The Austrian Club Auckland was formed in 1980

 

by Austrians for their families and friends of Austria to socialise with each other, and to promote and foster a spirit of fellowship amongst members.  There are currently around 80 families/couples/single members. 

 

The first president was Mrs Hesi Grossman who sadly passed away in 1991.  The current president is Gerhard Simanke, who has held that position since 1986.  The current vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary have all held their positions for at least 13 years.

 

Very popular annual events are: barbecue at the Appenzell Swiss Deer farm, Southhead,  in February; a Heurigen at Markovina’s Winery, Kumeu in March, a Gulasch Evening in June, and a National Day Dinner in October.  We also have walks in April / May and September, the AGM in July, and a Christmas function in December.   An Austrian Dance Group and a Singing Group, which are affiliated to the Club,  perform at many functions.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Liesl Heller 

Austrian Club Auckland NZ 

P. O. Box 31-330 Milford / Auckland     or  email the Secretary

July 2008 NEWSLETTER

 

Liebe Freunde,

                      It’s mid-winter and skiers are happy with all the snow that has fallen over the last week, and more is forecast.  When the weather clears, there should be some wonderful skiing for the School Holidays.  The games in the European Soccer Championship held in Austria & Switzerland last month were very topsy-turvey, with the teams that did well in the early rounds not playing so well in the finals.  ‘Well done’ to Spain, who rarely wins such events.  Austria only managed a draw, but were not really expected to do any better.  It was good to have a soccer championship free of hooligans.

 

 

 

PAST EVENTS:  It was just a small group of members (see photo left) who came

on the walk along the cliff-top at Long Bay.  It was a beautiful day and the views

were lovely.  We ate our lunch in the sunshine, overlooking the

Okura Estuary before returning to Long Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE EVENTS:  Our Annual General Meeting will be on Sunday 27^th July, at the Dutch Society Clubrooms, 123 Rockfield Road, Penrose at 5pm.  Come along a little earlier and enjoy a glass of Gluhwein before the formal part starts.  This year there are to be changes in the Austrian Club.  After 21 years as President, Gerhard is resigning, with Tom Bichler nominated to ‘take up the reigns’.  Also, after 20 years, Elfie is officially stepping down as Treasurer, although she will continue to do the work until her proposed replacement, Erich Schrey, returns from his South Island trip later this year.  Margarete Lammer is nominated as the new Vice-President.  Gerhard, Deirdre & Elfie are happy to stay on the committee.  Andrea  Gregory joined the committee during the year – it’s good to have some ‘younger blood’ on the committee.  All other committee members are happy to stand again.  You will find attached a  nomination/voting form for members who wish to vote but are unable to be at the AGM.  As I will be away towards the end of July, please send the form to Elfie.  After the meeting, we will have supper as usual.   Please come along and show your appreciation of the work the officers & committee have done over the past year, and to enjoy meeting up with other members.

 

On Sunday 24^thAugust we will have some Ten Pin Bowling at 2 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna.  The lanes are booked for 2.30pm, so please be there by 2.10 to give yourselves time to change shoes & arrange teams (max 6 persons per lane).  The cost is $18 for two games, children still at school $15.00 including a soft drink.  Here’s the chance to bring your children or grandchildren & show them you are still young at heart!  To book, please phone Joe Eherer on 534-4465.  We have 4 lanes booked at this stage, and can get more, as long as you don’t leave it too late to book.

 

 

On Sunday 7^th September the German Society are having a Gluhwein Abend at Fernz  Restaurant, Birkenhead from 5.30pm with music.  The cost is $40 including a glass of Gluhwein and a German Buffet meal.  If you are interested, please phone Walter Steinijans on 817 4031 to book.

 

We are still finalising the date & venue for our National Day Dinner.  We want to avoid Labour Weekend, so it will either be on 19^th October or 1^st November weekends.

 

NEWS FROM AUSTRIA:

 

The two governing parties in Austria have reached agreement on the protection of non-smokers.  The new legislation to protect non-smokers makes it mandatory to partition restaurants, bars and cafes into smoking and non-smoking zones as of 2009. Only those restaurants, bars and cafes which are smaller than 50 square metres, or between 50 and 80 square metres and where it would be impossible to divide the premises have the freedom to choose. Marquee parties and club houses are exempt from the ban.     
 

Company start-ups are booming in Austria, WKÖ President Christoph Leitl emphasised on the Start-up Day organised by the Economic Chamber Austria (WKÖ), the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS) on 16th June 2008. In 2007 more than 30,500 young entrepreneurs had ventured into self-employment, founding their own companies. This confirms the trend of the past three years with annually about 30,000 start-ups. 70 percent of them were still active after one year.  40% of the new companies are owned by women.

 

The new Passport Act was presented in the Council of Ministers on 11th June 2008. New passports issued as from summer 2009 will show two fingerprints. The new law is to be adopted by the National Council in autumn. 

 

On 29th May, the 46 Congress of the International Ski Federation (FIS) in Cape Town, South Africa, voted to award the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2013 to Schladming. Schladming was the clear winner in the first round of voting with ten votes, defeating three rivals Beaver Creek/Vail, St. Moritz  and Cortina.   It will be the 9th Alpine Ski World Championships to be held in Austria (including the Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976 in Innsbruck), the most recent of which was held in 2001 in St. Anton. Schladming is well-known for its “Night Race”, which draws up to 50,000 visitors each year. 

 

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM

Auf Wiedersehen