The Centenary of the club was celebrated with a weekend of festivities from 10th-12th March 2006. 

Friday 10th March - Cocktail Evening, Grand Hall, Parliament

Almost a hundred past and present members were hosted by the Hon. Marion Hobbs and welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Victoria (Professor Pat Walsh) in the Grand Hall at Parliament.  The cricketing 'Read of the Century', 'Three Straight Sticks', was officially released with a talk by its editor John Martin and B A G Murray lightened the occasion with his key-note address.  Full credit to Bellamy's for their fantastic fish bites and Murdoch James for their delicious Tre Ami!

Saturday 11th March - Kelburn Park

Our 'pre-arranged' perfect weather arrived right on time for a stunner of a day at Kelburn Park watching the Senior Hazlett Trophy side take on Taita in the first day of their two day match.  With plenty of food and beer provided, the stories flowed - new friends were made and old acquaintances renewed.  Many thanks must go to the Senior side for putting up the marquees (even if they didn't want to stay up!). 

Match result:  Victoria University by 6 wickets - Vic Uni  168/5 & 172/4 (B Rapson 74, C Owens 66) and Taita 201 & 138 (J Boyle 42, B Rapson 6-44, M Saunders 3-41)

Saturday 11th March - Ballroom, Duxton Hotel

The centre-piece of the weekend was a fantastic event held at the Duxton on the Saturday Evening.  Pre-Dinner drinks from 7-8 gave those who were attending their first event a chance to meet and greet.  Somewhat appropriately, exactly 100 people sat down to a delectable three course dinner.  The evening was MC'd by Ross Bond and guest speakers Tom Larkin and John Dean had the crowd in stitches with their witty repertoire and fantastic array of anecdotes.  The official launch of the VUWCC Foundation was presented by John Greenwood and Alan Lawton (club president and committee member) introduced and thanked the Centenary Committee for all their hard work.

An enjoyable evening was had by all (some leaving the hotel looking a bit worse for wear but happy none-the-less!) and many people carried on the festivities into the wee-hours down Courtenay Place.

Sunday 12th March - Kelburn Park

Sunday morning presented some not-so-hopeful looking weather but (none-the-less) a decent crowd presented themselves at Kelburn Park to see if the planned President's XI vs Chairman's XI match would eventuate.  The all-day BBQ and hot drinks were more popular than the cold beer but eventuate it did at 2pm when the drizzle had cleared even if the wind was a bit nippy.  Details of the game will be published soon (once I track down the score book!) but the (yet again) somewhat-appropriate result was that the President's XI won.

We still have VUWCC Centenary Ties (admired by many) available for $30 each and you can purchase a copy of the 'soon-to-be-a-collectors-item' book, Three Straight Sticks for only $30 also (what a bargain!).  To purchase either of these items please send a cheque to PO Box 14130, Kilbirnie, Wellington or contact Celia Voysey on 021 369 928 or celia.voysey@paradise.net.nz .

Photos from the weekend can be viewed here .  If you have any you would like to share and put on the website please send them to celia.voysey@paradise.net.nz.