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WHITESTONE CHATTER

August – November 2018

Altrusa International of Oamaru P O Box 64 Oamaru 9444 President Hele n Newlands president.oamaru@altrusa.org.nz 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.or

President Helen’s Hearsay

Oamaru Club

President Norma’s notes

noNnrma

In this Issue

President’s Notes

1. 2018- 19 Elected &

Appointed Officers

1. Important Dates

2. District Fifteen

3. Governor Elect

4. Obituaries

5. Obituaries cont

6. Recent projects

7. Projects cont.

8. Christmas Extravaganza

9. Committee Focus

10. ASTRA

11. International

12. Up & coming

Accents Pg 2,7,10,11

Email Norma Dovey

gndovey@xtram.co.nz

Postal address: PO Box 64

Oamaru

District Fifteen website: www.altrusa.org.nz

International website: www.altrusa.org

NORMA’S NOTES

November already!! Since the Bazaar we have had a working bee for Days for

Girls, IFF Day in Queenstown, Can Day etc.

Suddenly life can throw us off balance, our Tania passed away suddenly at

Labour weekend and a short time later Phyllis passed away at the end of

October. Both will be missed by not only us but their families and friends.

We had a successful Christmas Extravaganza last week, thanks to the very

good management of Pam Balcombe. Everyone pitched in to make a very

rainy night a special dazzling evening.

With Christmas not far away, hope your shopping is going well. It is time to

think of family and friends getting together. Our Christmas will be spent in

Matamata at our daughters new home, swimming pool included so amusing 5

children won't be a problem. Grandma will be happy to be on pool duty.

Before this though, I will be spending a few days tramping with friends. We

are going to base ourselves at Erewhon Station (Erewhon is Nowhere spelt

backwards) Also a night at Lake Heron Station. We will enjoy exploring the

Hakatere Conservation area.

My best wishes to you all for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Remember to give lots of hugs.

Norma

QUOTE from Katherine Hepburn.

“ If you obey all the rules, you miss all the

fun”

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Altrusa International of Oamaru Inc. 2018 – 2019

BOARD:

President: Norma Dovey

President Elect: Lyn Cartwright

1st Vice President:

Corresponding Secretary: Bev Manson

Recording Secretary: Liz McIntyre

Treasurer: Kath Mercer

Immediate Past President: Helen Newlands

DIRECTORS: Senior Sue Preston

Junior Robyn Moynihan

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Liaison: Jenny Cleland

Service: Helen Newlands

Communication: Claire Jelgersma

& Julie Speer

Literacy: Lyn Cartwright

Vocational: Nancy Allan

Membership: Robyn Moynihan

Finance: Kath Mercer

ASTRA: Liz Ballantyne

Nancy Allan, Jenny Cleland

Parliamentarian: Kath Mercer

Archives: Sue Preston

IMPORTANT DATES

Duty committee’s:

November Vocational committee December Liaison Committee

February Communications committee

Birthday’s November Helen Conn Nov 4 Sue Preston Nov 12 Pam Balcombe Nov 23 Julie Speer Nov 27 December Yvonne Blaikie Dec 8 Lynette Budge Dec 10 Ainslie Mitchell Dec 11 Jeanette Halcrow Dec 13 January Margaret Ward Jan 14 Claire Jelgersma Jan 23 February Jan Sutherland Feb 15 Wally Macaulay Feb 26

In The Pipeline 26 November – Programme meeting December 10th Christmas function

Be a Santa to a Senior

From the Editors –

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Whitestone Chatter for the 2018/2019 year. Thank you to everyone who has contributed, advised and been there as a sounding board.

Please keep your items/news coming in. Your newsletter can be only as good as the information we receive.

The Communications Committee:- contact claire.j@kinect.co.nz

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Breakfast with the Governor

Sunday 26 August.

Fruit juice, Rhubarb and apple, cereal and yoghurt, bacon, scrambled egg, potatoes, cherry

tomatoes and caramelised onion, hot rolls, toast and mini muffins and coffee were on the

menu for a breakfast meeting.

It was lovely to meet Christine and for her to get to know some of us. She asked each of us

our reasons for joining Altrusa and why we stay. The overwhelming response was that we

stay because of “our service to others!”

Christine spoke of how to make our group personal to us and how important this is in

gaining and retaining members.

She encouraged us to go to the next conference in Te Awamutu and that there was a

possibility of organising bus trip to see around that area (perhaps instead of the workshops).

Quote from Christine:

“ Growth is the process of responding

positively to change”

DISTRICT FIFTEEN NEWS

BREAKING NEWS A new virtual club is being set up by Altrusa International in New Zealand for

those who cannot fully commit to attending club nights due to personal

circumstances. You will need to be a dab hand at the computer as all

correspondence and information will be on-line. Service will not be neglected

and will gather up like-minded members in each area for volunteer work.

