DanishNews112007

NEWS MAGAZINEISSN 0113-4965 • November 2007

Film EveningFriday, 16th November, 7.30pm

We are showing

“Kongekabale”(“King’s Game”)

the Danish thriller with English subtitles.Free film plus coffee and cookies for

members - donations welcome. Non-members pay $5

AGMComing Up

Sunday, November 18thNew committee members needed.

Afternoon 2.30pm Meeting starts at 2.45 pm

We start with coffee and finish with Dinner (see below)

Booking for dinner is essential

Trading Table -Jule Bazaar

at the

November Open HouseSunday, 4th Nov, 2pm

All contributions welcome Contact Vibeke Courtney 576 3150 prior to the event, if you can help in any way, goods, baking,

Christmas decorations, assist with stalls etc. All contributions go to Children’s activities in the

Danish SocietyJule værksted in the children’s

room – Children will make Christmas decorations.Coffee & cake from $2.50

FAMILY DINNERSunday 18th November at 6.30pm

(following the AGM)Fundraising for the Folkdancers

Menu:Flœskesteg med nye kartofler, sovs og rødkål

(Roast pork with new potatoes, gravy and red cabbage)og . . . rødgrød med fløde

Cost – Adults $18.00 Children $8.00Bookings to Finn and Lorraine

by the 14th November, on 625 5533Please make cheques payable to the Danish Society,

and forward to:Finn and Lorraine Nielsen,

14 Rewi Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023

Danish Society News Magazine November 20072

THE DANISH SOCIETY (INC)P. O. BOX 12 279 - PENROSE 1642

6 Rockridge Ave., Penrose, AucklandPhone 580 3103

www.danishsocietynz.com

Contact phone numbersThe Danish House 580 3103Valhalla, Leigh 09 422 6194

CommitteePRESIDENTKaren Yates 524 6016

VICE-PRESIDENTRichard Logan 480 9883

TREASURERRoger Knights 021 858 248

SECRETARYRolf Siggard 528 2469

COMMITTEE MEMBERSMia Barr 634 1159Antony Barrett 444 0939Lena Burlon 528 1116Finn Nielsen 625 5533John Stewart 480 8282

EDITOR “NEWS MAGAZINE”Pam Logan 480 98839 Puawai Place, Northcote, Auckland E-mail: [email protected]

PRODUCTIONJohn Stewart 480 8282

MAILOUTHelle Scott 521 2844

CHANGE OF ADDRESSRolf Siggard 528 2469

Other AddressesROYAL DANISH CONSULATE GENERALP.O. Box 619, Auckland 1Fax 537 3067 Phone 537 3099www.danishconsulatesnz.org.nz

THE TRADE COMMISSION OF DENMARKHarbour View Building, 152 Quay St, 7th FloorP.O. Box 2154, Auckland 1Fax 307 5207 Phone 379 3119 www.dtcauckland.um.dk

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH1 Harris Rd (P O Box 85-014) Mt WellingtonPhone 579 4490

SUBSCRIPTIONS (2008 Financial Year – 1st Oct 2007 to 30th Sept 2008)

Member: $60 per memberSenior rate: (65 & over) $50 per member Youth rate: (18 to 25) $50 per memberChildren under 18 Free Family discount: Less $10 per couple

REGULAR EVENTS

QUICK CHECK CALENDAR

COMMITTEE MEETINGSare held on the first Wednesday of each

month at 7.30pm

VALHALLA WORKING BEESWorking bees are held on the weekend of

the second Saturday of the month.

DANISH HOUSEAn Open House is held on the first Sunday of each month from 2pm.

CARDPLAYERSmeet on the first and third Wednesday

of the month - 11am to 3pm

DANISH MOTHERS’ GROUPmeets every 2nd Tuesday.

Call Christina on 360 4389 for venue.

FOLKDANCERSmeet at 7.30pm on the second and

fourth Tuesday of every month.

WEDNESDAY MORNING

GROUPUsually held on the last Wednesday of every month (none in November).

