SOUTH WAIRARAPA REBUS CLUB: 30th Anniversary
South Wairarapa Rebus Club, drawing its membership from the retired community in Greytown, Carterton, Featherston, Martinborough and surrounds, celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a midday luncheon at Parehua Restaurant in Martinborough. A high point of the celebration was the presentation of a certificate acknowledging this 30 year history by Lynn McLeod, deputy chair of Rebus NZ, to Alisoun Werry, a foundation member who is still active in SW Rebus club affairs. Alisoun is the widow of the club’s first president, Peter Werry, who was elected to the office in July 1990.
Thanking Ms McLeod and Rebus NZ on behalf of the South Wairarapa club, Alisoun drew attention to her husband’s determination in 1990 not to inherit unnecessary traditions from Rotary. The constitution of the club (written by Rotary for retiring Rotary members) specifically excludes raising money for external organisations from the new club’s objectives; Peter wanted to leave the overt Rotary formality behind as well.
As a consequence, SW Rebus club has no presidential chain, there are no badges of office and our monthly meetings are informal and relaxed. The membership most recently supported this stance when it ruled out the award of further life memberships after the last, of only three in our 30 year history, died. It was a final salute to the late Peter Werry, not only our first president but also our first Life Member.
Peppers Parehua Restaurant, an ideal setting for such occasions, turned on a wonderful mulled wine welcome for 42 members and guests who enjoyed a delightful menu with full table service. An attentive and friendly staff looked after us with smiles and a minimum of fuss.
The South Wairarapa Rebus Club meets in the South Wairarapa Working Men’s Club on the fourth Friday morning of each month and organises an outing in those months with a fifth Friday. Anyone in the retired age group who may be interested in SW Rebus Club is welcome to come along to a meeting as a visitor. Please contact David Woodhams 306 8319.
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