely missed by all. Reflecting on her willingness to give so freely of her time, provides us with an amazing example of selfless service to others. It was a privilege to have known you Elaine.

THOUGHTS and COMMENTS from a fairly new Altrusan

When I joined Altrusa earlier this year I did not know very much about the organisation itself, but I did know some of those who were members of the Oamaru Club.

Contrary to the normal “analysing owl” aspect of my personality I decided that this time I would not jump onto the internet and research everything to the “N”th degree and just become a member and learn as much as I could as time went by. I had heard a little about, and attended, some of the fund-raising activities but not the incredible scope of the community service work that is undertaken and I guess I still have a lot to learn about that.

It has been great to be on the other side of the fence and play some part in these activities recently, but the most enjoyable outcome of joining has been the opportunity for fun and fellowship with some people I knew or knew of as well as those I had not met before. I am certainly very pleased that I made the move and became a member of the club. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the recent I.F.F day to learn more about Altrusa.

Julie Speer

FAREWELL to ELAINE FORD


Life on the farm became more complicated with the advent of the Bush War. Those opposed to the British government took Independence from Britain with Ian Smith's Declaration of Independence (referred to as UDI). The local people were still denied the right to vote, and many indigenous people left the country to train under Russia, China and other Eastern Countries as insurgents. They would lay landmines on farm roads and attack homesteads and vehicles. The local defence forces (often complimented by farmers and their families) resorted to fighting against these insurgents, who most often would attack at night. Wives and children would be dropped at neighbouring homesteads after an "incident" while husbands and fathers were deployed to track down the terrorists. One such occasion, I was dropped off with my two small girls, and was unable to return home for anything. This was before the days of disposable nappies.... I recall chopping up towels to be used as nappies for the little one as our stay lengthened into days away from home. Taking the girls to school a bit later on in the war, I used to drive the farm pick-up with an FN rifle across my lap in case of ambush, and I wore a 9mm pistol at all times. Life was certainly not boring. Several family members lost their lives in the war, one being my husband's cousin who was ambushed on our farm early one morning. Farmers nearby, had a grenade thrown through the window where the wife was sitting sewing, with her three small girls playing around her. On the “ follow-up" by defence forces, my husband was injured by shrapnel from a mortar when the defence force unit he was with, came under fire from the insurgents. It was a war situation, and any of us could have been killed at any time. But we were fighting for our birth-right. Rightly or wrongly. Many people died, and many left the country. I felt as though Britain had abandoned us, sent my ancestors to colonize Africa and then when we asked for independence in the 1960s we were denied that because the country had rich mineral wealth which Britain still wanted to exploit. In 1980 the war ended, after the Lancaster House agreement was signed. Rhodesia had run out of money and enough people to fight against the insurgents. The whole world was against us. Mugabe was subsequently voted into power (1982) and has remained there until very recently. In view of the celebrations seen in the country in the last few days, it appears that millions of people will be relieved that his tyranny has ended. However it remains to be seen whether his successors will be able to bring the country back from the depths to which it has been subjected over the past 35 years. The jury is still out!

My life in Zimbabwe part 2 – Joan Edridge

Joan Edridge at our Extravaganza with some of her Art work – animals are what Joan enjoys painting


Will be held on the 4th, 5th, and 6th May 2018

The venue is HOTEL ASHBURTON Racecourse Road

This is an all on the one site venue – accommodation, meetings, meals, etc.

The convenor is Maureen Bishop ph. 0800 330 880. Email address is [email protected]

Not too far to travel, good shopping, plenty of cafes and bistros, friendly people.

Now is the time to start thinking and planning, especially if you have never been to a conference before. You will meet fellow Altrusans from around the country and overseas visitors as well. Each conference has its own theme. Come and enjoy yourself.

ALTRUSANS of OAMARU - 100 CLUB –

who completed 100 HOURS of SERVICE in our CENTENNIAL YEAR

DISTRICT and INTERNATIONAL

Lynette Budge with the 100 for 100 certificate presented to Altrusa International of Oamaru NZ

Each person received a 100 pin in recognition of their service to Altrusa and the community.

Well done to you all, we are proud of you and to all Altrusans thank you for your Service.

Altrusa International of Oamaru, NZ

Are very proud of their 100 for 100 members, From the left, Claire Jelgersma, Jean Palmer, Wally Mccaulay, Maria Mackay, Lynne Isbister, Jan Sutherland, Nancy Allan.

Front Row:- Helen Newlands, Helen Conn, Robyn Moynihan

Absent:- Lyn Cartwright, Jeanette Halcrow, Kath Mercer


We are often asked what the logo means - it was designed to be reflective of the Altrusa brand, which is based on Clarity – seen in the clean lines and open space evident in the design; Flowing lines of different heights rise and fall to demonstrate Flexibility. The lines start and finish together with all that falls between symbolizing Inclusion, various aspects of Altrusa Service and our diversity.

One line connects yet extends upward beyond the rest representing the leadership development inherent in Altrusa membership. The beauty is that each of us can see a unique personal story as we participate in all the liens if Altrusa activity.

Look at the structure of the logo you will see the image is the letter “A” standing for Altrusa. There are three cross bars to the A, each having a different colour and lending different perspective to the image as you view; this further represents the concept of flexibility, which perhaps the most important aspect of our brand.

The tallest line (banner, ribbon or path) is a deeper shade of blue. Picture the colour of the oceans linking lands around the globe (Bermuda, New Zealand and Puerto Rico) and representing the worldwide nature of Altrusa. It is like the crest of a wave and used for the highest arch representing the International organization. The darker shade of blue grey is symbolic of the wave base, the depth and foundation of the sea which represents the clubs and districts that make up the Altrusa organization. They are parts of the same whole, only together do they make the letter “A”. The golden coloured banner represents ASTRA, Altrusa’s treasure and our future. The brilliant red line, a very special one, is the colour of the heart and strength of Altrusans. It represents all those to whom Altrusa is important, our membership, our communities and those with whom we partner. Together we are:_

“Leading to a Better Community” where we live

Where ever you are, what ever you are doing, who ever you are with

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, SAFE TRAVEL, PEACE FOR ALL

DISTRICT and INTERNATIONAL


TWAS THE MONTH AFTER CHRISTMAS

Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste All the holiday parties had gone to my waist. When I got on the scales there arose such a number when I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber) I’d remember the marvellous meals I’d prepared The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese And the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please”. As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt And prepared once again to do battle with dirt I said to myself, as I only can “You can’t spend a summer disguised as a man!” So ---- away with the last of the sour cream dip Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip Every last bit of food that I like must be banished Till all the additional ounces have vanished I won’t have a cake – not even a lick. I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won’t have hot biscuits, or cheese, bread or pie I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore --- But isn’t that what January is for? Unable to giggle, not longer a riot. Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet! -Anonymous

HAPPY CHRISTMAS & a REMINDER of OVER INDULGING

[document title] - altrusadocument title] [document subtitle] ... then in january you can sit back,...

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