Due to space restrictions on our original Tamatea page, from August 2022 is on this page.  The Tamatea page is currently from January 2018 to July 2022.

4 December 2025 Social Outing

With Federation having a craft day on Thursday 27 November 2025, the social outing was rolled over 1 week to 4 December 2025.  19 ladies met up at Cafe No.5 for lunch and chit chat.  It is always nice there with great food options.  Something to suit everyone.

12 November 2025 Meeting

22 ladies attended our meeting and were welcomed by President Annette.  We dealt with the usual business and then we discussed whether to change to a daytime meeting in 2026.  There were pros and cons for this.  We had a secret vote and also accepted proxy votes from those that could not be at the meeting.  The tally was 24 for daytime / 4 for night.  So from January, we will be moving to a daytime meeting.  The day and time has to be decided as we need to contact Gary Severinsen over the availability of the venue.  Ann W. will do this as he is a neighbour.

Pam spoke about wool she has received.  She brought along 3 blankets that she had knitted out of scraps of wool.  There was also a blanket that Annette had completed from a stash of peggy squares from Yvonne.

We then had a fun time making Christmas ornaments with Air Dry Clay.  We started off a bit apprehensive but soon got into the swing of things.  It was good as  if you made a muck up you just rolled up the clay and started again.  Here are some photos of us making the decorations. -

Social Outing 30 October 2025

15 ladies met at the Thai Lotus in Taradale for lunch.  They loved their meals and there was lots of conversation.  The last ones leaving at 1.30pm!!

8 October 2025 Meeting

Well we had one third of our members as apologies for the October meeting.  21 members and 1 visitor attended.  As both Annette and June were away, Ann Webster ran the meeting. We started with the Aspirations and the Ode.  Then Ann introduced our speaker, Lynn Anderson.

Lynn spoke mainly about the Bar Tailed Godwit.  These birds are amazing.  They breed in Alaska and fly non stop here in September and stay here until heading back via the Yellow Sea in March.  We get about 300 here in Napier.  Lynn had a laptop and screened photos and information onto the wall which was really good.  She was thanked and presented with a small gift of appreciation.

We then proceeded with the business side of the meeting - apologies, minutes, correspondence, treasurers report and birthdays.  The topic of changing our meeting to a daytime one was brought up.  Members had some good ideas.  This will be discussed more at the next meeting and voted on.

The competitions were well supported with floral and the Wot Not having half of our attendees entering.

Raffles were won by Varna Day and Berry Rangi.

10 September 2025 Meeting

We had a good turnout of 27 members and 1 visitor attend the meeting.  We had quite a busy agenda with the usual matters to be dealt with along with quite a few items in General and Other Business.  

Raffles were won by Lenice Middleton and Peggy Flack.

13 August 2025 Meeting

We had 20 members and 2 visitors - ex-members Rhose Shand and Eva-Cherie Tuck attend our August meeting.  The cold weather and illnesses kept some members away.  We had a minutes silence to remember Yvonne Hirst who passed away recently.  After we got through the business side of things including reminding us of our manners we had Jonathon Smith teach some of us some line dancing.  The sales table did really well with members bringing along baking and produce.  There was also a lot of cards that had been given to us by Yvonne's family.  As we had plenty of time, Ann Webster read her Literature story.

Raffles were won by Ann Webster and Ann Cook.

31 July 2025 Social Outing

14 ladies met up at Silky Oak for brunch/lunch.

9 July 2025 Meeting

We had 24 ladies at our July meeting. Our speaker was Elaine Chaplin from Cornerstone Foot Care who spoke about looking after our feet.  They are harder to get to as we get older so she can come to your house and trim your nails and massage your feet.  There wasn't a lot of additional business so we were able to have a cuppa quite early.

26 June 2025 Social Outing

A nice lunch was had by all at the Thai Lotus in Taradale on 26 June 2025.

