February - The Wellington Club

CLUBNEWSThe Wellington ClubFounded 1841February 2013DIARY DATESFEBRUARY 2013Seniors’ LunchWednesday 13 12.00noon for 12.40pmBook Talk: French Ties with Jane WebsterLunch & DinnerWednesday 13Family FridayFriday 15 from 5.00pm onwardLast Friday DrinksFriday 22 from 5.00pm onwardB.Y.O. Wine EveningThursday 28 6.30pm for 7.00pmMARCH 2013Seniors’ LunchWednesday 6 12.00 noon for 12.40pmWomen’s LunchThursday 7 12.30pm for 1.00pmGolf at RWGC, HeretaungaMonday 11 11.00amCelebrating Juergen Sparrer’s 20 Year ServiceTuesday 12 6.00pmFamily FridayFriday 15 from 5.00pm onwardLast Friday DrinksFriday 22 from 5.00pm onwardGood FridayFriday 29 Club closedAPRIL 2013Easter MondayMonday 1 Club closedSeniors’ LunchWednesday 3 12.00noon for 12.40pmWomen’s LunchThursday 4 12.30pm for 1.00pmDaylight Saving endsSunday 7Wine Appreciation Dinner with Terravin WinesThursday 11 6.30pm for 7.00pmCombined Club Sports Awards DinnerWednesday 17 6.30pm for 7.00pmFamily FridayFriday 19 from 5.00pm onwardEmbassy Evening (T.B.C.)Tuesday 23BOOK TALK WITH AUTHOR JANE WEBSTERFrench TiesA Lunch & Dinner Function - WEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2013The New Year events include an interesting presentation by Jane Webster on her latest book French Tieswhich celebrates her new home and offers a glimpse into the French life style: keeping house, visiting themarkets, restoring the walled kitchen garden and indulging her passion for ‘antiquing’ at flea markets and fairs.Her book contains many regional recipes from the Normandy, beautifully photographed, it shows how tomake a home and find a sense of belonging in a country that is not your own.The Club’s chefs will prepare the meal based on the book’s recipes.Jane is a Member of the Alexandra Club in Melbourne and the Wellington Club is very much lookingforward to welcoming her at her reciprocal Club.Jane is such an enthusiastic person and willing to speak at a lunch for Members and spouses and again atdinner. Especially the lunch presentation is aimed at the chef in the house who no doubt would not wantto miss such an interesting topic!Last chance to book! The two different menus are published on the Club’s website!TIME : 12.00 noon for 12.30pmVENUE : Kumutoto Room on level 6DRESS : Tidy casualCOST : $55.00 including apéritif(drinks extra)PHONE NOW OR BOOK HERETIME : 6.30pm for 7.00pmVENUE : Kumutoto Room on level 6DRESS : Tidy casualCOST : $85.00 including apéritifand table winesPHONE NOW OR BOOK HEREBRING YOUR OWN WINE DINNERWITH VICE-PRESIDENT BRETT NEWELLTHURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2013What a fun-way to help start the New Year! Bring your own bottles from the cellar or wine shop foryou to either drink yourself or share with others on your table. Brett Newell will give his well-receivedand informed comments on Members’ rare, valuable, sometimes oxidised or otherwise ‘expired’ bottlesat this annual and popular dinner. Besides the fun, it is actually a very good evening of wine educationaccompanied by a lovely meal. The Club chefs have composed the following menu:TIME : 6.30 for an apéritif6.45 for dinnerDRESS : Tidy casualCOST : $49.50 p.p.PHONE NOW OR BOOK HEREPoached Prawns on a corn, avocado, fennel,whitlof and pickled onion salad***BBQ Lamb Rump on imam bayildi witha tomato and basil vinaigrette***Rum Baba with vanilla pastry cream***Coffee, Tea

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEDear Members,Happy New Year toall Members and theirfamilies!It has started a hot one inWellington and it is goodto see much use of thedeck on the 6th floor andits barbecue, including at January’s well patronised LastFriday Drinks.The last week in December was also a very busy onefor the Club with many functions and lunches. It wasgreat to see.February functions detailed in this newsletter include:• A book talk (French food) planned over lunch timeand again over dinner in the evening on the 13th.The menus for theses events will comprise dishescreated and enjoyed by the author during her manyyears living in France and included in the book.• A new type of function is planned for Friday evening15th February with separate provision being madefor looking after children. The Committee will bevery interested in Members’ response to this typeof event which has proved popular in Clubs in othercountries.