Tag: committee

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Committee Musings Mar ’25

Condolenses

The committee sent flowers and a card to Gayl to note Mike’s passing, and there was a good turnout at the celebration of his life on Friday 21st Feb, with stories coming from family, friends and work colleagues.

Amusing anecdote – The Need to Watch What You Buy

Occurred in the preparation for the event on 21st.

The following anecdote is recounted by Wayne with the approval of Gayl. He hopes it has been accurately retold.

As is customary with any funeral or celebration of life, consideration must be given to the arrangements following the formalities. Most families prefer to delegate such responsibilities to the funeral parlour.

Consequently, the funeral director met with the family to review the funeral arrangements and sought confirmation regarding the provision of wines for the afternoon tea. One of Mike’s sons replied promptly, “Oh no! Mum will want to handle that personally.”

Subsequently, Gayl visited her local retailer and consulted with the individual responsible for wines about her desired selections. Among her choices were bottles of Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir, a wine she fondly remembered enjoying with Mike.

At this juncture, the store representative intervened, saying, “Sorry, but I don’t think that’s a suitable choice for a funeral.” “Why on earth not?” Gayl inquired.
“Look at the label,” the store representative responded.

Tasting setup & thanks

We also continue to be delighted and thankful of everyone’s help with set-up of the hall for our gatherings, and then the pack down at the end of the evening.

Please remember: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30pm as we may interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, who have the hall until that time.

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Committee Musings ‘Nov 23

Monthly Meeting Timing

We have had a number of enquiries from club members over time regarding the time we start the monthly evenings. Due to the presenters who come to our monthly meetings working in the city during the day before they get to us, we have to allow them time to refresh and have dinner. Also, the committee members that set up for the evening may also work, and must have their dinner and refresh before getting to the hall for the set-up. These people’s full lives do not give any lee-way for the meetings to be able to start earlier.

New Members/Visitors

Please, if you see visitors on their own or new members enter the centre for one of our tastings, invite them to join your table. Getting to know new members and making new friends is part of the purpose of our club, and they may need to be shown where our club’s glasses are and have an explanation of our sheet that is supplied to members for writing down their comments on the wines of the month. Thanks.

January BBQ

Your committee has decided not to hold a BBQ to start off 2024. Derek has sold his home and will shortly be moving slightly north to Summerset on the Landing. Congratulations Derek, we look forward to still seeing you at your club’s monthly tastings.

Your committee is interested in new ways that we might start our year’s events going forward and would welcome your suggestions on how we might do this.

We have already considered holding a spit roast but the cost implications to members wasn’t something we wanted to impose without first canvassing input in a wider forum like the AGM.

Cellar Master

With Derek’s home no longer available, the intention is to move the cellar to Wayne’s home which already has some of the cellar wines. A special thanks to Derek for having performed this task throughout the life of the Club.

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Committee Musings June ’23

New Committee members

Welcome Tim and Ken.

The newly elected committee met for the first time in May, with Tim and Ken being welcomed on board.

Continue this new routine

It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last month’s meeting and take the same down after the meeting. Also, take the table contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen. Could we please continue this new routine?

Please note

We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30 pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule. The cleaners are in the hall until 7:30 pm.

Looking Ahead

  • July – Club Dinner, details TBC
  • August – Babich Wines
  • September – Clearview

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Committee Musings May ’23

Resignations

While there are two resignations from the present Committee, six people are staying on. Club members have been approached for new positions, and numbers are now back to eight for the new committee.

Member support

It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last month’s meeting and take the same down after the meeting. Also, take the table’s contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen. Could we please continue this new routine?

Arrival times

We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30 pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule; the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30 pm.

Looking ahead

  • June – Askerne, Hawkes Bay
  • July – Club Dinner, details tbc
  • August – Babich, details tbc

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Committee Musings Apr ’23

Committee review

Your committee continues to review how it operates, particularly in trying to work out which tasks need to remain with the committee and which can be delegated.

This review is timely, given that two of the committee are stepping aside for the coming year, and we need to ensure that we have a good match of skills to match the roles being vacated.

This process will only work if members continue to provide us with their support when asked. Thanks.

Hall setup

We also continue to be delighted and thankful for everyone’s help with the hall setup for our gatherings and then the pack down at the end of the evening.

But please remember: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than 7:30 pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, who has the hall until that time.

 

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Committee Musings – Mar 2023

Background

For a number of years, the Club has benefited from a stable committee which has been a blessing as we have had to meet a number of challenges, especially how to cope with Covid.

However, two of the committee have signalled that they would like to step down from their roles which raises the exciting prospect that the AGM will provide a new infusion of blood to continue the successful operation of our club.

