Did you realise that Labour Day was created to commemorates the eight-hour working day initiated by the labour union movement over a century ago?
The ‘eight-hour day’ recognises that each day has eight hours for work, eight for rest and eight for recreation. The origin of New Zealand’s labour movement goes back to 1840. Early Labour Day celebrations included parades with floats and banners, but the parade began to decline, and the day became simply a welcome holiday.
Creating a very welcome long-weekend in my family! I do hope the majority of you were also able to relax and enjoy a Monday off (and are looking forward to the bonus shorter week).
We had a superb meeting last week featuring our own members. Diverse, thought-provoking, interesting, well-travelled and funny. Thank you Alan, David and Lynette for sharing your stories with us.
Don’t forget this Thursday we have a “change up” in our schedule to an evening meet specifically so we could have Chris Farrelly, Chief Executive Officer/City Missioner, Auckland City Mission speak to us. In September Chris reported seeing a 40% increase in demand for emergency food parcels over the last year. Come and hear him talk about Auckland’s poverty cycle and what we can do to help.
Last Thursday, member and club photographer extraordinaire, Aubrey R-J, under went a medical procedure and it was very pleasing to hear that the procedure itself was without problems and the expected outcome is very positive. We look forward to seeing you back at the club as soon as you can make it Aubrey.
President "Resourceful Robyn" welcomed 27 members and 5 guests to last Thursday breakfast meeting, and prior to sharing "club notices", she welcomed all, including Lachlan Kerr and his family, Mum Tessa, Dad Damon and his younger sister. Lachlan is our club's sponsored Outbound Exchange Student. He is currently a Year 13 student at Sacred Heart College and he will be departing on his exchange on January 19th 2020 to Chile. We wish Lachlan best wishes as he ends his schooling at SHC and prepares for his exchange, and we look forward to seeing more of him before he departs and of course receiving regular updates on his adventures next year.
Two other important and urgent notices highlighted by Robyn, was the need for members to RSVP for this Thursday's Evening meeting just as soon as possible. Also if you have the time available, the club would welcome you volunteering to assist with the "Tag-on Tag-off collection at Orakei Station this Friday November 1st. See below for more details.
Alan Mayne was our first speaker of the morning and as Alan introduced himself, "he is one of the older men of the club, not oldest, but older as in longest serving"! As expected, Alan's Snapchat was very interesting and entertaining. He covered off his childhood, schooling, family and a very successful business career, despite getting stuck in Form 5 for a few years, like a few other members by the sounds of it! Alan ended his talk by sharing five observations / rules, that he has adopted;
The older you get the more dollars you need;
Keep on learning;
Eat healthily;
Exercise the brain as much as possible, and
Only mix with people you like.
Next up was Past President David Hartstone who has recently returned from a 24 day "Golfing Holiday", in Spain and Morocco. As an avid golf player this was a trip of a lifetime playing some of the best courses in the world. He had a great time playing golf most days. For a moment we thought that we were going to have a shot by shot slide-show of the 20 plus games he had, but alas this was not the case. We are not sure if there was a technical problem with the overhead, or did he cut his presentation short after Murray called from the floor asking ; "If we give you a Tea Towel now will you sit down"!!!
Dave also found the course-side villa that he intends to buy when he wins lotto - yes it does look nice and capable of hosting lots of visitors!!!. Next Golf Tour will be Canada.
Our third speaker was club member Lynette Boyd who has just returned from a three week, Train and River Tour of China. During her presentation Lynette relayed several experiences that have stuck with her, such as;
The population is huge and small cities have populations of "only" 5 million;
Chinese food tastes different in China;
Travelling on a tour is not for her;
Girls are more sort after than boys;
Everything was clean and spotless except the toilets;
She made no new friends on the tour, but some enemies
....and the list went on, but unfortunately the Ed. couldn't keep up with the hilarious one liners that flowed.
A big thank you to Alan, David and Lynette - we thoroughly enjoyed all three talks.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31st, DINNER MEETING - GUEST SPEAKER, CHRIS FARRELLY CEO AUCKLAND CITY MISSION:
Hear the insights on how we try and support those in need. The passion and drive of those who work closely with those in need. Note: This is an Evening Meeting / Dinner.
Click on "Read More", for a copy of Allan's e-mail which you should have received last week. This provides more detail.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7th, BREAKFAST MEETING;
In-house Committee and Project Forums. The last for the year - be sure to attend to have your say and offer your services!
DECEMBER 7th - St. JOHN'S ROTARY CLUB 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
To be held at Remuera Golf Club - Save the date and mark in your Calendar now! Note: Dec 5th Meeting will be cancelled.
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.
Our Club is joining all others in the District participating in this fund raising exercise with funds going towards; "End Polio Now". The event will require club members to support a collection campaign on Friday November 1st, and our nominated railway station is "Meadowbank Station".
Volunteers are needed for 2 hour shifts, 2 persons per shift, (6-8am, 8-10am then 4-6pm) to collect for Polio from train commuters at the each of the Meadowbank and the ORAKEI train stations. The times have been limited to those where there will be the greatest impact from our presence (ie. peak hours)
This will be a very enjoyable experience. Forecast is for fine weather.
Please go to https://rotarystjohns.club/event/polio-collection---meadowbank-station/ (for all times for both train stations) and enter your name against a shift. If you wish to do the shift with your better half or a friend, please enter their name as well. That web site also has all the details.
If you have any queries please call Murray Hutchinson 021 069 0203.
This week it was the turn of pupils at Glen Brae Primary School to receive their own personal Dictionary, from St. Johns Rotary. Once again Michele was there to make the presentation to some very appreciative and happy students.
The club's October Environmental Challenge is coming to an end. You still have time to complete the challenge;
Stop using plastic bags, freely available in the Supermarket, for fruit and vegetables. Alternatively take home purchases loose, or use the recyclable gauze bags, as pictured below. These bags can be purchased at minimal cost at all major supermarkets.
Also avoid purchasing pre-packaged fruit and vegetables in plastic and cling wrap - again use the reuseable gauze bags for these items. Good luck with this challenge!
Paddy thought his new girlfriend might be the one for him.
But, after looking through her wardrobe one day and finding a Nurse’s outfit, a French maid’s outfit and a Police Woman’s uniform, he finally decided ….. If she couldn’t hold down a job, then she wasn’t for him.
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. Enjoy your Rotary: Be an active Rotarian
Alan Mayne was our first speaker of the morning and as Alan introduced himself, "he is one of the older men of the club, not oldest, but older as in longest serving"! As expected, Alan's Snapchat was very interesting and entertaining. He covered off his childhood, schooling, family and a very successful business career, despite getting stuck in Form 5 for a few years, like a few other members by the sounds of it! Alan ended his talk by sharing five observations / rules, that he has adopted;
Next up was Past President David Hartstone who has recently returned from a 24 day "Golfing Holiday", in Spain and Morocco. As an avid golf player this was a trip of a lifetime playing some of the best courses in the world. He had a great time playing golf most days. For a moment we thought that we were going to have a shot by shot slide-show of the 20 plus games he had, but alas this was not the case. We are not sure if there was a technical problem with the overhead, or did he cut his presentation short after Murray called from the floor asking ; "If we give you a Tea Towel now will you sit down"!!!
Our third speaker was club member Lynette Boyd who has just returned from a three week, Train and River Tour of China. During her presentation Lynette relayed several experiences that have stuck with her, such as;
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31st, DINNER MEETING - GUEST SPEAKER, CHRIS FARRELLY CEO AUCKLAND CITY MISSION:
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The club's October Environmental Challenge is coming to an end. You still have time to complete the challenge;
