There was very little spare room to spare when Quota Auckland held a Charity Showcase of the Autumn/Winter range of local designers Vanilla Ink and alexandraapple at their new shop at 351 Remuera Road.   

Limited space meant tickets soon sold out but the 100 people attending the evening enjoyed wine sponsored by La Barrique and a chance to take a look at the new range for Autumn and Winter presented by these talented local designers. 

This year the Quota South Pacific Area Scholarship Committee received nine applications of a very high standard; after due consideration the committee has awarded a scholarship and a bursary.. The unsuccessful applicants have been encouraged to apply again in the future.

QSPA Scholarship for 2009/10 in honour of the late Beryl Winckle has been awarded to:

• Ms Michele Yonetani of Christchurch NZ   
  Value $4,300 AUS

• The Sheila Drummond Bursary for 2009/10 has been awarded to Ms Lydia O’Connor of Auckland New Zealand    Value $4,000 AUS

Both applicants must take up their awards in 2010– a description of their projects is attached. I have had the pleasure of communicating with both recipients: they were thrilled to receive news of their success and wish me to pass on their gratitude to all South Pacific Area Quotarians. Both women will provide reports of their projects that can be shared with you on completion. Lydia O'Connor indicated that District 37 Governor Pam Ross told her about our scholarship - there's positive proof that every Quota Member is a potential salesperson!

This year's selection panel was Annette Cleghorn, Rotorua NZ: Janice Woolrych, Woombye QLD: Judith Eley Unley SA (MAL attached to District 43): Susan Robertson Cobden VIC: Janet Ahrens Tweed Heads/Coolangatta QLD: Delwynn Jacklin Anglesea VIC (selection chair) and I thank all of them for their extremely valuable contribution to the selection process. Special thanks to Annette, Janice and Judith for travelling to Essendon to participate; due to a long-standing commitment Janet was unable to attend but submitted her analysis and preferences by email.

Delwynn Jacklin
Chair Selection Committee

Happy New Year and Welcome to District 37

Although everyone has started preparing for events being held early in 2010 most members have had a well earned break over Christmas and January. But Quota International of Whakatane and Quota International of Opotiki took advantage of the influx of summer visitors with their popular annual Book fests during late December and January. Proceeds from these will go back to their communities.

Eleven members from District 37, and five partners, attended the South Pacific Area Meeting in Geelong, Victoria. This bi-annual meeting is held over three days so Quotarians from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand can meet together to share service and fundraising ideas to take back to their Clubs and learn more about Quota’s international service programmes. However just as important is the opportunity to renew friendships and meet many new friends from other districts. The New Zealanders then joined with other Quotarians on a post-meeting Melbourne Cup tour which also included further sightseeing in the area surrounding Melbourne. What a week that was to experience.
Photos and more can be seen on the new South Pacific Area website www.quota-spa.org

'Grandparents raising Grandchildren's', Virginia Pebbles left with
Papakura member Noeline Pilkington and some of the donated handmade quilts

Beautiful new patchwork quilts, knitting, clothing, toys and a great selection of second-hand linen were donated to the south Auckland branch of Grandparents raising Grandchildren by members of  Quota International of Papakura late last year. Virginia Pebbles, who is the South Auckland co-ordinator for the Trust was overwhelmed by the generosity to help the group and said, “ Bedding and clothing is always needed for the children when grandparents suddenly hear the children may be living with them for some time  and we’re extremely grateful for this fantastic donation at this time of the year.’