11 June 2025 Fish 'n Fun Meeting

We had a Fish 'n Fun night.  It started a bit funny when each table was given a plate of chocolate fish and potato chips.  We got some funny looks as we put them on the tables and we announced 'Here's your fish and chips'.  The meeting started as normal and then just as we finished the business side of things, June arrived with our actual fish and chips.  After the meal, Molly Wylie was presented with her 30 years Service Badge.

Ann Webster read her report on the conference.

Berry Rangi KSM spoke to us about the procedure leading up to accepting her King's Service Medal.

Raffles were won by Marilyn Thorp and Annabel Watson.

14 May 2025 Meeting

Our Vice President June welcomed 24 members and 1 visitor to our May meeting.  Our speaker was Karen Hacking from the SPCA.  She was very interesting and some things we learnt were that there were 13000 animal welfare complaints nationwide last year, approximately 33000 animals are desexed each year nationwide and locally 2000 animals were taken into care.  She had brought along her lovely dog Diesel.  We were pleased to be able to donate a quantity of goods and the proceeds from the charity bag collection to them.

We then dealt with the usual monthly business and there was quite a discussion on the NEC Subject for Discussion about the Aspirations.  It was generally felt that we are happy with the words in the Aspirations and we often think of or use some of the lines in our everyday life.  We don't feel that we have negativity and unkindness within our Institute.  Maybe some other Institutes elsewhere do.  We do NOT want to change the Aspirations.

Raffles were won by Marilyn Thorp and Adrienne Parsons.

9 April 2025 Meeting

As Annette is currently taking some personal time, Vice President June Fraser ran the meeting. We had 29 members and 2 visitors - Alison Lovatt and Donna Riddell attending.  June read the thought of the month - 'Be the best version of yourself that you can be'.  We recited the Aspirations then Pam Taylor read us a pleasant thought from her Aunt Daisy Scrapbook called Life's Clock.   We had 3 apologies.  The minutes from the previous meeting were taken as read, the correspondence advised and the treasurer's report and balance stated.  There was just one birthday for April - Ann Webster.  Members sang Happy Birthday as Ann left the meeting due to being unwell.

Raffles were won by June Fraser and Deneice Marshall.

As our speaker was unwell and had to cancel, this time was filled in by members talking about their favourite flower / book or meal.

27 March 2025 Social Outing

The March outing was a brunch/lunch at Serendipity Cafe in Hastings.  Although the food is always nice there,  it was thought that the venue was too noisy.  Here are a couple of photos -

12 March 2025 Meeting

27 members attended our March meeting on a nice warm night.  Annette thanked members for their donations for the SPCA.  Below are a couple of photos of members enjoying the meeting.  

Pam had made hats for donating to the Red Cross.

12 February 2025 51st Birthday Meeting

31 of us celebrated the 51st birthday of our WI.  We had a dinner catered by Ahuriri Lions Ladies.  They served us ham, chicken, pasta salad, green salad, roast vegetable salad and potatoes followed by pavlova roll and fruit salad.  There was plenty of food and many of us went up for seconds!  It was all very scrumptious.

Lynn handed out our 2025 programmes as we were arriving, Lenice and Pam sold raffles and there was fruit punch to be had.  Clip boards were circulated for apologies for the Federation 93rd AGM and our Secret Friends.

We had a reasonable amount of business to get through including a highlight of Annette Elkins and June Fraser being presented with their 55 year service badges.  

Varna Day, Ann Cook and June Dalton cut the birthday cake as they also celebrate their birthday in February.

Raffles were won by Marilyn Thorp and Lyn Stuart.

15 January 2025 Meeting and 51st AGM

We had 24 members attend the first club meeting of 2025.  There was a lot of correspondence including a very newsy email from one of our link institutes in the UK - Burridge and Parkgate WI.  Raffles of vouchers were won by Val Hales and Pam Taylor and Deneice Marshall won an additional raffle prize of a calendar from our link.  We had a short break and 23 members stayed for the AGM.

Secretary Ann Webster presented the Annual Report, President Annette Elkins read her report and Treasurer Ann Cook presented her financial report.  The Holter Cup placegetters were announced (see below).  Marilyn Thorp won the Wot Not Trophy for most entries for the year.

