Fun and games | Annual Bridge and Mahjong Day

Five of the original founding DIHT Trustees and event organisers, L to R: Pat Barfoot, Nina Crawford, Margaret Tapper, Hilary Reid and Bryan Bartley.

FUN AND games

The Doris Innes House Trust (DIHT) held its annual Bridge and Mahjong Day at the Auckland Bridge Club on 23 May 2019. In addition to being a great opportunity for Dio Old Girls and their friends to gather and have some fun, the event is designed to raise money for the Trust’s scholarship fund. The DIHT was formed in 1988 by a group of Dio Old Girls determined to raise money to build a boarding facility after boarding was closed at the School. DIHT’s mandate is to ensure that Bishop Neligan’s founding vision for Diocesan is made possible – making a Dio education attainable by girls in all parts of the Auckland region, not just by those close enough for daily access. Today, DIHT fundraises to help selected Diocesan students with their boarding fees. This year’s Bridge and Mahjong Day kicked off at 10.30am with morning tea (and home baking). The nearly 100 attendees played through until lunch when they enjoyed a bowl of iconic DIHT curried kumara soup and savouries, accompanied by a glass of wine. Play resumed for another hour until afternoon tea.

The Doris Innes House Bridge and Mahjong Day is managed and catered entirely by volunteers, who help serve lunch and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

DIHT Board member Barbara Stuart says attendance was good this year, with 23 tables (of four); 21 of bridge and two of mahjong. “It’s wonderful to see more younger attendees come along each year,” says Barbara. “If you have any friends who play bridge or mahjong, tell them to consider putting together a couple of tables for next year’s event.”

As in past years, there was a fabulous array of prizes available as part of raffles and for the competition play winners. This year the main sponsors were once again the very generous Farro Fresh and Diocesan’s Parents & Friends, who kindly donated beautiful hampers.

“We would particularly like to acknowledge the generosity of Farro,” says Barbara. “They support schools throughout the country and have provided a hamper for us on request each year. We’re extremely grateful for their support.”

A number of people also provided donations of small luxury items to give away as prizes. If you’d like to donate any prizes for next year, please contact Barbara, barbara.h.stuart@gmail.com

The 2020 event will take place on Thursday 21 May. The organisers would love to welcome new players so if you are interested in attending next year, email Nina Crawford (nina.reid@xtra. co.nz) and she will add you to the list and notify you nearer to the time.

DIOCESAN YEAR 13 GRADUATION BALL Save the date! Saturday 7 December 2019 – Pullman Hotel More details to follow. OLD GIRLS’ YEAR GROUP REUNIONS The following class reunions will be celebrated with a cocktail function at 6.30pm in School House: Thursday 19 September – 1999 Reunion (tickets on sale from 1 August) Friday 18 October – 2009 Reunion (tickets on sale from 2 September) Tickets for these events will be available through iTicket.

CLASS OF 1969: 50-YEAR REUNION Saturday 19 October – School House Fifty years after leaving School and 52 years after sitting School Certificate, the Class of 1969 is gathering to celebrate these significant milestones. This reunion is for Dio Old Girls who were in Form 6 in 1968 or Form 7 in 1969. If this is your year group, don’t miss out! Contact your friends and let them know too. Tickets are now on sale at www.iTicket.co.nz

11am – Meet and greet with tea/coffee in School House 11.45am – School tour 12.45pm – Chapel service 1pm – Lunch

For further information, contact Christine White (Mitchelson) M. 021 882 333. E. chrismitch@orcon.net.nz or Sonja Clapham M. 021 411 477. E. sonjaclapham@gmail.com