2018 AGM bids farewell to Vicki as President

After five years as President, the club was sorry and sad to see Vicki step down in her leadership role. Anne (2018 vice-president and 2019 President) summarised perfectly Vicki's many achievements.  These included rejuvenating the club rooms, the 80+ High Tea, growing every bridge session, baking cakes to recognise special birthdays, providing even handed leadership, being inclusive of all our members and being kind and caring - including visiting those who have been sick at home or hospital. Anne presented Vicki with some beautiful lilies and a voucher for Vicki to choose something as a keepsake from Simply Divine.  Vicki has brought the club together being sensitive to the needs of young and old and those in between.  She was never afraid of making decisions but would also consult as appropriate to check that the Committee was on track.

Apologies that the better photo of Vicki also has me in it...... but fitting as I shall miss Vicki in my role as Club Captain- she has been a great support and I could not have asked for a better leader!

At the end of the AGM, we also took the opportunity to present He Yuan known to us as Herman with a framed certificate of his Grand Master status.  He is the first Grand Master we have had at our club since the early 1980s and the second ever at our club. It took 500A points (only attainable at A point tournaments) and another 500 A or B points for him to achieve this status. Clare talked about what a generous and kind-hearted bridge player Herman is.  Herman does not play club bridge because he does not like leaving his wife in the evening with their local business and so keeps his time off for daytime tournament play. He does support the club in other ways such as programme sponsorship and helping those who request support. He has coached several of our members and played tournaments with us that haven't helped his journey to becoming a Grand Master!  He sets himself high standards but is always considerate to others.  He is currently partnering up and coming 14 year old, Ryan Song, from Auckland and Ryan is winning all sorts with Herman's patient guidance.