There were positive signs aplenty revealed at Hawke's Bay Founders' recent Fortieth Annual General Meeting held at a Hastings church hall.

Re-elected branch president, Paddy Bayley, was pleased to report that the Hawke's Bay branch is enjoying a growing membership (nearly 170 members at the close of 2018), has an exciting programme of events planned for 2019 and the branch's financial reserves are in a healthy state.

Other officers re-elected were vice president, Kath La Rooy and secretary/treasurer, Richard Bayley. Five presently-serving committee members were returned and three new members were elected.

Guest speaker and branch member, Lyn Sturm, provided details she had researched for her recently published book on the life of her ancestor, Frederick William Christian Sturm (1811-1896).

Born in Germany, Frederick Sturm came to Napier in 1839 and became a naturalist, botanist and nurseryman. In 1877 his advertisements listed 200,000 tulip bulbs for sale and 270,000 hedging plants. This year will mark 180 years since Frederick Sturm arrived in New Zealand and will be celebrated by a Sturm family reunion in August 2019. 

Lyn's presentation was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea which included the old favourite, Devonshire scones with jam and cream. 

Lyn Sturm, left, and Paddy Bayley, Hawke's Bay Founders Branch President, flank a portrait of Hawke's Bay early settler, Frederick Sturm.

New members, from left, Diane Thompson, Jim Judd and Alva McAdam are welcomed to Hawke's Bay Founders by President, Paddy Bayley.