• The popular BYO dinner with Brett Newell is laterin the month on the 28th, and then early next month• The Club Golf Day on 11MarchShortly our Secretary Manager, Juergen Sparrer, willhave completed 20 years with the Club. We plan tocelebrate his significant contribution on 12 March witha special function. Many Members will wish to attendin support of Juergen, so please book early.Another milestone coming up next month is Jane Wells’30 year anniversary with the Club. As many have noted,the Club is blessed with some very loyal staff.There was an article in the November Newsletterregarding earthquake improvement work for theClubhouse. It can be read on line if you missed it(see: Past Newsletters -November 2012). Work startedin January as planned, and Fletcher will be working ingeneral from the ground floor up the building on therear block wall and the internal columns. They planto complete in about August this year, but this date isvery dependent on their ability to fit around tenant andClub activities. Work on the rear stairs will commencein March and be completed at about the same time asthe other work.As you know, the Bank has not renewed its 1st floorlease which expires on 30 April 2013. The floor ofabout 600sqm has been vacated and is immediatelyavailable. While the Club would prefer to lease it as onetenancy, it would consider proposals that split it intotwo tenancies. If Members belong to or know of anorganisation requiring space please could they contactthe Secretary Manager. The building’s relative privacyincluding CCTV at all doors, squash court facilities andcentral location would suit professional organisationsand associations of like nature to our other tenants.Best wishes to all for 2013!Ian Fraser, PRESIDENTTHE ANNUAL CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENTAT THE RWGC, HERETAUNGAWith an improved air service to Hawai’i thisyear, the Club realised the possible need for areciprocal Club in Hawai’i. We have added theOutrigger Canoe Club near Waikiki Beach toour portfolio of reciprocal Clubs and while itis not a residential Club, Members have nowthe opportunity to enjoy Club life en routeto the US or further. Members may look updetails about this Club under:http://www.outriggercanoeclub.comThe following is a brief report by Club memberGraham Stewart who ‘happened to be there’:With my wife Anne, we took the opportunitywhile visiting Hawai’i in December withDr Tony Crutchley and his wife Lyn, to havelunch at this Club situated below the slopes ofDiamond Head on the seafront near Waikiki.The Club has four restaurants catering for various levels of dining from the Koa Lanai restaurant tothe Snack Shop. In the Koa Lanai restaurant where we dined, no jackets were required; shirts withcollars passed, but open shoes were definitely taboo. Other dining areas are more relaxed with thedress code in keeping with the Hawai’ian style which is informal.We were warmly greeted and found the service and staff very friendly and obliging; we were seated ata beachfront table with a picture postcard view of the Waikiki beachfront. The lunch menu consistedof 43(!) options from Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, to Mains. The wine list was equallyimpressive. The luncheon and Club atmosphere was Hawai’i at its best.There is a Fitness Centre, Sand Volleyball Courts, and access to the beachfront where beach attendantswill arrange an umbrella and backrests for those wanting to enjoy the sun and the surf.The Club, which was founded in 1908 is steeped in history and tradition and is credited with theinvention of Beach Volleyball with members having participated in Olympic Games.Graham StewartRECIPROCITYTHE OUTRIGGER CANOE CLUB,HAWAI’IFormer Committee members Graham Stewart(with Anne) and Dr Tony Crutchley (with Lyn)hard at work for their Club.MONDAY 11 MARCH 2013Members are invited to partake on this year’s tournament in Heretaunga. Beautiful surroundings, anexcellent course and hopefully fine weather as usual will make for a great day out.Members can choose to play either in men only, women only or mixed teams – please indicate yourpreference when making the booking.TIME : 11.00am Arrival and drinks11.30am Buffet lunch12.30pm Start of tournament4.30pm approx. Small supper& prize givingDRESS : The dress code of the RWGC appliesCOST : $ 67.50 for members of the RWGC$127.50 for non-members of theRWGC (including green fee of $60.00)PHONE NOW OR BOOK HEREAnd as every year a 9-hole competition, theDe Gruchy Cup, will be played for by those whomight not feel quite up to playing the full courseon the day.When booking please ensure to state yourpreferred category and advise of your 7-digitNZGA membership number (regardless ofwhich golf club you belong to) in order to assistdetermining your official handicap and the issueof your score card.

