Both Georgie and Viktoria were given and took the many opportunities offered, to see and experience new cultures while on exchange. For Georgie this included trips to many parts of Europe on the Europe tour and Cologne in Germany on a school trip and Majorca [part of the Spanish Balearic Isles] on a family holiday.  For Viktoria it involved the South Island trip and visits to places all over the North Island. She recounted all of the many activities she took part in ranging from the school ball, Marae visit, Challenge Camp, Tongariro crossing, school sports teams and many Rotary activities.

On Monday the 27 the of May, the Board arranged a special meeting to welcome three new members into the Auxiliary branch of our Rotary Club. This particular evening was the only time one of our new people was available for Induction, as he was off overseas the following week. During the mix and mingle, a 40 slide PowerPoint of the Auxiliary members community involvement was running. This gave a clear insight of both the impact and the fun they have been having… a very fresh approach to Rotary.

 Before the formal induction, we heard from three younger members, introducing themselves and telling us a little about that makes them tick.

First up was Crystal Leung, our 20 year old Engineering Student, with a rather witty PowerPoint that gave us a good insight into her family, her interests and how much she appreciated Rotary Grandpa Duncan’s financial support the enabled her to become a Rotarian.

Next we had Rachel Wong, a 19 year old Health Science student who had prepared a comprehensive electronic display of her achievements during her last year at Pakuranga College. Se too, was gracious in her thanks to Rotary Grandpa Peter Armstrong, for his generous support of her.

Lastly, Joe D’Ambrosio, from the USA and the Hard Materials teacher at Farm Cove Intermediate, told of his decision to settle in NZ with his Kiwi wife and his pride in her achievements.

He then handed Bart a “cheque” for $1,131.00 which was money raised by a couple of Auxiliary members, selling household surplus donated by two Pakuranga Rotary members.

Last Monday we welcomed Melissa Chan-Brown, Newshub presenter and reporter, to our meeting and we were delighted to tune in to her presentation. 

Do you recall Melissa visiting our Pakuranga Rotary some 20 years ago as a member of the Pakuranga College debating team? I am sure Peter Woodcock does.

Melissa joined TV3 12 years ago and was based in London for 5 years reporting on Royal activities, terror attacks in Paris and no two days were the same but there was always the challenge to be first with developments then write up the story and edit it for the news that night. She is now filing stories for radio and various news slots.

For a computer and internet bunny, what a challenge to provide some sort of summary of what John Taylor told us about the cloud this week!

However, what I think I learned (E&OE) was:

• The cloud provides the ability to access high speed computing over the internet.

• What makes this possible is the provision of multiple data centres all over the world, always available and durable and, most importantly, totally secure. Currently 20 centres are in service with another 4 on the way,

• Sydney is our closest centre. N.Z. lacks security of power supply to be viable for this purpose.

• Amazon Company, in 2006, decided to sell infrastructure as a service (iaas) based on its own development of massive systems of racks to handle its world-wide sales of books then other products.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) floated at $US18 per share – now worth about $1900!

• The data centres provide at least 160 services to customers e.g.  app. creation, A.I., web applications, internet of things etc. etc.

• Economy of scale has greatly reduced the cost of maintaining storage of data for customers whilst giving fastest performance, highest availability and reliability, the largest and most flexible global footprint and the strongest security.

• You don’t buy a package, you just pay for what is used, when and where.

• All data inputted is owned by the provider and can only be accessed by the provider’s personal system.

When Noel Holyoake joined Rotary in 1963 he had been in business in Rongotai for 10 years. Rotary clubs in that era were defined by a commercial area and classifications were important. Noel was in the oil heating and air conditioning business and his firm manufactured sheet metal piping. What it needed to develop was the ability to incorporate bends in that piping.

After being shown the door by one potential contact in Los Angeles who might have assisted, Noel attended a meeting the next day at the Wiltshire Boulevard Rotary. When he explained his predicament to a member at the club he was quickly referred to another Rotarian who had already solved the puzzle and who was delighted to make a movie of the process for Noel.  By the end of his visit, that fellow Rotarian had sourced the necessary manufacturing machinery in Salt Lake City which promptly ended up in New Zealand.  One good turn deserved another and Noel was able to acquire a 1930 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost in the neighbourhood which was shipped back to the club in Los Angeles which had a particular use for it.  When another product which could bend was subsequently developed by Noel’s team, a Rotarian happened to be President of a sheetmetal association and it was that contact which lead to the patents for the new process being sold to that association, all made possible and achieved through Rotary connections.

