Retiring President’s Report for 2005 year. |
I stand in awe when I look back on what has been achieved in this last year by all members of the committee. I admire your dedication, energy and enthusiasm and I owe you all a debt of humble gratitude. Because of your efforts over the last few years the Society has become a respected, relevant, useful contributor to the New Zealand community. The re-siting and restoration of the Dray, an ambition of the Society for many years, was completed with an opening ceremony in January 2006. The project brought people together in contributing labour, expertise and money and led to a considerable increase in membership. Thanks to Bill MARCROFT for co-ordinating. The Society added a seat and steps to the area and mounted photo plaques on stones to commemorate historical sites around Puhoi. Thanks to Norman GOLDING and Richard WALTERS. Our website was launched in October and has been widely acclaimed as excellent, presenting the history from a different angle and drawing new members with contributions to genealogy and history from further afield. Many thanks to Graham and Des PEATE for setting this up. Werner FISCHER’s Newsletters have kept Puhoi locals informed. Des has been continually adding to our genealogy records and there are now over 6000 names on the PAF 5 programme. These are available on a new reference computer for visitors to the museum together with 350 named photos which Werner has been scanning - many more still to be done. Sales of photos and family charts contribute to funds. Jennie and Werner have also produced framed pictures of old Puhoi for sale which have been popular. Our museum display has been enhanced by the donation of Catherine SCHISCHKA's wedding dress together with invitation to her marriage to Tom REMIGER in 1915 and a photo of the event. A further upgrade of the museum display is proposed for the coming year. On-going projects are the development of the area behind the Records Room with four heritage fruit trees now planted and repairs to the shed begun to store and later display outdoor artefacts; supporting the Puhoi community in its plan to replace the village wharf; a short audio-visual display based on the 1976 Spectrum documentary for visitor information; meetings with descendants of the Maori who welcomed and supported the pioneers. Approximately 2500 people visited the museum throughout the year, including six school groups and several service clubs on outings. We have made interesting and enjoyable trips to Auckland Central Fire Station, MacNicoll House in Clevedon, Ryders Museum and MOTAT 2. We have made submissions to Rodney District Council about the "Papillon" proposed development and the future of the Puhoi River Park and have helped the Gibson Group who are making a documentary on how different immigrant groups have influenced New Zealand culture. We continue to transcribe tapes - a transcriber machine is needed - and collect newspaper clippings. We are making our own calling cards, Czech and German visitors cards and postcards and have bought extra furniture for the Records Room for more efficient storage and display. An upgrade in security of this room is needed and understudies to the main people involved in storing data should be trained. Our Minute Secretary, Correspondence Secretary and Treasurer have been models of efficiency. So, all in all, a very successful year, again my heartfelt thanks to you all and best wishes for this coming year.
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