Just because you cannot come to meetings does not mean you can’t make a

difference – IS THIS FOR YOU??

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Governor Elect

Maria Mackay

It was with honour that I accepted my nomination for office to the District Fifteen Board of Directors for the biennium 2017 - 2019 to the position of Governor Elect. I joined Altrusa of Oamaru International Inc. as a very shy, young, but motivated and enthusiastic member and have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement over the last 39 years. During my years of membership I have willingly held many roles within my club, on behalf of my club, at District and International level because of the mentoring and support that Altrusa gives you. You are never alone. I value the camaraderie and friendships made with Altrusans and the wider community, as we give service. Serving as a member on your District Board of Directors allows you to participate further in the administration of District Fifteen. A highlight is the close contact that you have with other Clubs, enjoying further involvement with members, and learning so much more about Altrusa and our international links. In July this year I was privileged to attend Governor Elect Training in Chicago along with the Governor Elects from other Districts. Our trainers Jenette Borrell and Linda Barb, gave us exceptional training, support and mentoring over the weekend and also from the time we became the Governor Elects - meeting through ‘Free Conference’ calls and receiving encouraging emails regularly, before our arrival in Chicago. The support and mentoring continues as we head towards Governorship. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing my experiences, gaining from the experiences of others and putting new ideas to best practice. I strongly encourage you all to accept the challenge of leadership opportunities - be it at Committee, Club, District or International level. We have an amazing mentoring and support network throughout our membership. Altrusa is truly a ‘Builder of Woman’. Words that resonate with me and speak of why I have eventually said ‘Yes’ and committed to the task whenever asked ... ... I hope they will inspire you.

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TANIA Marie Wilson (17.2.1963 – 22.10.2018)

On Saturday, 27th October 2018 many members of Altrusa

International of Oamaru Inc. joined with a large crowd of mourners, at

the St. Andrews Anglican Church in Maheno, to farewell Tania, a valued

member of our Club since 2013.

The Tania we knew will long be remembered for her infectious smile,

spontaneous laughter and as the giver of great hugs. The loved wife of

Trevor, mother of David and James and devoted daughter of Melody

was also a lover of animals and possessed computer skills envied by

many Club members.;

Born and bred in Auckland and a high achiever at school and in her

work life Tania (and Trevor) decided to leave the rat race and traffic of

Auckland and moved south to Oamaru in 2011. Once established on

their property in Maheno and settled into her new working life Tania elected to join the Oamaru

Club where she soon demonstrated her capacity for service and willingly undertook the job of

Corresponding Secretary. Work commitments changed over the last couple of years but, even

though she was not always able to make it in time for a meal, she tried valiantly to attend as many

meetings as possible and was always ready to help with fundraisers and other community activities.

As Club members we were only privileged to know Tania for a little more than half a decade but she

will long be remembered for the friendly, loving, giving, smiling woman that she was. Gone too

soon but remembered fondly by us all!

PHYLLIS Audrey Bain (27.5 1930 – 31 .10. 2018)

On the 28th May this year we had the pleasure of presenting Phyllis with her 40 year service pin. Earlier in the year we had presented the previous year’s pins. Phyllis knew she was due her 40 year pin, so she was heard to mutter and was a little bit pipped. We had decided to wait for a special occasion to present it as 40 years of service is pretty special, so at our Change Over night, the day after her 88th Birthday we surprised her. For once Phyllis was speechless. During these 40 years Phyllis has been very involved. Within the first 12 months she became the clubs treasurer and finance chair. A position she held for 2 years. Then I guess tying in with her job at the Borough Council she became the club Civil defence Chair. She held

this position on and off more many years until it became disestablished. In May 1982 she became the President Elect than in May 1983 Phyllis was installed as President. This was the year before the

OBITUARY

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National District was formed so many hours of work went into transitioning the club, not an easy time I’m led to understand. No doubt as a result of this work Phyllis’s skills were recognized and in 1988 she became the first Oamaru Altrusan to serve as a District Officer when she was appointed the District Fifteen Information Chair. The fore-runner of today's Communication Chair. After serving as club President Phyllis continued to Chair many committees, Information, Civil Defense and Vocational and always taking a very active part in Club activities. In 2002 she became the club Parliamentarian, keeping us all on our toes. Phyllis liked things to be done correctly and was a great support to Presidents when they wanted or needed guidance or advice. She continued in this role for 9 years.

Phyllis, your spirit and determination shone through when you turned 80. And the family gave you an iPad or your birthday. After leaving work at the council you refused to have a computer telling me you hated the things. But within 2 months you had mastered the iPad and how proud you were when you told me “ tell them they can email me my minutes now” That iPad certainly opened up a new world for you. Phyllis thank you for all the work you have done for your community in Altrusa’s name. To be as committed as you have been over the past 40 years is pretty amazing. You were a much loved member of our club and we will miss your smiling face sitting at that raffle table in the future. Active right to the end, you will be missed by us all.

