The 2016 Wairarapa’ Federation AGM began with a difference. While visiting Federation and local delegates stood to sing God Save The Queen the President made a grand entrance resplendent with hat and gloves, fur coat and floral patterned boots. The occasion was to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, which was s tunning thought.
Taking her place the President opened the meeting in the usual way. The Mayor of Carterton , Mr Booth, welcomed member to Carterton and after some interesting comments about the district he declared the AGM officially opened.
There were fifty delegates attending from the twelve Institutes within Wairarapa. The Minutes had been earlier circulated and comments were invited. Correspondence included from most of the organisations that Institutes had contributed to over the past year.
Minute Secretary, Carol Manson read a full report of all the activities throughout the year and was congratulated on behalf of the delegates by Martinborough delegate Noelene White. Financial statements confirmed a healthy financial situation.
The first speaker was from Riding for the Disabled who has been involved with the organisation for twenty four years and is presently the President. The club has seven ponies of different sizes and there are around thirty who come to ride.
The President, Suzanne Bannister read a citation nominating Anne Jackson for the highest Award for Womens Institute, The Gold Honours. Hopefully this to be awarded at the National Conference being held in Wellington in July.
Each Institute was given ten dollars to increase its ability to buy seating benches throughout the Wairarapa to mark ninety five years of the organisation in the Wairarapa.
National competitions were being held with the winners going forward to the Conference. On the day Martinborough received two third prizes. One for three different flowers and the other for a pair of hand knitted socks.
The afternoon speaker was Gareth Winter who spoke of the importance of keeping records and then keeping track of them. Mr Winter was given a gift for his talk.
Three Good Service badges were awarded. The President then passed a vote of thanks and closed the meeting.
Noelene White
