Auckland Shell Club

July meeting
Doug Snook chaired the meeting in Heathers absence, and despite being mid-winter there was a big turnout.
Doug urged members to support the club by taking on some of the more demanding roles - President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, & Poirieria Editor.
It would be good to get some "new blood" into those positions, and to give the people who have been contributing for many years a rest.
Our club is one of the oldest shell clubs in the world, and it would be a shame to see it falter due to complacency within.

Our guest speaker was Dr Wilma Blom, Marine Invertebrates Curator at Auckland Museum.
Wilma spoke about her personal and professional background. This covered her early years in Holland, her academic achievements, and a variety of international scientific roles that eventually led to her current position at Auckland Museum.
She also shared with us her vision for the marine collection, and gave us an insight into the daunting amount of work required to achieve it.

Land snails were the theme of the evening, and members brought in many displays.
In particular, Martin Walker brought in 7 large trays of stunning specimens from all around the world.
Also on display was the recent "NZ Journal of Geology and Geophysics" volume 54/1 - a special issue paying tribute to the late great Phil Maxwell.
It is incredible how much Phil achieved in his almost 67 years, and how highly respected he was in so many different fields - in particular geology, molluscs, & fossils.

Next Meeting - Tuesday 9th August
Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm).
Guest speaker will be John Early, curator of Entomology at Auckland Museum.
John will give an overview of the history of the Auckland Museum, as well as telling us about his department.
Shell theme for the evening will be Muricidae, so please bring in a tray of these from NZ and/or worldwide.

Your club needs you!
Volunteers are required for some of the clubs more active positions. In particular for the roles of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, & Porieria Editor.
If you have the time and the skills for any of these positions then we would like to hear from you.
Please contact Peter Poortman on petermwp@gmail.com or (09) 817 1397.

Shell Auction - Albany Hall, Saturday 22nd October 2011
Sellers, please email your lot information to Peter Poortman (petermwp@gmail.com) by mid August so that it can be sent out at the end of August.

Poirieria Magazine
Articles should be emailed to Peter Poortman (petermwp@gmail.com) before the end of September.
Contact Patricia Langford on (09) 479 6149 if you have any queries.

Club Library
We have an extensive collection of books, magazines, and scientific publications available, as well as a biological microscope.

Other Club News
. Items of interest for the monthly newsletter are always welcome - email to petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.

Previous Newsletters