NovemberSun 4 Open H. + trading tableWed 7 Card PlayersTues 13 Folkdancing Social NightFri 16 Film EveningSun 18 AGM + family dinnerWed 21 Card PlayersTues 27 Folkdancing End-of-Year

DecemberSat 1 Julefrokost - Xmas LunchSun 2 Open HouseSun 2 4pm- Danish Christmas ServiceSat 8 Valhalla 30th AnniversarySun 9 Children’s Xmas PartyFri 14 Family Xmas Carols

Committee Contact Working Group Convenor PhoneCultural Card Players Lise Jensen 625 8969Karen Yates Danish lessons Connie Kristensen 478 5175 Danish Mothers’ group Christina Bengtson 360 4389 Folk dancing Finn Nielsen 625 5533 Library / Videos Helle Gilderdale 478 7016 Society history Karen Yates 524 6016 Welfare (Cards & Flowers) Vibeke Courtney 576 3150Danish House Bookings Lorraine Nielsen 625 5533 Maintenance Carsten Dansted 524 2047 Members Membership Rolf Siggard Roger Knights email: [email protected] Editor Pam Logan 480 9883 Webmaster Lena Burlon 528 1116Other Clubs Presidents/contacts Karen Yates 524 6016Karen Yates MarketingSocials Bar Finn Nielsen, Keld Burlon 625 5533 Lena Burlon Socials Lena Burlon, Mia Barr 528 1116 Youth groupValhalla Bookings & Maintenance Marion Stewart 480 8282Richard Logan Development Richard Logan 480 9883

Committee Contacts & Convenors for Working Groups

Danish House Hall Hire RatesMembers rates for hiring the hall for the whole day at the Danish House, Penrose.Sunday to Friday inclusive $100Saturday: $150Half a day is $25 less. Funerals – no charge.

The bond is $150.00 per booking. The booking/holding fee of $50.00 is deducted from

the total cost.

Call the Booking Officer: Lorraine Nielsen, Phone 625 5533

BOOKINGS FOR VALHALLA RATESOff-peak Adult Child Member $10 $5Guest $30 $20 Whole house daily rate $120Peak Member $15 $7.50Guest $30 $20Whole house daily rate – excluding Christmas seasonFlat rate $270Off-peak = Mid-week only excluding Christmas season & school holidaysPeak = All school holidays and all weekends.Christmas season = Christmas Eve to the end of Anniversary weekend.The Whole House is available during the Christmas Season, but will incur an extra $50 a night premium rate, bringing the daily rate to $320. The house can only be hired for 7 days at any one time. Children are 18 and under and under 5 stay free.

Call the Booking Officer: Marion Stewart,88c Coronation Road, Hillcrest

P: 480 8282 E: [email protected]

Danish ClassesThursdays

Beginner class 6 - 7.15pmIntermediate class 7.30 - 9pm Private lessons are available

on Saturday mornings. For more information call

Connie Kristensen Phone 483 8078

Danish Society News Magazine November 2007 3

Kære medlemmer,The Danish Society lost a very special life member

Edith (Ditte) Nissen in September. Ever since the Nissen family came to New Zealand in 1955, their home was a centre for many Danes. All who visited were greeted with welcoming smiles and then there would be hot coffee on the table and fresh Danish baking. That was my experience as a child, when I visited with my parents in 1956. That experience was repeated again and again in the Nissen’s house, and many young Danes felt at home in this part of the world, because of the care extended to them especially by Mrs Nissen along with her family.

The same energy was invested in the Danish Society. Ditte and her husband Christian, worked tirelessly for the good of the club (as I believe it was talked of then). She was very instrumental in laying the foundation for the Danish Society and much has continued to this day. We honour Edith Nissen for her heartfelt care and contribution to the Danish Society in Auckland. She will be missed. Our loving thoughts are extended to the Nissen family.

Annual General MeetingThe AGM is coming up again

this month 18th November at 2.30pm. There are some significant issues to consider.

Firstly we are receiving the report of the Valhalla Future Development Working Group that has tirelessly worked during the year to produce a readable document of possibilities for Valhalla’s future development. Their recommendations have taken into account the repeated stated values expressed by those who use Valhalla and our financial position. They have given us their suggestions for the way forward.

Secondly the issue is the logo and branding of the Danish Society. This reflects the very heart of the Society and the majority need to be happy with the outcome. More items may be brought to the meeting.

To conclude the AGM, like last year we finish with dinner. Sitting along side each other, in a relaxed setting to conclude such an event was certainly the best part last year. Do book to stay for dinner. The Folk

dancers have volunteered to prepare the meal and we are very grateful to them for their efforts.

There will be changes in the membership of the committee, Lena Burlon and John Stewart both finish their second term of two years and will step down. I want to thank them both for their commitment and hard work.. Lena has revived the Social aspect of the Society, given further life to the website and has run successful film evenings. John has ensured that we get a printed magazine for 11 months of the year and given a lot of time to Valhalla. My term also finishes.

