Jims Annual report September 2005

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2004-2005

Once again, it is my pleasure to present the Annual Report of the Shetland Society of Wellington on behalf of the Management Committee.

It's been another active year for the Society and we have purposely tried to widen the scope of what we offer to members to include all ages. This can be seen in the report on our functions and we are very pleased with the enthusiasm and response especially from our younger members. It is particularly gratifying to see that many of our young members have a good appreciation of their Shetland heritage and this can only be a good thing for the future of the Society.

FUNCTIONS

Family Night

Saturday 4 September 2004

Our first function of the year reflected our goal to offer more to our Junior Members. The Family Night held at the Scots Hall in Newtown offered the opportunity for everyone to polish their dancing skills. For the young ones it presented an opportunity to learn the Scottish dances that feature at our Viking Ball. About 40 members, with a good sprinkling of younger ones, joined us for an energetic evening of dancing followed by refreshments and supper. Not a late night, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Hastings Blossom Festival Saturday

11 September 2004

Keen to keep our Shetland heritage in front of the wider public, we again accepted an invitation to participate in the Hastings Blossom Parade. Sadly, we were unable to find enough families with Junior Vikings able to make the trip, so a squad of Senior Vikings, augmented by some members of the Hawkes Bay Shetland Society, paraded without the galley. It was a beautiful spring day and the squad was well received by the crowds lining the route. I was pleased to lead the squad and be able to display my Up Helly Aa squad uniform. My thanks to Rose for making the banners that heralded both the Wellington and Hawkes Bay Societies. After the parade, the Hawkes Bay banner was presented to President, Lily Baker. The evening's entertainment of a dinner/ dance gave us further opportunities to cement our friendships with our Hawkes Bay kith and kin.

Christmas Parade

Sunday 21 November 2004

As it has been some years since we have been in the Wellington Christmas Parade, it was decided to accept the opportunity this year. We also wanted to make sure that the Junior Viking Squad had the chance to join in a parade as well. We got a great response from both the Junior and Senior squad members - the galley was fully loaded. A fine sunny day and appreciative crowds made for a very successful parade.

My thanks to the Chief Executive of IPENZ for allowing us the use of their staff cafeteria for changing, and also to Edwards Mitre 10 for providing us both with a truck and a driver! It was a fitting opportunity to farewell our Jarl for 2004, John Freeman, before his move to Tauranga.

Christmas Dinner Saturday 4 December 2004

As always our Christmas Dinner is a popular event, and about 60 members and friends gathered at the Scots Hall. There was the usual mix of fine refreshments, gourmet dining and seasonal goodwill,` which led to an excellent night. My thanks, once again, to Pat Dixon and her helpers for continuing to provide such an excellent occasion for us to get together in the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Party : Sunday 5 December 2004

The next day we were back at the hall for the Children's Christmas Party. This year we decided to do something quite different, and accordingly arrangements for a guided tour of the zoo was made for all those interested. A number of parents and grandparents chose to go as well, and despite the appalling weather, all enjoyed the tour. Hot drinks (for the adults) and games (for the children), were followed by afternoon tea. The highlight of the day for the children was undoubtedly the visit ^-of Father Christmas with his big bag of gifts!

My thanks to all those who worked hard to make it a memorable weekend.

60th Anniversary of Lodge Zetland Friday 11 March 2005

An invitation by Lodge Zetland to join with them in celebrating their 60th Anniversary was accepted by some 30 or so of our members. Held at The Pines, with delicious food and an interesting display of Lodge memorabilia, the evening took on a very Shetland flavour thanks to our Patron John Smith entertaining us with fiddle music. I'm not sure if the Lodge members fully understood the rendition of "Janny and Henry" provided by my sister Mary and me, but it certainly seemed to cause plenty of amusement. My thanks go to Lodge Zetland for extending the invitation to our members.

St Patrick's Day Parade

Unfortunately, the invitation from Lodge Zetland clashed with the annual St Patrick's Day Parade, which reverted back to a Friday evening parade. This is the first time for many years that we haven't participated in the St Patrick's Day Parade, but I'm sure it will be only a temporary lapse.

