Thank you everyone for contributing to our colourful Changeover evening. What a great turnout and super evening we had!
Changeover provided a really lovely event to thank Allan’s outgoing team and to welcome in my “team” but better still, provided the perfect occasion to celebrate and honour the commitment and ongoing work of David Hartstone and Alex Gatt with Paul Harris Fellow Awards. We will also be sure to let Glendowie College’s new HOD Music (Andrew Lile) know that GDC’s Jazz Band was just superb. I hope you enjoy reading our Editor's account of the evening further on in this Bulletin.
To start off this Rotary year, I am looking forward to your input for our discussion meeting on Thursday morning.
Well done and congrats to PP Allan, President Robyn, Brian, David and anyone else who had a part to play to ensure that we gave Allan the farewell he deserved, and Robyn the welcome she deserved!
On behalf of President Allan, our MC for the night, David H, (in his best Blue Suit ans all), opened the meeting welcoming all 90 present - Rotarians, spouses, partners, family, friends and a special welcome to VIP guests; Councillor Desley Simpson; Outgoing ADG Pam Clark and husband Rodney, Incoming ADG Dennis Mallard and his wife Helen, President Pakuranga RC Bart Signal, President Remuera RC Catherine Holden, District 9920 RYE Chair Tracey Faber and her husband Jon Faber (Past President RC Papakura).
Other guests included RYE students (our guest speakers) – Gonza, Viki and Jenni and ROTA Pacific guests (from Fiji, Cook Islands and Tahiti), and the Glendowie College Jazz Band who played fabulous music throughout the evening.
Looking splendid in his very colourful shirt and sporting the chains of office, (for the last time), Allan also welcomed all and thanked St. Johns RC members, family and friends for their support and efforts over the past year. Just some of the highlights for the year were; ONJA, the Golf Tournament, the Food Bank Collection for the GI CAB, Have a Go Sailing and water safety programme, Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen project to name but a few. During the year the Club gave back to the community in excess of $80,000 via a variety of projects and programmes, supported HAG Sailing to the tune of $20,000 and was able to donate $20,000 to Kids Can from funds raised from the Golf Tournament.
Allan extended a special thanks to his Board for all their support and efforts across the various committees. He also acknowledged the significant efforts put in by Megan - Interact Liason Officer, Ainie for all she does for the Club, as well as being the District Rotarian of the year, his wife Sue for all her support and there was also a special thank you extended to the Bulletin Editor for his efforts - thanks Allan, the acknowledgement is much appreciated!
It was then time for two very special acknowledgements and awards to two members; David Hartstone was awarded a Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow, for all his efforts and particularly the organisation behind the Golf Tournament and, yes Dave, we did hear you say you will be happy to continue the role for another 10 years! Alex Gatt was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of all he does and has done for the Club over many years, much of it behind the scenes - it was great to see Alex's family present to help him celebrate the award. Well done Dave and Alex, well deserved and a special thanks to past ADG Pam for being present to make the awards.
Before the official Change-Over and prior to handing over the chain of office to PE Robyn, Allan extended a big thanks to all our sponsors, with special acknowledgement of Graham Fabian and New World Lunn Ave for whose sponsorship we are eternally grateful - Thanks Graham.
PRESIDENT ROBYN, looking the part with the Presidents Chain sitting securely around her neck, then introduced her Board and support team;
Here is the official list for your info:
ST JOHNS ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NAME
President Elect
Hugh Scott-Russell
Youth Services - Projects, Vocation & Education
Kevin Kevany & Rosemary Such
Membership
Donald Bowie
Club Services
Allan Smith
Community – International
Muriel Roake
Community – Local
Tricia Gerrard
Environment & Science
Peter Buchanan
Foundation
Gary Key
Secretary / Treasurer
Alex Gatt
OFFICERS
Fellowship
Michelle Forman
Bulletin
Peter Walsh
Photographer
Aubrey Richardson- Jones
Website / Facebook / Media
Colin Robinson
Sergeant
Miles Cain
Robyn then thanked the outgoing Board and Officers and her family for their support and encouragement before she unveiled the theme for the year - "SMALL ACTS - BIG IMPACT".
Prior to dessert and the end of the evening, we were fortunate to hear from three of the District's Rotary Youth Exchange participants; our own Gonza, Jennifer from Germany and Viktoria from Austria. Each shared some very interesting facts and figures about their home country, national dishes, schooling and their home families. They also talked about their New Zealand experiences and there is no doubt that they are making the most of the opportunity. When asked what the highlight of their exchanges have been, comments such as; amazing, everyday has been a highlight, the Canyon Swing, the Challenge Camp experience, were shared. If you haven't thought of hosting a RYE student before, hopefully after hearing from these three students, will have you thinking about it!
The final formality of the night was to hear from members of the ROTA Pacific group who are in the country to attend RYLA. It sounds as if they were having a great trip and they are very appreciative of the opportunity. We wish them well at RYLA and thank them for taking the time to join our special dinner.
Please click on "Read More", to see more photos of a great Change-Over.
BREAKFAST MEETING THURSDAY JULY 4th - "OUR CLUB MOVING FORWARD";
If you want to have your say in how our club looks and acts over the next Rotary Year, this is a must attend meeting:
What do you think Rotary Club of St John's primary objective is?
What is important to you: Participation OR Attendance?