While commenting about the intermix of Rotary and Business, Noel also took time to laud the achievements of the Pakuranga Rotary including the introduction of RYLA, the emergency box scheme and trees for survival. While Noel maintains he owes much to Rotary, Pakurang Rotary and community clearly owe much to Noel.

Pakuranga Rotary had the privilege of hearing from Penelope and learning of her background. She has been in New Zealand for 12 years and vividly recalls the Rainbow which greeted her when she first arrived.  Having worked in hospitality for 5 years locally, she has set out to pursue a career that will satisfy her for a lifetime and is now in real estate. She joined Rotary to make a difference in her Community, and for the joy of contributing to Humanitarian causes. She has worked in both the United States and Brazil and is proficient in both Portugese and Spanish and has a young family. It is a delight to welcome Penelope.

Initial conceptions of 3 Artists have been selected to go to the development design phase for this 50^th Anniversary project.  It is intended that there will be a presentation to the club in July at which details of the 3 outstanding entries will be provided and input sought from club members.  An initial site has been identified at Sanctuary Point and the art work is intended to be a visible enduring attribute to the community which references the Clubs long term commitment to Pakuranga.

Anna Salmon is a Reading Recovery Teacher at Panmure and has put out a call for more Volunteers for the Reading Recovery Programme at Panmure Bridge School.  If you know of anybody interested in helping in this very gentle way the advancement of children, please contact Guy Clapshaw or Carol Holmes of the Auxilliary Club.

Our guest speaker last week was Peter Willyams an experienced Ports of Auckland Pilot .

Peter was born in the Cook Islands but grew up in Howick and attended Cockle Bay Primary, Howick Intermediate and Kings College where he specialised in Science and Mathematics . He commenced sailing by joining Sea Scouts and eventually the family purchased a Sunburst yacht. He was sponsored on to the Spirit of Adventure and then decided on a maritime career. He went to sea in  Y1981 as a cadet with the China Navigation Company and studied at the Auckland Maritime School. Peter then joined Gearbulk/KGIS then Saga Forest Carriers and served on the same ship for 11 years .

Geoffrey passed away Friday 12 April in Auckland, after an extended period of illness.

He leaves a huge legacy of helping communities in Fiji, in particular on Taveuni Island.

Geoffrey initiated the Rotary Club of Taveuni and led significant Rotary projects over many years, to improve Fiji’s health, education and housing- working extensively with the Rotary Organisation, and other partners.

His legacy will be the many lives he changed for the better. He has been an inspiration

We send our condolences to his family and his community

The following is taken from Geoff’s own recent writing.

“The Rotary Club of Taveuni Island is made up of 11 active members who represent the cultural mix of Taveuni and we do anything that benefits the health and education in rural communities.  For twelve years we have run the largest totally free South Pacific cataract surgery program.  From the time the patient leaves home and returns, irrespective of their location anywhere in the Fiji Islands, we cover all costs, providing meals, accommodation, sunglasses, post-op medication, laundry, tooth brushes etc.  My wife Joey runs Patient Services with her team of volunteers and they produce about 400 meals plus a day for four different cultures on 2 x two burner gas stoves. We own over 100 single mattresses and pillows, plus all the required bed linen for the patients and the theatre.  Our surgical equipment is worth over $500,000 and now with two new Stryker operating beds it has increased to $550,000. 

What kid (male) in the 50s or 60s didn’t take delight in assembling and flying an Airfix balsa wood Mustang or Hudson plane using heady glue, hard-backed razor blades and a lump of plasticine? Such fun!  As it must be for those in the Warbirds Association of New Zealand who have the pleasure and challenge of assembling, maintaining, displaying and in many cases flying such magnificent machines in order to preserve an important aspect of our past.

