Do you know why suit jackets are made the way they are? So that your shoulders are pulled back and there is a channel down your back to allow the cold sweat to run when public speaking!!

Everyone who attended our function on Saturday reports to me that it was a wonderful day. My recollection was a blur of faces and images and talking to a lot of people! However, the weather cleared and though windy stayed that way all afternoon and into the evening when about 40 invited guests went for a short sail on the Iris Channel Pilot cutter of 1865 and Undine first Fullers boat of 1887.

There were speeches by me, Harold Kidd as a member of our Board of Trustees and by John Carter MP for Northland who did the ribbon cutting. Then the two students Steve MacKay and Ben Godwin gave a short talk on their project boats. In the second half of the afternoon Steven and Jo Horsley owners of the Bailey classic Ngatira celebrated her centennial. Ngatira is in the school beginning what will be a two year restoration which will see her returned to her form of 1904-5- low trunk cabin and gaff rig.

Jay Lawry, Director NZMRS with John Carter, Member of Parliament for the area
dedicating the opening plaque at the NZMRS

Yes it was successful with over 80 invited guests from as far afield as Wellington and Nelson as well as many locals too and many new people to me had the chance to see our setup for the first time.

Regards,
Jay Lawry