Newspaper Articles 1967 – British Women’s Overseas Club

[March 1967]

Talk on Vienna for British women’s club

A talk on her birthplace Vienna, was given by Mrs L. Pearson, at the British Women’s Overseas Club.

She followed up her talk with colour slides of Austria. The meeting held in St Matthew’s Guild Room was presided over by Mrs M. Sowman.

The lucky seat prize was won by Miss E. Bannister, Mrs Pearson held the lucky cup and another competition was won by Mrs A. Mayberry.

[April 1967]

B.W.O.C.

BRITISH WOMEN’S OVERSEAS CLUB

A reunion social for past and present members and their husbands will be held on the occasion of the Club’s 21st Birthday on SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1967, at the ST JOHN AMBULANCE HALL, HASTINGS.

Admission by ticket only, obtainable from:

Mrs L. H. Wainscott
814 Puriri Steet,

or

Mrs M. Sowman
1006 Willowpark Road, North.

Past members 5/-
Husbands 2/6

Applications, enclosing remittance, should be made not later than March 18.

[April 1967]

130 attend anniversary of club

About 130 past, present and foundation members of the Hastings branch of the British Women’s Overseas Club celebrated the 21st anniversary of their club at the St John Ambulance Hall, Hastings on Saturday night.

Posters depicting scenes of the British Isles decorated the hall.

The speaker was the founder of the club, Mrs Malcolm Mason, Havelock North, who told of the club’s history and formation.

A special guest was former Mayor of Hastings, Mr A. I. Rainbow, who helped the club during its initial stages.

The club was formed in Hastings in April, 1946, to help English brides of New Zealand troops posted overseas.

Mrs Mason wrote to the Herald-Tribune suggesting the club and a meeting in the Assembly Hall followed, chaired by Mr Rainbow.

The club was formed with a membership of 150. Since the war the club has helped other British immigrants settle in New Zealand by introducing them to other women and organisations, such as Plunket mother’s club.

The Mayor of Hastings, Mr R. V. Giorgi, spoke on his trip to England last year.

Entertainment was provided by Mr Haldane Scougall and Mrs Sadie Brown who both sang. Mrs Brown also presented recitations.

The singers were accompanied by Mrs Mary Bell.

Dance music was provided by Mrs R. J. Nicholson, Hastings and the MC was Mr L. H. Wainscott, Hastings.

[May 1967]

Presentation to mark her 17 years with club

Mrs E. Isaacson, retiring treasurer of the British Women’s Overseas Club, was presented with a weekend bag in recognition of her service to the club, at the annual week.

Mrs Isaacson, who has been a committee member of the club for 17 years, has served almost half that term as treasurer. She is going on an overseas trip,

Presentations were also made to two other members travelling overseas, Miss A. Horne and Mrs S. Charlesworth. Retiring committee members, Misses E. Bannister and M. Horne and Mesdames E. Isaacson and N. Mundie, received sprays.

Mrs M. Sowman was re-elected president and six new committee members were elected.

Officers elected were: President, Mrs M. Sowman; vice-president; Mrs J. S [F]. Massie; secretary, Mrs J. Sunley; treasurer, Mrs L. H. Wainscott; committee Mesdames W. Bannister, B Coleman, N. C. Dagg, J. Harvey, A. W. Lowe, A. H. Martin, A. Mayberry and S. Taylor.

[July 1967]

New arrivals welcomed

Five new arrivals to New Zealand were welcomed at an afternoon meeting recently of the British Women’s Overseas Club

Mrs M. Sowman presided.

Mrs H. Jones deomastrated [demonstrated] the use of artificial flowers in floral arrangements.

A competition was won by Mrs E. Irvine and the lucky cup holder was Mrs M. Allen.

[September 1967]

Teenagers entertain at club meeting

Teenagers provided the entertainment at an evening of the British Women’s Club in the Red Cross rooms, Hastings

The offstagers (Pamela Frost, Sandra Nevezie and Delyth Sunley) sang folk songs with their own guitar accompaniment and Derek Lowe gave three piano solos.

The president Mrs M. Sowman, welcomed five newcomers to New Zealand from England, Scotland and Rhodesia.

A competition, “dressing a peg” was won by Mrs S. Taylor, Mrs J. Brown and Mrs B. Coleman. Lucky cup holder was Mrs T. Stuart and another competition was won by Mrs E. Irvine.

[November 1967]

13 newcomers at meeting of British women

Thirteen newcomers to New Zealand were among the British Women’s Overseas Club’s Christmas party, in the Druids Hall, Hastings.

The Christmas cake was cut by the two most recent arrivals, Mrs D. Chandler and her daughter Mrs A. Coles, who arrived from Britain only three weeks previously.

The president, Mrs M. Sowman, introduced a programme of games, competitions, a gift exchange and carol and community singing accompanied by Mrs T. Whitehouse.

Competition winners were Mrs H. Wilson and Mrs J. MacLean.