Picnic: Sunday 13 February 2005

Our usual luck with the weather for the picnic held again this year and between 30 and 40 members and friends joined us at Queen Elizabeth Park. The trophies were once again captured by younger Society members with David Pitt winning the Gifford Trophy Tait Memorial Cup and Fiona Inkster again winning the Robert Stout Rosebowl. Our congratulations go to them for taking the top trophies, and thanks to all those who gave of their best without winning a trophy. As usual, my thanks go to Margaret Jenkins for organising the races and prizes, and the very popular lolly scramble at the end of the day. Unfortunately, a stiff wind cut short the barbecue and the social end to a very successful day.

Viking Night Saturday 9 April 2005

Our customary Viking Night saw members of the Senior Viking Squad, Committee, helpers and supporters again getting together for a potluck dinner. After the dinner, members of the Squad duly elected Ross Mainland as Jarl for 2005.

Dancing Classes Friday 15, 22 and 29 April 2005

Once again, we were requested to hold dancing classes as a lead up to the Viking Ball. Three nights were scheduled, and my thanks go to Mary Christie, Jane Dowson and Margaret Jenkins for providing a much-needed cuppa during the nights' exertions. I would also like to thank Margaret and Russell Pitt for their expertise in leading the classes. I'm sure that all those who came learnt a few new steps and enjoyed the ball even more for the practice beforehand. Thank you for your attendance and support.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

From time to time, the Society receives requests from different groups for Society members to host a presentation on Shetland, its heritage, history and culture.

In July 2004, The Alexandra Rest Home welcomed Mary Christie and Margaret Jenkins who took knitting to demonstrate and ornaments to display. Along with Shetland fiddle music provided by John Smith, the residents were well entertained and the visit was much appreciated.

34th Viking Ball Saturday 7 May 2005

Yet another Ball, and another good attendance as 350 or so guests greeted Jarl Ross Mainland and his Viking Squad with as much enthusiasm as ever.

As planned, the formalities started earlier than usual with Junior Jarl Daniel Rumbal and his Junior Squad being piped in a little after 8.30pm. As they lined up in front of the galley, Jarl Ross Mainland led in the Senior Viking Squad. After a welcome by Vice-President Barbara Baker, the dancing got underway shortly after 9pm.

The earlier start had come as a request for more dancing time. We have also observed that there are fewer wishing to dance well into the "wee smaa oors" as they used to. The new time and format worked well and is likely to continue.

Yet again, I wish to thank Tony 0'Brien of The Pines for providing a delicious meal. To the bands, Highland Country and Mojo, our thanks for the music, and to all those who came and danced the night away, thank you for your continuing support.

Long may our Viking Ball enjoy such success!

A few week later in August I was invited to talk to the Island Bay Historical Society about Shetland and the contribution made by Shetlanders to the Island Bay fishing community.

In preparing for this presentation, Rose and I tried to find out as much as we could about the early Shetland community in Island Bay. This proved to be a fascinating area of research and we feel that we have only just scratched the surface of the stories that are there to be told. I would particularly like to thank Mary and Gilbert Bolt, Kath Inkster and Jane Haskell for helping us with our research. Rose is continuing to collect any information or stories about the Shetland Island Bay families, so any information that members would like to pass on would be much appreciated.

We were both overwhelmed by the response and interest we got from the 50 or so people who turned out on a very cold winter's night. We used an overhead projector and transparencies to illustrate our talk, which was recorded to be kept as part of their archives. Over a cup of tea after the presentation several people came and expressed interest in Shetland or had Shetland stories to share with us. It was very gratifying to know that the presentation was so well received.

PUBLICATIONS

MEMBERSHIP

Chips Off the Auld Rock

New Members

Without any advertising or publicity, enquiries about Chips Off the Auld Rock continue to be received regularly. This usually results in sales, albeit on a smaller scale than when it was first published eight years ago. Several enquiries have been received as a result of people overseas accessing our website. Copies are still available from the Society, Box 14-708, Wellington at a cost of $39.95 (+$3.00 postage and packing within New Zealand).