3 ladies - Rhose Shand (resigned), Brenda Spivey and Lenice Middleton went off committee and Jenny Ziebe joined the committee.

11 December 2024 Meeting

Our last meeting of the year was held in very warm conditions as we had had several over degree days.  26 of us gathered.  Tables had been set up in the supper room.  We got through the normal meeting formalities and then we progressed to the fun part.  We played Bingo and Beetle.  Beetle is a dice game that we play at home.  Then we had a delicious supper which had been organised and purchased by Ann Cook and Annette Elkins.  Raffle prizes of vouchers were won by Inez Rudd and Joan Coppell.  One of our UK Links, Arlesey sent us some tea towels for Christmas and these were 3 additional raffle prizes which were won by Adrienne Parsons, Lynn Lees and Jenny Ziebe.

28 November 2024 Social Outing

About 18 of us met up for lunch at Boardwalk in Ahuriri.  It is such a nice venue having the sea to look at.  The food is always nice there too.  I had Fish and Chips and it was delicious.

13 November 2024 Meeting

We had 26 members attend our November Flower Show meeting.  We had 8 apologies and no members had a November birthday.  Annette thanked all those members who had contributed ideas for the 2025 programme.  We have tried to incorporate as many suggestions as possible into next years programme.  We got through the business side of the meeting very quickly as secretary Ann Webster was the judge for the flower show.  While the judging was happening, there was a roll call around the members with the topic of Garden Reminisces.

There were 53 entries overall and made for a very colourful room.  Prizes were given for 1st Watering Can, 2nd Gardening Gloves and 3rd Plant Labels and a Pen.  Loraine Gosse was also the overall Judges Choice with her beautiful Red Rose.

Raffles were won by Loraine Gosse and Deneice Marshall.  Members enjoyed a hot drink and supper while they chatted and admired the floral entries.

31 October 2024 Social Outing

19 ladies enjoyed brunch at Silky Oak Cafe in Waiohiki.  It was a beautiful day so they were able to sit outside.  Some ladies did some shopping.  There were handmade chocolates, food items from the Pantry and a wide range of gifts available for sale.

9 October 2024 Meeting

We had 23 members at our meeting and 8 apologies.  The meeting flowed very efficiently and we were again through the business side of things quite quickly. Ann Cook had made up 28 bags for women, 16 bags for men and 6 bags for children.  There were dropped off to the hospital by Annette's daughter, Suzanne.

Competitions

Floral - 1 White Flower

1st Molly Wylie 2nd Marilyn Thorp 3rd Loraine Gosse

Cooking - 3 Truffles

1st Rachel Wickham 2nd Gaylene Bailey

Craft - Christmas Wreath

1st Marilyn Thorp

Our speaker was Rhose Shand who spoke to us about her hobby of lead lighting.  Rhose has been interested in doing this craft since 2015.  She took us through the steps in creating a piece.  It seems very fiddly and you would need to have a lot of patience.  The end products were stunning.  She had brought along pieces of different colours and thicknesses of glass and equipment used.  She brought along several finished pieces.  

11 September 2024 Meeting

25 members and 10 visitors were at our September Market Madness Night.  Wendy Anderson was presented with her 15 Years Service Badge and Gaylene Bailey with her 30 Years Service Badge.  Congratulations ladies.  We sped through the usual formalities in record time and we were finished by 7.27pm!!  Then it was time to throw the doors open for the market.

28 August 2024 Social Outing

23 ladies got together at the Puketapu Pub for lunch.  On Wednesdays they do a GOLD CARD Discount.  Jeny reported that the meals were great and the atmosphere and service was good.  Looks like this place was a hit for lunch!!

14 August 2024 Meeting

Our President Annette welcomed 27 ladies to our August meeting.  We had a pretty good turnout considering it was the middle of winter!  There were 7 apologies.  There were 5 birthdays and 3 of those ladies were present.  The minutes, correspondence and financial matters were dealt with efficiectly as was the general and other business.  Annette gave a brief report on the Federation Friendship meeting.  Tamatea did well in the competitions.

