Auckland Shell Club

July Meeting
Many members braved a cold evening to attend a warm and welcoming meeting.

First up was Jenny Raven who made a special trip from Wellington to present her and Selwyn Bracegirdle's new book "New Zealand Seashells Visual Guide".
It was fascinating to hear Jenny's story of how it all began with her discovering the capabilities of a simple digital camera. By chance she had put it onto the eyepiece of a microscope and was surprised to find that it obtained an excellent image of a minute shell. The photographs could then be enlarged on her computer to reveal in detail shells that were otherwise difficult to even see.
Her pictures were greatly admired by others and this inspired Jenny to build a photographic collection of as many NZ species as possible. Inevitably this led to the idea of putting all her images into a book - an idea that was well received by other collectors. As the project gathered pace Jenny travelled up and down the country photographing shells from other collections.
It was fortunate that another key member of the Wellington Shell Club, Selwyn Bracegirdle, was a graphic designer with his own company (Creatus Design). Selwyn had all the required skills and resources to turn Jenny's photos into the first class publication that we now have.
Congratulations to Jenny and Selwyn for their excellent contribution to conchology.

Peter Poortman then gave everyone a quiz on New Zealand seashells, consisting of 60 multiple choice questions. This was a great learning experience as well as a lot of fun.
The quiz covered a broad range of topics that included taxonomy, shell identification, general knowledge, and collecting in NZ. Some of the tasks required shells to be sketched from memory. This was not so easy, as was evidenced by Doug's drawing of an Alcithoe arabica which more closely resembled a sinistral Potamopyrgus!
In the end Margaret Morley and Jenny Raven came first equal with a score of 46 out of 60.

Obituary
Andrew Grebneff who was once a member of our club for many years, passed away suddenly on 8th/July.
Andrew had consuming interests in paleontology and the study of molluscs, and since 1985 had worked as a highly skilled fossil preparator at the University of Otago Department of Geology.
He was passionate about many things, always signing his emails: "Fossil preparator, Mollusc, Toyota & VW Van Fan". His particular shell interests were Epitonium, Busycon, Fossils, and sinistral shells, and he had an excellent collection. In fact many of his shells are featured in the new book "New Zealand Seashells Visual Guide".
He was very knowledgeable in molluscan taxonomy, and was an avid contributor to the international Conch-L online forum. His intellectual contributon to that group was of a very high standard.
Andrew was a great guy with a wry sense of humour, and as the many Conch-L participants agree - he will be sorely missed.

Next Meeting
202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom at 7:30pm on Tuesday 10th of August (doors open at 7pm)
Doug and Judith Snook will talk about their recent South Island trip - places visited, shells found, experiences had, and of course the weather!
Bring in any South Island shells from your collection, and see what Doug and Judith found.

Shell related news and items of interest (Eg. recent finds, media articles, etc.) are always appreciated.
A large variety of shells will be on sale - and bring anything you would like to sell.
Supper will be provided, as well as our regular shell raffle kindly donated by Doug & Judith Snook.

Shell Auction - Albany Hall, Saturday 23rd October 2010
There will be 267 lots of good NZ and WW shells and books for sale, so mark it in your diary now!
Viewing will commence at 10am, and the auction will start at midday - one hour earlier than normal because we must be out of the hall by 6pm.
The lot list will be sent out with the next newsletter in early September.

New Zealand Seashells Visual Guide
The new book "New Zealand Seashells Visual Guide" by Jenny Raven and Selwyn Bracegirdle is stunning!
This is a key publication for NZ shell collectors, comprising 76 A4 colour pages of over 800 species in a clear plastic protective sleeve.
The price for members of a Shell Club will be NZ$77.90 (a discount of $10 on the retail price), plus an additional $2 for postage within New Zealand.
Contact Selwyn Bracegirdle at creatus@paradise.net.nz or 04 9739410 for more information.

New Zealand Shell Show 2011
The Wellington Shell Club invites you to the next New Zealand Shell Show in Wellington at the Lower Hutt Town Hall from 12th to 13th February 2011.
The show will cater for most classes of molluscs and levels of collector. Dealers are very welcome and sales and trading tables will be available at the venue.
Shell show program, classes, rules, and entry form, as well as some information on transport and accommodation is now available from the Wellington Club's website at: www.clublist.co.nz/sites/wellingtonshellclub.aspx.
For assistance or information please contact the Wellington Shell Club secretary Deirdre Standish at deirdre.standish@clear.net.nz, phone 64-4-9041080, or write to: 4 Sharda Grove, Paraparaumu Beach 5032, New Zealand.

Poirieria Magazine
We intend publishing the next issue in December, so please get pen to paper and send your items to Jan or Patricia by the 15th October.
Anything related to shells or collecting would be greatly appreciated - Eg. shelling trips/finds, personal observations/tips, scientific research, historic anecdotes, notable washups, etc.
Please send to Jan Munroe at kevandjan@slingshot.co.nz, or 42 Black Teal Close, Albany, North Shore 0632. 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
. A significant collection of NZ and Worldwide shells (with data) is for sale. For more information please contact Jill Dawson on (07) 824 8574.

. "Paul the octopus" has been showing the world how intelligent molluscs really are. With a head that size it's not surprising!

. We will need a new Treasurer and a new Porieria Editor next year. Please support your club - if you have the time and the skills for either (or both) of these positions then we would like to hear from you.

. Items of interest for the monthly newsletter are always welcome - email to peter.poortman@xtra.co.nz, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.

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