CHEF’S CORNERTogether with my kitchen brigade I hope thatall Members had a happy Christmas and welook forward to continue serving Membershigh-quality meals throughout the year!Bon appétit,JUERGEN SPARRER 20 TH CLUB SERVICEANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONAlfonso Basile,CHEFTUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013TIME : 6.00pm – 7.30pmThis month Juergen Sparrer will have completed20 years of service at the Club. He was employedDRESS : Jacket & Tie, Evening Wearby the then President, the late David Tudhope,COSTSUPPER::$25.00 p.p. all inclusive$25.00 p.p. if requested, drinks extraCMG DFC as Functions Manager when JaneWells went on maternity leave. During thesePHONE NOW OR BOOK HERE first years, many Members, their sons and theirdaughters were married at the Club, the weddingbreakfast guided by Juergen’s meticulous organisation and execution. After the retirement of PhilipRoss and a brief engagement of Ray Parry, Juergen was promoted to Secretary Manager in April 2002.He has impressed Members and guests with his efficiency and commitment, always going the extra mile,demonstrating a keen sense of humour and a friendly but firm attitude to the many issues arising daily.While the Committee hopes and expects he will continue in his role for many years to come, it felt itappropriate to note this significant achievement, which will be celebrated with aserving sumptuous Club food (not sauerkraut and beer) for Members and their spouses, with guests ofhonour Juergen and his wife, Louise.The cocktail party will commence at 6pm and a substantial supper will be available afterwards forthose who wish and book.FROM THE ARTS & HANGING SUBCOMMITTEEWith the assistance of Club Member James Blackie,the Club’s pencil drawing “Taken from the Windowof the Wellington Club 1868” by an unknownartist/Club Member was restored recently. It iscurrently being re-framed after the most impressivepaper restoration work done by Marion Mertenswho specialises in this field and has done severalsuch restoration projects for the Club previously.The drawing will soon be hung in a suitable position.FITNESS AND SELF DEFENCE CLASSESFor the last six years the Club has run fitness and self defence classes based on Seido Karate. This lessknown service offered by the Club is enjoyed by a hard core of determined Members. This activity iswell served by the experience of its instructor Mr Ben Otang, (6th dan Seido Karate) and his assistantTIME : Tuesdays 1.15pm – 2.15pmand Club member Mr Geoff Seed.COST : Approx. $20-$25 per classdepending on numberof participantsLOCATION : Squash Court, basement levelCOCKTAIL PARTYAT THE CLUBon Tuesday 12 March 2013New Members are constantly welcome andactually encouraged to increase the numbers.Why not try it out?New classes start on Tuesday 19 February.A REQUEST FROMTHE BRIDGE PLAYERSCome join the women Members at Bridge onMondays! Beginners’ standard. No pressure – justfun. We meet in the bar at 12.30, have lunch andplay Bridge at 2pm. Everyone is welcome! We justplay four hands and then change players if thereare odd numbers. We’ll even teach new players!Sheila Burgess, Judy Whitcombe, JaniceCampbell, Margaret Clark, Helen HughesFAMILY FRIDAYFRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2013This is a new style of Club Function, mainlyaimed at Members with families who wouldenjoy socialising on a Friday afternoon or evening.The idea is that – during the summer months -the whole family comes to the Club from 5pmonward. The Club will organise someone tolook after the younger children in the adjoiningKumutoto Room, and older children who wish,are welcome to join the main party or not. Similarto Last Friday Drinks a light supper will beavailable and the Club would look after the littleones’food and drink needs.Try it out! It really would be desirable to have agood turn out on the first such event which theCommittee has introduced to make your visit tothe Club easier. Feedback on its success and detailsto improve it will be welcome. So plan to spendsome time at the Club with friends and familyon the 15th!TIME : From 5.00pm onwardSUPPER : Available from 6.30pmVENUE : Drake’s Acre Bar on level 6DRESS : Tidy casualCOST : Supper $17.50 if requestedChildren freePHONE NOW OR BOOK HERENOTICES & REMINDERS• CAR PARKS: Please note that car parks161, 162 and 181 have been leased on apermanent basis to tenants of the Club.Members are advised not to use theseparks between 7.00am – 5.30pm Mondaysto Fridays. These three parks are locatedalong the eastern wall in the car park andclearly marked by signs. By-law 6 will beamended accordingly.• A REQUEST FROM THEFOOD, WINE AND FUNCTIONSSUBCOMMITTEE: The Subcommitteehas agreed to launch movie evenings forMembers and guests on one Friday duringthe winter months of May – August each.There will be two screenings of the moviewith dinner served between the featuresfor those who have watched it and thosewho will have arrived to watch it(no telling please!).The Subcommittee would like to hearsuggestions on movies to feature.These should be advised to the SecretaryManager by the end of March.• EASTER HOLIDAYS: With theexception of the car park and the Health& Fitness Centre, the Club will be closedfrom and including Good Friday 29 Marchuntil after Easter Monday 1 April 2013.