Non-Committee Roles

There are a number of tasks that the committee carry out that strictly have nothing to do with the decision-making of the committee, so would not involve someone having to attend monthly meetings, but everything to do with how the Club conducts its successful tasting evenings.

Your committee is considering if some of these tasks could be delegated to the general membership, and we may seek volunteers to fulfil these roles at our monthly tastings.

Watch this space for more information.

The Club Cellar

Most members know that Derek Thompson is our Cellar Master, and this vital and important non-committee role means that Derek looks after the 80 to 90 bottles of wine that we carry forward for future use at tastings etc.

Derek is currently looking to downsize and the Club is now faced with the real likelihood that we will need to rehouse our cellar sometime later this year. We believe that our wines can adequately be stored in a recycled lockable metal cabinet that has a footprint of 1050mm x 470mm and a height of 1770mm, which the Club would supply, if required.

If you have a space in your garage, or rumpus room, that could house this cabinet and its contents, then can you please let Wayne know [0274523802 or email] and he will contact you to discuss this role in more detail. Thanks

AGM

And whilst on the subject of the AGM, if there is a matter you would like to raise, we would appreciate a heads-up before the AGM so it can be investigated and a considered response offered at the meeting, thanks.

Thank you

It was great to have everyone help with the tables and chairs at the start of last months’ meeting and taking the same down after the meeting. Also taking the tables contents: spittoons/water jugs/cracker plates back to the kitchen.

Could we please continue this new routine.

PLEASE NOTE: We can’t arrive to do the setting up activities any earlier than  7:30pm as we interrupt the cleaner(s) schedule, the cleaners are in the hall until 7:30pm.

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Committee Musings, Nov 2022

This year your Committee have fronted more than a few of the monthly Club meetings. This has been with a view to not cancelling the monthly meetings when vineyards have had to cancel, sometimes at the last moment!

The variety, information, wine variation and conversations these meetings have generated have been heartening to the various Committee members who have banded together to put these on.

However, the Committee would like to let you know that these are not what we view as the norm, and we hope that 2023 will see less cancelling, better health for everyone, and many more presentations from vineyards and their winemakers.

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Committee Musings

The Club is an Incorporated Society, and the Act that governs such bodies is currently being reviewed there are several amendments proposed. It is not expected that these changes will impact the Club’s Constitution or operation much, but the outcome will be known only once the details have been finalised. If there is a need for Resolutions to effect changes to the Constitution, they will be put to members in the usual way. Rest assured, the Committee is keeping a close watch on developments and will keep Members informed.

Richard Taylor

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The Cellar Club, President’s Report 2022

Wednesday 11 May 2022

Dinah Murray Robin and Pat at Tiwaiwaka
Dinah Murray Robin and Pat at Tiwaiwaka

It is usual for a President’s Report to be EITHER comprehensive and an ordeal OR for it to be cryptically short and to the point.  So it seems in this most unusual of years that short is best.  As such this should allow the AGM to proceed swiftly so as to enjoy the wines from the club cellar and the supper on offer tonight.

It has been my absolute privilege to have been the club’s President this year. I want to begin by thanking most sincerely all of you as valued club members for your support in a trying year.  For your subscriptions, of course, but particularly for your support at the scheduled tastings and sundry other monthly events such as the dinners and annual club BBQ.  Our membership has held up well again this year.  This despite all the pressures our communities and families have endured.  Last year I reflected at some length in my report on the impact for the club of the pandemic so I will quickly move on from that.  Again this has been a challenging year for all of us but through the club activities we have generated good company and a focus for interest in a time of lockdowns.  Most particularly the attendance numbers at tastings and dinners have been regularly and phenomenally good which signals there must be something right about the way tastings are  delivered, enjoying the company of friend and the functioning of the club.  So, to all of you my thanks.

May I briefly review the tastings and activities [11] that we have been able to achieve for these past 12 challenging months.  Tastings included Mahi Wines (Marlborough), Western Australia by Keith Tibble (Eurovintage agency), Butterworth (Gladstone Wairarapa), Crater Rim (Waipara), Portugal (Confidant agency), the Gold Medal wines from the NZ International Wine Show (2021), a celebration of Pinot (club members) as well as dinners at La Marche Frances and Juniper as well at the club’s January BBQ

I wish to extend the club’s thanks to the wineries, presenters and agencies that have supported the club during a year that has been challenging for their businesses, where labour restrictions, lockdowns, cancellations and social distancing have impacted us all.  At least three wineries were unable to present in 2021 but have indicated they are keen to return for 2022/2023 and we are organising with them

As well as thanks to the meeting presenters and the tasting organisers, it is the committee that also deserves our appreciation for their work for the club.  As a group they have met regularly and communicated frequently with each other in most constructive manner.  This has been the prime reason for tastings continuing to happen when withdrawals have occurred or organisation of meetings has hit road blocks or come up against Covid limitations.  Without naming committee members, because you know all of those involved  – our secretarial servicing, our financial management, our newsletter communications with members, the meeting venue organisation efforts and suppers, cellar management, the facilitation of the tasting programme and deliveries have all kept pace and been successfully undertaken without there seeming to have been any hitches at all – even though there have been a few, and one cancellation.  It has been a demanding time organisationally but the efforts of the 8 person committee have shone through and for that I wish to sincerely thank them one and all for their efforts on behalf of the club membership.

