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Visit to link Diocese of Wellington, North Island New Zealand, by Doreen
Earls
Visit to link Diocese of Wellington, North Island New Zealand, by Doreen
Earls
One of the lovely things about belonging to the Worldwide Mothers’ Union
is that Branches and Dioceses can have links across the world. Mostly those
links are through correspondence, but occasionally it is possible to meet
members in or from those places. Last year we had the great pleasure of
having a visit from Perdita Bentall of Wellington Diocese, New Zealand
with whom Clogher Diocese is linked.
This year, I had a wonderful opportunity to return the visit to Wellington
Diocese. On Sat 6th August, accompanied by my sister Laura Rogers and neice
Katie, we travelled from Brisbane, and were met at Wellington Airport by
Mrs. Perdita Bentall, President of Wellington Diocese Mothers’ Union.
We travelled approx 40 miles north east of Wellington to her home at Waikanae,
just about a 5 minute walk from the beach.
Next morning we attended Waikanae Anglican Parish Church, where the service
was led by Rev Tim Bustin, and a very warm welcome awaited us. We just
felt ‘at home’ at once. After the service and morning tea,
I gave a PowerPoint illustrated talk about our Diocese of Clogher and how
Mothers’ Union is reaching out into the Community. I also gave an
insight into our way of life and how in a farming community each season
involves different types of work. Our visit took place in their winter,
but daytime temperature were around 10 - 12oC.
Quite a few of the ladies had held the role of Diocesan President or Provincial
President of Mothers’ Union in New Zealand. It was a very memorable
occasion as I was able to meet the two previous Diocesan Presidents who
I had corresponded, with, Leila Pilkington and Anne Town. Lady Margaret
Norman widow of a former Bishop of Wellington also attended
After lunch, Perdita had arranged for us to visit two Diary Farms, with
her son Hugh, a local vet in Levin. The first farm had a rotary parlour,
milking 50 cows at once, with just two operators. The herd in total numbered
400, in summer. The other farm had a herringbone parlour and milked 150
cows. For us it was amazing to see the cows milked in winter, and heading
back out to the grass.
Early next morning we set off to visit another branch of Mothers’ Union
in Masterton, approximately 100 miles away. We had several photo stops
as a permanent reminder of the beautiful scenes in front and behind us.
On arrival at Epiphany Church Masterton, we received a very warm welcome
from Mrs Marjorie Nevin and her team of Mothers’ Union Ladies and
a few men. We were provided with a delicious buffet lunch in the hall.
After lunch we moved for a service in Church , after which I gave an illustrated
talk on Clogher Diocese. I was presented with a copy of a folder, designed
for the visit of Lady Eames in 1997. This folder gives an insight into
the work of Mothers’ Union in Masterton and the industries of its
surrounding area. This, for me will be a lasting memento of my visit.
Some of the ladies then took us the ‘Museum of Childhood’ in
Masterton and we met the owner Diana Stidolph. We were all taken back to
our child hood with the displays of toys, and were amazed the see the ‘Janet
and John’ Reading books, there!
Perdita and I stayed Monday night with Marjorie Nevin and Laura and Katie
stayed with Bernice Olsen. On Monday night Marjorie organised a ‘Ceilidh’ for
us. A number of people formed an informal band to lead singing. The evening
opened with the singing of the song ‘Haere Mai’, which is Maori
for ‘Welcome’. We were really very touched by the singing and
the welcome. Individuals/groups, including ourselves offered items. Next
morning, the weather was exceptionally lovely and we left Masterton for
Wellington, travelling via Greyton and Rimutaka Hill. Everything was looking
its best. We first of all visited Wellington Cathedral where we were introduced
to the Dean, Very Revd Frank Nelson.
After viewing Parliament Buildings, and the Supreme Court of New Zealand,
we took the cable car and got some stunning views of Wellington.
Next morning we left early for Wellington Airport. We had a very scenic
drive through Wellington, along the shoreline.
We then flew to Queenstown, a skiing resort in South Island. It was a gold
rush town in the 1860’s. The town sits regally on the shore of Lake
Wakatipu among dramatic ranges. The lake and mountain landscape make it
suited to all kinds of adventure. We probably photographed the most stunning
views of our whole trip here. We made a visit to Coronet Peak, the nearest
ski field, and experienced the atmosphere there.
We also visited Walter Peak High Country Farm on The Earnslaw Vintage Steamship
We departed for home on Sat 13th August, just hours before the whole of
New Zealand hunkered down for the freezing storm from Antarctica which
would have kept us grounded for a number of extra days! Had we planned
a later departure, we would have missed our connecting flight in Sydney,
so we were very thankful indeed that for a smooth journey home!
Front Row: Laura Rogers, Sally Mathieson (Leader AAW Waikanae) Doreen
Earls, Lady Margaret Norman (widow of a former Bishop of Wellington) Leila
Pilkington (Past Diocesan MU President) Perdita Bentall (Diocesan MU President,
wearing the beautiful brooch that came from Belleek Pottery!)Photo by: Beverley
Shore Bennett
Anne Town, Former Diocesan President of Wellington Diocese Mothers’ Union,
Doreen Earls, and Leila Pilkington, Former Diocesan President, Wellington
Date: September 2011