Our speaker was Eva Cherie Tuck who spoke about living on the Chathams.  She is a talented artist and she has a gallery there.  It was very interesting.

Raffles were won by Rhose Shand and Peggy Daysh.

10 July 2024 Meeting

In the absence of President Annette, our VP June welcomed 25 members and 3 visitors to our July meeting.  We had 10 apologies. We proceeded through the usual and then the general business.  We were reminded about upcoming Federation events.  Our speaker was Leigh White from HB Hospital.  She told us about her varied roles within the health sector.  We have been collecting toiletries this year for the hospital.  Leigh was given 2 bags full by Ann Cook.   

Raffles were won by Peggy Flack and Molly Wylie.

27 June 2024 Social Outing

The June outing was a lunch at Thai Chef in Taradale Road.

12 June 2024 Meeting

We had all been looking forward to our Mid Winter Pot Luck Dinner and 24 ladies attended.  We had 11 apologies.  After a welcome by President Annette, we said The Aspirations, sung the Ode and said Grace.  We shared a buffet dinner and dessert and had our meeting in amongst the courses.

Ann Webster presented her Delegates report from the 103rd AGM/National Conference held on 27-28 May in Palmerston North.  

There were 25 pairs of slippers and 3 pairs of pyjamas to go to The Family Centre and a box of teddies for either Taradale Medical Centre or the Police.

Raffles were won by Adrienne Parsons and Joan Coppell.

103rd AGM and National Conference

This was held in Palmerston North on 27-28 May 2024. 11 ladies went down from our Institute - June Fraser, Marilyn Thorp, Molly Wylie, Ann Cook, Rachel Wickham, Pam Taylor, Jenny Ziebe, Peggy Flack, Loraine Gosse, Pauline Powell and myself - Ann Webster.  We all had a good time.  Here are some photos from the event -

8 May 2024 Meeting

25 ladies came to our May meeting.  We had a lot of business to attend to including the usual correspondence and finance.  We also had to discuss some Remits and Subjects for Discussion for the upcoming National AGM and Conference being held later this month in Palmerston North.  Quite a few of our ladies are attending this.

Service badges were presented to 4 ladies by President Annette Elkins.

Ann Cook showed us the bags which had been put together for patients at the hospital.  There were 12 bags for men and 11 bags for women.  June Dalton also showed us some of the Trauma Teddies which she makes for the Taradale Medical Centre and the Police.

Instead of a speaker or a demonstrator, members were asked to bring along their Work in Progress.  We went around the room and ladies showed us what they have been working on.  This was a great way for us to see different crafts and hobbies.

Raffles were won by Annette Elkins and Varna Day.  The prizes this month was fresh gurnard.

Donation to Cyclone Ladies Night

Late in 2023, one of our members was at a knitting group and heard that the Red Cross was collecting cookbooks for the Cyclone Ladies Night which was to be held in Bayview.

At the next Tamatea WI meeting, word was put out asking for any cooking books that we were no longer using and to bring them to the next meeting.  The result was 110 cookbooks being donated.  This was added to with 18 carry bags being made from curtain samples and 8 aprons which were surplus and no longer being needed, being donated by our Federation.

The organiser of the evening which was held at a local winery in Bayview just before Christmas, was thrilled with our donation for the special Ladies Night.

Thanks to Pam Taylor for coordinating this.

10 April 2024 Meeting

We had 25 ladies at our meeting.  Vice President, June Fraser welcomed everyone.  We had 10 apologies.  We proceeded through the business side of the meeting and for once there was no correspondence!

Our secret friends for the last year were revealed and we finally got to find out who had been spoiling us with thoughtful little gifts and cards. Ladies who wanted to participate this coming year drew out a new name.

We had a very pertinent speaker this month.  Committee member Ann Cook spoke about having been in 2 large earthquakes, 3 cyclones and a flood.  She brought along her Grab & Go bag and showed us everything that was packed in it.  Hard to imagine that all of what came out of the bag was going to fit back in!  It was a good reminder to us all that we should all have one of these at the ready.