Our speaker this week was Gavin Trethewey who has had many years flying experience both in the Royal NZ Air Force and as a commercial pilot.  In an interesting address, illustrated with photos and video clips, he opened up the world of iconic planes dating from the First World War BE2 and Fokker Triplane, through the twenties and thirties (Percival Gull, De Haviland Foxmouth with folding wings and the trusty DC3) through WW2 (Kittyhawk, Mustang, Mosquito and Spitfire - $4000 will get you a spin in this!) to the more recent Catalina, F86 Sabre and BAC 167 Strikemaster.  These a just a few of the planes mentioned.

Do you know someone in the local community who has overcome adversity to live a life of serving others?

The Inner Wheel Club of Howick is looking for such a person to present a Dawn Johnston Koru Award to. The inaugural presentation of this award was made last year to Alan Breslau of Half Moon Bay who survived a horrific plane crash 56 years ago followed by many years in hospital. The award was based on the Inner Wheel theme for 2017/2018 ‘Leave a Legacy’

The spiral shape of the koru, the emblem of the award, signifies new life, positive change, personal growth, harmony, and above all, hope for the future.

Awardees need to have demonstrated self-awareness, resilience, compassion, and a desire to assist others becoming a full contributor to the community.

This is an Annual Award and the successful recipient needs to be a New Zealand citizen residing in the Pakuranga or Botany electorate area. The award is a Koru Trophy to keep and the book ‘Leaving a Legacy’.

If someone in your wider Rotary community knows a person who fits the above criteria and would like to nominate that person could you please email my Secretary, Julia Castles at iwhowicksecretary@gmail.com with details.

"It’s amazing I’ve come this far, I never would have guessed this is where I would be right now. Looking back on the year I’ve had so many once in a lifetime opportunities and it’s the mind set of being willing to say yes to anything offered that really makes a great year.  You learn to be part of a different culture and end up with friends all over the world."

Students that have been on exchange tell Rotary that it is the best thing they have ever done and hey come back with great confidence and independence and really ready to get on with university or whatever they are doing next.

Applications close 30 April

	Thursday 28 March
	Remuera Golf Club 12 Abbots Way Remuera

Guest speaker on Monday was our very own Simeon Brown on how he has found ways to make a difference from the backbenches.  His week is taken up with constituent meetings Monday and Friday, interspersed with Wellington on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and community events on weekends.  He very much enjoys his constituent meetings on Monday with interesting people and interesting stories – a contrast from dealing with bureaucrats for the next 3 days.  Simeon has been at the forefront of raising awareness with local issues, including the about to commence Ameti project. He is also dealing with the current concern in many of the education circles in our community about the government proposals to fast forward the governance of schools back to the 1950s.

His Private Members Bill dealing with synthetic cannabis was drawn on the first ballot out of a biscuit tin and has precipitated a government bill attempting to deal with the problem.  Simeon has also recently been designated as a contact person for National in the Botany electorate.  As Ken Worsley, who introduced Simeon, says, it  is always a pleasure to hear from him.

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum attendee Ann Li thanked Pakuranga Rotary for its sponsorship of her to the forum during the holidays.

She outlined the amazing overview of subjects she was able to receive and the awareness she now had of the advanced fields to which she can aspire. Her particular interest in medical science was well catered for and she came away from the course with precious memories and lifelong friends.

Rotary in action!

Members present paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch attack with a minute’s silence.  The Sergeants’ collection was also devoted to help in Christchurch.

Tribute was also paid to Les Hammond.

Russell and Wendy Clark joined us for Russ’s last meeting as a member.  He has resigned to be able to provide further care for Wendy.  President Duncan outlined Russ’s long and abundant service to the cause of Rotary and Russ and Wendy were thanked by all members.

Reece Andrews (son of David and Elizabeth) was inducted as Pakuranga Rotary’s second corporate member representing Access One Scaffolding Limited.  Reece is the General Manager at Access One Scaffolding and was provided with our traditional Rotary welcome.

We are now only 2 months out from the District 9920 conference in Napier.

Already more than 200 of you have registered for the conference, but there is still plenty of time for those who have not.  

The network of female vaccinating teams credited with bringing polio to the brink of extinction in Pakistan will next month be brought to bear on measles in the country's first nationwide blitz against the virus in five years.

