Toasting the terrific Trimmers

Lunch with Sir Jon and Lady Jacqui Trimmer

On Sunday the 26th October 2003, the Wellington Friends put on a celebration lunch for Sir Jon and Lady Jacqui Trimmer to mark three things:
- 50 years of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
- 45 years in which Sir Jon and Lady Jacqui have been associated with the Company
- 40 years of marriage between Sir Jon and Lady Jacqui

Special Guest speakers:
- Arts Icon, Russell Kerr ONZM, QSM and former Artistic Director of the Company
- The Honourable Judith Tizard M.P. - Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Associate Minister of Commerce, Associate Minister of Transport, Auckland Issues
- Reverend Norman Knipe - Benediction and Thanksgiving.

Article by Judith Doyle

Wellington Friends honour the Trimmers
at a Labour Weekend luncheon

The Terrific Trimmers, it was billed. A celebration of Jon and Jacqui Trimmer’s careers and contribution to the Royal New Zealand Ballet in particular and to ballet in New Zealand in general.

The Pines was the ‘Place To Be’ in times past. Well, it is the ‘Place To Be’ again. With new owners and a complete makeover, it’s a great place for an event. Attractively furnished, plenty of space and the waves and rocks of Wellington’s South Coast make a wonderful backdrop.

And what an event it turned out to be. It felt like a Hall of Fame of New Zealand ballet. The Trimmers, of course, Jonty sporting the wicked moustache of Captain Hook for Peter Pan; Rigmor Gnatt, widow of the founder of the New Zealand Ballet Company Poul Gnatt; Russell and June Kerr in Wellington while Russell choreographs Peter Pan; Hon Judith Tizard associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage; Jennifer Shennan, dance reviewer … the list of ballet people went on and on.

Graham Atkinson, chairperson of Wellington Friends welcomed guests. MP Judith Tizard commented on how a country identifies itself through its culture and how important it therefore is. She gave an apology on behalf of the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, who “loves being the Minister of the Ballet.” The Prime Minister has official Chinese visitors this weekend, she said, who take precedence (just) over the Wellington Friends of the Ballet.

Russell Kerr took us back to the early days of the ballet company when they would go round trying to get members for the fledgling Friends’ group.
“When you are on stage, you can tell what sort of audience you have and dancers have to work out what they have to give,” he said. “Jon and Jacqui have always been such wonderful performers and given so much. How many steps have they danced over the years? How much goes into these steps?”

He commented that Jacqui has such a store of information gathered over the years and Jonty is so much a part of the history of New Zealand ballet.

We all drank a toast to Jon and Jacqui. Not only for their 45 years of association with the Royal New Zealand Ballet but also for their 40 years of marriage — the couple wed on 26 October 1963. Jonty’s thanks were short and sweet. “Thank you all for being here — and if I say much more, I'll probably cry,” he said.

Rev Norman Knipe, longtime member of the Wellington Friends of the Ballet, gave a blessing before lunch. He related a touching story of a teacher who found a way of listing what gifts her students had; how much their friends appreciated them; and how each had treasured that list which had influenced their lives to the good.

After a delightful buffet meal accompanied by wine, Jennifer Shennan gave a toast to the artistic Trimmer family — mother and sisters especially.

It was a grand occasion. Those of us who were present will file it away in our minds as a treasured ballet memory.