After a somewhat rocky start the Auckland President’s hat, or should it be badge, was passed on from Jan Mudgway to myself at the conference held in Dargaville in March 2005. It was quite miraculous how the mood of a silent and rather depressed group of over 100 women changed to one of almost euphoria when a volunteer was found. It shows the power of prayer - yours that someone would step up and mine that it would be somebody else. We had all come within a whisker of closing down.

The new Diocesan Council executive was born under the title of “the three Jans”. The last time I attended a conference in Dargaville I became Diocesan Secretary, so sorry Dargaville, it is probably better if you wait some time before hosting another one. This has been a steep learning curve for me but I am more than ably assisted by the other two Jans and the Council of Regional Reps and Special Officers.

Over this year, with this weekend’s conference firmly in mind, there have been extra meetings of the committee discussing the arrangements, booking the venue and dinner, engaging the guest speakers and the thousand and one things that arise to give our best for this oh so special occasion. It has absorbed the forefront of several of our minds and special tributes must be paid to Jan Mudgway who has organised, typed, photocopied, cut, ribboned; Pat McQuillan who has completed and typed the liturgy; Mary Ryan who has contributed her knowledge and advertising skills; Jan Moran with her secretarial abilities and Barbara Wiggs who organised the entertainment at the dinner, and everyone else who has contributed in many ways. This has all culminated in this weekend.

Auckland is again top of the dioceses with their mission giving for the past year with $59,492.96 contributed by 429 members - a spectacular effort - headed by Eileen Auckram. We are still looking for a new Mission Convenor as Eileen has now completed five years in the position. All new applicants please speak to one of the Council members. This is a very important role with Missions playing such a large part of the League’s life.

WUCWO matters are ably handled by Marie Stanton from Kaitaia and we thank her for what she does.

NCW and Social Concerns are reported on and replies collated by Pat McQuillan who is well known to you all and her efforts are always well appreciated.

A little out of the ordinary we have become attached to another League branch in Fish Hoek, Capetown, South Africa. Their president was in New Zealand for a holiday with her children and was in touch with Cassie Moody who jpointed her in the Council’s direction. We have been corresponding via email and she sent us a full description of what her branch does - most impressive - and Christmas greetings were exchanged.

The Annual Mass was held at Ellerslie with over one hundred ladies attending and their generosity is much appreciated by the Carmelite Sisters. Thank you Patsy Tonks and your team for a great day.

League members are well represented at the World Day of Prayer gatherings with several playing organisational parts as well. Mary Caldwell, the National President of Church Women United, is a former National Secretary of the League and plays a pivotal role in this organisation.

Lone Leaguers are doing well and are the subject of a separate repaort.

I have attended two Board meetings in Hamilton on your behalf (the second meeting was by the Grace of God and the mechanic down the road as the car needed new brakes), and have done my best to put your point of view across.

The Auckland Diocese thanks Geraldine Scott, Terry Scott and Cecile Rowland for all their efforts over the past four years. Their term of office is expiring and they will relinquish their positions at the 2006 National Conference in Wellington. We wish them well in whatever incarnation they appear next.

I thank the Council for all they do and are, and I thank you all for your friendship, good wishes and prayers that make this position so worthwhile.

Janet Presland,

Auckland Diocesan President.