The business of Meetings
Please be sure to attend and "have your say".
BREAKFAST MEETING THURSDAY JULY 11th, FIRST COMBINED COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE YEAR: More detail to come - watch this space. Like our meeting on July 4th, this is another very important meeting to attend to be sure you have your say in planning for the year ahead, as well as to hear more detail about what's already in the planning stages.
BREAKFAST MEETING JULY 18th. Members John Cornaga and Aubrey Richardson-Jones have both recently returned from wonderful trips to Europe and they are both looking forward to sharing their experiences with fellow members.
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.
Robyn would like your input for "our" next Rotary year. Please come along and "have your say" at the July 4 (morning meeting). She would like to discuss:
What do you think Rotary Club of St John's primary objective is?
What is important to you: Participation OR Attendance?
Gonza had a busy week preparing for his presentation at Change-Over and completing the making and packaging of the Argentinian Truffles. They were delicious Truffles Gonza and great packaging presentation too - thanks and well done!!!
The Yachting "World Chapmionship 49ers, 49er FX, and Nacra 17 catamarans", will be held in Auckland, out of the Akarana Yacht Club, between the 24th November and the 8th December 2019 and Yachting New Zealand are looking for Volunteers to help make this event a success.
Here is an opportunity to pay back New Zealand Yachting for their support of St. Johns Rotary and the Have a Go Sailing programme. All you need to know about this opportunity is in the email below and by reviewing the information available via the following link; https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/get-involved-49erfx-nacra-17-world-champs Thanks for considering this opportunity.
From: Raynor Haagh <raynor@yachtingnz.org.nz> Date: 25 June 2019 at 9:18:15 PM NZST To: Gary Key <gkey@xtra.co.nz> Subject:Volunteers for World Championships December 2019 RAYC
Hi Gary
When I saw you on the last day of the Rotary Volvo Sailing Have A Go! sailing days we discussed briefly the opportunity for volunteers to get involved in the upcoming major world championship event Yachting New Zealand is hosting in conjunction with Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
It is the world championships and final Olympic qualifying event and selection trials for a lot of countries in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so it is looking to be a great and exciting event to be a part of. The classes racing are the high flying exciting classes – 49ers, 49er FX, and Nacra 17 catamarans.
The main event runs between 3rd December to 8th December, but the week prior we have a pre-regatta and there will be registration and measurement of 200 yachts to manage in between. So need helpers across both weeks basically any help on any days between the 24th November and the 8th December will be appreciated.
I am wondering if you are please able to share the invitation to be involved in this event and sign up to volunteer their time and expertise to help us in the event. We have lots of on shore roles or on water helpers roles needing to be filled. We are ultimately looking for about 150 people to help out over the course of the event, we are expecting to be hosting at least 400 sailors, plus coaches, managers and supporters.
The form asks for information about the person volunteering, next of kin and any health information or dietary requirements we need to know about, and we ask what they would like to do and they are available.
I appreciate your help circulating this with your members (and their networks), it will be a neat event to be a part of, something a bit different perhaps for many of your members.
Please contact me with any questions or direct your interested members to get in touch.
Anie Kwok has been involved in this programme for some time, and she was at the mid year graduation ceremony at One Tree Hill College last week. Probably unbeknown to many members, our newest Paul Harris Fellow Alex Gatt, has also been a reading tutor with the program for the last 5 years.
The young man pictured here with Alex has been his student since the beginning of the year and he has now graduated from the program thanks to Alex - thanks Alex for your contribution to this Rotary programme.
An unnamed Rotarian recently shared with me the email below that he had just received!!
"Hi xxxxxx,
Global Facts About Sex - Did you know;
At any given moment:
FACT: 79,000,000 people are having sex - right now. FACT: 58,000,000 are kissing. FACT: 37,000,000 are relaxing after having sex. FACT: 1 old person is reading emails.
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.
On behalf of President Allan, our MC for the night, David H, (in his best Blue Suit ans all), opened the meeting welcoming all 90 present - Rotarians, spouses, partners, family, friends and a special welcome to VIP guests; Councillor Desley Simpson; Outgoing ADG Pam Clark and husband Rodney, Incoming ADG Dennis Mallard and his wife Helen, President Pakuranga RC Bart Signal, President Remuera RC Catherine Holden, District 9920 RYE Chair Tracey Faber and her husband Jon Faber (Past President RC Papakura).
Looking splendid in his very colourful shirt and sporting the chains of office, (for the last time), Allan also welcomed all and thanked St. Johns RC members, family and friends for their support and efforts over the past year. Just some of the highlights for the year were; ONJA, the Golf Tournament, the Food Bank Collection for the GI CAB, Have a Go Sailing and water safety programme, Cure Kids Fiji Oxygen project to name but a few. During the year the Club gave back to the community in excess of $80,000 via a variety of projects and programmes, supported HAG Sailing to the tune of $20,000 and was able to donate $20,000 to Kids Can from funds raised from the Golf Tournament.
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Gonza had a busy week preparing for his presentation at Change-Over and completing the making and packaging of the Argentinian Truffles. They were delicious Truffles Gonza and great packaging presentation too - thanks and well done!!! 
The young man pictured here with Alex has been his student since the beginning of the year and he has now graduated from the program thanks to Alex - thanks Alex for your contribution to this Rotary programme.