Black & White Dinner
 
The Museum Circle Foundation farewells Dr & Mrs TL Rodney Wilson
On Friday 17 August 2007 Museum Circle members gathered at Auckland Museum for a “Black & White” celebratory dinner to farewell Dr. T. L. Rodney Wilson CMNZ, after 13 years as director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The guests arrived at 7 pm and gathered in the new Event Centre for pre-dinner drinks and canapes and were entertained by a music ensemble. The night was clear and the views of the city were spectacular.
At 8pm the guests moved through to the elegantly decorated dining area under the curved copper dome. Museum Circle chairman, David Nicoll, welcomed those present and introduced his fellow trustees, Peter Webb and Lyndy Sainsbury. During dinner the three of them stood up individually to speak and shared special memories and reflections of their relationships with Dr Wilson with the guests. They thanked him for his great public service over a long and distinguished career in pursuing the goals of refurbishing and developing Auckland institutions including the Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery and finally the jewel in the City’s crown, the Auckland War Memorial Museum
David Nicoll presented Dr Wilson with a Neil Dawson Dome sculpture and a plaque in commemoration of his outstanding achievements of which Aucklanders will continue to reap the benefits in years to come. "Thank you so much for your astonishingly generous gift of Neil's dome.” Rodney selected the chrome plated "Cloud" design. "They are all lovely but that is the one I like the most - aesthetically and symbolically. Clouds are a magnificent feature of the Auckland skyscape; ever changing, threatening and ominous one moment, radiant another. Neil's clouds are high puffy cumulus, full of lightness and delicacy."
Dr & Mrs Wilson were delighted by the event and expressed their thanks to the Museum Circle Executive and all the guests for their participation.
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