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President's Message
I have been very busy over the last few weeks as we all are and at times you just want to check out and do nothing. This is where with my grandson fishing comes into our lives. A day on the water produces a happy place and resets the batteries to full and away we charge on again. Our Rotary calendar is full now right up to June 2019 and it is important that all engage in these events. To support us we have also entered into a collaboration with Remuera Rotary to ensure that both clubs in our community are able to deliver great results.
We are in the planning stage of our annual golf tournament and in the near future we will be able to announce further details of any important community partnership alongside our sponsor support.
 
With daylight saving now with us it does feel warmer and the sun stays around a lot longer. Time to leave the TV turned off and take advantage of what our city and parks have to offer.
Have a great week.
 
Kindest regards
Allan
 
President – Rotary St Johns
Stories
Dinner Meeting - October 4th
Although not a sell-out, 65 members and guests, including the RYLA Awardees, attended a very informative dinner meeting.  The evening was broken into 3 key segments; RYLA Report, Sam Lucas Live from Madagascar and of course last, but far from least, a delicious dinner.
 
First-up, RYLA
St. Johns Rotary together with some key Corporate Sponsors, such as "New World Lunn Ave", and the "Intent Group", sponsored 8 participants at RYLA 2018.  Unfortunately four of the Awardees were unable to attend, but the four who did attend; Malcolm, Ashleigh, Ojan and Ruby, were introduced by Tom S.  All four, who also spoke on behalf of the other's shared some very personal stories of how the week has impacted on their lives.  Statements that we have come to hear year after year, from all RYLA Awardees were;
"It was a life changing experience"
"It literally saved my life"
"We've made life long friends"
"Taught me that nothing is too hard to accomplish - if the front door is closed, use the back door"
"Building a strong me, helping me build my own brand"
"Remove labels and fight back if necessary"
"I learnt the importance of having a strong foundation"
...and of course a huge thank you to the Rotary Club of St. Johns.
 
The RYLA presentation ended with a video of the weeks activities, which included some very impressive footage shot from a drone.  The Video was filmed and edited by Jono Ross, son of Rotay District RYLA fame, Peter Ross.
 
 
Click "Read More" now for the onja update and more photos of the dinner meeting: 
Read more...
Club Activities - Important Dates
Combined Committee Meeting October 11th:
These committee meetings will be held at our Thursday morning Breakfast this week.  Please do all you can to attend and have your say on the future direction of your Committee.
 
More Important Dates to Diary: Click "Read  More" now;
Read more...
Blood Pressure Awareness Day
Many thanks to all who provided their time to support Blood Pressure Awareness Day.  These two photos taken at New World Lunn Ave showing Jane Belthazar and prospective new member Pagutharavin Manimaran helping John and Jonathan from (the other) "St Johns".
 
 
Polio Eradication
Polio Outbreak in Papua New Guinea - the following story provided by Peter Buchanan
If, like me, you have sometimes questioned the need for Rotary to continue to fund global polio eradication, I think the answer is closer to home that we’d guessed.  On RNZ National 5 Oct. came news, from Enga Province in PNG’s highlands, of the death of a 9-month-old baby from polio after the virus paralysed its lung muscles.  
Altogether, 14 people have been confirmed with the virus in PNG since the first case in June 2018. Ten of those affected are children under 5 years, across 5 provinces, and all have suffered some form of paralysis. PNG was declared free of polio in 2000, and apparently reduced funding for vaccinations soon afterwards.
In response to the return of polio in PNG, 9,000 World Health Organisation workers are undertaking a mass vaccination programme in every province, and early signs indicate that this is being effective in stopping further spread.
With World Polio Day on 24 Oct., and our polio fundraising on Mon. 12 Nov. via the Bohemian Rhapsody film (tickets from Penny and Hugh), there’s a need for funding to continue vaccination in countries such as Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and PNG.
Fellowship at District Conference - Earlybird Registrations Now Open
The Board and the St. Johns Fellowship team would love to see a large group of St John's members attending next year's District Conference.  The theme for the conference is "Keep Rotary Real".  Please mark in your diaries now and don't delay registering to ensure you receive the "Early Bird" discount - space is limited:
 
 
2019 District 9920 Conference
Napier Conference Centre
10 - 12 May 2019
 
Including the Conference, other activities to join in on are:
  • District Governor’s Golf Tournament
  • Art Deco Walking Tour
  • An Art Deco vintage car driving tour
  • Hawkes Bay Farmers Market in Hastings on Sunday morning
  • Bike winery tour
  • Wine tastings at the Conference venue
Registrations are now open!  Please "Read More" for links to Registration.
 
