Saturday, February 18, 2012
Saturday 18th February 2012.
The next meeting of the Chinese Women's Group will be on Saturday 18th February
2012.
Event: City walk along Lorne Street with David Wong doing a talk about history of chinese businesses in the CBD,
starting from Auckland Central Library. The walk will take between one to one and half hours.
Bring suitable walking shoes, depending on the weather either a hat and lotion or umbrella.
VENUE: Will meet outside Auckland central Library in Lorne street, at 11.30am behind the Old St James theatre,
route will be from the library, Queen Street, Victoria Street, Hobson Street. A minimum of 20 people are required
for this event to take place.
After the walk you are welcome to join us for lunch at the Atrium of Elliot food court at Elliot Street. If you wish after
lunch visit the the Auckland Art Gallery on the corner of Wellesly and Kitchener Streets.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
On February 18, 2012 we will meet in
midtown Auckland for an Auckland City Walk
– time and meeting place to be advised
shortly. Men and guests are welcome.
David Wong Hop, a prominent member of
one of Auckland’s founding Chinese families
and a fourth generation New Zealander, will
talk on the fascinating history of the Chinese
in colonial Auckland. The talks cover the early
period of Chinese who migrated north to
Auckland.
midtown Auckland for an Auckland City Walk
– time and meeting place to be advised
shortly. Men and guests are welcome.
David Wong Hop, a prominent member of
one of Auckland’s founding Chinese families
and a fourth generation New Zealander, will
talk on the fascinating history of the Chinese
in colonial Auckland. The talks cover the early
period of Chinese who migrated north to
Auckland.
A Train trip through the Rain Forest
Danny Chen
Before proceeding to describe the fantastic day I
had, I’d like to first thank the Women’s group for
organising the event and for it being well planned.
I’d like to make a personal thank you to Gillian
and Bruce Young, and also Elsie Wong for their
touching hospitality and making me feel like I was
part of their group, not judging me and accepting
a wandering child in their midst.
I had no idea what the day would be like when I
signed up, and really wasn’t expecting much
except to see the two attractions that I had
wanted, but never got, to see in the last year. Later
on the morning 12th November, I hopped on to the
bus, and we proceeded westward towards the
Watercare rain forest express tour.
Having been welcomed onto the bus and casually
assigned a seat next to Elsie on the back of bus, I
began to relax and just ease in the tour. I had
woken up only an hour before, after a late night
and had rushed to the Meadowlands shopping
centre to purchase my snacks for the day and a
small contribution to the Annual Women’s Group
Raffle.
As the bus ride progressed, among the chatter of
over 30 enthusiastic girls (and a couple of guys),
there were some announcements made by Gillian
about the organisation of the group and that this
was her last trip she would be organising. Some
printed newsletters were handed out and some
20
requests were made for volunteers to step up at
some stage in the near future to help ensure the
survival of the group by helping out with the
organisation and planning of future events. I was
amazed at how energetic the people were on the
bus and the positive energy was brimming on my
scales at 9/10. Even as the bus got stuck going up
a narrow and tightly curved incline, there were
jokes galore and people continuing with their
happy conversations. Needless to say, the bus
wasn’t stuck for very long and continued
unscathed along our merry way.
Arriving at the site after a required turn around at
the Arataki visitor’s centre, everyone got off the
bus, headed to the entrance and patiently waited
for the guides to get arranged. (The bus couldn’t
make the sharp left turn required and used the
space at the visitors centre to come back in the
opposite direction for a much easier right turn.
The short drive down from the main road to the
tour train area was quite a journey in itself, with
the road being so narrow and the bus being so
large, on the edge of rolling sideways into the
bushes. Lucky there wasn’t any cars to contend
with or they would definitely be the ones reversing
out the way!)
After the tour guides finishing their safety and
briefing speeches, the less able with canes and
physical requirements were seated first and
everyone else then got on board for the lovely
scenic ride ahead. The tour announcements were
well done with lots of facts and interaction for the
passengers on board. The views were beautiful,
helped by the fact that the 2 guides were very
friendly and mingled quite casually with the entire
group. This was some of the more great views:
21
Before proceeding to describe the fantastic day I
had, I’d like to first thank the Women’s group for
organising the event and for it being well planned.
I’d like to make a personal thank you to Gillian
and Bruce Young, and also Elsie Wong for their
touching hospitality and making me feel like I was
part of their group, not judging me and accepting
a wandering child in their midst.
