I’ve just been told by Chinese friends that the amount raised by the Wellington Chinese community for the earthquake victims in China, at a fundraising dinner at the Grand Century Restaurant in Tory Street on Wednesday, was $12,500.  The money will go to the New Zealand Red Cross and then directly to the Chinese Red Cross, which has 20 million volunteers.

It was heart-warming to see how  many different Chinese groups, originally from many different parts of the region, including Taiwan, mainland China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and New Zealand,  came together to take tables at the dinner and contribute to the cause.  The food was excellent too.  As always, the Chinese make fundraising and eating well go together well.

It was a night for eating and drinking as I’d also been to speak at a Thank the Sponsors night for the Randwick Rugby League Club at the Chicago Bar.  I’ll follow up with Kevin Eder of Tradestaff  (the major sponsor) his proposals for improving modern apprenticeships.  His company Tradestaff is a major employer of young apprentices.