Meat packs were won by Joan Curtis and Val Hales.

Competitions

Floral - Best Weed

1st  Ann Cook 2nd  Molly Wylie 3rd  Jenny Ziebe

Craft - Poem - Bird on a Wire

1st  Ann Webster 2nd  Molly Wylie 3rd  Ann Cook

Cooking - 3 Anzac Biscuits

1st  Ann Cook 2nd Lynn Lees 3rd  Molly Wylie

We finished the meeting quite early which left extra time for chatting while we had a cuppa.

28 March 2024 Brunch

The March social outing was a brunch at Silky Oak.  Around a dozen ladies attended.  

13 March 2024 Meeting

Ww, we are into the third month already!! Where does the time go?  Our March meeting was attended by 28 members.  We proceeded through the usual parts of the meeting - apologies, birthdays (4), previous minutes, correspondence and finance.  We then had quite a lot of general business which included our delegates report from the Federation AGM back in January.  Our Institute did well in the competitions.

Pam spoke on the response to a cookbook collection that was done for Cyclone Gabrielle people.  The cookbooks, bag and aprons were well received.

Our speaker was our own Rhose Shand who spoke about Ear Wellness.  I/m sure that we all learnt quite a bit from her talk.

Meat packs were won by Pauline Powell and Judy McKellow.

Competitions 

Floral - One Single Yellow Bloom (8 Entries)

1st  Rachel Wickham 2nd  Rhose Shand 3rd  Annette Elkins

Craft - Easter Bonnet made by you

1st Yvonne Hirst

Cooking - 3 Hokey Pokey Biscuits (5 Entries)

1st  Annette Elkins 2nd  Ann Cook 3rd  Rachel Wickham

14 February 2024 50th Birthday Lunch

We celebrated our 50th year of existence with a lunch held at the Napier RSA.  The date was important as it was also the 1 year anniversary of the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle.  We had a minute's silence to think of the people who had been impacted by this tragic event.

We feasted on a delicious smorgasbord and at $22 it was very good value.  I loved the fish!!

Our President welcomed 34 ladies to our birthday celebration.  The theme was 1970's or Glisten in Gold.  We were lucky enough to have Foundation Members Pam Hales (First President) and Jane Sheldrake (First Secretary) join us.  We had the first President, Pam, and our current President, Annette cut the birthday cake.  The cake had been made by Annette and iced by Berry Rangi.

Foundation member Rachel Wickham was presented with her 50 years Service Badge.  She was also given a certificate and flowers.  What an achievement reaching 50 years with an organisation!!

We were served birthday cake with a cuppa while the rest of the meeting took place.

Committee members read out some events that had taken place in 1974, our start up year.  We also sang some of the 1974 Commonwealth Games song 'Join Together'.

It was a lovely afternoon.

Craft Afternoon 22 January 2024

A bunch of ladies met at Molly Wylie's house to do some crafting and have a chat with a cuppa.

17 January 2024 Meeting and 50th AGM

25 members and 2 visitors, Sue Parkhill and June Rogers attended our January 2024 club meeting and the 50th AGM.  There were 13 apologies.  Only Peggy Flack has a birthday in January.  We sung happy birthday to her.  There was quite a bit of correspondence since the December meeting.  Most of it was able to be emailed out to members.

There was quite a discussion about the Home and Country.  Yvonne brought up the point that we should be getting reduced subs as we no longer receive a hard copy of the H&C.  NEC has refused to reduce subs received by them. Should it be taken to the Commerce Commission as we no longer receive what we paid for?  If yes, by whom?  H&C used to be an optional add on when paying subs, then it was included in the subs which were increased.  Then the number of issues was reduced.  Now the magazine has gone online only.  Our members who do not have computers are missing out.  We have written to Federation as they had made mention of perhaps printing it off.

It was decided though that our best option at this point is to individually write a letter addressed to Jude Vaughan expressing our concerns.  We will collect the letters and send in bulk.  Sending in volume will have a bigger impact.

