Kia ora everyone, and welcome to my very last newsletter.

My time as President of Aotearoa Quilters is coming to a close, having been in this role for six years. I have been reading some of my past newsletters and found that, despite being overseas, I managed to write newsletters and attend committee meetings from various countries. I remember attending one from Azerbaijan — the wonders of technology!

By the time you get this newsletter, I will be overseas again. For quite a few years, we have been visiting the countries that were part of the Silk Road. I have always been fascinated by the stories of travels in this part of the world and have made many quilts that depict the culture of the countries we have visited. My first quilt that followed this idea was My Turkish Plate, which won Best of Show at Taupo Symposium 2013. Uzbekistan in Central Asia is the last country on our Silk Road journey. Known for its stunning architecture, culture, and crafts, it should be an interesting experience.

When I was asked to stand for President, my first reaction was, “No, definitely not.” I had already been on the committee in the past and felt as though I had done enough. However, as luck would have it, I was visiting Paula Cole, and she managed to talk me around, giving me many reasons why I should stand for President. I agreed at that stage to be President, but wanted to be a committee member first, to get to know the committee, learn the processes in place, and catch up on the activities of the last few years.

I have never regretted that decision, although at times it did seem that Aotearoa Quilters had taken over my life (and my husband’s). I did have some ideas that I hoped we could achieve in the six years:

• To further develop an Education and Development Fund so that members could access it.
• To get the Great NZ Quilt Show to the South Island and alternate with the North Island.
• To increase the membership. How was the big question.
• To further develop the regional groups.
• To make being on the committee an enjoyable experience for everyone.

It has been a busy six years, and the committee has worked hard to achieve these goals, but there is still more to be done. Whether the Great NZ Quilt Show will go back to the South Island remains to be seen.

I want to thank the committee for working as a team, for finding ways to achieve these goals, and for having the willingness to try new things. I hope it has been an enjoyable experience for them.

I know that Aotearoa Quilters will go from strength to strength. I get back from overseas just in time to attend the AGM at Symposium and help out on the Aotearoa Quilters stand, so I look forward to meeting some of you there.

I wish the next President and committee all the best for the future.

Valda Sutton
President