SOUTH WAIRARAPA PROBUS CLUB

A STIMULATING MONTH

A large group of us set off in a Tranzit bus on a beautiful clear morning, over the hill to Wellington for a very stimulating day. In the morning we visited the Te Papa Gallipolli exhibition at Te Papa. We elected to go through in our own time rather than as a large conducted tour.

I think the impact of the exhibition is largely due to Richard Taylor’s decision to focus on the personal experiences of eight people. This brings the horror and hardship (and the great personal relationships) of war home in a way which is impossible with dignified imposing statues. The figure of the doctor sitting quietly looking down meditating on the very small contribution he has been able to make in the face of hundreds of wounded after battle just about moved me to tears.

Back to the bus and off for a conducted tour of Government House. A major refurbishment plan has taken place so that the outside of the house looks like the typical English country mansion while the inside is very “Kiwi”. Rimu panelling has been stripped back to its original beauty after being painted over at one stage.
The house is a remarkable trip through New Zealand history as well as being a lovely venue for diplomatic functions, award ceremonies and concerts. Ambassadors arriving in the country are presented to the Governor General here and must be given a very good first impression of New Zealand in the dignified and beautiful setting of Government House.

Our main speaker at our May meeting was Jacqs Wilton (originally a Martinborough girl!). Jacqs is the Manager of award winning English Language Partners New Zealand – Porirua Centre, which is the Porirua centre of a national charitable trust that teaches English language to adult refugees and migrants to facilitate their gaining independence and becoming participants in their new society.

The Centre is currently working with 120 refugees and have had 18 adults arrive from Syria in February. A Mum n Tots group was started last month and they have great resources for teaching the mothers the everyday English that will help them integrate into life in New Zealand. There are several different types of classes catering for everyone from refugees from traumatic situations in the world’s hotspots to migrants needing to improve their English to help them in obtaining a job or improving their employment situation.
Anyone who would like more information on our Probus Club and our various interest groups are very welcome to contact Margaret Griffiths on 306-8102.