President's Report 2022

My Apologies for not being present tonight.

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, Karaka Historical Society members and visitors. Welcome to the AGM of the KHS. Well another year like no other ruled by COVID with only 3 committee meetings held during the year. However we did make some progress , the ladies always cataloguing and updating information and displaying new additions to our collection. The men have also been busy hanging a variety of objects on the walls where we are told they should be! A new cover in now protecting the cows from the weather, but getting the milking machine to run nicely in a work in progress! Two old wall phones donated by Fraser Mansell are being restored and we hope to have them wired up so children on school visits can use them. General housekeeping saw water blasting and painting of the front entrance and a Karaka Museum sign added. Mrs. J Clark presented us with a book - “History of the Clark family.” I believe we should encourage other families in the area who have not done this yet to put it at the top of their list. (yours truly - guilty). Tim McMaster is working on a plan to cover the outside area at a reasonable price, I hope that is possible. A market was held in the Hall and we opened the museum at the same time it worked well but COVID has not helped. Joyce Hill (nee Bycroft) celebrated her 100th birthday with some family by looking through the museum. She also enjoyed a ride in the Model T car but it was only 98 years old! Also the Karaka Primary School visited with about 70 pupils. All went smoothly they enjoyed it (and were well behaved I thought) and well organised by their teachers. It kept 7 or 8 of us on our toes - quite tiring! Members who have passed away this year - Alan and Dawn Stitchbury, Ian and Maureen Laing, Laura Moore, Myrtle Thomas and Lewis Moody. Our condolences to all the families. Finally I would like to thank all the committee members they are an excellent group to work with, working bees are productive and enjoyable. Special thanks to Lois, Fraser Treasurer, Carol and Judith, Archives and Newsletter and Stewart - membership. I would like to move that my report be accepted. Hugh Ross.