Manawatu County Club Inc
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A History of the Development of the Activity Groups of the Manawatu County Club Inc 

From the beginning, in 1928, activity Groups (formerly called Circles) were formed to meet particular interests of members. They now meet once or twice a month and have their own conveners and committees. Brief descriptions and history of each of the Groups are set out below.

1929       Informal Bridge tournaments began.  In 1931, a special Committee was formed to run Bridge tournaments &                              meetings with other Clubs.  From 1938 monthly Bridge was introduced. After 1950 it was called the Bridge Circle.                    From 1961 members could play Bridge at the Club two afternoons a month.  
 
1931       The Gardening Circle, was formed.  Since then its members have also provided flowers and floral arrangements                         for the Clubrooms.
 
1932       A Reading Circle (Play-Reading) was established.  During the war the Circle went into recess but members                                  still met for play-readings.
 
1933        In April the Library was opened with funds raised by the Reading Circle.  This is now an important part of the                            Club and is run by the Library Committee.
 
1933        A Music Circle was formed, but went into recess by 1934.  In 2006 a Music Group was formed, with an emphasis                         on local performers.
 
1939- 1945 The War Years 
                Club activities centered on war work.  A Sewing Circle and a Spinning Circle were formed and members                                      met every Friday afternoon.  Parcels of garments were made, and later, food and used clothing were sent to many                    different organisations in New Zealand and overseas.  In addition, the Club sent a representative to the W.W/S.A.                    Committee and members took their turn to run the Patriotic Shop and were on duty at the A.N.A. canteen.

 
1953       A Luncheon Circle was formed and the first luncheon held on Monday 15 June was very successful.  This Group                        continues and includes lunch, a guest speaker and an opportunity for members to meet informally. 
 
1958       A Drama Circle provided entertainment for members and entered drama competitions.  In 1980 it was changed to                   a Play-Reading Circle because of lack of performers.  It 1985 it was wound up and replaced by a Cultural Circle                           which became the Arts Circle the following year.  By 2010, a Play Reading Group was set up and continues as the                      Literary Group.
 
1962       The Bolivia Circle started.  During 1964 the Circle Committee arranged for Mahjong to be played one day a month                     as well.  By 1966 there were enough Mahjong players to form a separate Circle.
 
1966        A separate Mahjong Circle formed.  A Mahjong Circle formed in 1947 had lasted only one year.
                  Members are appointed to act as tutors and give lessons in Bridge, Bolivia and Mahjong.
 
1989        A new category of membership – Associate membership – was introduced to encourage younger women to                                become Club members.  The Associate Circle with its own Convenor and Committee, met once a month with a                           luncheon and speaker. The Associate Members were also able to join the library.
 
1992        The Club moved to its new rooms in Fitzroy Street. The Handcraft Group was formed and met once a month.
 
1997         The Discussion Group commenced.  The members, who meet  monthly, have lively discussions on current affairs                      and other topics of interest, led by a Convenor.
 
2001         The Music Group recommenced with an emphasis on encouraging local talent, especially the young people of                           the Manawatu.
 
2002         A Writers Group was formed.  This group produced a book of members stories and memories, and has inspired                         some of its members to continue with their writing.  This went into recess in 2009.
 
2004         A weekly ACC approved Physical Exercise Group was formed.  After the instructor left, the group continued for                         several years using a video.
 
2006         The Oral History group was formed and training obtained.  As well as recording the recollections of our Past                               Presidents, this group has also recorded elderly members of the community and early members of the Club.                               Where interviewees approve, the tapes will be deposited at the public archives in the City Library, to add to the                       social history of our community.  The Oral History group plans to produce a CD and booklet from the tapes.
 
2010         An Antiques & Collectibles group started.  This has attracted a large membership.
 
2013         Groups currently active were Antiques & Collectibles, Arts & Travel, Associate, Bolivia, Bridge, Discussion Group,                    Exercise Group, Garden, Luncheon, Library, Mahjong, Oral History, Music and Play Reading (Literary Group).
                   
2015        The Associate membership was disbanded and those members joined the Club as full members. This Group was                        renamed the Friday Luncheon Group and also meets once a month, giving the Club two monthly luncheons.  
                  
2018        The most recent Group added to the Club Activities Program is a Rummikub Group which commenced in May                           2018.
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Comment
The Manawatu County Club Inc, is now in its own rooms and continues to fulfill the wish of its founders to establish a non-political, non-sectarian Club for women.  The Club has changed it emphasis over the years to accommodate the changing needs of women.  ​
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