Communications conference rewarding for Ruapehu delegates

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 587, 23 May 1995, Page 4

Communications conference rewarding for Ruapehu delegates

Four members of Ruapehu International Training in Communication (ITC) attended a recent New Zealand region conference in Palmerston North. Hosted by Council 8, the smallest council with only six clubs, the theme was 'Heartbeat Conference' asitwasheld in the heartland of the Manawatu. The welcome and president's reception held at the Palmerston North Bowling Club was a forerunner of what was to come. Members were welcomed by Council 8 president, Keitha Journeaux of Ruapehu ITC, and enjoyed a friendly, relaxed evening with items presented by each club. The Convention Centre was the venue for the conference and members enjoyed excellent facilities and meals prepared by the centre staff over the three days. The conference was officially opened by the MP for Palmerston North, Steve Meharay , and the keynote speaker was John Homblow who gave an excellent address on change and moving out of one's 'comfort zone' into a 'growth zone' . Speech contest preliminaries were held on Friday afternoon and six contestants were chosen for the final contest that evening. Taihape's Jeremy Wells, at 17 the youngest competitor, was placed third in the final. The winner was Lynne Bloore of Council 12, who goes on to the international contest in San Francisco. The winners in the writing contest were announced on Friday evening, at the writing awards dinner and Ruapehu Club members Fey Eves and Keitha Journeaux, were placed second and third respectively in the fiction section. The speaker at the plenary session on Saturday morning was Janine Gould, a former ITC member who now runs Communicate Consultants Ltd and spoke on 'challenge, change and motivation' . Saturday evening' s formal dinner and installation of the new board was enlivened by an exhibition of square dancing given by new board members. The caller was Leanan Moorehouse and his expertise guided the dancers in the impromptu item. He was accompanying his wife Mary to the Conference, their first visit to New Zealand. Mary Moorehouse was" the conference' s international visitor from the ITC headquarters in the USA. It was a busy weekend of excellent workshops ranging from 'philosophy for children' to 'adult ballet', an interesting humorous session. There were also training courses for new council board members and of course the speech contest finals. Ruapehu members were thrilled to be awarded a certificate for the highest amount raised in the silent auction - they offered weekend accommodation in the ski season. Jean Windle, Ruapehu club president accepted the certificate for the club. Keitha, as mentioned, was president of Council 8, the host council and Margaret Cornwall was the international visitors' host. Jean and Keitha acted as pages for workshops, Ann Greenwood, dual delegate at the business session, was also 'official pianist' for the opening ceremony. All four Ruapehu members also manned the information desk during tea and lunch breaks. Ruapehu members gratefully acknowledge the donation given by the Ruapehu trust which helped to ensure the success of the 1995 conference.