Health officials believe the community teams credited with turning around Pakistan's campaign against polio in some of its most stubborn haunts can have a similar effect on other health problems.

Pakistan has used millions of dollars of polio donor funding to build a network of dedicated operations centres and health workers. Polio cases have fallen from 306 in 2014 to only four so far in 2018.

While Pakistan still has the polio virus circulating in the environment and has some time to go before it is declared polio free, health officials are starting to look at other potential uses of the network they have put in place.

One of the most successful parts of the anti-polio campaign has been the recruitment of tens of thousands of largely female community-based volunteers who vaccinate children in their own neighbourhoods.

The Tongariro crossing has been great fun!

We got up at 5am in the morning and drove to the start of the Crossing. It was raining when we finally started walking at around 8am making it a hard walk all the way up to the top but it was nevertheless a great feeling, even if the view wasn’t further than 30 metres. All of us were completely wet at the top, because the rain jackets couldn’t hold the water anymore and I was freezing even if I wore 4 layers.

The view cleared up at the lake at the top and it got really hot so I walked down with shorts. We had quite a few stops - Jazmin and I were the first people down the mountain. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again.

"It’s amazing I’ve come this far, I never would have guessed this is where I would be right now. Looking back on the year I’ve had so many once in a lifetime opportunities and it’s the mind set of being willing to say yes to anything offered that really makes a great year.  You learn to be part of a different culture and end up with friends all over the world."

Students that have been on exchange tell Rotary that it is the best thing they have ever done and hey come back with great confidence and independence and really ready to get on with university or whatever they are doing next.

	Monday 18 March		Wednesday 20 March		Thursday 28 March
	Papakura RSA 40 Elliot St Papakura		Te Tuhi Centre 13 Reeves Rd Pakuranga		Remuera Golf Club 12 Abbots Way Remuera

How lucky were the 33 people who were hosted by Pres. Duncan at his forest retreat in Pirongia. His extensive piece of bush clad land, complete with swift flowing stream, was a surprise to all. (not to mention the mansion)  Duncan’s family had travelled to prepare refreshments for us, hiding them in little secret locations around the property.

 

We enjoyed the most delicious BBQ mini lamb burgers in a leafy glade by the river as well as ice cold drinks and canapes dotted around the property. The bold and brave tried out the huge zip line, much to the enjoyment of onlookers with their cameras at the ready. In keeping with the conservation theme, we were sent on a competition walk to identify native trees.

 

 

 

Turns out, many of us did not know our rimu from our rewa rewa, but fun (and a few arguments) we did have. One highlight was the feeding of the dozens of enormous endangered long finned eels. Did you know they can swallow a whole sausage in one audible suck? Thank you Duncan and family for a very different, fresh and invigorating fellowship adventure. When can we come back?

On Wednesday 27 February from 12noon to 1.30pm, the Rotary Club of Auckland is having a special lunch meeting, supporting the South Auckland charity Te Whakaora Tangata and will also include a performance from Dave Dobbyn.  This charity provides a holistic, long-term mentoring programme for those most at risk, with an average restorative cost of about $24,000 per person, far less than most other organisations can provide.  The aim is to successfully break the perpetual cycle of dysfunction and disadvantage in broken families and the results to date are impressive.  The panellists for this event, who have been through this programme, will include a woman who became a mother at 12 and a man in and out of prison for 35 years.

Following funding from the Johnston Trust, Trustee Alan Vester and a small team have been busy washing, scraping and painting at Anchorage Park School. They were snapped with three members of the Club, along with class teacher, Rotarian Lorraine. Alan has worked very hard and deserves our thanks.

Last Saturday, eight members of the Auxiliary supported Auckland South R/C at the ASB Showgrounds to raise funds for this important District project. The crowds were HUGE, the noise deafening and the colour dazzling as this Chinese New Year celebration welcomed in the Year of the Pig. We sold raffle tickets, received donations and encouraged groups to try the Oxygen Ball game. Auckland South’s Secretary Madison, sent us this message.

