It is with huge sadness we advise that our President John Hooper passed away in December. John will be remembered on our Committee for his work as President, his great suggestions for trips and events, his sharp wit and dry sense of humour and his congeniality. He will be sadly missed as a committee member of Air NZ Retirees Club.
Ian Steel as Past President has stepped into the role until our next AGM in June 2021.
LUNCH at MAUNGAKIEKIE GOLF CLUB
This is in "Cafe 1909" at Maungakiekie Golf Club.
Date: Thursday 8th April 2021
Where: “Café 1909” at Maungakiekie Golf Club, 5 Anita Avenue, Mt Roskill.
Time: Arrive at 11.30 am to socialise before lunch at 12.30 pm
Cost: The buffet meal is $28.00 per person and includes a bar tab operating from 11:30am. As you check in you will each receive 2 tickets to exchange for alcoholic and/or non alcoholic drinks, which will be paid for by your Club.
There is plenty of parking on site, but use the upper tier for easy access to the café facilities.
The café overlooks some of the most stunning views in Auckland across the course as far as the Waitakere Ranges and the Manukau Harbour Headland; all this within 15 minutes drive from Auckland CBD. Join us, enjoy this beautiful view and the company of your colleagues.
Buffet Menu
Breads
. A selection of multigrain wheat and rye bread rolls
. Olive oil and herbed baguette garlic bread
Salads
. Simple steamed vegetable salad with ginger sesame dressing
. Home style potato and egg salad with fresh chives and creamy honey mustard dressing
Mains
. Roasted chicken breast with creamy garlic sauce
. Roasted honey glazed ham carved from the bone to your plate
. Golden crust pan fried fish fillets
. Chinese sweet and sour pork
Roast vegetables
. Kumara and Pumpkin (all served individually with garlic and herbs and salt and pepper seasoning)
Desserts
. Black Forest Gateau
. Vanilla Ice-cream
Tea and coffee included
If you wish to attend, please register online on our website or fill in a booking form (download the print version at the end of this newsletter).
NOTE: If you are in arrears with your subs you can add your overdue subscription to your lunch payment.
Reminder: Don't forget to wear your name badge. If you don't have one yet, see the purchase details on our website.
REPORT ON THE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Commerce Club, Wed. 2 December 2020
We had a great turnout for our annual Christmas Lunch at the Remuera Club, Ellerslie, with close to 180 members and partners enjoying the occasion and many took the opportunity to arrive early and socialise with their ex colleagues prior to lunch. Because of the problems being experienced by Air New Zealand, who normally provide us with a guest speaker, your Committee decided to forego this item and instead substitute additional prizes from club funds.
At approximately 12.00pm the acting President welcomed everyone and congratulated them for surviving Covid19. The festivities then commenced with prize draws of 12 bottles of wine, followed at 12.30pm by the buffet lunch, which was of the usual high quality with a great selection of tasty dishes.
When members had finished digesting their lunch we had more prizes to draw and the 4th prize winner of a Christmas Hamper was William Hulme of Engineering Components dept followed by the 3rd prize winner of a Christmas Hamper plus a Ham was won by Win Nelson of Engineering Aircraft Maintenance.
Christmas themed desert was then served with tea and coffee and this was followed by the big prize draw when Marie Sauvary of Contact Centre won the 3rd prize of $300.00 cash and finally Jack Patrick of Engineering Seat Shop won the top prize of two Domestic air tickets plus $300.00 spending money donated by your club.
Our congratulations go to all the lucky prizewinners and to all you others-better luck next year.
Judging by the volume of the conversation and the laughter from many happy faces, this new lunch format was a most successful occasion, and we wish to again record our appreciation to Air New Zealand for their generosity in these difficult times, which contributed to the success of the function.
NEW MEMBERS
We extend a warm welcome to the following new members who have recently joined us and we look forward to meeting up with them at our regular functions:
Stephen Dobson 1988-2020 - Engineering AKL Avionics Radio workshop, ATE , Instrument, Technical Services.
Tania Somerville 1985-2020 - 34 years in Finance, Pax and cargo.
