SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF NEW ZEALAND

Transcription

1 SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF NEW ZEALAND st ANNUAL GRAND CONVOCATION ROTORUA 1, 2, 3 MARCH 2013 INVITATION

2 2 WELCOME TO THE 121st ANNUAL CONVOCATION On behalf of the Companions of the Northern Division and especially the members of the Hauraki District it is my privilege and pleasure to invite Ladies and Companions to the 2013 Grand Convocation on 1st 3rd March in the interesting City of Rotorua when RE Companion Les Borrell PGH will be installed as 1st Grand Principal of NZ and the Grand Chapter Officers Designate will be invested. Rotorua has plenty to offer the Ladies with all its attractions and, of course, shopping. A very experienced committee is working diligently to ensure the Convocation is well organized and all who attend are well catered for and enjoy their sojourn in the Bay of Plenty. We extend a very warm cordial welcome to our visitors from Australia and wish you an enjoyable stay in New Zealand. A full programme of events are set out in this booklet as well as a list of the Committee members who will be available to assist if required. Please remember to put the dates 1st 3rd March 2013 in your diaries so you don t forget. Jack Benfell Grand Superintendent ROTORUA Pohutu Geyser The urban centre of a District with a population approaching 70,000, Rotorua has been a national and international spa and tourist destination since Originally settled by Maori of the Te Arawa Iwi the first Europeans arrived as traders around 1828 closely followed by missionaries. Boasting seventeen lakes, the aquatic paradise was a scene of major skirmishes on its lakeshores in the New Zealand Wars of the 1860 s. It s past has left it with some interesting architecture.

3 3 The focus of an active geothermal area, Rotorua offers a range of activities from thrill seeking on a luge, bungy jumping, a Big Splash, aquatic sports and fishing, thermal geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools, and many cultural experiences. Rotorua Bath House now the Rotorua Museum The Lakeland Queen REGISTRATION Registration applications must be in the hands of the Registrar no later than Friday 31 January You may register on line at or you may fill in the registration form which accompanies this invitation. On-line registration is the preferred method. Further copies of this Invitation (pdf 1300kB) can be downloaded from and additional copies of the registration form (pdf 200kB) can be downloaded from Please note that the downloaded registration form, like the form which accompanies this invitation, cannot be filled in on-line. You must print it and fill in the information manually. All registration information may be viewed on line shortly after it is received by the Registrar. If you have not registered on-line but wish to review your application information please the Registrar for a login id and password (the information cannot be viewed without these). You may pay the registration fees by cheque or by a direct credit to the Grand Convocation bank account. If you do not register on line and wish to pay by cheque, please enclose it with your registration form and send it to the Registrar. Details are included on the registration form. If you register on line and wish to pay by cheque, please send the cheque to the Registrar, not the Treasurer. If you pay by direct credit please ensure that your credit includes a reference which will enable you to be identified. If you intend staying privately, or wish to arrange your own accommodation at other than the indicated accommodation please include a contact address and telephone number on your application for registration so that you can be contacted should the need arise.

4 4 VENUES The events of Grand Convocation will be held in two locations the Kingsgate Hotel and the Rotorua Convention Centre. The Royal Arch Forum (Friday afternoon) and the Sunday Breakfast will be held in the Kingsgate Hotel. The Grand Convocation Business Session (Saturday morning), the Grand Installation (Saturday afternoon) and the Banquet (Saturday evening) will be held in the Convention Centre. ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME MEET AND GREET Meet up with other Companions and guests attending the Grand Convocation, catch up with old friends and make new ones. The cost includes finger food and tea or coffee. A cash bar will operate. From 6:00 pm Friday 1 March 2013 in the Kingsgate Hotel. The cost is $18.00 per person attending. BANQUET The Grand Convocation Banquet will be held in the Convention Centre immediately following the Installation. Those participating are requested to be seated by 6:00 pm. The cost is $67.00 per person. A cash bar will operate.

5 5 GRAND CONVOCATION BREAKFAST A buffet breakfast for all Companions and Ladies who wish to participate will be available at the Kingsgate Hotel from 6:30 am on Sunday 3 March. Participants should note that if they are taking part in one of the trips they should be finished before 8:45 am.the cost is $22.00 per person. CONVOCATION TOURS Two tours are available on Sunday morning. You may select either tour. Both depart at the same time. Please note that a minimum number of 6 passengers is required for each tour to proceed. TOUR A: WAIOTAPU THERMAL WONDERLAND A visit to the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland ( to see the Lady Knox Geyser and walk through the most stunning geothermal activity in the Rotorua Thermal Region conducted by experienced guides you will be able view the largest boiling mud pool south of the equator. A minimum number of six is required for this tour which will return to the Kingsgate Hotel by 1:00 pm. Departs Kingsgate Hotel at 9:15 am Sunday 3 March The cost is $65.00 per person. Lady Knox Geyser TOUR B: AGRODOME FARMSHOW & RAINBOW SPRINGS NATURE PARK Visit a unique farm experience at the Agrodome ( and at Rainbow Springs (rainbowsprings.co.nz) enjoy the wonders of nature, the Bird Show and The Big Splash. A minimum of six is required for the tour which will return to the Kingsgate Hotel by 1:00 pm. Departs Kingsgate Hotel at 9:15 am Sunday 3 March The cost is $75.00 per person.