After we dealt with the rest of the business we had a break and enjoyed a glass of delicious fruit punch made by Annette and a chocolate from Pam.  We then proceeded with the 50th AGM.  Ann W (me) presented the Annual Report, Annette -presented her Presidents report and Ann C presented her financial statement.  All of the 2023 committee is staying on for 2024 and Gaylene Bailey is joining us.

The Holter Cup - Overall points for competitions

1st  Ann Cook 2nd  Yvonne Hirst 3rd  Marilyn Thorp

Wot Not Trophy - Most Wot Not Entries for the year

Yvonne Hirst

Marilyn Thorp thanked Annette, Ann W and Ann C for their reports and the committee in general for their work in 2023.

13 December 2023 Meeting

For our December meeting, a large number of members enjoyed a light Christmas tea provided by the Institute of bread rolls, ham and salad items followed by warm Christmas pies with juice.  A BIG thank you to Ann Cook who did all the purchasing and she was assisted by Lynn Lees with the preparation and setting up of the food.

The business side of things was conducted efficiently with Annette again stepping in for Ann.

Members were then entertained by the Hoppin' Frogs Ukulele Group.  We have had them join us before and they are always a delight.

8 November 2023 Meeting

Our President, Annette welcomed 28 members, 2 visitors and Bev Doohan who was our judge for our flower show for your November meeting.  There were 9 apologies.  Annette was the acting secretary in Ann Webster's absence so she had a busy evening.

There were 59 entries which impressed Bev.  She was also pleased to have Pam Taylor and Brenda Spivey with her to train in the art of flower judging.  While the judging was happening, Rhose Shand was the Golden Thread speaker who gave a beautiful and touching story of her life.

Flower Show Results

Red (6 entries)

1st  Lynn Lees 2nd  Varna Day 3rd  Brenda Spivey

White/Cream (9 entries)

1st  Loraine Gosse 2nd  Ann Cook 3rd  Varna Day

Pink (8 entries)

1st  Jenny Ziebe 2nd  Marilyn Thorp 3rd  Brenda Spivey

Yellow/Orange (12 entries)

1st  Molly Wylie 2nd  Rachel Wickham 3rd  Pauline Powell

Spike (10 entries)

1st  Yvonne Hirst 2nd  Loraine Gosse 3rd  Brenda Spivey

Cluster (11 entries)

1st  Adrienne Parsons 2nd  Varna Day 3rd  Ann Cook

Sand Saucer (3 entries)

1st  Molly Wylie 2nd  Yvonne Hirst 3rd  Ann Cook

The raffles were won by Molly Wylie and June Dalton

11 October 2023 Meeting

Thirty ladies including two guests, June Rogers and Lois were warmly welcomed to our October 2023 meeting by our President, Annette.  There were 6 apologies.  We said the Aspirations and sung the Ode.  We sung Happy Birthday to Wendy Anderson,  Berry Rangi,  Brenda Spivey,  Jenny Ziebe and Judy McKellow who were all  having a birthday in October and also Yvonne Hirst who was away in August.  Later we realized that Lenice Middleton had been missed out for October, so we sung Happy Birthday again.  They were all offered a small gift, card and a chocolate.  

We ploughed through the official business side of things including the previous minutes, correspondence, finance and general business and Annette also reported on the Federation 1/2 Yearly Friendship Meeting.  Tamatea did well in the Federation competitions.

We had Sandra Angove from the Napier Cake Decorators Guild as our demonstrator.  She demonstrated different icing nozzles and their use.  She would attach a nozzle to the piping bag, do some flowers, piping, ribbons or writing on a piece of corflute and then these would be passed around with the nozzles so that we could see what results you get from using the different nozzles.  It was very interesting and we all watched and listened intently.

Competition Results

Floral - Single Bloom, spike and cluster

There was some confusion with this so there were 3 firsts, 3 seconds and 3 thirds

1st Ann Cook Pauline Powell Marilyn Thorp

2nd Val Hales Annette Elkins Annette Elkins

3rd Lynn Lees Yvonne Hirst Ann Cook

Cooking - One Jar of Lemon Honey (Recipe Supplied)

1st Ann Cook 2nd Jenny Ziebe 3rd Pauline Powell

The raffles were won by Lyn Stuart and Ann Webster.  They were meat packs containing chicken, pork and mince.

