We’re on the downward slope to summer! Can you believe it! With the Whitianga rally done and dusted for 2018, we can look forward to a busy 2019!!! This is my first time coming to you as president. I’d like to start by offering a HUGE thank you to Julie for all her hard work over the last couple of years. She is a powerhouse of organization and hardwork, and has left me with big shoes to fill.

Thanks to all of you who were able to come to Joan Campbell’s funeral in Te Aroha recently – it was great to be able to form a guard of honour of NZAWA members. We are all going to miss Joan, who has been an absolute fixture at our Rallies, for many years. Our condolences to our Honorary Member, Malcolm and we will expect to see you in Whitianga and future Rallies. As I spoke at the funeral, I have included my speech in a separate article.

I trust you have all had a chance to relax over Christmas and New Year, and that you have been able to make the most of some fabulous flying weather. It is always really special catching up with the family. I have had some very exciting news from Dee Bond to say that Jan McKenzie, the International President of Ninety Nines, is coming to NZ to attend Warbirds Over Wanaka (WOW) at Easter.

Firstly – Get Well Wishes to our Patroness Rhona Fraser, who has been feeling under the weather lately. We hope you recover soon and that you will be well enough to come to the Wanaka Rally.

President Report March 2017. I can’t believe it’s newsletter time already. I really enjoyed going to the prize giving dinner for the Walsh Memorial Flying School in Matamata in January. Congratulations to the recipients of the NZAWA Awards.

Just a quick message to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year. I hope you all have the new flying maps and that you have got up to speed on the all the changes.

President Report November 2016. It’s certainly been busy since I last put a report in the newsletter. Recently the NZAWA Executive held a meeting at my place. I believe we achieved a lot with a little fun thrown in as well.