“Please enjoy our fun images to share with Pakuranga Rotary members and accept our thanks a trillion for your support through donations, volunteers and friendship. We hope for a chance to meet and work with you on more projects"

December and January were probably my busiest months in New Zealand. I have seen so many different locations and have done so much.

I was in Whangarei, spent New Years on Waihi Beach, was in the Bay of Islands and did a day trip to Cape Reinga. I also watched some movies with Bart, Adrianne and Cameron.

On my last weekend before school was about to start, my host family took me to Rotorua where we did the luge, a walk in the redwood forest and visited the Wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland, what I found amazing.

Now school has started again and it is nice to see all my friends again.

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is a Youth Leadership over a weekend long camp for Year 12 and 13 students, aged between 14 - 17 years old, designed at developing young people’s potential through a mixture of lecture style sessions and adventure-based learning.

This year RYPEN will be held on Friday 29 to 31 March 2019 at Kokako Lodge, Falls Road, Hunua, Auckland.

The RYPEN 2019 team us made up of Rotaract Club of Auckland and Rotaract Club of Auckland University, plus members of other Rotary Clubs. They have been hard at work over the holidays and would like your help to deliver the RYPEN programme in March 2019.

They are looking for assistance for the camp.

• Camp mum and dad - From Friday 29 March 5pm onwards until Sunday 31 March 2019
• Transport Chaperone - Friday 29 March, Ellerslie Carpark x minimum 2 volunteer members
• Registration from Friday 29 March 2019 from 4pm - Hilary Prior (Auckland) + 2 volunteers required
• Clean-up team on Sunday 1pm onwards - 4 x volunteers required

Team Leaders will be Rotaractors and RYLA awardees 2018.

Please contact Ainie Kwork (ainiekwok@gmail.com) if you want to be involved in this year's RYPEN 2019 programme.

There was some reassurance, mixed with worrying reminders of what gambling can do in the lives of many of our fellow citizens in the address given by Rob Burrell at the meeting this week.

Rob has a team of ten whose responsibility on behalf of Sky City Casino is to keep an eye out for potential or actual gambling addicts as well as anyone breaking the strict rules of casino use. With 400,000 customers per month and 1 in 25 likely to have a ‘gambling problem’ there is no shortage of potential ‘clients’ in this job which Rob admits is not easy.

Gary Braid was happily playing soccer at Otumoetai College when he succumbed to peer pressure and tried out for the First Fifteen. The rest is history, as the former All Black outlined to our first meeting of the year on Monday evening. Gary represented New Zealand in 1983 and his sons Luke and Daniel have kept the Braid name well recognised in rugby circles since.

Gary confessed he found the drudgery of training a relief at a time when he had three young children in the house. The motivation of playing for your mates and country was and remains as powerful as ever for our national side. There is no free ride and the All Black legacy imbues humbleness. He has enjoyed a wide and varied career since his playing days which includes coaching stints in Croatia and Slovenia, National Sales Manager for DB Breweries, property investing, software development and being a Publican.

Question time elicited the observation that rugby players in all European countries (except France) do not have the intuitive skills of players in countries such as New Zealand where the game is played from a young age and coaching therefore involves breaking the component parts of the game down and having to teach those skills.

Can you help Highbrook Rotary?

• Run or Walk - Register by 6 February and be in to win a prize!
• Volunteer - It takes many people to run the event including set up, pack down, registration, traffic wardens, marshal etc. 

If you can help, then contact Highbrook Rotary

• Email: highbrookrotary@gmail.com
• Mobile: 0211588801

A Rotary team consisting of three members of the Pakuranga Rotary , Peter Armstrong, Don Lawry, Chris Ward, and his ex-classmate Howard Scott and Dennis Kavanagh (Don’s friend), has just returned from 12 days in Fiji on the island of Taveuni.

The team had a very successful time there assisting a group of local builders, by helping to construct a 2-classroom block in the village of Bouma. While the local builders laid the concrete slab and started laying the blockwork forming the walls of the classroom, the Rotary boys constructed the roof trusses. They then painted these with two coats of undercoat and continued by painting the 75 sheets of ceiling panels. In total, Don worked out that we painted 810 square meters, the equivalent of 4 full sized tennis courts.