13 September 2023 Meeting

27 members and 2 visitors attended our September Friendship Market Madness Night.  Everyone was eager to get through the business side of things so that they could go shopping.  We thought we would do something a wee bit different this year for your friendship night.  Other Institutes were invited to attend.  Ladies were invited to buy a table and then they were able to display and sell their crafts and bits and pieces.  There was a wide variety of items on offer for example lead lighting ornaments, hand painted cards, sewing, baking, jewellery, flowers and much more.  What a lot of talent we have within our group!  We didn't have any raffles as members were encouraged to support the stallholders instead.

Also on display was a large selection of baby clothes which was to be donated to The Family Centre see below.

24 August 2023 Social Outing

We went to the Thai Lotus in Taradale for lunch.  It was really nice.  I don't go often so appreciated spending time with a lovely bunch of ladies.  I had what I always have there - panang curry with crispy pork.

14 August 2023 Craft Afternoon

The ladies met at Peggy Flack's home.

9 August 2023 Meeting

We had a good turnout for our August meeting.  Annette welcomed our members, our speaker and 3 ladies who are going to be joining.  Eva Cherie Tuck and Judy McKellow were nominated and seconded as members and Gwen Graham will be transferrring.  Gwen was also nominated and seconded. We had 8 apologies.  We said the Aspirations and sung the Ode.  Five ladies had birthdays in August and those that were there were offer a small gift and card.  We sung Happy Birthday.

We got through the business side of the meeting swiftly which left plenty of time for our speaker who was Leanne Collins from Volunteering Hawkes Bay.  She spoke about the organization in general, the impact of Covid and quite a bit about the involvement that VHB had during and after Cyclone Gabrielle.  It made us appreciate what a difference that volunteers make.  There are all sorts of volunteer roles available.  There is something suitable for everyone.  Our ladies volunteer in a lot of different capacities including Meals on Wheels, working in Charity Stores, lots of sewing and knitting and much more.  Leanne was presented with a card and small gift of appreciation by Ann Cook.

Raffles were won by Robyn Single and Pauline Powell.  They each won a delicious meat pack.

Competition Results

Floral - 1 Camellia Stem (Buds may be included)

1st  Marilyn Thorp 2nd  Jenny Ziebe 3rd  Molly Wylie

Cooking - Potato Loaf (Recipe supplied)

1st  Ann Cook

12 July 2023 Meeting

Annette welcomed 26 members and past member June Rogers to our July meeting.  We had 11 apologies.  It was not unusual to have a smaller group for a winter meeting.  We said the Aspirations and sung the Ode.  Three ladies had birthdays and those that were there were offered a small gift and card.  Naughty us forgot to sing Happy Birthday, but we did so later on when we were reminded.

We paused the meeting when our speaker, Amber McArthur from the HB Rescue Helicopter Trust arrived.  Amber gave a very interesting talk about who the Trust is, where it came from and what it does.  She spoke about the structure of the organization, the people involved and some of the rescues carried out.  We are very lucky to have them.  The Charity Bag got passed around for them.  Rhose thanked her and presented her with a small gift of appreciation for her time.

We then proceeded with the rest of the meeting including correspondence, finance and general business.

Items that many ladies had knitted were on display.  These are going to the Family Centre.

Competition Results

Floral - Sandsaucer - Natural Embellishments Only

1st Annette Elkins 2nd Yvonne Hirst 3rd Ann Cook

Cooking - Banana Cake with Lemon Icing

1st Marilyn Thorp 2nd Inez Rudd 3rd Annette Elkins

Craft - Beanie - Knitted or Crocheted

1st Ann Cook 2nd Rachel Wickham 3rd Annette Elkins

The raffles were won by Rhose Shand and Jenny Ziebe.  The prizes were a seafood pack each.