Joeli Ducivaki 2010-2020 - Cleaning aircraft, Baggage handler. BTU & arrivals Intl. AKL Domestic
David Werren 1970-2007 - Air NZ Traffic, AKL IntL Check-in, Baggage Tracing, Intl Service
Chris Marsh 1967-2013 - Revenue Accounting, Sales, Airline Planning and Market Planning
Anthony LeGrice 1987-2020 - Intl Cargo, cleaning and loading at domestic ramp, job trainer
Lianne Birtles 1985-2020 - Finance AKL HO, CSA, Dom & Intl Koru Lounge & Baggage Services
Gustavo Adnitt-Vieira 2013-2020 - 8 years in my Dream job as Cabin Crew, took Redundancy
Andrew Barnes 1973-2020 - Apprentice, Workshops hangar, certifying engineer AKL Line
Roger Poulton 1970-2013 - Commercial trainee, Sales, Cabin Crew Manager, Mgr Fiji, Sales Mgr Central USA, Mgrr Events Marketing, Mgr Resvns & Travelcentres, GM UK & Europe, GM NZ & Pacific, GM Americas
Graham Wallace 1973-2020 - Apprentice, Engine shop JT3-D, Test cell all engines, Hangar Maintenance, Maintenance Planning
Robert Tritt 1966-2017 - NAC to Air NZ 48 years continuous service
Louisa Smith 1994-2020 - 25 years service all in Finance
Bronwyn Bell 1986-2006 - Staff travel, reservations, finance, international airport
Tony Tronson 1971-2020 - Avionics apprentice AKL, Aircraft engineer / Workshops /Hangar / Maintenance, Line, Ops, Manager Ops
Carl Baun 1973-2021 - Engineering apprentice Akl Line maintenance. Nearly 48 Years service.
George Powrie 1986-2006 - 10 years EOS made redundant 1983, re joined 1986 Auckland Hangar
ALMONERS REPORT
Robyn Clare LARSEN born May 11 1946, passed away on 16 February 2020 after a brief illness. Dearly loved partner of Bob and wife of the late Alan, Robyn worked in the Flight Kitchen at Air NZ from 1977 to 2001. A memorial service was held in Mt Eden on Friday 21st February.
Malcolm FRASER passed away 31 March 2020 surrounded by his much loved family. Husband of Jean Fraser. Malcolm joined Air New Zealand in 1996, worked in Engineering Ground Support / Heavy Maintenance, and retired in 2014. Malcolm will be missed by all his friends and relatives. A memorial service was held on 6 December 2020.
Reinardus Hendricus (Rene) JANSEN. Rene who, as the Executive Chef, ran the flight catering units in Air New Zealand from the late 60’s to the mid 80’s, passed away on 21 October 2020, aged 83. At René’s request a private service was held at his home
David SIMPSON, passed away on 25 October 200, aged 84 Dave was a very highly respected captain, the loved husband and father of Linda, Michele and Christopher and the loved brother of Sue, the late Kay and Cheryl. A private service was held on 29 October 2020, according to Dave’s wishes.
Terry COLEY died at home in Pukekohe on 18th November 2020, surrounded by his wife Jocelyn and the rest of his family. Terry joined the company in 1955, retiring in 1988 having been the Training Manager, at Mangere. Terry had served in Sales, Airline Operations and Training positions throughout his career. With his family he moved to Taupo for some years returning in recent years to live in Pukekohe. Wherever he was, Terry remained an active member of the Retirees Club. He will be sadly missed
Les TURNER passed away peacefully at home on 23 November 2020 aged 90. Les worked for NAC and Air New Zealand from 1965 to 1990.
Maxwell Francis BRISTER, passed away on 27 November 2020, aged 84. Max was an enthusiastic aviator and a dedicated member of the RSA, Lions and the Auckland ATC. Loved husband of Molly, adored father of Susan, Ken and David, father-in-law to Chris and Tracy. At Max’s request a private service was held - R.I.P. Captain Max Brister.
Clarrie PACE. In mid-November 2020 we were advised that Clarrie Pace had died. Clarrie worked for the company in Finance for 35 years before retiring to Queensland. Clarrie set up the Air New Zealand retirees club on the Gold Coast, of which he was President for many years. RIP Clarrie and thanks for your service.
Lilian May (May) PARFITT. Born May 01, 1924. Passed away on 4th December 2020 peacefully in her 96th year at William Sanders Village, Devonport. Loved wife of Trevor (deceased). Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Suzan and Colin and Gary and Hilary. The funeral was held on Friday 11th December at Dil's North Harbour Chapel, Albany. All communication to 27 Westwell Road, Belmont.
John HOOPER died peacefully at home with his family on Thursday 10 December 2020. John served the company for 26 years starting in 1964, retiring as the Training Manager based at Mangere in 1990, and who was renowned for having a very innovative style. In recent years John was deeply involved with the Northern Retired Staff Club as a hard working and highly effective Committee member, who was responsible for the detailed arrangements of most of the outdoor functions. Most recently John had Chaired the Club Committee until ill health forced his resignation from that role in November 2020.
John's funeral was held on 17th December at St Paul's Methodist Church, Remuera.