Tania and Phyllis may you Rest in Peace. *********************************************************************

Death is nothing at all I have only slipped into the next room.

I am I, and you are you: Whatever we were to each other, we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name; Speak to me in the easy way you always used

Put no difference into your tone; Wear no air of solemnity or sorrow;

Laugh as we always laughed At the little jokes we enjoyed together;

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever

The household word that it always was. Let it be spoken with effect;

Without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity.

What is this death but negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

For an interval, somewhere, very near Just around the corner

All is well Harry Scott-Holland

OBITUARY CONT

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DAYS FOR GIRLS Saturday 25 August had 15/18 club members attend a sewing day to make shields for the Days for

Girls International project. Carol King (region advisor for Days for Girls) came to set up and make

sure we took all the care necessary. She organised a production line and explained how to go

about it. It took a little time but by lunchtime we were in full production. 110 shields were made,

some from material we provided from the fabric bazaar. It was very satisfying to feel that not only

are we helping some in our country but also those overseas who do not have access to the hygiene

regimes that we have. As always good food was provided and the company on the day

invigorating.

Each DfG Kit contains:* Washable pads (made of two parts: a shield and a liner) Washcloth Drawstring Bag Panties

and other essentials to ensure each recipient's needs are met.

It doesn’t have to stop there. You can help by becoming an individual sewer

from home or start a group dedicated to the cause. See www.daysforgirls.org

RECENT PROJECTS

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World Food Day – Thursday 4th

October at Oamaru New World.

Our club was pleased to support World Food Day by collecting cans and cash at the Oamaru New world supermarket on this day. We were able to donate the cans to the Oamaru Foodbank and the Orwell Street Christmas dinner project.

IFF Day in Queenstown IFFDay translated means INTENSE FOOD AND FLAMBOYANT FRIENDS??

As a first-timer at the Altrusa IFF day in Queenstown this year I didn't really know what to expect. I was

promised a couple of days of fun and laughter it certainly lived up to the hype! The trip to Queenstown was

punctuated by a few stops for retail therapy followed by a late lunch on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Lots of

laughter followed as we walked back to our accommodation dripping the most enormous ice creams!

Accommodation had been booked at a lovely hotel close to the centre of town and we shared rooms and got

to know each other a lot better as we enjoyed a night out on the town. I learnt a lot that evening!!

The next day dawned and we found parking close to the venue for the IFF day. We were met by a very

friendly host team and we had a full day of FOOD and interesting discussions and projects that had been

planned for our education (!) and entertainment. FOOD followed (delicious lunch thanks Queenstown

ladies!). Much laughter followed this, as those in our midst pondered their lack of knowledge in respect to

the workings of a sewing bee!! I laughed over discussions as to how one could plausibly be excused from a

past-time that others were not au fait with!! The activities concluded with more FOOD and I have to say the

fellowship fun and laughter would certainly be a joy to repeat in years to come. It was delightful meeting

members from other Altrusa groups around the country

Thanks to all for the company, companionship and camaraderie that went into my very first IFF day!

Joan Edridge

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something!

PROJECTS CONT

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It may have been wet and miserable outside but this did not lessen the amazingly festive

atmosphere inside. The decorations in the foyer with its stunning ‘alternative’ Christmas tree and

then the welcome refreshments got everyone in the mood for a great evening. With 37 stallholders

each displaying such a wide variety of wares for sale there was plenty to keep all those attending

interested in stocking up on items for Christmas, and the background music by the Saggy Britches

band was enjoyed by all. The raffle table was kept busy with 37 raffle prizes donated by stall

holders and Altrusans. The donation of $1500.00 to the Ruby Marris Trust was well received as was

the opportunity to inform those attending about the Trust and the support it provides to encourage

the performing arts in North Otago. All in all it was a very successful evening that reflected all the

planning, hard work, fun (some frivolity), and the combined participation of all our members.

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

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SEPTEMBER HOSTS––Literacy Committee

The literacy Committee has so far had a light workload, thanks hugely to the previous committee

who prepared enough baby packs to last through to well into the New Year.

We will meet in early February to make up more packs which will include the delightful woollen

hats kindly hand-knitted by some friends of Altrusa with wool left over from our Bazaar. Huge

thanks to these ladies.

We have been pleased to help in making some easy-prepare meals for Cara and Alister during

Cara's convalescence and we will be involved with selling raffle tickets at the upcoming Christmas

Extravaganza.

Lyn Cartwright

OCTOBER Hosts – Service Committee

The service committee put together 15 Emergency Bags for Oamaru House in Dunedin.

