President’s Time
President Rod welcomed members, partners and our guest Dr June Slee. He introduced the new speaker system and commented he would canvas views on it at the end of tonight’s festivities.
Those who had recently been awarded Paul Harris fellowships were recalled to the front to receive the actual certificate and pin. Recipients were Lindsay Coulter, Jeremy Hogan, Neil Dickson and a Sapphire pin for Murray Purvis.
Don George spoke on the apology system which he said was working well but reminded members to put the date in the correct format!
Weekly Larceny
Serjeant Bill Weir and Robbie Jackson (corporal) fined pretty much everyone for a variety of specious reasons. Political themes were dominant.
Lottery
President Rod was shamed into doing something about the wine situation. As a result, those who had previously won, actually received a bottle of cheer and Alister Mackay won the night’s lottery.
Guest Speaker
Mark Oldfield introduced Dr June Slee to us. She has previously been on the Canterbury Regional Council, Waitaki District Council and a Community Board member. Also a former University lecturer and author with a PhD in child psychology.
June talked to us about her involvement with Riwi Alley, a name familiar to most of us. June was a second cousin to Riwi and although she never lived in China as such, travelled extensively in the country. At the time (early 80’s) it was quite difficult for a westerner to travel and navigate the culture and the language. Although Riwi Alley was very busy she did make contact with him in 1982 at which point he was 82 years old (died at age 90).
Riwi was born in Sheffiled and initially worked in Dipton. Went to WW1 and fought for King and Country, noticing the treatment of Chinese soldiers at the time. Tried unsuccessfully to farm in the King Country before travelling to Shanghai where he was affected by the sight of child labour and exploitation.
Travelling in China was hard going and she recalled the wet markets, by reading from her diary.
Riwi Alley adopted two sons and was always displeased at the way they were treated in the west. His typical day was to write until lunchtime, then lunch and a snooze followed by a drive in the afternoon.
He was an influential man, travelling to Cuba to try and convince Fidel Castro to follow China not the Soviet Union. He was also well known and respected by the Chinese authorities.
June finished her very interesting reflection of Riwi by suggesting he may have knowledge about the 1981 Tiananmen square protests before they happened. He wrote extensively to June and she holds the largest collection of personal notes from Riwi Alley. He described himself as a humanitarian.
Peter Parda extended our thanks for a very interesting insight into a well known New Zealander and President Rod finished by taking a poll on the speaker system (received enthusiastically) and concluding with a shaggy dog story.