Seas the Day

Geoff Thorpe has served as President and Director of Yachting New Zealand, is a former Law Professor and senior partner in a legal practice and a skilled raconteur.  In the process of completing a round the world adventure in a 50-foot catamaran, Geoff had plenty of tales to tell on Monday evening of the sights and sounds and adventures and risks experienced since he and his wife first set sail in the catamaran from Westhaven in May 2011. Trekking up through the Solomon’s, Indonesia and Singapore and then spending 3 years cruising the Mediterranean meant not only spectacular landscapes and friendly locals numerous encounters with officious immigration and border control authorities.

Avoiding ice bergs in the Arctic Circle required that sometimes Geoff would need to go 2 days without sleep. The Catamaran is currently parked at Chesapeake Bay waiting for Geoff and his wife to commence the final leg of their voyage back to New Zealand. The primary objective of the cruise around the world has been to have fun and it was clear from Geoff’s address and his observations of some of the places that they have visited that a trip with such a leisurely schedule and thousands of places to visit cannot fail to generate fun but also an experience which would be very difficult to match.

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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Bob Ritchie
April 5
 
Graham Rea
April 7
 
Mike Collins
April 8
 
Warren Savage
April 8
 
Spouse Birthdays
Trish Woodcock
April 4
 
Jenny Wieland
April 7
 
Judy Wardell
April 8
 
Haydn Wilkinson
April 16
 
Joan Guthrie
April 27
 
Rotary Youth Exchange applications CLOSING SOON
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Host Families Needed

In a few months Pakuranga Rotary is hosting another Exchange Student - Viktoria Melber from Austria.

We need more host families to make Viktoria's year successful.

Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They can be Rotarians or non-Rotarians, and may include young children, older children, grand children or no children at all.

Hosting a student brings the world to your place - you meet someone from another country, share their culture, their language, and their perspective of the world. At the same time they will learn about you and life in New Zealand which makes if a fun and enjoyable two-way experience.

Can you help with hosting or do you know someone that may be interested?
If yes or want more information, then please phone me on 0272046471 or email bartsignalnz@gmail.com.

Also refer to the Rotary Youth Exchange website for information www.youthexchange.org.nz

District Conference

David Waddell reported on the District Conference held at the Sofitel, Denarau.  Our exchange student Chris received rave reviews and David was also particularly impressed by Rotarian Jennifer Jones of Canada, one of four women directors on the RI Board.  The memorable Conference featured Australian Cricketer Dean Jones as the guest speaker at the Saturday night dinner. And all of our club except Pres Dave and Elizabeth and David and Judy and Chris missed it!

Myrtle Rust Spreads Further

News that myrtle rust is now in the Manawatu and the top of the South Island is disappointing, but not a surprise given the rapid escalation of the disease across the country over the past month. MPI are reporting more than 550 myrtle rust sites and 40 new detections are being reported each week.

http://mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/media-releases/new-approach-to-manage-myrtle-rust/

Rotary International News

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