Internet

We recently became aware through an enquiry from a librarian in Australia that there is an incorrect listing for the publisher of Chips Off the Auld Rock in the American based database that the library uses to source its publications. The librarian (who wanted a copy for her mother in New Plymouth) decided to direct an enquiry to the Society after accessing the Society's website.

To me this demonstrates the ever-increasing importance of maintaining and keeping our website up-to-date. I am especially grateful to Ian Laurenson who continues to do this for the Society and I wish to thank him for yet again looking after this for us. And yes, we have taken steps to correct the listing in the American database!

Newsletter

This year we have achieved our goal of publishing our newsletter quarterly, with Voar and Yule in 2004, and Hairst and Winter in 2005. Once again Mary Wood has continued to produce a newsletter of a very high standard, each issue continuing to have a theme that relates to current Shetland interests, and again I wish to convey our grateful thanks to her for its publication. I also wish to thank our young contributors Lillias Henderson and Daniel Rumbal, and also Rose who coordinates the formatting, printing and distribution of each issue.

New members

It is always a pleasure to welcome new members to the Society, especially so when they come from a family that has a strong connection with the Society. Accordingly, we are very pleased to welcome Sarah Neville, daughter of the late Jean Neville who gave so much to the Management Committee and the Society. Also to Angela Hallam and Karen O'Connor, daughters of the late Ralph and Vi Sutherland - it's great to see you again, especially as members of the Society. I would also like to welcome new members Kevin and Lisa Chafe, Richard and Vaila Findlay and Liz Sutherland.

Congratulations

In October last year Rose and I had great pleasure in being able to offer our personal congratulations to Edna Irvine on her forthcoming 100th birthday celebrations. We spent a fascinating couple of hours listening to her recollections of her life as a young wife of a Shetland fisherman in Island Bay in the 1920's. Edna, or Marty as she is known, is an incredible person with an amazing memory and we know that she really appreciated the honour of Life Membership that was bestowed on her at last year's AGM.

Our congratulations go to George and Dianne Coutts on their marriage at the end of April. As one of our long-standing Senior Viking Squad members, I think it took a great deal of courage by George to get married the week before the Ball!

Best Wishes

For those who have suffered ill-health through the year, we send our best wishes. In particular I know that all Society members will wish to join with me in sending our best wishes to Margaret, wife of our Patron, John Smith in her great determination to make her life as fulfilling as possible, despite overwhelming odds. Our thoughts are with you both.

Condolences

It is with a great deal of sadness that I have to record the passing of one of our Life Members, my aunt, Mrs Dolly Coutts: She was a staunch supporter of the Society serving on the Committee for a short time, in the 1940's. She also joined the Manawatu Shetland Society after moving to Levin in more recent years, and always retained a strong interest in Shetland.

Earlier this year we were extremely sad to learn of the death of Jean Styles, shortly before we were to print her story about knitting shawls in our newsletter. As Jean: lived in Masterton we didn't see her often, but she was a loyal member of the Society for many years who always kept in touch.

Other members who have passed away during the year are Sandy Johnstone and Rosina Morrison. We will miss their, support and our condolences go to their families.

During the last twelve months we have also become aware of the passing of two of our former members, Bunty Mouat and Betty McShane (or Betty Lancaster as we knew her).

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE & OFFICERS

The following were elected at the Annual Genera! Meeting held on Sunday 15 August 2004: . .

Patron John Smith

President Jim Coutts

Vice President Barbara Baker

Secretary Margaret Jenkins

Treasurer Rose Coutts

Committee Gideon Anderson, Andrew Clark, Pat Dixon, Jane Dows6n~ Ross and Ruth Mainland, Margaret Pitt and Marie Warner. Mary Christie as Immediate Past President also served on the Committee.