Rotarian Geoffrey Amos and his team of locals wonderfully looked after the Rotary boys. We were proud to help support the Rotary Club of Taveuni Island.

This project is a great example of Rotary In Action, and we all felt privileged to represent Pakuranga Rotary in assisting in an international project.

Pakuranga Rotary has initiated some wonderful community projects. Beginning all those years ago when Rotarians started the famed Rotary Walkway and over recent times, the joint projects with the Howick Local Board at Bramley Reserve.

Included in those projects is the Snakes and Ladders Playground which was showcased on the front cover of the Howick Local Board’s recent report. Rotary projects can have a wider use in terms of projecting our image into the community than we ever thought possible.

Charter members - Bill Duncan and Bob Ritchie have been reflecting on the impact that Pakuranga Rotary has made in the community for nearly 50 years. I wonder what Pakuranga Rotary is envisaging for 2019 and future community projects?

Pakuranga Rotary now has 16 Council registered rat catchers! Don, Sylvie and Ron have all had good results and between them, have eradicated 5 rats.

Please remember to log your catches on the CatchIt database (you all have your access codes). Even if you do not yet have a trap, you can still visit www.catchit.co.nz and see what has been caught in your street.

Congratulations to Pakuranga Rotary and special thanks to President Duncan for this new and very worthwhile environmental community service!

During November and early December Viki toured the South Island with Rotary Exchange Students - Getting to know more of what New Zealand has to offer and making life-long friends.

Click on the link below to see more 

A Few (Commissioned by Predator Free 2050) is the third installment in an ongoing series of natural history illustrations depicting native and resident species by emerging artist Erin Forsyth.

A variety of flora and fauna are represented in this collection with special attention given to the butterflies pepe or pūrerehua (Lepidoptera), manu/birds (Avifauna), pekapeka/bats (Chiroptera) and rakau/trees. It is the artist’s intention to continue creating and adding images to this series, which may provide insight to the unique biological (bio) diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our speaker this week was Mortaza Sahar, who was introduced by our own member Elizabeth Arrowsmith a year 13 student at Pakuranga College.

He remembers as a child growing up in Afghanistan, a country which had been overrun by the Teleban and life was extremely difficult for a young lad and his family. Eventually they fled to Quetta living in one room and just surviving. His Uncle left and travelled towards Australia and after their boat was breaking up he was picked up by a container ship and arrived in Australia. From there the Uncle moved to New Zealand and Mortaza’s family then followed and settled in the Refugee centre at Mangere.

Join us and Somervile Rotary at a special screening of Bohemian Rhapsody to support End Polio Now.

With your help, we can end polio for good.

Tickets are $25

To register - Just click on the poster or click here

The eradication of polio is one of Rotary's longest standing and most significant efforts. Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide and we won't stop until we end the disease for good.

ROTARY DISTRICT CONFERENCE, MAY 10,11,12, 2019 IN NAPIER

Please note:

You will need your Clubrunner login to register for the conference.  If you have never logged in to Clubrunner before, or have forgotten your password or login information click here for instructions (https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/article/1705-retrieve-login-name-and-reset-password-district), on how to retrieve your username and/or password.  If this fails, talk to PE Bart Signal or Secr Graham Kearns for help.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON at the Convention Centre, Wine Tasting will be on offer. But as you will have plenty of Wine at night, I have organised amazing entertainment for our Club,you will not be disappointed.

A NAPIER PRISON TOUR, only $25 per person. Afternoon Tea will be available.

When registering, you will be asked if you want to accept one of the Conference Options for the Saturday Afternoon. If you would like to join me on a Prison Tour, then don’t reply to one of The Conference Options, just advise me.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS. Also we are booked at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania which is across the road from the Convention Centre. I have a Group Booking for all Pakuranga Attendees, it’s great to be together.

Please advise me once you’ve registered and I will inform the Hotel on your behalf, DO NOT MAKE A HOTEL BOOKING YOURSELF, otherwise we will double up.

Why not consider breaking the Journey and stay Thursday Night in Taupo. I have booked Rooms at The Millennium, also known as Manuals, overlooking Lake Taupo. Please let me know if you are interested.

