Awesome job by club members on Saturday who assisted with the Glen Innes Food Bank Collection at New World Stonefields. Hopefully you would have already seen via Facebook how successful the collection was.
Rolled out in a very short 9am – 2pm timeframe, this is a great example of how the small act of volunteering a few hours of time can make a ‘big impact’. Full report from our Editor, further on in the Bulletin.
The recent “call outs” for blankets for Middlemore, Citrus Fruit (for Hospice) and manpower for the regular Dove Hospice Garage Sale are other great examples of ‘Small Acts – Big Impact’. If you know of a group or individual in our community who is in need, our club could potentially help. Don’t forget we have the Sunshine Fund; strong committees and a large network of club members to tap into for resources, ideas and funding.
We had an enjoyable meeting last week featuring our ‘in house’ guest speakers and as the year rolls along we plan to feature more of “us” in the speaker schedule. This week, we look forward to hearing from Kate Anderson, General Manager of the Citizen Advice Bureau of Auckland City.
I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday – if I can drag myself away from the very important business of introducing Gonza (our RYE student) to the best ski town in the country! Gonza reveals where this is further on in the Bulletin.
24 members were treated to a fun meeting with the two guest speakers being club members - Aubrey R-J and John Cornaga. Both gents recently returned from great trips to Europe.
The highlight of Aubrey's trip was a 15 day river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, accompanied by Helen, during which he celebrated his 70th Birthday. Judging by the photos, Aubrey and Helen had a wonderful cruise with numerous side trips along the way, plus additional days in Amsterdam prior to the cruise and a post cruise self dive tour of Scotland. Overall a great holiday / birthday celebration and the river cruise is highly recommended!
As we all know, John C. is an avid cyclist and the primary purpose of his most recent trip to Europe was to cycle the numerous cycle trails throughout Spain - described by John as a cyclists mecca. John travelled with his 81 year old friend Don, and he particularly enjoyed his time in and around Genoa and Barcelona. On his return to New Zealand he had a stopover in Dubai - an incredible city, but very hot and very very expensive! Returning to Auckland and $8 beers in 10 degrees was a welcome relief from $17 beers in 40 degree temperatures.
Many thanks to both gents for sharing their experiences and great photos too!!
Kate is General Manager of the Citizens Advice Bureau of Auckland City, (CABAC), which has a number of Bureaus around Auckland. PWC has recently provided an analysis of the service - it was a very detailed and positive report, which endorsed the value of the service for both clients and funders.
DINNER MEETING AUGUST 1st - Our sponsored RYLA attendees report back on their experiences.
Always a favorite meeting as we hear the life changing RYLA stories. Being an evening meeting we are required to provide numbers to the Golf Club. Be sure to reserve your space and RSVP to Allan now; asmith@accessable.co.nz.
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 8th - Tom Smith:
Tom who is the CEO of Parafed Auckland, will give a new insight into the challenges of facilitating sport and recreation opportunities for those with physical disabilities.
CLUB VISIT TO TIRITIRI MATANGI - SUNDAY AUGUST 18th:
See separate story below for more details.
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (RLI), SEMINARS: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College.
See separate story below for more information.
CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR BREAK:
Last Meeting for 2019 - Thursday December 12th
First Meeting for 2020 - Thursday February 13th
EASTERN BAYS HOSPICE, DOVE HOSPICE SHOPS GARAGE SALE: 3rd Saturday of every month at 8 am.
Corner Elizabeth Knox Place and Thomas Peacock Place, (off Morrin Road). Go along and assist with the sale or just go along and shop - some great bargain's. More details from Murray H.
Many thanks to all who participated in the Food Bank Collection last Saturday and to Miles for his organisation. Everyone's support during the day made this collection another huge success with 80 boxes of much needed product, plus $110 in cash donations, collected. The St Johns Rotary Club members were joined by CAB Volunteers and of course a huge thank you to Graham Fabian and New World Stonefields for their support and participation. This was not only a very successful collection, but also a lot of fun was had by all!
In the last 5 years I have been involved with the St Johns Rotary Board and this year after a very rewarding time as President I am going to be looking after Club Services. In joining Rotary in 2016 I felt that it was an opportunity to give back to the community that we live in. Over this last year the club achieved this goal really well and I am proud that we were able to do this. Membership will now become more important and it is great to meet so many new people introduced to the club.
