APPENDIX 8
Memorandum submitted by the Auckland Welsh
Society
Thanks for your July Press Notice re "Wales
in the World". The Auckland Welsh Society briefly discussed
the letter at our last monthly meeting, but we did find the content
a little vague.
In recent months Wales has received a fair amount
of Welsh publicity through concerts by Tom Jones, Bryn Terfel
and Morriston Orpheus Choir are currently touring the country.
Every couple of years a Trade delegation has come with mixed success
for selling their products here.
In recent years there has been little sporting
contact though in the past the Welsh men's and women's bowls team
have competed here as of course has the Welsh rugby team, but
not since the late 80's. Swansea Civil Service Cricket teams have
toured here in the early and mid-90's. It is about time other
teams made the trip, but finding a suitable time and enough money
is a problem, but I would like to see Glamorgan Cricket Club tour
New Zealand, the Welsh soccer team, Welsh women's hockey team
etc.
On the weekend of 21-22 October the NZ National
Gymanfa Association is holding its biennial Gymanfa in Wellington.
It is being organised this year by the Wellington Welsh Society
and will include a Noson Lawen on the Saturday evening in Wellington
Girl's College Hall and the Gymanfa on Sunday afternoon at the
Cathedral. It will be an opportunity for Welsh men and women and
friends from all over New Zealand to meet up and enjoy a weekend
of Welsh culture.
New Zealand, particularly the cities, are now
multi-ethnic in character. Auckland has over 52 nationalities
and is the largest Polynesian City. One of the roles of the Multicultural
Society is to promote harmony among these varied nationalities
through multicultural concerts, exhibitions and fairs. We promote
Welsh culture via the Auckland Welsh Choir and Folk Dancers and
contribute to what is usually a very colourful occasion. We have
on our own doorstep what Wales contributes to world peace and
understanding through the Llangollen Eisteddfod.
I will not ramble on further, but we would appreciate
some direction for our future thinking!
Derek Williams
19 August 2000
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