Christmas is comingI commend to you the activities

in December, which are many at the beginning of the month. We do hope to see you at some of the Christmas functions.

Med venlig hilsen

Karen Andersen Yates

Working Bee at Danish House

* * *

Saturday 17th November 2007

9.30-11.30amCome and help

clean up of our property.

Bring sharp hedge clippers and loppers, outdoor brooms and

spades with you.

Karen’s Corner From the President – November 2007


We would like to pay a tribute to Ditte. She was an amazing woman with many talents and will be sadly missed.

The Nissen family came to New Zealand from Odense in 1955 with three children, Erik, Lise and Kirsten, and settled in Mt Albert where they bought a house.

At that time many young single people immigrated to New Zealand and many met at Nissen’s place for social gatherings every Friday night. This was a place where everyone could speak Danish and enjoy great Danish hospitality; it was incredibly good fun. Food and drink were always flowing even if it often meant that the fridge was empty before the weekend. It was a lot of extra work for Ditte but she did it with pleasure, and it showed. This was just the start of the way in which the Nissens warmly welcomed people into their home for more than 50 years.

For a number of years Ditte and Christian did catering at the Danish House in Parnell. Word got around about the excellent functions they held there and they had bookings for many months in advance. Ditte was a very talented cook and her food was exceptional. Her smørrebrød was most notable in both size and quality, and her wienerbrød was enjoyed immensely by everyone. We are so grateful that we had the pleasure of Ditte’s delightful kransekage for all our family functions throughout the years.

Christmas is always a special time for Danes, and this is one time when Ditte’s natural talents really came to the fore. In December 1960 the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly interviewed Ditte on how Christmas is celebrated by the Danes. Ditte presented a coffee table with Danish porcelain, her own Christmas decorations and baking which were featured in the magazine’s article. In the early days of celebrating Christmas for the children in the Danish Society, Ditte decided that all the children should have a marzipan bear. To the surprise of all her helpers, Ditte had the little bears formed with a few hand motions in no time at all. Red ribbons completed the bears, delighting the children at the Danish Christmas party.

Ditte had a real understanding of the meaning of “hyggelig” and this showed in her own home and when others had an event to celebrate. Coming to the Nissen’s house at Christmastime was a real wonderland of nisser, angels, stars and lights. She just naturally

knew how to make an important event great.

Ditte had a natural flair for doing handicrafts. She sewed many stylish dresses including her daughter Kirsten’s wedding dress. In her later years when she had a little more free time, Ditte crocheted hundreds of serviettes in many colours that her family and friends will continue to enjoy for years to come.

Ditte made a great impact on the people around her, her large family of seven grandchildren, many more great grandchildren, extended family and even a great great grandchild. She made a huge contribution to the life of the Danish community in Auckland and it is no surprise that Ditte and Christian were made lifetime members of the Danish Society. Ditte had a personal strength of spirit that can be an inspiration to us all.

We have been going in and out of the Nissen home for 50 years and always felt welcome. We are very grateful for the time we had together. Thank you Ditte, we will always remember you.

Kraack family, October 2007

Dansk Jule Gudstjeneste

This is scheduled for

Sunday 2nd December at 4pm after the Open House

Arrangements are being made as the magazine is being printed.Come and join in the singing

and the ambience in this traditional Danish Christmas Service.

This is for all - adults and children.Please put a note in your diary and plan to

come and participate.Inquiries contact Karen on 524 6016

Tribute to Ditte Nissen - 18 August 1909 – 20 September 2007


Committee members that have served on the committee of the Danish Society and who have completed their terms are:

Karen Andersen Yates (President) - hopefully there will be a new candidate for this position

Antony Barrett - willing to stand for re-electionMia Barr - willing to stand for re-electionRoger Knights - wishes to stand down as Treasurer, but is willing to stand for the committee.

John Stewart - NOT available for re-electionLena Burlon - wishes to stand down from the committee

There are thus six vacancies on the committee.

There will be members who are interested in being involved. There are vacancies for people with organisational skills, interest in socials, building maintenance, Danish culture and willing to be involved.Do talk to committee members and find out what is involved.Karen Andersen Yates

Changes in Committee at the AGM - November 2007

END OF YEAR FOR THE FOLKDANCERSInvitation to fellow members to join the

Danish Society Folkdancers in celebrating the great year that 2007 has been.

