New Zealand Company of Master Mariners Inc
Company Bulletin - FEBRUARY 2021
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This Bulletin is published bi-monthly on even-numbered months to keep members updated with items of general company news. A copy is emailed directly from the Company to each member for whom the Company holds an email address. Hard-copies are not distributed by the Company but may be available through Branch Secretaries.
Detailed items of news are published in the Company Website www.mastermariners.org.nz and the Tauranga Branch newsletter which is circulated widely.
We welcome your contribution - Deadline is 10th of even numbered months. Please forward news to the General Secretary.
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Changes to the Privacy Act
On 1 December changes to the Privacy Act came into force. The new legislation offers greater protection for individuals, and puts more responsibility on organisations and businesses, and NZ organisations using overseas services such as cloud hosting.
The General Secretary holds the Master Database including members' names and contact details and a modicum of other information including (if known) the date membership commenced etc. These data are held on the General Secretary's PC and are backed up using reputable cloud storage. Basic data (name and email address only) are maintained in the database used for distribution of this Bulletin. The database is only accessed by the General Secretary although for updating and comparison purposes segments may be shared with Branch Secretaries who hold their own databases.
You have the right to request to view and, if necessary correct, all and any data held about you.
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
We are pleased to welcome into membership Commander Mark Longstaff (RNZN Rtd) - Auckland Branch, and Captain Glen Boyes - Wellington Branch. Welcome Aboard!
Captain John Austin has transferred to the Auckland Branch.
Membership as at 1 February 2021:
AUCKLAND 86
CHRISTCHURCH 24
TAURANGA 22
WELLINGTON 53
TOTAL 185
Please ensure that any changes of contact details (address, email etc) are advised to your Branch Secretary - preferably by email with CC to the General Secretary.
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BRANCH MEETINGS
Members are welcome at all Branch and Company meetings.
Please contact Branch Secretary for details and to RSVP.
Auckland Branch - Meets at the Remuera Club, Ohinerau St, Remuera Auckland, 1830 hrs for meeting at 1900. Next planned meetings: 8 April, 10 June, 7 August (@1200 - Ladies Luncheon), 7 October 2021.
The Branch is holding a luncheon (to which partners are invited) at the Birkenhead RSA, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead (North Shore) on Thursday 11 March 2021 at 1200 (for 1230).
For details of all meetings and events please contact the Branch Secretary.
Christchurch Branch - For details etc please contact the Branch Secretary
Tauranga Branch - Meets at the Mt Maunganui RSA. For details etc please contact the Branch Secretary
Committee Meeting Wednesday 17 February.
Wellington Branch - Meets at the Bolton Hotel, just off The Terrace in the CBD.
Committee Meeting Tuesday 16 February
Branch Meetings - Noon on the second Wednesday of each month (except January, and as noted below).
10 March - bus trip around CentrePort.
14 April - Branch AGM.
11 August - Company AGM
For details, RSVP etc for all these activities, please contact the Branch Secretary.
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NEWS
We thank Captain Gerry Wright who produced the Auckland Branch newsletter for many years and recently produced the Company Newsletter. Gerry is unfortunately unable to continue in this role.
The Executive Committee (Master and Wardens) have therefore decided that this Bulletin will be expanded slightly to include items of Company news, news of members, and occasionally some local news.
A plethora of sites bearing maritime news exist and items generally available in other fora will not be included unless there are items of exceptional interest. Some international sites offering maritime news - including some which offer newsletters - include (in no particulare order):
Members are invited to submit news items to the General Secretary for consideration (see note above re deadlines).
WAITANGI DAY. The Master, Captain Ted Ewbank, accompanied by wife Marie, represented the Company at the Waitangi Day Garden Party in Wellington hosted by Company Patron, Her Excellency Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM QSO, Governor General of New Zealand, on Saturday 6th February. He reports as follows:
"Another visit to the Windy City, quite cold to start with, but warming up in the late afternoon. We were admitted to the grounds of Government House at 1545 hrs, and our Uber driver was allowed to take us all the way up the driveway to the terrace in front of the house, where all were gathering.
Attendance at the function was a lot smaller than usual, with about 400 guests, compared with about 1,800 last year. Unlike on previous visits when I met several guests that I recognised, on this occasion there was only one, Darryl Stevens of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and as we walked onto the terrace there he was right in front of us sporting his New Zealand Order of Merit decoration, of which order many guests represented.
As is always the case, Her Excellency very graciously offered a photo opportunity to any who wanted one. All one had to do was join the queue. (see below). Sad to say, this is the last year of Dame Patsy’s tenure."
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Ted Ewbank, Dame Patsy Reddy and Mrs Marie Ewbank at Government House on Waitangi Day
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CRUSOE AWARD. Ted Ewbank received a surprise Honour recently. Not at Government House but at the February meeting of the Auckland Branch. The Crusoe Award - a bronze sculpture of a single foot, named after Robinson Crusoe who discovered a footprint in the sand of an apparently deserted island - is awarded periodically to "those who have left an imprint on the profession."
In making the presentation, noting how well Ted had fulfilled the office of Master of the Company, the Warden, Captain Chris Barradale, said that the award "... recognised Ted's significant contribution to the Company as Master for 5 years and his other contributions to the good of seafarers in general." The award is accompanied by an annotated plaque.
Captain Ewbank completes his tenure as Master of the Company this year.
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Ted Ewbank with the Crusoe Award, and (below) the accompanying plaque
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AUCKLAND SEAFARERS CENTRE. The Mission to Seafarers Port Chaplain, Rev Cheen Khaw, retired in February after 7 years' service, and has been replaced by Rev Noel Cox. The Sailors' Society Port Chaplain, Rev Aaron Ironside, leaves the Society at the end of February but will continue as a chaplain working directly with the Centre under contract.
SEAFARERS WELFARE BOARD FOR NZ. The Lyttelton Port Chaplain, Rev John McLister, has completed his tenure as Chairman of the Board and has been replaced by Rev Lance Lukin, the Mission to Seafarers Director for Oceania who is also the Honorary Chaplain to the Wellington Branch of the Company.
PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL OF THE RNZN. Members may be interested in a new on-line journal recently published by our Navy. It aims to provide "a place for critical and constructive comment on all matters that concern the Navy and New Zealand’s maritime futures including national strategy, policy, organisation, culture, personnel policies, operations and capabilities". The Journal is available on-line here.
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