Last Thursday I missed the productive committee discussions at our Club meeting, instead searching for fungi in the forests near Lake Brunner, Westland – and after dark making the discovery of a new luminescent mushroom!
This Thursday, we are fortunate to have Paul Minett of Trip Convergence Ltd speaking to us on his novel method to solve Auckland’s traffic congestion problems without building infrastructure, and without congestion pricing. Learn about his system called “reverse tolls” whereby people are paid to travel as passengers in preference to driving their own car.
Have you scanned your May copy of “Rotary Down Under” magazine? There are several articles that I recommend: p. 14 – Invercargill’s Rotary Dream House that raised $200,000 for charity, in a city where 1 in 200 people is a Rotarian! p. 16 – beginning a new series of articles on the environment “Let’s Save the World: Global Warning”; and p. 47 – Soils for Life, seeking to promote regenerative land practices to restore health to our environment and on farmland.
Time to plan for our own St Johns environmental projects. A beach cleanup, and tree-planting on Motutapu Is. will be announced soon. And a freshwater monitoring activity with our local schools is under discussion.
Last Monday evening saw a large contingent of around 25 St John's members supporting our team for the "Great Debate" against Auckland East Club, which was held at Five Knots (Auckland East's meeting venue). For our newer members - this is an annual event which the two Clubs take turns at hosting. The mote was: Is the America's Cup only beneficial to Auckland?
St John's team consisted of Hugh, Chris and Nick (pictured). Together they delivered impassioned, informed, articulate and polished arguments. In comparison, the Auckland East team seemed repetitive and unimaginative. Sadly, due to historic rules and mandatory bias, Auckland East were awarded the coveted (?) Toilet Trophy for this year.
Stupendous thanks to Hugh, Chris and Nick for their inspired and supreme debating effort. A thoroughly enjoyable event.
Pictured: Auckland East President Nicola Baker and their debate team and judges with St John's Debate team and our President Peter.
It was lovely to have Roger back with us. He gave us an update on his work and very proudly wore two beautifully crafted necklaces that were presented to him by students and staff.
The pieces (made from shells) had been commissioned to honour his work with them and he was very touched by the cost and effort that had gone into creating them.
Those that have attended the Taveuni Trivia Night on 1 March may be wondering on the progress of the refurbishing of Waiyevo Hospital. Just to refresh our memory, the funds raised was targeted for the refurbishment of one of the burnout building at Waiveyo Hospital. This building will be refurbished and converted to a 5bedroom unit for expectant mothers and family that would otherwise have to endure long bumpy roads to the island’s only hospital. This is what we started with early in the year 2018. Between then and May 2018, the team at RC Taveuni have been busy with the project and have also hosted the team from RC Waikato Sunrise in early May.
On 26 April, the team at Taveuni installed window frames and an extra bedroom was constructed, roof extended over the ground area with clothes lines. This area will be concreted and join up with porch area to left of trestle. The roof is now completed, facia boards undercoated. Good weather has helped with progress on the project. The bedroom extension /addition, ready for ply ceiling and roofing iron.
All roofing has been completed, and undercoated twice and by end day 2 finish coats completed inside and out. Louvre frames and windows in place. The building is now waiting for floor and bathroom tiling, plumbing and electrical. Love the colour scheme. The same paint colour is used throughout all building projects in Taveuni for cost saving measures.
Geoff and the team in Taveuni appreciates the financial support that have made this project viable. The huge effort and contribution from both the local team and the RC Waikato Sunrise made a big difference to the project. The house is indeed an eye catcher, in the midst of two other dwellings which badly need repairs.
Thank you to all members who were able to attend last Thursday's meeting. After a catch-up on general news and an enthusiastic Sergeant's session, in lieu of a speaker, we instead held a Combined Committee session. This proved to be a very productive way to "make up" for the cancelled Combined Committee session last month.
Committee Directors, please endeavour to get out Minutes to your Committee's to keep everyone "in the loop". If anyone is not sure what committee they have been assigned to, please check Your Clubrunner. Depending on your interests, you are welcome to move to a different Committee - just approach the Committee Director. Committee's will be further refined after Changeover (June 7).
Many Rotarian's were privileged to hear Dr Dickinson present at last year’s 9920 District Conference or have heard her at other functions. She is so inspiring, our Club is happy to give her latest project a plug – particularly as it has a ‘donation’ option which will appeal to many of us.
St John's Club Member Gary Key is delighted to announce that discussions with Orakei Marina have "successfully" concluded. They have agreed to make a "significant" donation to support the "Have A Go" Sailing Program.
The Rotary Club of St John's extends sincere thanks to Orakei Marina and also to the Chenery Trust for their ongoing support of the superb "Have A Go" sailing program.
Designed to give primary and intermediate school students the opportunity to try sailing in a safe and well managed environment, this program is taking place at Okahu Bay. This year's program started on May 1st with Panmure District School (pictured). Below is an extensive list of schools now participating. St John's members are warmly invited to drop-by on any of these days to see what they get up to. Click Read More to see additional photographs from Day 1.
Thank you for your club's support of this year's Challenge Camp.
We would like to invite you to attend this year's Challenge Camp final night dinner and concert.
During the dinner you'll be able to chat with the campers and International Youth Exchange students and find out what they've been up to over the week.
After dinner the concert will begin - this is when all the campers and IYE students will perform and is an absolute highlight of the week.
If you wish to attend dinner, the cost is $20.00 per person which you can pay by cash on the night.
If you are unable to attend, we would love you to extend the invitation to any other member/s of your Rotary Club, in particular those interested in Youth projects.
Please RSVP by emailing me by Saturday 12th May, advising whether you'll come for dinner or the concert only, the name of those attending, your Rotary Club name and whether there are any special dietary requirements.
Should you have any questions, please let me know.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 17th May if you can make it.
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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Last Monday evening saw a large contingent of around 25 St John's members supporting our team for the "Great Debate" against Auckland East Club, which was held at Five Knots (Auckland East's meeting venue). For our newer members - this is an annual event which the two Clubs take turns at hosting. The mote was: Is the America's Cup only beneficial to Auckland?
It was lovely to have Roger back with us. He gave us an update on his work and very proudly wore two beautifully crafted necklaces that were presented to him by students and staff. 
Thank you to all members who were able to attend last Thursday's meeting. After a catch-up on general news and an enthusiastic Sergeant's session, in lieu of a speaker, we instead held a Combined Committee session. This proved to be a very productive way to "make up" for the cancelled Combined Committee session last month.
Below is an extensive list of schools now participating. St John's members are warmly invited to drop-by on any of these days to see what they get up to. Click Read More to see additional photographs from Day 1.