6 6 ACCOMMODATION Accommodation has been arranged at the Kingsgate Hotel (Fenton St Rotorua, 3010 New Zealand). We anticipate that the Kingsgate Hotel will be fully booked and since March is a popular time of year in Rotorua and accommodation may be hard to find you are urged to register early to avoid any disappointment. The room cost (single or double) is $130 per room per night. The Organizing Committee requests that all bookings be arranged through the registration application and the Registrar so that we can properly manage accommodation. If you intend staying privately, or wish to arrange your own accommodation at other than the indicated accommodation please include a contact address and telephone number on your application for registration so that you can be contacted should the need arise. TRANSPORT REQUESTS If you require tranport to and from the various functions please indicate by entering the number requiring transport in the appropriate boxes on the Transport Request page. Please note that transport will be available for the following functions ONLY and from the Kingsgate Hotel ONLY and that the Installation and Banquet are considered a single function for transport purposes. No transport will be provided for the Banquet only. We may not be able to meet your request but will make every endeavour to do so. Estimated departure times are from the Kingsgate Hotel. If you are arriving and departing by public transport and will require transport to and from the Kingsgate Hotel please fill in the appropriate sections, clearly stating the service (e.g. Flight Number or Coach Service) and arrival and departure times. PROGRAMME Royal Arch Forum Meet and Greet Time Friday 1 at 2:00 pm Friday 1 at 6:00 pm Location Kingsgate Hotel Cost A meeting for all Companions attending the Grand Convocation. This is an opportunity to raise any matter which may be considered to be of importance to the Order, Chapters and Companions in an informal environment. Dress is tidy casual. Kingsgate Hotel $18.00 per Meet up with other Companions and person guests attending the Grand Convocation, catch up with old friends and make new ones. The cost includes finger food and tea or coffee. A cash bar will operate.

7 7 Business Session Saturday 2 at Rotorua 9:30 am Convention Centre Installation Saturday 2 at Rotorua 3:00 pm Convention Centre Banquet Saturday 2 at Rotorua 6:00 pm Convention Centre Grand Convocation Breakfast Sunday 3 at 6:30 am Kingsgate Hotel $22.00 per person Tour A: Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Sunday 3 at 9:00 am Departs $65.00 per Kingsgate Hotel person Tour B: Agrodome Farmshow & Rainbow Springs Nature Park Sunday 3 at 9:00 am Departs $75.00 per Kingsgate Hotel person $67.00 per person The Business Meeting of the Grand Convocation. Companions should be dressed in a lounge suit and wearing regalia appropriate to their rank. They must be seated by 9:15 am. Shuttle transport will depart from the hotel from 9:00am. A rehearsal for the afternoon session will be held immediately following the conclusion of the Business Session. Grand Convocation, Installation of RE Comp Les Borrell PGH as First Grand Principal and investiture of Officers of Grand Chapter. Open to all Companions and guests. Our Ladies are especially welcome. Dress is formal with regalia. Shuttle transport will depart from the hotel from 2:15pm. The Grand Convocation Banquet at The Rotorua Convention Centre will follow the Grand Installation and Companions and Ladies are asked to be seated by 6:00 pm. A cash bar will operate for beverages. A buffet breakfast for all Companions and Ladies who wish to participate will be available from 6:30 am. Participants should note that if they are taking part in one of the trips they should be finished before 8:45 am. A visit to the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland ( to see the Lady Knox Geyser and walk through the most stunning geothermal activity in the Rotorua Thermal Region.Conducted by experienced guides you will be able view the largest boiling mud pool south of the equator. A minimum number of six is required for this tour which will return to the Kingsgate Hotel by 1:00 pm. Visit a unique farm experience at the Agrodome ( and at Rainbow Springs (rainbowsprings.co.nz) enjoy the wonders of nature, the Bird Show and The Big Splash. A minimum of six is required for the tour which will return to the Kingsgate Hotel by 1:00 pm.

8 8 ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN GRAND SUPERINTENDENT SECRETARY REGISTRAR/ ACCOMMODATION TREASURER CEREMONIAL GRAND DC ASST GRAND DC ROTORUA LIAISON GRAND SUPERINTENDENT ELECT FIRST GRAND PRINCIPAL ELECT TRANSPORT Jim Ingley (Peg) 15 Lorne St PO Box 312 Morrinsville 3340 Jack Benfell 44 Manor Park (Janice) Drive Pyes Pa Tauranga 3112 Malcolm Kidd 9B Tirinui Crest (Annette) Road Otumoetai Tauranga 3110 Gary Kerkin 428 Thames St (Jan) Morrinsville 3300 Ian Hastie Townhouse 76 (Jeanette) 112 Carmichael Road Bethlehem Tauranga 3110 John Wink 580 Thornton (Marion) Road R.D. 4 Whakatane 3194 Bob Monson 96 Princes St (Florence) Cambridge 3432 Bob Gainsford 6 Devoy Drive (Margaret) Lynmore Rotorua 3010 Don Speedy 2 Hayward Rise (Anne) Owhata Rotorua 3010 Brian White 94A Scott Rd (Chris) RD 2 Te Kauwhata 3782 Les Borrell 5 McClymont (Olga) Place Tauranga South Tauranga 3112 Grumpy Flashoff 37A Brookdale (Pam) Drive Ngongotaha Rotorua (H); Chartwellinternational@ (B) internet.co.nz jbenfell@callsouth.net.nz mbbk@xtra.co.nz gary@kerkin.co.nz hastie@actrix.co.nz jomag3@xtra.co.nz monsons@xtra.co.nz donaldspeedy@gmail.com brianwhite@xtra.co.nz lvandom.borrell@vodafone.co.nz grumpy@grumpyslimo.co.nz gainsfordrot@xtra.co.nz