If you are interested in attending, please also advise Michelle Forman  - Email:  mertie.forman@gmail.com
Read more...
Now that you have got this far - Something to bring a smile to your face.

Young Paddy bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.

The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. 

The next day he drove up and said, 'Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey's died.' 

Paddy replied, 'Well then just give me my money back.' 

The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I've already spent it.' 

Paddy said, 'OK, then, just bring me the dead donkey.' 

The farmer asked, 'What are you going to do with him?' 

Paddy said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.' 

The farmer said, 'You can't raffle a dead donkey!'  
Paddy said, 'Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead.' 

A month later, the farmer met up with Paddy and asked, 'What happened with that dead donkey?' 

Paddy said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at $2 each and made a profit of $898.' 

The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?' 

Paddy said, 'Just the guy who won.

So I gave him his $2 back.'

Club Contacts

President:  Allan Smith 021 959397 
Secretary, Treasurer:  Alex Gatt  021 571722
Apologies:  Alex Gatt - gatt@xtra.co.nz
President Elect:  Robyn Ingram - robyn.ingram@outlook.com
Sergeant Major:  Michelle Forman
Club Services Director: Brian Fergus bfergus@xtra.co.nz
Bulletin Editors: Pete Walsh & Alan Mayne - walshp@xtra.co.nz
Membership Director:  Robyn Ingram
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
Our Meetings
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at 7 am for 7.15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month,
when we meet in the evening at 6 pm for dinner.
 
Remuera Golf Club
120 Abbotts Way, Remuera, Auckland, 1072
New Zealand 
 
All Rotarian's are welcome including family members.
 
Others wanting to visit are most welcome to contact:
Next meeting: 
Thursday 11th October 2018
Breakfast Meeting:
7.00 am for 7.15 am
Meeting Responsibilities
11th October 2018
 
Set Up
Cain, Miles
 
Attendance
McGarry, Penny
 
Greeter
Leyland, Penny
 
Standby
Gerrard, Tricia
 
SetDown
Robertson, Andrew
 
Thanks Close
Walsh, Peter
 
18thOctober 2018
 
Set Up
Street, Tom
 
Attendance
Bowie, Donald
 
Greeter
Boyd, Lynette
 
Standby
Hartstone, David
 
Speaker Host
Benge, Frances
 
Set Down
Gatt, Alex
 
Thanks Close
Cornaga, John
 
25th October
 
Set Up
Fergus, Brian
 
Attendance
Key, Gary
 
Greeter
Roake, Muriel
 
Speaker Host
Ingram, Robyn
 
Standby
Such, Rosemary
 
Thanks Close
Harris, Lesley
 
Set Down
Fergus, Brian
 
Speakers
Oct 11, 2018
Combined Committee meeting
Oct 18, 2018
Update on the KidsCan Trust and the Challenges Faced
Oct 25, 2018
Launch of Cure Kids Oygenator project in Fiji
Nov 01, 2018
A Visual History of Satire
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Combined Committees breakfast
Oct 11, 2018
 
WineFriend Wildcard Wine Evening
Remuera Golf Club
Nov 03, 2018
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
 
Day Trip to Hauturu / Little Barrier Is. Date TBC
Nov 17, 2018
 
Great Auckland Duck Race
Vector Wero White Water Park
Nov 25, 2018
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Trivia Quiz Night
Glen Taylor School
Nov 30, 2018
6:15 PM – 10:00 PM
 
BE  AN  ACTIVE  PARTICIPANT  IN  OUR  VIBRANT  CLUB
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
 
Actions of Choice Inspire Communities