Last week Sue and I were invited to attend the Wellington Sports Award by CIGNA NZ who are great sponsors of disability sports. We were not sure what the event would be like and I must say it was fantastic to see locals who are contributing to their community get recognised for their efforts. There were two special moments during the evening; Josh Junior being awarded the sportsman of the year, we know Josh via the club and we have followed his progress and his success is fantastic; the other was a life time legacy award that was presented to Kevin Herlihy a well known softball pitcher. Kevin is the father of our own member Chris and alongside his sister Michelle received the award on behalf of their father. Congratulations to both.
Our other Wellington experiences was to visit the Gallipoli displays at both Te Papa Museum and the War Memorial Museum. Both these displays were extraordinary and we would recommend a visit for anyone who is visiting Wellington.
I heard that 3 members stepped up last week and spoke about several experiences that they have recently been involved in. The stories certainly caught the groups attention as they went through the stories.
This week we have Sacred Heart College students visiting the club alongside Leanne Ryburn.
Brian Scarborough - a past member of St. Johns Rotary passed away last week following a long illness. Brian joined our club shortly after it was Chartered and he was a very active and respected member for many years.
Several members attended the funeral and many anecdotes were shared by Gary with other members at the last Breakfast. These thoughts were followed by a minutes Silence. RIP Brian.
It is also with sadness that the Club extends their sympathy to Lynette whose mother passed away last week. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time Lynette.
Another entertaining meeting chaired by Immediate Past President Peter, (IPPP), in President Allan's absence.
Unfortunately our guest speaker Andrew Poole had to cancel at short notice - hopefully we will get to hear from Andrew at a later date.
The lack of a guest speaker certainly didn't dent the enthusiasm with several of our members taking the floor to share some wisdom and entertain. Alan Mayne shared a very sobering warning which recently saw him being the victim of a terrible scam that had a significant financial impact on him. Somehow a scammer from Asia accessed his New Zealand Mobile phone and subsequently accessed bank accounts, helping themselves to Alan's cash on the way. Considering the volume of "online" activity, that many of us participate in on a daily basis, you can never be too careful - so be careful out there!!!
Kevin K then took the floor to update us all on recent Airways NZ, Auckland Airport and the Airlines' plans to alter, amend and enhance arrival and departure flight paths, designed to make our lives better and quieter. Some interesting developments that Kevin strongly believes we all need to be aware of. Kevin's warning then turned towards the theory that jet fuel pollution could also be behind Kauri Die-back, a comment that saw our well respected resident Scientist, IPPP, leap to his feet claiming Fake News. It was about now that Gary also asked Kevin if he had taken his medication and this interlude allowed the meeting to get back on track.
Brian was next on his feet promoting a recently found website that will change our lives - "Jordan Peterson - 12 Rules For Life". You will need to surf the Web for more information!!!
Another successful Sergeants session conducted by Sergeant Michele with the takings boosted by the auction of a souvenir plate of the 1966 Lions Tour pf New Zealand. Donated by Murray and purchased by Donald - thanks Gents.
This year will be my first year on the Board as Community International Director.
My key interests outside Rotary, includes working with charities such as MS Society & Dove House.
This year I am looking forward to having a high performing team deliver a range of international service projects which benefit places like Taveuni, and contribute to special projects as requested”
Colin was a Charter member of Rotary St. Johns in 1989. His first club position was Vocational Director in 1989 and since then he has held a significant number of roles including President in 2009 / 2010. This year he is St Johns Club Runner and Website Master.
Colin has also been incredibly active at a District level since he joined Rotary, including two years as Assistant Governor. His key interests outside Rotary, (when he has time), include; Boating in general, Senior crew with Auckland Coastguard Search and Rescue (Lion Foundation Rescue) – 17 years’ service, Amateur Radio – licenced since 1985 and Travel.
In the new Rotary year, Colin intends to finalise development and education in the use of the website as a practical tool for all club members to use to save time and increase their effectiveness in doing their roles and projects and to be a ‘go-to’ person for accessing Rotary website resources.
Ainie Joined St. Johns Rotary in March 2013. She coordinated Speakers' program for 2 years and was President 2016/2017. She is now a member of the District Youth Leadership team as deputy chair and oversee the RYPEN and INTERACT programs.
Her business is in Christchurch and she travel to Christchurch every 10 days for work and to visit her 2 children studying at Canterbury University. She is regular visitor at Rotary Club of Christchurch City Sunrise.
Outside Rotary Ainie is a keen athlete and practices running meditation or chi running. She is also an avid reader of nonfiction books and loves to cook for the family. Ainie has been married to Eugene for 30 years.
Her goal with St. Johns Rotary this year is to "save the world".
Many thanks to all who have volunteered to assist on the evening of July 3rd. St Johns will once again provide a full team on the night and it has been suggested that the volunteers meet at the Stonefields Pub at 5 pm on the night, "to warm up and get in the packing mood", before we kick-off at 6 pm. Penny will be sending out reminder details to all volunteers sometime this week.
Do you love Facebook and have a passion to create "social media engagement"? If so we would love to hear from you!!! Sounds like a job advertisement, but the club really wants someone to take ownership and communicate Rotary St John's to the world.
We do lots of things and are the worlds best kept secret. That now has to change.
We have Peter doing a great job with the Bulletin, Colin also doing excellent work looking after the Website and along the way posting onto Facebook, but we need to tell all our stories. If you are interested in being involved and to help the club out, please get in touch with President Allan as soon as possible.
