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Although the number of clubs has dwindled over the years, the Association of Kindred Clubs of New Zealand celebrated its 100th anniversary over the weekend of May 22-24.
Seventy-five members of savage and orphans clubs from all over New Zealand gathered in Waimate to have their two-yearly conference and to mark the anniversary.
The Waimate Savage & Entertainment Club organised the event, welcoming everyone with a goodie bag full of information about Waimate and the programme, with a dedicated keyring as a memento for later.
The Waimate Town & Country Club hall had undergone a major decoration transformation.
Special attention had been paid to the colours of the logo of the association, so tablecloths were burgundy and black with a gold coloured sash for embellishment.
The darts boards were covered in matching colours and fairy lights were woven through the beams, thanks to Mandy Tangney and her inventive mind.
All this shifting, placing and organising was done by the team of the Waimate Club.
Saturday was the "big day".
First a conference, where the remaining eight clubs discussed current and future affairs.
Then a finger food lunch, which preceded the much anticipated concert.
All attending clubs contributed to this performance fest.
The concert started with the traditional march-in and the handover of badges for the new executive members.
Waimate’s S’oup opened the concert with two songs a capella, all dressed in outfits from the 1920s.
Their performance was followed by musical contributions on piano and harp, hilarious skits and a very funny and special tale about Goldilocks.
Before food could be shared, group pictures were taken and speeches delivered, one by Waimate mayor Craig Rowley.
Then the commemorative cake was cut and grace was said.
Coffee and tea in the adjacent smaller area allowed the team to clear the hall and change it into a cosy area for the traditional jam session.
Lots of fun was had with people making music and singing together.
Sunday morning the new executive met for their first meeting and the trusted team showed up again to take everything back to where it came from.
The Waimate club received lots of praise for their efforts and is grateful for the support of all who helped make is possible.
The club did a really good job and has already started preparations for the next club concert, with a focus on Scotland, on June 21, and as always in the Silver Band Hall in High St, Waimate.
Doors open at 1pm, for a start at 1.30pm.
Feel free to come and have a look. — Ina de Paauw-Fontein