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The April 13th meeting will be remembered for the excellent guest speaker Michelle Brinsden, but also for the delicious Curry Dinner. The selection of dishes and condiments made it one of the best, and no doubt if we offered curry again in the future, a larger crowd would turn-up!!!! Co-President Gary welcomed all and acknowledged our guests before asking Directors to share any club notices. Director Club Services - Lesley shared with us details of the discussions that she has been having with Auckland Museum regarding the Poetry Competition which Michele Mann was very involved with. We are looking at the best opportunity to finalise the details of the competition and the excellent cash prize that was raised largely due to the efforts of Michele, and our goal is to ensure that this is structured as a suitable legacy for Michele. Director Environment - Peter B. reminded all of the upcoming Working Bee at Apirana Reserve on Sunday April 23rd when we will be looking for as many members and friends and family as possible, to turn up to help move 30 sq meters of mulch. Please contact Peter to advise him that you can assist and/or to seek additional information. Director Youth - Kevin once again requested that members look hard in their work places, at home and across friends and family groups to identify suitable candidates for RYLA, July 2023. Please contact Kevin or Tom with possible leads. Co-President Gary advised that the new Board joined the existing Board at last weeks Board meeting, as part of the hand-over process, and reported that the process was progressing well. He also reminded all members that should any of them be interested in becoming more hands on in the club, or possibly be seeking a Board Director role, not to hesitate to contact him. Gary also advised that the club has agreed to donate $2,000 to Hearts4Kids and $2,000 to Joseph Bahoo. Hearts4Kids spoke at the club earlier this month and Joseph was one of the three students who the club had sponsored to attend the New Zealand Science and Technology Forum earlier this year, at Auckland University. Joseph is one of two New Zealand students who has now been invited to participate in the British Forum in London. Peter B was then asked to introduce our Guest Speaker, Michelle Brinsden, who holds the post of Senior Conservation Advisor of the Eastern Bays Songbird Project, along with other related organisations. The Songbird Project operates over 4000 hectares and includes our original project zone of Ōrākei, Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers and Glendowie, with the addition of Remuera, St Johns, Meadowbank, Glen Innes, Wai o Taiki Bay, and Pt England. Eastern Bays Songbird Project Inc. is a non-governmental organisation in Auckland and they aim to restore and regenerate the natural ecosystems of the Eastern Bays to create a sanctuary alive with birds, enhancing the lives of our residents and visitors. To achieve this, they have mobilised the community to take action both on their properties and in local open spaces to provide environments where populations of birds and invertebrates can flourish. They will work with local people and organisations already trapping pests, and encourage and coordinate the local community to trap throughout the residential areas. This project will contribute significantly and be integral to Pest Free Auckland 2050 and Predator Free NZ 2050. There are many opportunities for residents to get involved, from Trapping Pests, Bird Monitoring and Habitat Creation. If you are interested in becoming involved, please visit their website, https://www.songbird.org.nz/ Many thanks Michelle for such an interesting and educational talk. |
The Eastern Bays Songbird Project is a community conservation group with a vision of creating an area vibrant with bird life; where tūī, fantail/pīwakawaka and kererū, already present in the Eastern Bays, are joined by visiting kākāriki, bellbird/korimako and kākā from the nearby pest-free offshore islands in the Hauraki Gulf. 
THURSDAY MAY 4th - DINNER MEETING - ANNUAL DEBATE WITH AUCKLAND EAST. St Johns team is Kevin, Simon and Patrick. Be sure to attend to give our team the support they will need and having the best chance of winning!
It’s that time again. Our number one food packing co-ordinator is once again looking for volunteers - Wednesday April 19th! 