The Board has confirmed that our first "Combined Committee Meeting for the year, will be during our Breakfast Meeting on July 19th.
This will be the first committee meeting of the year and it is really important that we have a good turnout to ensure good discussions on the direction of each committee over the next 12 months.
There have been plenty of activities at Waiyevo Hospital with the project now in the final stages of completion. The lounge and bathroom doors have arrived from Labasa, and Keith and his team of hardworking men are busy installing the doors. At the same time too, the tiling around the kitchen is almost complete.
A big huge thank you to Dove Hospice (https://www.dovehospice.org.nz/) for donating good quality kitchen utensils and crockery to the Hospital. These were picked up and delivered to Jenners Freight (http://www.jenners.co.nz/) in time for the next container being packed and destined for Taveuni at the end of the month.
In the container too, there is a pallet of toys donated by Voodle (http://voodle.co.nz/) and the Glen Taylor School at the 1 March 2018 Trivia Night hosted by our club. There are many sponsors on the evening of our club successful Trivia Night and one of the sponsors for the silent auction was Southern Spars NZ (https://www.southernspars.com/) for an indepth tour around their premises with Mark Hauser.
Ian Jenner, is a member of Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise and have been generous with helping Rotary Club of Taveuni with container shipping every quarter of the year.
The outside porch of the Waiyevo Hospital is now complete and the team at Rotary Club of Taveuni would like to thank Rotary Club of Auckland for their generous contribution to the project. The funds will go towards the purchase of microwave, refrigerator and washing machines for the Hospital.
Also, a big thank you to the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise for the donation of curtains. The team will be visiting / building Taveuni in mid July. Joey (RC Taveuni) and her girls team plus a couple of men will be running their annual Giant Fund Raising Sale at Wairiki Hall in the town centre this weekend. Items for sale includes clothing and bed linen. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the Club funds for the various projects undertaken by the RC Taveuni.
SEE ATTACHED FLYER FOR TAVENUI RAFFLE FUND RAISER!!!
The Club has received 11 letters of thanks from pupils in Rooms 7 & 8 who participated in this years Have a Go sailing day. Some excerpts from the letters are inserted under the "Read More" link below.
N.B. This story also ran in last weeks Bulletin, however the content is really important, hence a repeat this week. If you haven't already read, please do so - thanks Ed.
Last week, President Allan Smith hosted his first meeting. He arranged for Assistant Governor (AG) Pam Clarke to facilitate a “discussion” meeting where members were invited to talk about all aspects of St John’s Rotary Club “moving forward”. (Thanks Pam for your great work leading this very productive meeting). Five topics were quickly established and agreed for discussion.
Meeting Programme
Projects
Funding
Membership
Social
Due to time constraint, only the first four topics were covered. President-Elect Robyn and Bulletin co-editor Alan Mayne, worked as scribes for the meeting and recorded the following main points. Click Read More for a recap on what is important to us…
Each May or June, Rotary International holds a worldwide convention “to stimulate, inspire and inform all Rotarians at an international level.” The convention, which may not be held in the same country for more than two consecutive years, is the annual meeting to conduct the business of the association. The planning process usually begins about four or five years in advance.
The RI board determines a general location and invites cities to make proposals. The conventions are truly international events which 20,000 to 40,000 Rotarians and guests attend. It is reccomended that All Rotarians should plan to participate in a Rotary International convention to discover the real internationality of Rotary.
This years convention is on this week in Toronto Canada and the next two conventions will be held in; Hamburg, Germany June 1 - 5 2019 and Honolulu, Hawaii June 6 - 10 2020.
Here’s a great opportunity to make a difference to Auckland's parks. Come along with family and friends and help nurture green places for everyone to enjoy.
Saturday 30th June 2.00pm Meet by the scout den in Kinsale Avenue.
There are tasks available to accommodate most levels of fitness. Previous experience is not necessary. Light refreshments will be provided.
Equipment to bring: • a spade and gloves • sturdy shoes or boots (jandals are not suitable) • a raincoat and warm clothing • hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if it’s a sunny day
Please be sure to: • supervise children around the site and water areas • watch your step on uneven ground and take care when handling plants.
Tom finally decided to tie the knot with his longtime girlfriend.
One evening, after the honeymoon, he was welding some stuff in the garage just for fun.
His new wife was standing there at the bench watching him. After a long period of silence she finally spoke. "Honey,” she said. “ I've just been thinking. Now that we are married maybe it's time you quit spending all your time out here in the garage. You probably should just consider selling all your welders along with your gun collection and that stupid vintage Harley. A horrified look appeared on Tom’s face.
"Darling, what's wrong?" she asked. "For a minute there you were starting to sound like my ex-wife." "Ex-wife?" she screamed. "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE MARRIED BEFORE!" “I wasn't."
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.
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I joined St Johns Rotary in 2010.
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Colin was a Charter member of Rotary St. Johns in 1989. His first club position was Vocational Director in 1989 and since then he has held a significant number of roles including President in 2009 / 2010. This year he is St Johns Club Runner and Website Master.
Ainie Joined St. Johns Rotary in March 2013. She coordinated Speakers' program for 2 years and was President 2016/2017. She is now a member of the District Youth Leadership team as deputy chair and oversee the RYPEN and INTERACT programs.
