Breakfast Meeting July 28th: Total present 31
Members: 27
Guests: 2
Guest Speakers: 2
Acting Sergeant John C. extended a hearty and rousing welcome to our Co-Presidents Gary and Graham Gary and then extended the welcome to all members and guests. Once again we had tech problems to deal with, but Gary requested that anyone wanting to know what should have been on the screen, "to Imagine" what should be there just as the RI tag line this year says.
Directors Reports:
- Peter B, - Environment: A huge thank you to the 19 volunteers at the Apirana Reserve tree planting working bee on the 23rd, including Isabella who provided a very welcome morning tea. 500 trees planted in 1 hour and 10 mins!
- Kevin & Liz - Community & Youth: Reiterated that it is once again ERK packing. Details of days and times when volunteers will be welcome to assist were published in last weeks bulletin'
- Lesley - Club Services: Advised of change in speaker August 4th. Now Kevin Kevany, who will continue talking about his recent visit to Europe. RSVP's required for this dinner meeting - Please RSVP to Lesley immediately.
- Quiz Night - Organisers Aubrey & Miles; requested that members diary Oct 14th now and start planning on buying a table for friends and family. Can you donate an auction item? This is a key fund raiser for the club to allow us to continue to do good in the Community. More details on how you can help will be published in future issues of the Bulletin.
- Co-President and Treasurer Graham: Updated members on discussions with the RGC on breakfast prices and alternatives. Unfortunately there are no alternatives to what is currently offered. It was agreed that we will maintain the status quo until further notice, with applicable charges being levied to cover any shortfall due to low numbers attending breakfast meetings.
Snap Chatterer this week was our wandering PP Robyn Ingram who updated us on the big activities she experienced in the last 12 - 18 months, which included; a new house build in Pauanui, a move to Pauanui, landscaping the new Pauanui property, despite good snow, limited visits and skiing to their property in Ohakune, (due to Covid restrictions), two daughters weddings, and a highlight - a visit to Europe which included the Monaco Grand Prix! What a life - just as well they are both retired and have the time. It also sounds like we should book Robyn and Tony in for a Guest Speaker slot as well! The trip to Monaco would have to be a good story! At our meeting on August 4th our Two Minute Snap Chatterer will be John Lewisham.
Guest Speaker - Auckland Mayoral Candidate - Leo Molloy:Leo commenced his talk sharing details on who he is and what he stands for. He was born and raised on the West Coast and is from modest stock. Many years ago one of his earliest jobs was as a jockey, but as he started to get a little older and gained a little weight he came to the conclusion that this career won't last for ever and decided to become an adult student studying to become a Vet which he did successfully.
Then, around 25 years ago he moved to Auckland and joined the Hospitality industry which he loved and he did well in. He recently sold his HQ Pub and Restaurant and is now focusing on the Mayoral campaign.
He sees the current Mayor and many of those before him, as very much practising absentee Mayors, rarely seen, or active in the community - he will be the opposite. A couple of quotes from his talk that seemed to appeal to the meeting were;
- "The current council and Mayor see Rate Payers have the right not to know what is going on", and another
- "that right now, the biggest job in Council is preserving your own job".
- One more "The public transport in Auckland is so not fit for purpose", and an example of why many would want to be doing all possible to preserve their job is that "no fewer than 13 AT employees earn more than the Mayor", which is in excess of $295k per ann.
As a totally and completely Independent candidate, Leo sees himself in a very strong position that Central Government are very wary of.
A very articulate and passionate individual who touched on a lot of hot buttons with the audience. Many thanks again to Leo for taking the time to address us and we wish him well with his campaign.