Even though it took 3 years and 3 attempts because of COVID lockdowns the final result was a very pleasing one for the Charities of The Cancer Society and  Chatbus with in excess of 30k raised on auction items. These were anything from  $100 hospitality vouchers selling for $210 ( yep double the value) ,several items of art over $1000 each and the highest bid on the night for a piece of excuisite jewellery for $3100.This year’s  crowd of 95 participants were high spirited and thoroughly enjoyed themselves  on the night quaffing fine wines complimented with delicious food .The Auctioneer Richard Stringer from Harcourts was in excellent form entertaining  the crowd with many quips and stories at the same time extracting a record night in the form of dollars . Many thanks must go to Auction committee and those that supported them on the night.

Our guest speaker last week was Prof Robert Patman, Professor of Politics and director of International Studies at Otago University. Robert was a very knowledgeable and entertaining speaker. He mentioned some highlights (or lowlights) of Trump’s term as president from the unorthodox campaigning of 2016, through 26,000 tweets, to being impeached twice during the four years term. Trump made many promises - who can forget the wall that Mexico was going to pay for, or the $1.43 million of tax cuts that would “pay for themselves” and following his defeat he refused to attend the inauguration of his successor – the first time in 150 years of presidency that this has happened.
Robert believes it will be a long time before the full impact of the Trump reign will be seen where some of the main issues being:
  Anti-establishment sentiments were constant, ultimately leading to the storming of the Capitol
  Lack of information sharing, facts that could not be agreed upon
  Continuing concern for the durability of democracy in America
  Racial tensions are worse than they have ever been
  Economic crisis- ballooning deficit, unemployment rates of just under 20%
  Medical crisis – Trump did nothing to mitigate with 570,000+ deaths and over 32 million cases, this is also impacting on the economic crisis
  Loss of international standing with the America first campaign
Joe Biden has some positives going for him – Democrats have the majority in both Houses, his Cabinet appointments have the general approval of the public, has some good priorities and his Covid-19 goals are being achieved with vaccination targets being met. Although he represents a safe pair of hand, he is however challenged by his age.
Robert summarised that life after Trump is difficult to predict and the impact may take years to see. He also raised the question of whether we have seen the last of Trump, he still has a lot of support in America.