Sydney Arthur (Tony) WILLIAMS passed away at Waikato Hospital on 10 December 2020. Tony was the much loved and loving husband of Margaret for 69 years. Loved father and father-in-law of Sandra, Stephen and Freya, Scott and Julie. Tony Williams joined the RNZAF in 1945. After a distinguished flying career, in January 1961 Tony became the Commanding Officer of the Central Flying School in Wigram. When it looked like he would eventually end up in a desk job, he decided to leave the RNZAF and moved to Air New Zealand. At Air New Zealand Tony flew the Lockheed L188C Electras, and the Douglas DC-8’s. A celebration of Tony’s life was held in Cambridge on 16 December 2020.
Malcolm James (Bluey) FINDLAY, ex Chief Purser, passed away on the morning of 11 December 2020 in his 95th year. Dearly loved husband of the late Dawn, much loved father and father-in-law of Glen and Joanne and Donna and Phil. Bluey was a foundation member and President of the Airline Stewards and Hostesses Union and was later awarded a Life Membership for his services. A Remembrance service to celebrate Blue’s life was held in Mangere on 15 December 2020
Graham Charles McLEOD, retired pilot, Flight Operations, much loved husband of Ivy On Hing-McLeod passed away in Queensland on 16 December 2020
Eric SIMPSON passed away on 23 December 2020 after suffering a series of strokes. Eric had emigrated to New Zealand from England in 1966, where he had trained with Rolls Royce Aero Engines. He joined Air New Zealand, working in Engineering Technical Services. Eric was involved in all aspects of aircraft repair and modification, including RNZAF aircraft under contract. He later moved on to head the ground support equipment section responsible for design and procurement. In his spare time, he took an interest in Maori culture and became a master carver, eventually assisting in the restoration of Marae. After retiring in 1988 Eric moved back to England for some years, before returning once again to New Zealand. Eric was well respected by all his many friends and colleagues. We had no official notification of Eric’s funeral arrangements
Peter PRITCHARD - a great Chief Purser, Peter Pritchard, passed away in Russell on Monday 28 December 2020 after a courageous fight over the last few months. Peter’s partner, Claire, advised that Peter’s funeral service, due to family reasons, was on 13th January 2021 at Snapper Rock, Auckland.
Roger Innes (Captain) MURRAY - retired pilot (1962 – 1974), died peacefully at home in Russell on 29 December 2020, surrounded by family and friends. Roger leaves behind his much loved wife Ailsa, son Ron and daughter-in-law Anna, daughters Belinda and Annabel, sister Susan, former wife Anne and many dear friends. Roger had been predeceased by his beloved son Dougal.
Tony OSMENT died peacefully at North Shore Hospital on 6 January 2021. Loved husband of the late Pam, much loved father of Cortney, Alanna and stepfather of Colin, Tony and David, treasured brother of Helen, Guy, and Susan. Tony joined Air New Zealand from the RNZAF in 1976 and retired from AMS Mangere in 2014. A memorial service was held at Schnapper Rock Albany on 12 January, followed by a private cremation.
Our condolences, deepest sympathy and very best wishes are extended to all family members – Brian Cudby, Almoner
WEBSITE - https://www.airnzretirees.nz/
If you are reading this online then you must already have access to the website - please note that the password for the “Members Only” section on our website is 'viscount’ . The information on the “members only” pages is confidential to current members and may not be reproduced or distributed.
Our website includes a list of all current members, and those who have passed away since January 2019. Please explore our website for information about the club, back copies of all newsletters, items of interest and coming events.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
If you are reading this online, this should not apply to you.
Until now, our printed newsletters have been printed and posted by Air New Zealand at no cost to our club. Unfortunately this is no longer an option, so reluctantly, we need to pass on this cost to those who wish to remain on our postal mailing list. After this current mailout there will be an annual charge of $10 per year to continue getting printed copies posted. This will be aligned with the Annual Club subscription due in June 2021, so it will entitle you to printed copies until the end of June 2022.
Alternatively – There is no cost if you have an email address we can send the online newsletters to, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can use this option by contacting us from the contact page on our website
SUBSCRIPTIONS
We remind all members that subscriptions are due immediately after being set at the AGM in June each year. Please note that to remain as a paid up financial member the current year's subscription plus any arrears must be paid. Members whose subs are more than two years in arrears are assumed to have lapsed their membership.
When you receive your newsletter by email, the message will include your subscription status at the time the email is sent. If your subscription is current it will show " Paid to 2021" (or later if you have paid in advance).
Newsletters sent by post show the subscription status (paid to date) on the address label.
COMPANY NEWS
Regular media releases are published online by Air New Zealand and you can access these from our website under the heading Links.
You can also download the paper posted version of this newsletter (pdf format).
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