FEBRUARY WINE SPECIALSWINE SPECIALSKIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2010An elegant wine with great length & weight leaves a lasting impression on the palate.Serve with poultry, tuna, salmon or simply enjoy on its own.TRAPICHE OAK CASK MENDOZA MALBEC 2010A Malbec with beautiful, deep red colour and violet hues. Sweet aromas ofblackberries and plums with an elegant touch of smoke and vanilla. Ideal to servewith cheeses, red meats, mushrooms, stew and with the typical Argentinean ‘asado’.TRAPICHE PINOT GRIGIO 2011Fruity and mild on the palate with a balanced acidity that highlights thefreshness. Elegant and mineral finish. Enjoy with Mediterranean food,white cold meats and seafood.HOUSE WINESHAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!It has been fantastic having Marlies our new female PersonalTrainer/Fitness Consultant on board since December and I wouldalso like to introduce Carol Garden, who as been appointed as ournew Massage Therapist. She joins us in early February and heravailability will be posted on the notice board.You can contact Pam at Reception or myself to make bookings.(kristjian@wellingtonclub.co.nz or DDI 04 474 0736)I am excited to start the year off with our first walk for 2013 to Matiu/Somes Island.WALK 1 - EasyThursday 21st February 2013 – Matiu/Somes IslandMatiu/Somes Island Scientific and Historic Reserve is a tranquil retreat for wildlife and visitors alike.Maori have occupied this island for generations. In more recent times, Matiu/Somes Island has servedas a human and animal quarantine station, an internment camp, and a military defence position. I havevisited the island before with my family and it is a great walk and a lovely day out!Partners and friends are encouraged to join. Good walking shoes are recommended for all walks, as wellas a windproof jacket and bottle of water.Kindest regards, Kristjian KluePHONE YOUR ORDER NOW OR PLACE HERECASEPRICE$90.00Case of 6$156.00Case of 12$132.00Case of 12CASEPRICEBOTTLEPRICE$15.00$13.00$11.00BOTTLEPRICEGrove Mill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $186.00 $15.50Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay $191.40 $15.95Te Mata Woodthorpe Syrah $228.00 $19.00Selak’s Central Otago Pinot Noir $230.40 $19.20HEALTH & FITNESS CENTRE NEWSWhere to meet:Meet time:Walk time:What to expect under foot:Lunch:Cost:RSVP by:Queens Wharf, outside Shed 5 Restaurant.9.45am for a 10.00am sailing from Queens Wharf. Ferry trip approx.20 minutes each way. Return sailing departs Matiu/Somes at12.50pm to arrive at Queens Wharf at 1.10pm.Recommended to allow an easy 2 hours to explore.Easy walking tracks. Initial uphill from jetty, then gentle walk.Packed picnic lunch will be provided by the Club’s kitchen.$40 includes return ferry ticket, permit and packed lunch forClub Members$50 for non-Club Members.Thursday 14th February at Reception.PHONE NOW OR BOOK HERELAST FRIDAY DRINKSFRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2013This function is open to ALL Members, theirfriends, family and colleagues. Being held on the6th floor, relaxed tidy casual attire is encouragedjust to see the month out in an informalatmosphere and surroundings.It is also a great opportunity to bring alongprospective candidates for membershipThe Committee highly recommends Nominatorsto bring newly admitted Members to this regularevent and to make new acquaintances and becomecomfortable using the Club and its facilities.The Club will provide cocktail food free of charge!For those who feel a little ‘peckish’, a light meal isserved from 6.30pm onward. The price for this is$17.50 which is excellent value.– Reservations are essential.Please advise Jane Wells if you wish to be addedto the e-mail reminder for this function or of anyadditional names you would like to have included.Earlier Food Service is available on request forthose going to an evening event.Please note that the date for theLast Friday Drinks in March is on:22 March 2013 – one week earlier dueto Good Friday! Mark you diary now!TIME : From 5.00pm onwardSUPPER : Available from 6.30pmVENUE : Drake’s Acre Bar on level 6DRESS : Tidy casualCOST : DrinksSupper $17.50 p.p. if requestedPHONE NOW OR BOOK HERESENIOR MEMBERS’ LUNCHThe next monthly luncheon for senior Members(65 years and over) will be held on:Wednesday 13 February 2013(one week later than usual due to Waitangi Day)All Members over 65 years of age and their guestsare welcome.12.00 for 12.40pmThe lunch in March will be held on Wednesday 6.WOMEN’S LUNCHEONEvery first Thursday of the month, womenMembers meet for lunch. Feel free to invite a guestor two to come along.Please call Jane Wells if you would like to beincluded in the monthly email reminder forthe luncheon.Make a note in your diary for:Thursday 7 March 2013, 12.30 for 1.00pmTHE WELLINGTON CLUB88 The Terrace, P O Box 10-129, Wellington, New ZealandTelephone 04 472 0348 | Facsimile 04 472 2475 | Email info@wellingtonclub.co.nz | Website www.wellingtonclub.co.nz