Oldest society continues to thrive

The Otago Chess Club started in 1884 (according to club archives) and was later officially incorporated as a society with the Registrar on the 8th of July 1896.  Justin Hygate, Group Manager, Business Registries, presented the club with a plaque commemorating their achievement at their clubroom in Dunedin.  Mr Hygate said “those serving on committees and as office bearers play a crucial role in the survival of such organisations and this is definitely true for the Otago Chess Club Incorporated”.

The club was popular from the beginning and over the years these hardworking administrators ensured the survival of the club by acquiring their own clubrooms where they ran tournaments to encourage new members when numbers dwindled during the depression and attracted youth members through their passion for teaching the game.

It was with pleasure that the Otago Chess Club Incorporated welcomed us into their clubrooms and shared with us their history.  Club president Alistair Newbould said it was “just great” to receive the plaque, and the club was honoured to receive a “pat on the back” for its survival.

The introduction of a significantly revamped incorporated societies and charitable trusts website further marks the centennial of the Act.

With the Act reaching its centennial and new technology being introduced, the Otago Chess Club Incorporated reminds us all of the great work the members of incorporated societies around New Zealand do.   

Oldest in the land... Otago Chess Club president Alistair Newbould, receives the commemorative certificate on behalf of the Society, presented by Justin Hygate, Group Manager Business Registries.

Looking on are former club president Graham Haase, club patron Bob Glass and club treasurer Quentin Johnson.