Date – Tuesday, 27th November 2007,Time – 6.30pm start with dancing, followed by a

shared dinner.Finn and Lorraine are co-ordinating the evening, including the pot luck menu.

Contact number is 625 5533 for further details. We look forward to seeing all past and present dancers

Årets børnefest - Children’s party

We had our third annual children’s party at the Danish House on 30 September, and although there were fewer children than previous years, those who were there had a great time baking, making sweets, colouring in and making placemats, making bead-bracelets and sack-racing to name but a few of the activities. There was a lovely buzzy atmosphere, and the parents enjoyed themselves as well. This event is a great opportunity for families (Danish or English-speaking) to get together with other families in the Society for a fun-filled and informal afternoon so we hope to see many more next year.

Med venlig hilsen, Inger Mortensen

Wanted – a Homestay for an AFS student

Erna Simonsen is from the Faroes, she has just turned 16, and is described as being polite, positive, and always tries to do her best. She enjoys rowing and volleyball, and is very keen to try new activities because her options are limited on the Faroes ,as it’s so small. Her family have a strong history of hosting AFS students and volunteering. Erna will be in NZ for a year, arriving in February and going to a local high school. Our chapter also has students coming from Brazil, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Peru, Sweden, and Russia. They are also looking for host families, but not necessarily for the whole year.

For further information please contact Anne Hilliard, phone 3070012.


Establishing a Valhalla Working Group

Valhalla Working Group Area of FocusBjarne Elowsson Project manager - kitchen and Jylland toilet upgradesErik Nissen Project manager - foyer and wooden steps upgrades plus building

maintenanceElse Laustsen Kitchen design assistanceHilary Star Technical advice – forest managementKaren Andersen-Yates President - ex-officioMarion Stewart Valhalla Convenor (Bookings)Richard Logan Valhalla Convenor (Development), negotiation with neighbours,

forest managementRoger Knights Treasurer - financial aspects

At the October Committee meeting, the Valhalla Future Development Working Group co-convenors Ron Dunlop and Marion Stewart presented their working groups’ final report to the Committee. The report was considered and a copy of the report will now go out to all members as part of the AGM material. At the AGM members will be asked to endorse the reports findings. This report has taken the work group nine months to prepare and has involved up to 40 members.

Because the report recommends a progressive upgrade of the existing facilities as the first priority,

the Committee agreed that it is timely to establish a working group to further this building upgrade objective and to integrate this with the current upgrading of other infrastructure (e.g. upgrading water filter system, wooden steps etc). The working group will advise the Committee on the development and operation of Valhalla. As everything takes time to plan, it is important that planning (e.g. design, scheduling the time and financial aspects) commences as soon as possible.

This new group is:

Richard LoganValhalla Convenor - Development4 October 2007

Left: A photo from the mothers’ group’s stay at Valhalla during the school holidays. On this particular day we had the most wonderful spring weather, and all the children spent several hours at the ocean beach foraging for driftwood and helping each other build a hut - great survival skills and lots of fun!

Inger Mortensen


We need your help! at the next Valhalla Working Bees10-11 November 2007 (2nd weekend of the month), 8-9 December 2007 (2nd weekend of the month) We are seeking your support to carry out a whole range of jobs (inside and outside). Any help is welcome. Some volunteers come for the day whilst others stay the weekend.

If you are able to help in any way, please contact Richard Logan, 480 9883 (Home)

Twenty members and guests (including three children) participated in the September working bee. This is the largest working bee for numbers for some time. With this extra number of people we were able to tackle two big jobs, which were - spreading six bags of fertiliser around trees and completing the digging and laying of gravel on the new cross gully track. This digging and barrowing of gravel involved seven adults throughout most of Saturday. That job has now been completed. This was a tremendous effort for those involved, especially as the clay is getting hard and the gravel had a long way to be barrowed.

Other smaller jobs completed included: shooting 8 rabbits, chipping thistles, digging drains, stacking wood in the wood tank, measuring the floor levels in the house, planting out mapou, spraying smilax and gorse, pruning back coprosma and other trees, weeding the four viewing areas and numerous other maintenance jobs. I am pleased to report that the tracks look clean after the new multi-formula spray was applied last month, which means that that combination is working.

My thanks go to all those who attended the working bee.

Valhalla Working Bee - October 13-14

We will be celebrating 30 years of owning Valhalla in December 2007.Keep Saturday, December 8th free. More details on Page 8.