These were received with delight when Jean delivered them.

The service committee was responsible for the Altrusa stall at the Extravaganza. Items

were packed and priced at Jeans. Thank you to Julie for icing 14 small Christmas cakes.

Be a Santa to a Senior request forms are at the rest homes and health care providers.

The tree will go up in the Oamaru Pharmacy on Friday 23rd November for two weeks.

Helen Newlands

NOVEMBER - Hosts – Vocational committee

The Committee interviewed all the applicants for the Scholarships and it was great to meet such

delightful, enthusiastic young ladies. Anna Craig from St Kevins was awarded the Margaret Crombie

Memorial Scholarship and Julia Dorsey from Waitaki Girls’ the Lynnette Young Memorial

Scholarship.

Nancy Allan

Communications Committee

Advertising has been our main activity over the past few months especially with the Christmas

Extravaganza. The Oamaru Mail has been kind and helped us with a couple of articles (thanks Sally)

and we have been supported by The Telegram and Facebook and Oamaru Today.

The Whitestone Chatter will be completed and published this month with all the news and whats

been happening from The Oamaru Altrusa Club.

Claire Jelgersma / Julie Speer

COMMITTEE FOCUS

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Membership Committee

I must start with a word about my co-chair, who has been carrying my can for the last six months. We all

loved Tania so much and her sudden death has hugely affected us. What a sombre meeting we had when

we found out. I associate her with a quiet strength and a massive smile. There is so little to say. She was

such a nucleus for her family. When I spoke with Melody a couple of weeks ago, the enormity of the loss hit

me. Tania would be thankful if she knew we were keeping an eye on her family.

Phyllis’s death was sad, but it was a comfort to her friends that the end was not too difficult. Her jaunt on

the escalator/chair to our meetings was always something of an ‘event’. More long standing members knew

Phyllis better than me but her contribution to Altrusa over the years has been significant.

On a more personal note; I thought that I’d take this opportunity to update you all on Michael and my

situation. I have appreciated all the kind words, phone calls and texts over the last few months. The

kindness of Altrusa members has been heart warming… not to mention sniffle-making. (is there such an

expression?) Michael is VERY well at the moment. He works a full day, and looks particularly well. The

chemo has finished and it’s ‘wait and see’. Our farm is on the market and we are looking at the options for

where we are going to live. It will be in Oamaru.

I will now step up to the plate and do the job that Tania had been carrying. So continue to spread the

word!!!

Robyn Moynihan

Care Packs for Oamaru Hospital Patients

A group of Oamaru secondary school pupils have put

together care packs for patients admitted to Oamaru

Hospital through the Emergency Department or as

inpatients. About 15 pupils belong to Astra, a junior

Altrusa group that operates out of Waitaki Girls’ High

School

One of Astra’s co-ordinators, Waitaki Girls’ teacher Liz

Ballantyne, said the group had decided to raise funds

and seek donations from Oamaru businesses for care packs for child, male and female patients.

About 25 packs were presented to the hospital recently, and the project would be on-going as more

packs were needed. Altrusa member Nancy Allan made fabric bags for the packs. Some items were

donated by Paper Plus, Bracken Print, F and F Dental, Oamaru Pharmacy, Cooper and Huntt and

Crombie and Price and others bought with funds from raffles and catering.

Liz Ballantyne

To commemorate Armistice day, a moment of silence and

remembrance was held to honour those who fought for freedome

during the First World War.

ASTRA

COMMITTEE FOCUS CONT./ASTRA

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UN International Days November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women December 10 Human Rights Day

CONNVENTION 2019 Reno, Nevada

17 – 20 July 2019

Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nevada

CONVENTION 2021 Quebec - Canada

********************************

Success has nothing to do with what you gain in

life or accomplish yourself. It’s what you do for

others, that counts.

INTERNATIONAL

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BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR

Last year we held this for the first time and it was a great success.

Rest and care homes in Oamaru were asked to provide names of those who possibly would not receive a visit or gift at Christmas and they were asked what they would like to receive. These wishes were transferred to a tag and placed on a Christmas tree in the local pharmacy. Members of the public then took a tag, purchased the gift and returned it to the Pharmacy. Altrusans then delivered the gifts before Christmas.

This year the Christmas tree will go up on 23 November and we are anticipating as much interest or more than we had last year.

ALTRUSA CHRISTMAS FUNCTION This will be held at the Star & Garter Restaurant on Monday 10 December, 6pm for 6.30pm tea. Lisa has promised a special meal that will cater to all tastes. Men are invited so see you there for a fun night of food and laughter.

UP & COMING PROJECTS

A HAPPY AND SAFE

CHRISTMAS AND

NEW YEAR TO YOU

ALL

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