I had no idea what the day would be like when I
signed up, and really wasn’t expecting much
except to see the two attractions that I had
wanted, but never got, to see in the last year. Later
on the morning 12th November, I hopped on to the
bus, and we proceeded westward towards the
Watercare rain forest express tour.
Having been welcomed onto the bus and casually
assigned a seat next to Elsie on the back of bus, I
began to relax and just ease in the tour. I had
woken up only an hour before, after a late night
and had rushed to the Meadowlands shopping
centre to purchase my snacks for the day and a
small contribution to the Annual Women’s Group
Raffle.
As the bus ride progressed, among the chatter of
over 30 enthusiastic girls (and a couple of guys),
there were some announcements made by Gillian
about the organisation of the group and that this
was her last trip she would be organising. Some
printed newsletters were handed out and some
20
requests were made for volunteers to step up at
some stage in the near future to help ensure the
survival of the group by helping out with the
organisation and planning of future events. I was
amazed at how energetic the people were on the
bus and the positive energy was brimming on my
scales at 9/10. Even as the bus got stuck going up
a narrow and tightly curved incline, there were
jokes galore and people continuing with their
happy conversations. Needless to say, the bus
wasn’t stuck for very long and continued
unscathed along our merry way.
Arriving at the site after a required turn around at
the Arataki visitor’s centre, everyone got off the
bus, headed to the entrance and patiently waited
for the guides to get arranged. (The bus couldn’t
make the sharp left turn required and used the
space at the visitors centre to come back in the
opposite direction for a much easier right turn.
The short drive down from the main road to the
tour train area was quite a journey in itself, with
the road being so narrow and the bus being so
large, on the edge of rolling sideways into the
bushes. Lucky there wasn’t any cars to contend
with or they would definitely be the ones reversing
out the way!)
After the tour guides finishing their safety and
briefing speeches, the less able with canes and
physical requirements were seated first and
everyone else then got on board for the lovely
scenic ride ahead. The tour announcements were
well done with lots of facts and interaction for the
passengers on board. The views were beautiful,
helped by the fact that the 2 guides were very
friendly and mingled quite casually with the entire
group. This was some of the more great views:
21
Obituary: Joyce Wong Ming 13 September 1949 – 17 October 2011
Joyce Wong Ming (Nee Low) passed away
suddenly on Monday 17 October 2011. Joyce
was the dearly loved wife of Jack. Their
children Katherina and Michael are both
married and living overseas. Katherina has 2
daughters Isabella and Ashley. Joyce was a
Mother-in-law to Ceri and Stine.
Joyce was born in China, and came to New
Zealand at an early age. She was the daughter
of Low Woo Lai and the late Low Yee Hang;
and a beloved sister to Tom, Allan, Roy,
Brenda and Helen.
As our past treasurer for five years her
accounting skills and services were well
appreciated. Joyce will be remembered as a
very friendly person who had a lot of energy,
taking part in social and dance groups.
Joyce’s service was held on 25 October 2011 at
Purewa Crematorium, All Saints Chapel,
Meadowbank, followed by interment in the
Lawn Cemetery. RIP
The Rainforest train trip on 12th November 2011 proved popular. The train was smaller
than anticipated, and with firm instructions to keep head and other body parts inside, all
squeezed into the carriages. Wending up the Waitakeres through the rain forest it was a
thrill to see an abundance of cave wetas and glow worms. After a stop to take photos from
the bridge, the train arrived at the Upper Nihoputu Dam, where some hardy souls
climbed the stairs to the top of the Dam. After the train trip, it was off to Arataki
Visitors centre for a picnic lunch and panoramic views; followed by a tour of ’Earthsong’ in Ranui, to learn about the lifestyle of the self-sufficient community. The residents are very conscientious with
recycling and limiting use of cars by walking, cycling or taking public transport whenever possible. No electricity is used for cooking or heating, only natural gas
than anticipated, and with firm instructions to keep head and other body parts inside, all
squeezed into the carriages. Wending up the Waitakeres through the rain forest it was a
thrill to see an abundance of cave wetas and glow worms. After a stop to take photos from
the bridge, the train arrived at the Upper Nihoputu Dam, where some hardy souls
climbed the stairs to the top of the Dam. After the train trip, it was off to Arataki
Visitors centre for a picnic lunch and panoramic views; followed by a tour of ’Earthsong’ in Ranui, to learn about the lifestyle of the self-sufficient community. The residents are very conscientious with
recycling and limiting use of cars by walking, cycling or taking public transport whenever possible. No electricity is used for cooking or heating, only natural gas
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