14 June 2023 Meeting 

President Annette welcomed 26 members and 2 visitors who we hope will become members to our June Mid Winter Christmas Pot Luck Dinner.  For a bit of fun, we were each given an elf name.  Mine was Cookie Greencheeks.  We had a minute silence to remember our late member Liz Nelson and from Taradale WI, Elaine Ludvigsen.  16 of our ladies had attended Liz's funeral service.  After The Aspirations and Ode, the Institute Grace was sung.  We then tucked into a delicious dinner which included chicken, corned beef, lasagna, potato bake, quiche and much more.  We also helped ourselves to Annette's delicious fruit punch.  There were 10 apologies which was not unusual for a winter meeting.  Two ladies have birthdays in June and they were each given a card and small gift while we sung Happy Birthday to them.  We then proceeded with the rest of the meeting including correspondence, minutes, finance and general business.

We had our delicious desserts which included trifle, brandy snaps, fruit crumble, mini chocolate eclairs and of course Xmas pudding with custard.

We then moved to the fun part of the evening.  We started with June Fraser's Paper Towel Tower.  Each table was given 15 sheets of paper towel.  We had to build a tower with the tallest one winning. There were different designs.  Some were more stable than others.

Next, some Christmas cards had been cut in half.  We were each given a half and we had to find who had the matching half.  Then we chatted and found out something we didn't know about the other person.  

The last game was a Clipboard Story.  June F had started off the story with a sentence and then each lady at the table added a line to the story then folded the page over.  We didn't know what each other had written.  Once it had gone around the table, the story was complete.  Each table took turns reading out their stories.  They were very funny.  There were several common themes - wine and bikinis.

Competitions

Floral - Christmas Wreath

1st  Diane Wilkie 2nd  Adrienne Parsons 3rd  Brenda Spivey

Cooking - 3 Truffles (Recipe Supplied)

1st  Lynn Lees 2nd  Ann Cook 3rd  Pauline Powell

Craft - Christmas Angel

1st  Pauline Powell 2nd  Yvonne Hirst

Meatpack raffles were won by Adrienne Parsons and Lyn Stuart.  June Fraser won the pot holder raffle.  That had been sent to us by one of our links in the UK.

10 May 2023 Meeting

We had a very good turnout for our May 2023 meeting.  After our President Annette welcomed everyone, we said the Aspirations and sung the Ode.

Our speaker was then introduced.  We had Lynare Bicknell-Schwarz from Red Cross.  She was very interesting and there wasn't a peep out of anyone as we listened and watched.  She talked about Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR.  any of us had heard about them but had not seen one up close.  Many places in the community have them e.g. supermarkets, schools, and businesses.  She brought out dummies and opened up the AED.  As soon as it was opened it starts talking to you and guides you step by step.  The charity bag was circulated for Red Cross.  Lynare gave us the opportunity to ask questions as she was going through her demonstration.  At the conclusion, Rhose thanked her and presented her with a small gift of appreciation.

There were two apologies.  Five ladies had birthdays in May, Diane Wilkie, Loraine Gosse, Val Hales, Deneice Marshall and Adrienne Parsons.  By coincidence, they were all seated alongside one another.  They were each given a small card and gift.

We then proceeded with the rest of the meeting including correspondence, minutes, finance and general business.  A very important part of the meeting was the presentation of Service Badges by our President, Annette.

Competitions

Floral - Fresh Foliage Arrangement (3 Entries)

1st  Lynn Lees 2nd  Marilyn Thorp 3rd  Yvonne Hirst

Cooking - 3 Cheese Straws (Recipe Supplied) (2 Entries)

1st  Ann Cook 2nd  Adrienne Parsons

Craft - Get Well Card and Verse (4 Entries)

1st  Marilyn Thorp 2nd  Molly Wylie 3rd  Yvonne Hirst

Meat Pack raffles were won by Diane Wilkie and Ann Webster

Craft Afternoon 17 April 2023

A group of ladies gathered together at Jenny Ziebe's home to do some crafting and then had a nice afternoon tea.  Thanks Jenny Ziebe for the photos.

12 April 2023 Meeting