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Dear Members
The last few months have been a very difficult and distressing time
for the Committee, but I am glad to be able to tell you that there
is reason to hope our problems may be resolved. We have recovered
some of the financial books and certain admissions have been made.
An offer of restitution has been received and arrangements for the
return of the missing funds are being negotiated. It is hoped that
this matter can be resolved within a few months, but at the same time
the investigation of our financial affairs is continuing. I would
like to thank all of you who rang or sent messages of support and
offers of help to the Committee - they were greatly appreciated. The
Committee has accepted the resignation of Mrs Olive Coonan as an Honorary
Life Member of the Society.
On a happier note, we congratulate Francis Greep who is this year's
winner of the Bayreuth Scholarship. Francis is a Repetiteur with Opera
Australia and will study in Europe. We are delighted to assist him
with a return airfare.
Our Annual Lunch to celebrate the birthday of Richard Wagner, whose
music brings us all together, was held at the Women's Club on Sunday
20th May when 50 members gathered to enjoy a delicious meal. We thank
the Committee of the Women's Club for making us so welcome and, in
particular, Judy Hislop for her patience and helpfulness.
We are greatly indebted to Professor Routley from the Music Department
of the University of Sydney, who agreed to be the speaker at our lunch
at very short notice. His remarks on 'Parsifal and Ritual'
were a great preparation for our Seminar in July at Catersfield and
the performances of Parsifal in Adelaide later this year.
As usual, a highlight of the lunch was the raffle. Prizes were a
weekend for two at Catersfield donated by Rosemary Cater-Smith and
Alec Cater and won by Sandra Beesley, a Bayreuth Scarf donated by
its designer, Donald Canpbell, and won by a very happy Leona Geeves.
The Wagner watch was won by Robert and Margaret Woodward and a bottle
of champagne by Miriam Harris. Our very grateful thanks to Rosemary
and Alec and to Donald for their generosity.
Our next meeting is the Annual General Meeting to be held at 1:00pm
on 15th July at the Goethe Institut. After the formal meeting we will
enjoy a recital by Warwick Fyfe and Stephen Mould and a short talk
by Professor Simon Williams from the University of California, Santa
Barbara.
Several of our members have advised us that they will not be renewing
their membership because they find it too difficult to attend meetings.
Included in this group are Nancy Williamson, Jack Floehl, John Heathers
and George and Susan Amigo. We thank them for their support and wish
them well. Their many friends here will miss them.
I would very much like to thank all those members who made a donation
when renewing their memberships. Donations are tax deductible and
enable us to support performances of Wagner's works such as Parsifal
in Adelaide where we are sponsoring Rosalind Martin as a Flowermaiden
and Squire. We will make a donation to Opera Australia's Lohengrin.
Barbara McNulty President
22 May 2001
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