New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA)
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| The New Zealand Accordion Association (NZAA) has many plans to celebrate the 40th Anniversary year of the founding of their association. On Sunday 18th April, a dinner was held to celebrate the date that the NZAA was established exactly 40 years ago. This 40th birthday dinner was held at the Brigham Restaurant in Hobsonville, Auckland attended by most of the current NZAA committee and some past committee members. The NZAA, 40 years ago, grew out of the Auckland branch of the NZFOA and the minutes of the last meetings of that Auckland Branch deciding to form the new association were read. These minutes set out the reasons why the NZAA was being established and a 40th birthday celebration cake was cut by the 3 people present, who were also at the NZAA formation meeting. Marie Jones, John Statham and Dorothy Taylor (picture below). This year, NZAA President John Statham is retiring after 27 years as President. John Statham was a committee member for the 1980 Coupe Mondiale held in Auckland, was the announcer for that superbly run event, was instrumental in leading the NZAA through the start of the South Pacific Accordion Championships competitions and making the NZAA competitions an international event, inviting the Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion winners to NZ for the last 9 years, development program for players culminating in highly placed New Zealand 2009 Coupe Mondiale competitors, led the huge success of the 2009 Coupe Mondiale in Takapuna, New Zealand and now, the NZAA 40th Anniversary Celebrations. A formal dinner to honor retiring President John Statham will be held at the end of the South Pacific Accordion Championships on the 5th June 2011. |
Beautifully decorated cake with the NZAA logo top left from 40 years ago with the new
logo on the bottom right. The fruit cake with marzipan and icing tasted beautiful too.
The whole group who attended.
Three family members who attended the formation meeting of the NZAA. Marie Jones
who was Secretary of the Association until 2009, daughter of Marie Jones is Heather Masefield
who is the current Secretary, brother Maurice Jones who was the first NZAA Solo Champion
in 1971, owner of 'Accordion House' and who has performed in many countries of the world since.
They are now joined by current NZAA Treasurer Amber Masefield, the daughter of
Heather Masefield, and sister of current World Champion Grayson Masefield.
Three generations of Taylor family. Mother Dorothy Taylor and daughter Christine Taylor
(conductor of the North Shore Junior Accordion Orchestra and also first News Collator and Editor for the Accordions Worldwide
Weekly News) were at the formation meeting of the NZAA. With them is Christine's daughter Renee who helps training the
junior orchestra and plays in the NSAO orchestra.
Current NZAA committee attending: left to right: George Xu (former Australasian Champion), Campbell Bettridge (winner of many
NZ and international competitions including 3rd place in Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion category), Jessica Chen (winner of NZ Championships
and 4th placegetter at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale Piano Accordion category), Treasurer Amber Masefield, Secretary Heather Masefield,
Steven Cope (professional accordionist), Jenna Murray, President John Statham, lawyer Sonja Palinich and
Competitions Secretary Megan Jennings. Not present Vice-President Harley Jones and committee member Dennis Lovatt.
Official cutting of the cake by former Secretary Marie Jones, President John Statham and former committee member Dorothy Taylor
who were all present at the formation meeting of the NZAA.