Outside of Rotary I work on several Boards both NFP and Business plus recently I have joined the St Heliers Bowling Club. This was a way to become a participant in a new sport and meet others within the community.
Lastly fishing and boating is a passion for Sue and I and it becomes our happy place. Having a grandson who also loves fishing is a joy and we try and spend as much time with him as possible.
"In Breaking News; members of St Johns Rotary and residents of Auckland have been asked to look out their windows and doors into their back yards to see if the fruits of interest named in this case (Grapefruit and Lemon) are lurking on or under their citrus trees. If found, please approach and gather, if in good condition, and notify the nearest Dove Hospice/House so they can advise you of the nearest location to dispose of these. Isabella Tedcastle can also help in this regard."
"Further, if found in the back yards (we will even take front yards) of neighbours and friends, please add to those already secured."
Dove Hospice/House advise that the donated grapefruit and lemons will be pulped and frozen until they can be turned into jam for sale to help fund the running of Dove Hospice/House.
This is your invitation to a wonderful Rotary Learning & Information opportunity to join us at our Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) seminar weekend on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College. From our St Johns Rotary, Beryl & Colin are always two of the numerous RLI Facilitators who take assorted modules during the weekend, plus others from our club will hopefully also be there, so you’ll already know some Rotarians who attending, plus you’ll make new friends from other Rotary & Rotaract clubs throughout Auckland.
New Rotarians are always welcome, as are longer term members. It’s great that our Rotary Club of St Johns sponsors (i.e. pays for) any Rotarian who is keen to attend RLI to discover new opportunities in the world of Rotary.
Our Fellowship Officer, Michelle Forman, has several ideas regarding events and visits for Club members, friends and family. SAVE THE DATE - SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH. St Johns Rotary trip to Tiritiri Matangi.
Tiritiri Matangi Island is a stunning wildlife sanctuary for New Zealand's native birds, and an important conservation project. From the moment you step on to the Island to the time you reluctantly depart, you'll be serenaded by birdsong.
Cost is $78 per person, leaving from downtown at 9 am, or for those who are not so great on the water, you can leave from Gulf Harbour, same cost. Bookings are essential - Book through Fullers and once you have booked can you please advise Michelle at mertie.forman@gmail.com.
If you have never visited - a visit to Tiritiri is a must do.
This week I have had a great time. Enjoying with Ingram’s family. Now we are in Ohakune enjoying the end of the school holidays. We have been riding bikes in the beautiful beautiful town. We went for a walk where there was beautiful plants and where you can have a nice connection with the environment. We went for skiing and Robyn and Tony took me to have my first skiing class, and it was awesome.
Tomorrow they are going to take me for an advanced skiing class. This holidays were amazing. I do not have words to say how beautiful was this experience.
With this in mind, I bought myself a new scooter. I wanted something that was easy on gas and could zip me to the store and about town. This seems to meet my EVERY need. I love it!
Remember: Senior Citizens Are Valuable!
They are more valuable than any of the younger generations,
They have silver in their hair,
They have gold in their teeth, They have stones in their kidneys, They have lead in their feet
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
You can help or join in all projects (whatever the committee), just contact the committee director and/or project team leader. In most cases, you can include family and friends.
Always a favorite meeting as we hear the life changing RYLA stories. Being an evening meeting we are required to provide numbers to the Golf Club. Be sure to reserve your space and RSVP to Allan now; asmith@accessable.co.nz. 
Many thanks to all who participated in the Food Bank Collection last Saturday and to Miles for his organisation. Everyone's support during the day made this collection another huge success with 80 boxes of much needed product, plus $110 in cash donations, collected. The St Johns Rotary Club members were joined by CAB Volunteers and of course a huge thank you to Graham Fabian and New World Stonefields for their support and participation. This was not only a very successful collection, but also a lot of fun was had by all!
In the last 5 years I have been involved with the St Johns Rotary Board and this year after a very rewarding time as President I am going to be looking after Club Services. In joining Rotary in 2016 I felt that it was an opportunity to give back to the community that we live in. Over this last year the club achieved this goal really well and I am proud that we were able to do this. Membership will now become more important and it is great to meet so many new people introduced to the club.
Save the date!
