Blackball Museum of Working Class History Trust and Unions West Coast.
Invitation to Mayday, May 4-5, 2007.
Once again, we are proud to offer a programme, based in our iconic village, which will be intellectually stimulating and which will charge the activist batteries.
10.00am-12noon. Forum: Negotiating the environment. Members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition will debate with representatives from local unions on issues of the environment, jobs, regional economy, processes of decision making and anything else that comes up. There will be opportunity for public debate and discussion. Facilitated by Leigh Cookson. Blackball Working Men’s Club.
12.00 – 1.00pm. Lunch will be available at the Hilton.
1.15pm. March through town (bring banners), ending at Community Centre at which plans for 2008 will be announced.
2.30pm – 4.00pm. Launch of video That Fateful Day (video Paul Maunder; producer: Jo Hart, editing: Vanguard Films); oral history accounts of the Strongman Mine Disaster, from relatives, workers and mine rescue personnel, recorded last year at the Runanga Centenary… Runanga Working Men’s Club. Transport to Runanga will be available.
6.30pm Workers’ Dinner at the Hilton, with after dinner speakers on the subject of: Does socialism have anything to offer the present day NZ working class. The emphasis is on specific models of governance/action/ economic relationship. Introduced by Paul Maunder, NZ Writers Guild. Speakers: Matt Winter EPMU, Leigh Cookson ARENA.
Accommodation is available at the Hilton or the Club Hotel. Billets can be arranged for those on limited income.
For busy people there is a commuter flight (Air West Coast), Wgtn- Greymouth late afternoon on Friday, returning to Wgtn Monday morning- you’re in town by 8.45am. Otherwise you can fly out of Hokitika on Sunday. Transport available to and fro airports.
We would be grateful if you could give us indication of your likely presence (drop an e-mail).
In solidarity, Paul Maunder, Chairperson. Email: wkcultur@ihug.co.nz[1] Jane Wells, Secretary