Hon Solicitor Ian Laurenson

Hon Auditor Marc Warner

I would like to thank all the Committee for their'' continuing hard work and their contributions during the year.

OTHER LINKS

Both Bunty and Betty had given tremendous service to the Society, both on and off the Committee. Betty retained her interest in the Society after her move to Perth, and Bunty and Gloria became members of^, -the -Kiwi. Fruit Coast Shetland Society after their move to Tauranga several years ago. We know how important it was to Bunty to make a final trip to Shetland and to spend time there with his son Kevin. Both Bunty and Kevin had been members of the Senior Viking Squad, with Bunty being Jarl in 1979 and Kevin in 1994. Our deepest, sympathies go to Gloria and her family and to Betty's children, Karen and James.

To all those families who have lost loved ones during the year we extend our sincere condolences.

For many years the Society has had regular contact with other organisations that share similar interests or goals to ours. We regularly receive copies of newsletters from the Hutt Irish Club, the Manawatu Scandinavian Society, The Balladeer, The Coast Guard and Wellington Sea Rescue.

More recently we have been added to the mailing list of the European Forum, an organisation which exists to promote and support ethnic societies from Europe. We 'are,-.also in touch with the NZ-UK Link Foundation and the Wellington Irish Club. `Contact -with organisations such as these :provides opportunities for us to reach further into the wider community which can only

Association of Scots Societies

Shetland Tour 2006

Naturally our main link with other Scottish societies with whom we are in contact (such as the Gaelic Club) is through the Association of Scots Societies. We couldn't ask for better representation as our Secretary, Margaret Jenkins is Secretary/Treasurer and one of the key members of that Association. On behalf of all of us I wish to thank Margaret, for her continuing hard work for the Association and for representing us so well.

Shetland Societies in New Zealand

We also regularly receive newsletters from the other Shetland Societies in New Zealand. They give us a great insight into the ways other members of our broader Shetland family enjoy getting together and how they reach out to their members. Like us, they have regular get-togethers. For instance, both Auckland and Canterbury hold Up Helly Aa celebrations late in January, with Auckland members actually creating and burning miniature galleys!

There are opportunities out there for members to visit other societies as well. We know that several members from Auckland have travelled to Tauranga for the annual Kiwi Fruit Coast barbecue on more than one occasion. Last November Rose and I were invited to the Manawatu's Christmas Luncheon where I was asked to wear my Up Helly Aa squad uniform (which was not designed for our hot summer weather!) and talk about my experiences as a squad member. Last September saw our second trip to the Hawkes Bay for the Blossom Festival (which we plan to do every couple of years), and over the years members from both Hawkes Bay and Manawatu have made the trip south to our Viking Ball.

Visitors are always welcome at our functions, and I am sure that the other Shetland Societies will make any of our members visiting their locality welcome as well. Continuing contact can only strengthen the bonds of kinship!

If contact between members of Shetland Societies in NZ is important, then there is nothing like the contact with Shetlanders visiting New Zealand to cement the bonds of friendship even further.

Therefore, I am very pleased to announce that a further tour of NZ is planned for February March 2006 by a group from Shetland and Orkney. I know that there will be a great welcome for them throughout New Zealand, and we will certainly be planning to entertain them whilst they are here in Wellington.

CONCLUSION

The days of mass migrations from Shetland are over. Certainly New Zealand is still attracting migrants from Shetland, but these migrants are coming for totally different reasons than ^-the migrants of the 19th and 20th centuries. They neither need nor seek the support and the comfort of social contact with fellow Shetlanders as did our forebears. And it was for these reasons that the Society was formed in 1922.

To me this means that as a Society we have to focus on where our future membership is going to come from. And the answer has to lie here - in New Zealand with New Zealanders with a Shetland heritage. What do we have to_ offer them? What do they want from us? How can we meet the challenge of making the Society attractive for future generations of New Zealanders with a Shetland heritage?

These are questions that all of us should be thinking about, and more importantly, asking of our younger members. For they, ultimately, hold the future of the Society in their hands.

Jim Coutts

President