Below: Valhalla 2003 & 2007 Photos by Neville Courtney


ForeningsnytHjertelig til lykke til:

Congratulations to the 26 memberswho have birthdays & the 9 couples who have an

anniversary in November especiallyLes Bury

som fylder 70 år d. 30.11.2007Ron Dunlop

som fylder 50 år d. 17.11.2007

The next magazine deadline is Nov 19.All contributions welcome – in Danish or English.(Arial Narrow font, size 12) The magazine can also be read (in full colour) online at www.danishsocietynz.com.Note: ads for events must be in a calendar month before the event. Pam Logan (Editor)

Thank You LettersTo the Danish SocietyThe family of the late Edith (Ditte) Nissen would like to thank the Danish society for the flowers sent to them in acknowledgement of her passing on the 13th September.Til den Danske ForeningJeg vil gerne sige mange tak for de meget smukke blomster jeg modtog til min 85 års fødselsdag. Med venlig hilsen Berghild KristensenMange tak for de blomster DDF sente mig for min 75års fødelsdag. De var meget velkommene.N.A. Olsen, OrewaTo the Danish SocietyMy sincere thanks for the longlasting flowers you sent me on my 85th birthday. It was totally unexpected to remind me that there are good people out there, namely your good selves to brighten up a member’s special day. My good friend Eva Jensen stressed the uplift your most excellent flowers lent to my household. Sincerely yours Michael W. BondTo the Danish SocietyThank you so much for the beautiful flowers you sent me on my birthday. It made my day. May I also say thank you to DDF and all the people that were involved in making such a lovely and successful luncheon for 60s & over. We all enjoyed it very much. Regards,Connie WieseTil Den Danske Forening,Mange tak for den fine buket jeg modtog på min fødelsdag. De har nu stået over en uge og jeg er sikker på de holder en uge mere. Også tak til alle som huskede mig på dagen. PrebenTil den Danske ForeningMange tak for de fine blomster jeg fik til min fødelsdag, de pynter dejligt op i vores stue. Venlig hilsen Kurt Rasmussen (Apologies for the late receipt of this letter)

Film review for Nov 16th “Kongekabale”

- a Danish thriller with English subtitles. with Anders W. Berthelsen,

Søren Pilmark, Lars Mikkelsen and Ulf Pilgaard.

Three weeks before the election for the Danish Parliament, the leader of Denmark’s biggest party

is involved in a dangerous accident. The young journalist, Ulrik Torp, is getting on the track of a conspiracy, but nobody wants to listen to him.

Welcome to New MembersVelkommen til nye medlemmer: Louise Cave, & Benjamin & Brad Mads & Tine Hejrskove Gitte Larsen & daughter Katrina

On SaturdayDecember 8, 2007

we will be celebrating 30 years of owning

Valhalla.Celebratory morning and afternoon tea provided -

BYO lunch. Ring Vibeke 576 3150, if you are coming, to let her know

numbers for catering.

Julefrokost

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

Time is coming up for a traditional Danish Christmas Lunch.

Venue: The Danish Society

6 Rockridge Ave

Penrose

Time: 1pm

Enjoy a wide variety of hot and cold Danish Christmas specialties

together with beer, snaps - and a lot of fun!

Please bring at least one $5.00 gift - and long arms!!

For the traditional Danish “Pakkeleg”

Price per person $30.00Children under 15 - half price

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Adults

Children under 15

Total cost

Sent in by: __________________________________________

I have enclosed a cheque

I have paid online on the date: _______________

Please send this slip by 16th

November to:

The Danish Society

PO Box 12-279

Penrose 1642

“Soc0112”

If you wish to pay online, please credit our account: 12 3036 0671539

1st reference (please write): ”Soc0112”, 2

nd reference (please write): “your name”

Children’s Xmas PartyBørnenes Juletræsfest

Sunday 9th December 2007

2 p.m. at the Danish House

Santa is coming with presents – if we are lucky!

StarFish Magic will entertain us

We will sing and dance around the Christmas tree

Coffee and home made Christmas baking

Lollybag for the kids to take home

Children: $7 Adults: $5- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For members and their children

Name of child Age Boy Girl $

Number of adults - - -

Total to pay:

Sent in by: __________________________________________

I have enclosed a cheque

I have paid online on the date: _______________

Please send this slip by 16th

November to:

The Danish Society

PO Box 12-279

Penrose 1642

“Soc0912”

If you wish to pay online, please credit our account: 12 3036 0671539

1st reference (please write): ”Soc0912”, 2

nd reference (please write): “your name”

DanishNews112007

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