So please seriously consider attending this District Conference in Napier next May 10-12. This is a wonderful opportunity for Fellowship, not only with our own Members but with other Rotarians from other Clubs.

Ian Handisides

Conference Promoter

District Governor Ingrid has asked that everyone in Rotary District 9920 consider donating to the Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) project this year if not already done so.

ERKs are distributed following disasters including tsunami, cyclones and floods in Oceania and the South Pacific. The ERKs project was established in 1985 and was a District 9920 project for 20 years before it became expanded throughout New Zealand.

The supply of Box and Contents is in itself a District 9920 project and many Rotarians assist in a practical way each year by packing the kits in Auckland – hands on Rotary service.

Greetings from Rotary District 3181!

Am Rotarian Ritesh Baliga, Chairman - Ride for Rotary 3. This is with regards to previous mails from Ride for Rotary 3 conducted in India by Rotary District 3181 under the leadership of our District Governor Rotarian Rohinath.

The first two editions of Ride for Rotary was a great success to which close to 25 Rotarians from different countries attended and had a wonderful experience.

This event is to promote International fellowship, exchange of Rotary views. The proceedings of this event goes to The Rotary foundation.

Event will be from 13th January and ends on 27th January 2019.

Below mentioned are the event highlights:

• A 14 days event commencing from Mumbai (India) that can either be a motorcycle ride or a four wheel drive.
• Showcasing Indian Heritage, Culture and Diversity.
• The ride will cover 5 Rotary Districts, many Rotary Clubs along with temples, churches, Tiger Reserves, forests, Beaches and via some breath taking beautiful roads in the lap of nature.
• The route is from Mumbai- Lonavala - Pune - Mahabaleshwara - Rathnagiri - Goa- Dhoodhsagar - Hampi - Chikmagalaur - Mysore - Kushal Nagar - Mangalore.
• Participants/ Riders will be provided motorcycles/cars, fuel, stay, food, riding gear, mechanical support, medical support during the event period.
• Cultural activities and fellowship will be part of the event.

Participation Fee: 3540 USD Incl. Taxes[ Includes food, stay, bikes, fuel, airport transfer and lot more]

We request you to register for this event and make the event a great success.

For more information please log on to www.rideforrotary.com.

Regards
Ritesh Baliga
Chairman - Ride for Rotary
www.rideforrotary.com

Pest Free by 2050? An ambitious but achievable goal in the view of Ed Chignell who outlined the responsibilities of his hard-working organisation. But it has to start small – in local communities where eradication of rodents can be done through the actions of every one of us who sees a problem.

From the communities the goal can be extended to broader districts and already there have been significant achievements around the country – Bay of Island peninsula, Tiri Tiri, Little Barrier being the closest with Waiheke being targeted next. Mahia peninsula is another location receiving special attention. Short videos showed the actions taken and those planned with the goal of restoring birdsong to the wild where rats, ferrets and stoats have done major damage over the years. The question was asked about rabbits in the mix but the primary targets are the predatory animals.

Ed left attendees at Pakuranga Rotary's meeting in September in no doubt that the issue was being addressed, that there is still some way to go but the will is there and, given the necessary finances, dedicated workers will do their utmost to achieve a pest-free new Zealand in the next 32 years.

Exciting New Beginnings PAKURANGA ROTARY AUXILIARY’S FIRST PROJECT - Reminiscent of Pakuraranga Rotary's first major project...….

No meeting Monday 25/6
Two days in a row listening to Duncan will be just too much

ERKS ( Emergency Response Kits)

Fellow Rotarians we have an opportunity to take up a slot to pack ERKS

• Tues 12 July 10.00 to 14.00
• Wed 25 July 18.00 to 21.00

Are you able to assist? We shall put an invitation on ClubRunner

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME UP IN LIGHTS

Cost $20. Free Bar

We will supply all entrants with 1 large and one small pie tin

The date is ideal as the Bakels supreme pie awards are judged 26 July and the winners announced 31 July
An invitation will be issued on ClubRunner.

On Monday June 12, President Dave and members of Pakuranga Rotary were treated to very special and quite uplifting occasion as members of the new satellite, Pakuranga Tamaki River Auxiliary, formally became Rotarians. All the more special because our District Governor Malini Raghwan was present to do the honours and congratulate the fifteen new Rotarians who were arrayed in their different national flags or colours, obviously excited and enthusiastic about the step they had made.