I am thrilled to report that the committee collectively has indicated a willingness to continue to serve the club for a further year and I am indeed grateful for that.  The committee’s co-operation, sharing of the load and their special skills and interests continue to be the cornerstone of how we have managed to keep this great little club moving forward, fulfilling its wine appreciation objectives whilst providing a source of company, regular meetings and the occasional glasses of vino.  Being Wellington’s premier and enduring wine society for over forty years is no mean feat. It is you as members, and the committee’s efforts, that have ensured that this continues to be the Cellar Club reality.  We will move next to the election of the club’s officers.    My best wishes to all club members as you navigate the societal challenges we are all facing.

Murray Jaspers | President, The Cellar Club Inc

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Condolences – Brian Harris

Brian at Yangtze Restaurant - July Dinner 2008
Brian at Yangtze Restaurant – July Dinner 2008

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Brian Harris. He had been a member of the club for 24 years and served on our committee as both Treasurer and Secretary. In earlier times, Brian’s experience and contacts in the hospitality business engendered some memorable club dinners.

Notice: Harris, Brian

Of Johnsonville. Unexpectedly at Wellington Hospital on 29 June 2021. Mourned by his partner Cecilia; daughter Jackie and Margaret, Mark (dec), Helen, Jo and Allan; grandsons Brett, Shane, David, Bradley and Carl.
Forever is never long enough to be with those we love.

Brian & Cecilia at Yangtze Restaurant - July Dinner 2008
Brian & Cecilia at Yangtze Restaurant – July Dinner 2008

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wellington Free Ambulance would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Messages for ‘The Family of Brian Harris’ may be sent c/- PO Box 50-347, Porirua 5240. A service for Brian will be held in St. John’s Anglican Church, 18 Bassett Road, Johnsonville, Wellington on Friday 2 July 2021 at 11.30 am.

Published in Dominion Post on June 30, 2021

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A closing thought

This last year has been extremely challenging, yet the club was able to hold several events to celebrate its 40th anniversary. All were very successful, and the committee was very happy with the levels of member support at those events and tastings in general.

I’m sure our President, Murray Jaspers, will refer to these in his report at next week’s AGM.

The last item of that AGM is General Business and that is often the time that your committee will look for feedback from attendees.

Please use your time this week to reflect on our club and when that last item arises, please be prepared to give your views:

  • On what has been good
  • On things that you feel could be improved or done differently
  • Even give feedback on new directions or ideas that you would like the incoming committee to consider.

Remember our club succeeds because of all of our involvement in it.

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40th Anniversary dinner at Bellamy’s by Logan Brown

Turnout For the 40th Anniversary dinner at Bellamy’s by Logan Brown was excellent.

The one thing the Committee was unable to organise was the weather on the day. It was wet and windy which cast doubt on the suggested dress code of “summer wedding”, but by 6 pm the rain had substantially abated and by the time it arrived to go home, it was dry.

The venue proved to be a good choice. Negotiating the security on arrival proved not to be an issue and when guests got to the third floor of the Beehive, Bellamy’s reception and dining areas were spacious, allowing for good pre-dinner mixing over a complimentary glass of bubbles. The tables were well spaced and set very nicely.

The food was of a very high standard as would be expected from a restaurant in the Logan Brown stable. The restaurant staff was very efficient and attentive – it was nigh on impossible to fault the service. The manager, Jasper Povey, had been very accommodating in catering to the Club’s requirements and was also appreciative of what the Club was able to provide (such as the pre-ordering), which proved a winning combination.

Club President, Murray Jaspers, gave a brief address, looking over the Club’s development through the years. He noted how active it is, how its size has been maintained over an extended period and the high regard it enjoys with winemakers and suppliers. He noted too, the contribution of past presidents and committees. Anne Megget proposed a toast to absent friends – those members who are no longer with us and those who were unable to be present on the night.

Through diligent work by Robin Semmens, Gayle Gaukrodger, Anne Megget and Wayne Kennedy a memento gift bag containing a souvenir pen, some souvenir chocolate and a booklet updating the history of the Club was presented to every person present.

Feedback the Committee has received subsequently indicates the evening was much appreciated by all who were there. Good venue, good food, good wine and good company always combine to produce a winner!

Richard Taylor

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