Newsletter – February 2008
“Preserving the past for the future.”
“Hear ye, hear Ye”
It’s here , it’s happening now, 2008 !!
§ AGM notification – Sunday 30th March, 2pm.
§ Membership Fees- a motion will be put to the meeting, to raise fees.
2007 was, as promised, a year of positive reconstruction.
Your volunteer committee worked diligently and cohesively towards raising Museum administration standards, buildings, membership participation and public profile.
Leadership and inspiration came from dedicated volunteers who passionately gave of their time and talents. The team worked well to achieve targets.
Ilona Weyers, contributed expertise in accessioning and event organising, in particular the Heritage Week Scavenger Hunt in September and the organisation of speakers for Members evenings.
Secretary, Terrie Blackford achieved amazing results, both in finding funding for Museum projects and in negotiations with Council staff to have the Police cell block and Army Hut re sited ( the latter has been no mean feat)! Terrie is very much a hands on person and has been the driving force behind the transformation you will see in the cottage restoration and creative displays.
Treasurer and Maintenance man, John Petchell, another passionately dedicated and hands on volunteer, tracked major leaks in the woolshed and put paid to them for us, thank goodness! John’s efforts, eye for detail and thoughtfulness have certainly made a difference in the appearance and maintenance of the property.
Work is still on going in Goodwin Cottage at present and Champion cottage is next on the list for interior revival.
We plan to have an opening ceremony once the Army Hut and Police Cell block are re sited and restored.
Watch the Museum spaces, inside and out !
We hope you will visit and give us your feedback on the work that has been done and is being planned. Your suggestions, comments, donations, contacts and support are invaluable.
To all our gracious volunteers, especially our stalwarts;
Kit Nelson ( Champion raffle ticket seller, singer / song writer, musician & archiver ),
Judith Phillips ( Minute Secretary, painter, photo librarian, accessioner & general knowledge keeper )
Christine Hoffman ( shopkeeper & stock controller )
thank you
Without you there wouldn’t be a future to preserve !
Welcome to new members and thank you to those who let us know what they were interested in and what talents they could share. We are always interested in your support, ideas, stories, photos, artefacts and opinions.
Great to have you all “on board”
Stories
Today’s yesterday is history. Present day is history, here and now.
We are always interested in stories and memorabilia – please let us know.
Your recollections, photos, artefacts may share valuable stories.
Roster
We do need all members to volunteer for Museum duty at least once a year.
We particularly need more help on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon – 4pm. Please contact us during those hours at the Museum 372 2970.
No offer is too large, too small or too little.
Every offer makes a difference !
May we all continue to prosper in the spirit of one outstanding New Zealander, who followed his dreams, spoke from the heart and believed he was “just an ordinary bloke”
– Sir Edmund Hillary.
2008 will get even more exciting!
We started with a “hiss and a roar – literally!”
Graheme Hooper coordinated an Open Day on January 12th.
A mix of antique vehicles, diesel puffing machinery, crafts, food stalls, games as well as a farrier at work, drew well over 200 people, visitors and locals alike.
Jan encouraged people to use her treadle sewing machine – customers were mainly young boys who seemed fascinated with the workings of the machine and proud of the pencil cases they made and took home. The spinning wheels were in action, five in all. Gumboot throwing attracted people of all ages, even a Gulf News reporter – who now needs no more coaching!
The weather was beautiful, there were no golf ball attacks on the Police cell nor the Goodwin cottage windows, although a few golfers did forsake their game, enticed as they were, with pizza and Betty’s and Neil’s home cooking, served from Day cottage.
A very successful and lively day was had by all. $1300 + was raised, a worthy effort.
It was lovely to see the Museum, in particular Day Cottage being used entirely appropriately. I think Mrs Day would have been very pleased indeed.
Thank you to members: Pat Whitwell, Betty Tattersall , Mary Batten, Ken and Jan Vail, Graheme Hooper and Neil Stevenson, whose considerable talents are so much appreciated.
Judith, John, Arnie, and Kit raised funds on the morning of the Open Day by handing out sponges and drinks to runners and walkers who were participating in the Waiheke Wharf to Wharf event.
Historical Gardens Project
Good fortune has shone on us in the light of Landscape Architect extraordinaire, Daphne Mitten, who has undertaken to draw plans and help coordinate a project which will see the gardens revamped with a flourish.
It is envisaged that the community will be involved in creating grounds which will enrich the past and ongoing story of the island and peoples of Waiheke, for the future and beyond.
Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this creative process. We will be looking for advice, plants, signage materials, knowledge of wetlands, Maori history, gardening implements and so on.
We will be encouraging all Waihekeans to have an input, to work collaboratively, to be represented. Daphne’s even approaching Council to see if we can have the bus shelters outside the Museum converted to something eye catchingly historical.
Watch the local newspapers !
PH: Helen Lorimer (09) 372 2128.
AGM
30th March 2pm – please bring a plate. Coffee & tea available. BYO.
The Museum, is growing and developing as a Community asset.
We’re on a roll !
Come and view the draft proposal for the Gardens Project, a Daphne Mitten presentation, see Pat’s display of Maori history and artefacts, view the progress in each of the cottages and let’s celebrate such rejuvenation and enthusiasm.
The stone is rolling – no moss in sight !
· Saturday 22nd March
·
traditional fundraising at the Easter Markets, Ostend , where stall holders fees are collected as donations to the Historical Society.
AGM nominations
Nominations for committee members must be in writing and must be received 7 days prior to the meeting.
- Send form to: Secretary POBox 206 Ostend , or drop them into the Museum.
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AGM nomination form
I nominate-----------------------------------------------------
Seconded by----------------------------------------------------
Nomination accepted------------------------------------------
( the nominated person’s signature)
AGM Nomination form
I nominate-----------------------------------------------------
Seconded by----------------------------------------------------
Nomination accepted------------------------------------------
( the nominated person’s signature)
AGM Nomination form
I nominate-----------------------------------------------------
Seconded by----------------------------------------------------
Nomination accepted------------------------------------------
( the nominated person’s signature)