New president of the Wairarapa Services and Citizens Club Tina Goodin. PHOTO/KAREN COLTMAN
KAREN COLTMAN
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Tina Goodin is the first woman to hold the role of president of the 102-year-old Wairarapa Services and Citizens Club.
But in today’s world, she said it was not a big deal and she was not a female crusader.
Goodin was elected in an age when it was not her gender that turned heads but the skills she brought to the job.
The club started as a soldiers’ club in 1918 and women went to the club in the 1960s and 1970s but had a separate ‘ladies’ lounge’.
These days are over and the feedback from members was that the club was a place for everyone with all areas open for both genders to use.
At the Annual General Meeting on Sunday October 18, Goodin and a male contender presented their case for wanting the presidency.
It hadn’t been contested for a while so Goodin said it was good to be voted in rather than to win by default.
She said things had been tough for the club lately with some covid-19 anxiety still lurking, and the committee was rattled by the past-president resigning in July.
But she said things were picking up well.
The committee of eight was made up equally of men and women.
“We have the mandate to carry on as we are, people don’t want big changes right now,” Goodin said.
“They like what we do here, and we will keep it ticking as it is.
“I do want us to get the place refurbished as it is due for a lick of paint, but it is welcoming and familiar as it is.”
Goodin has been vice-president for two years and a member of the club for 10 years.
She immigrated from England 41 years ago and has lived in Wairarapa since.
She was a pig farmer, then a teacher and a restaurateur, having owned Frederick’s restaurant in Greytown [now Cahoots Cafe].
She has been involved with Wairarapa Lifeline counselling service and is the president of the Wairarapa Vintage Car Club.
“I was brought up by my mother to get involved if you are part of something,” Goodin said.
“I love the people aspect of the job, and I really want more members to come to the club and use the club, not just the function rooms.”
The club is a centre for many activities including pool, darts, snooker, indoor bowls, rock n roll, Mahjong and cards. It runs a full bar service and restaurant.
There is Karaoke night once a month [this Friday night] and The Noodles are playing on Friday, November 20.
