Day 63, Level 1: Whakaari, Grad Dinner, Promise, School Song and Flowers

 Today it's a year since the eruption of Whakaari/White Island. Getting burned is one of biggest fears and I can't begin to imagine the horror that the survivors suffered. And still suffer. 22 people lost their lives one year ago today - some say they were the lucky ones. What survivors have been through is truly unimaginable. Young happy adventurous lives turned upside down by a combination of nature and negligence, families torn apart.

A Work Safe investigation has resulted in 10 organisations being charged. There are moves to charge the helicopter pilots who made the call, in the moment, to fly to the island, land on it, and rescue people. If they hadn't, there would surely have been more deaths.  I read that someone who suffered burns died of his injuries just the other week - he hung on for months but lost his battle. It's preposterous that prosecuting them is even an inkling of thought.

It was warm and mildly humid today but little wind. Much more pleasant. 

I spent the day doing some accounts and tweaking my speeches and thank yous etc for tonight's EGGS Graduation Dinner. I felt well prepped as I headed off to Ellerslie Function Centre around 4pm to help set up for the evening. The place looked lovely, as much as a huge function room with no one in it can. The flowers were a sea of lemon and lilac and it was very peaceful. The calm before the invasion - once the girls and their families started arriving, it was mayhem! There were 760 people there - not many places in the world can you do that right now! And not a mask in sight. Each girl can bring two family members. 

Wow, some of the girls were utterly stunning - they could grace the cover of any fashion magazine. I opened with a welcome speech, the girls then crossed the stage to collect their testimonial and a gift. Normally this would come with a couple of handshakes, but we waived those this year. It sped the process up considerably, and averted awkward moments when girls aren't sure about the hand-shaking thing. Head Girl Promise Akindeju gave her speech - which included a nifty little rap number! She's Nigerian and excels in just about every department of life - academic (several scholarships), creative, musical, humour and all-round niceness and generosity of spirit! Needless to say she's been a very popular Head Girl during what has been a challenging year for all the girls. And maybe she's not so sporty - but I'm not sure about that!

Promise - what a delight!

We had a buffet dinner and dessert. This was served in an outdoor marquee area. Well from hot and humid and everyone worrying about being boiling in a venue with so many people - the rain came and the wind howled. It was freezing when the doors were open - which they had to be so people could come and go to the marquee (which was attached to the room so at least it didn't require actually being outside). Amazing how the weather can change like that (clicking sound).

And then we had the guest speaker - a lovely girl who left the school five years ago and is heading up an innovation and entrepreneurship programme at the University of Auckland. She was actually in Wellington on an internship - but, in true Covid spirit, we organised a pre-recorded speech and we also had her with us in the room via Zoom.Worked a treat! Thank goodness for Rachael and Alice on technical duty!

Then we presented three special Old Girls scholarships - to three girls who embody the spirit of EGGS. Girls who aren't necessarily tops academically, but get involved, work hard, are popular and appreciated. We love giving these scholarships. 

Finally it was time for thank you's and farewells. And a rousing rendition of the School Song. We have a great school song - words to the tune of the Triumphal March from Aida. Written by some students in 1943. It's a wonderful piece of music and the words still resonate. I've never met an EGGS student who hasn't been in love with the School Song!

We also used to sing Gaudeamus Igitur in my day - but we much preferred our own school song. 

As I type this - feeling pretty exhausted I must say as there's so much to keep track of through the night - it is pissing down. And it is most certainly not warm! That's Auckland weather for you!

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Flowers ...

We always have the same florist do flowers for our Old Girls events - Linda of Joie de Vivre. She's a lovely woman I met when our boys were at primary school together. At that time she had a top-dog corporate job for Nestle (Marketing and PR). Some years ago she did a florist course for a bit of fun and interest - loved it so much she threw in her corporate job and set up as a florist - run from her beautiful home. A friend joined her and they now have a thriving florist business and produce beautiful arrangements.

Sadly, her husband Bruce was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing chemo. How good that Linda is working from home doing something she adores - rather than convincing people to buy chocolate! (Does anyone need convincing!?)

These were the flower centre pieces, brought together en masse at the end. Each committee member took some home. The School colours are blue and gold - these pastel tones are very calming.