I took on the role of President again because I was determined that the club should celebrate our Centennial when there were many negative indicators pointing towards club closure with so many resignations in the previous year.

 

The most prominent reason for declining membership was put down to the club’s lack of Project activity and therefor our relevance to the New Plymouth Community.

 

It was felt that by taking on a significant Project for the Centennial Celebrations it might help to stem the membership decline and enable the club to grow through active community engagement.

 

At the suggestion of the CEO of the New Plymouth District Council, Gareth Green, the club adopted Stage 3 an unfunded part of The $7M Destination Kawaroa Playground Project being undertaken by The Taranaki Foundation in partnership with the NPDC.

 

The ambitious fundraising target for the Project was $150,000.00.

 

Its pleasing to report that in conjunction with The Club Trust, Community Grants through the Taranaki Foundation and club fundraisers the target fundraising has almost been completed with the opening of the last 2 stages of the Destination Kawaroa Project projected to be in August 2025.

 

The major club fundraisers have been the Annual Golf Tournament in February, a major raffle to be drawn in July and ongoing fundraising through a Walkway of Memories stainless steel plaques installed in a retaining wall of the Project. 

 

The Club is indebted to the Golf Tournament organisers in gaining significant sponsorship for both the Holes and Prizes that enabled approximately $11,000 to be raised on a very successful tournament day in February.

 

My thanks to Gaylene Lines who singlehandedly managed to gain sponsorship for prizes for the Raffle and organised the raffle sales at Supermarkets and other events.

 

This outstanding effort that involved all the club members and other helpers raised approximately $8000.

 

The concept of a walkway of memories and commemorative plaques for The Centennial Project was suggested by David Brownson.

David using AI (he’s self taught himself to use) has spent countless hours developing an on line tool for the sale of plaques. Not only that he has done all the laser engraving of the plaques.

As an ongoing fundraiser this has generated well over $10,000 so far.

Well done David.

 

Special thanks to the Trustees  of our Club Trust for the considerable financial support  they have provided to make the project happen. This is especially rewarding when the establishment of The Trust Flats was a 50 year Club Celebration Project in 1975.

 

There is no doubt that while not stopping the declining membership the Project, has raised the Clubs profile in the New Plymouth Community.

 

The highlight of the Year has to be the Centenary Celebration in June.

 

My grateful thanks to the Centennial Committee for organising such an outstanding event with approximately 120 attendees from both New Plymouth and The District

 

Capably MCEED by Bryan Vickery we were fortunate to have Dame Malvina Major, (world acclaimed Opera Singer)  Patrick Cameron (Hairdresser to The Stars), Sir Annand Satyanand former NZ Governor General and Tonga Karena (Parihaka  PHD student) as the drawcards for the evening. With entertainment from a local Taranaki band: “The Slacks”

 

Truly a memorable night and a fitting tribute for the 100 year celebration.

 

We have continued to support  youth programmes through the year

Special thanks to Des and Sally’s support for getting 11 students from Taranaki to RYPEN 

 

We sent a candidate to The National Summer Science and Technology Forum  STEM.

 

We had positive feedback from students reporting to the club on their return

 

The Club has introduced a Social Member category that could lead to active membership.

 

It is clear that for the club to grow we need to proactively look for new members by building on our years efforts and engaging with potential members directly, they won’t just come to us, we have work to do in the coming year.

 

Special thanks to Jan Northrop for her support through the year as Secretary and Bulletin Editor.

 

Also to Des Friedrich for taking up the Treasurers role on the resignation of John Pitman.

 

Thanks also to The Club Directors and Jan Dempsey for hosting meetings through the year.

 

Lastly thanks to all the members for your support. 

 

MurrayGillespie, President 24/25