The amazing CVs of each were delivered by a variety of young and old – pupils introduced their teachers with pride and considerable confidence and aplomb, sometimes out-performing their more senior fellow presenters. Congratulations to new Rotarians:

• Carole Holmes
• Lorraine Field
• Pauline Puckey
• Rachel Wong
• Fiona Smith
• Annette Tomas
• Elizabeth Arrowsmith
• Joseph D’Ambrosio
• Rosemary Rodgers
• Zahana Zafirova
• Crystal Leung 
• Kiri Kirkpatrick
• Trish Plowright
• Becca de la Vega
• Penelope Franca

Particularly gratifying was the evidence of a youthful contingent from both current and past Interact ranks. This promises well for future involvement by younger people in Rotary!

Click on the read more link to find out more about each of our newest Rotarians.

This week Dame Lesley Max (DMNZ MBE, MA(Hons) came to speak with us about the Great Potentials Foundation and how it helps to address the persistent inequality, which manifests itself in poor educational outcomes, unemployment, poor health and poverty for disadvantaged sectors.

Dame Lesley Max is the Co-founder and Trustee of Great Potentials Foundation whose aim is to relieve suffering, potential disparities, crime and enhance wellbeing.

Dame Lesley co-founded Great Potentials Foundation 1990.  She created the Family Service Centre model, introduced HIPPY (Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters) in New Zealand, and developed MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme).

Demonstrating remarkable degrees of aplomb and confidence in what for most was probably a fairly intimidating setting, four students from Pakuranga College and three from Edgewater College gave their reports on the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPRN) camp, held a few weeks ago. 

The commonality in all reports was clear – the camp experiences made personal impacts that have changed their lives in many different ways.  For one (Zoe) the deprivation of a cell phone ‘sucked the soul’ out of her but the positivity experienced in the few days without it has encouraged her to set goals to go phoneless for long periods of time. For another (Shelby – already in a leadership role at her school) this deprivation led to meaningful face-to-face interactions resulting in far better understandings of what others are thinking and developing new personal relationships. More than one spoke of their deeper understanding of what leadership means – not being a director but being a facilitator and encourager being among the qualities required.  Team building exercises helped this process. Lionel relished the change in personal relationships – the ‘ghost bus’ on the way to camp became the ‘party bus’ on its return! Songyan found immense value in exposure to the variety of cultures represented at camp. 

Roger told us that the Trees for Survial (TFS) scheme now operated successfully in 135 school, but that there was much potential and he underscored again the intention to grow the number of schools by 25 a year and 200 schools by 2020.

Plans to update the way seedlings were delivered to schools means that the young seedlings will arrive in trays from which they are taken as “plugs” and then put straight into plastic bags ready for planting when the time is right.   Roger sad that each school will receive 1,000 plugs a year with enough potting mix in a single once a year delivery.

Currently the growing units are constructed in East Tamaki by Rollformers but this is soon to be taken over by the Men’s Shed organisation and if not already, will represent their number one community project.

Dennis’ presentation informed us of the Potter Trust, its history, the man who started it all and why it is so familiar to many through the public places we come across, but not knowing why or who Mr. Potter was.

The Potter Masonic Trust is the legacy left by Bro Frederick Seymour Potter (1847 – 1941) who is the most generous individual benefactor in the history of Freemasons New Zealand.   The Trust funds projects generally relating to Children but including community facilities, educational programmes, music, disadvantaged children and health.

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

At our last meeting Emily presented an overview of her time as an exchange student based in Copenhagen, Denmark during the period 2017 to 2018.

She is 18 years old and it is very apparent she made the most of her opportunities that the Exchange presented. She really embraced the lifestyle and made lifelong friends and contacts. There were challenges e.g. the language but Emily learned a lot from her host families. She soon realised the exchange was not a holiday and it was over to her to ensure it was a success.

In accord with the current years Inner Wheel theme “Leave a Legacy” the Howick Inner Wheel Club are inaugurating The Dawn Johnston Koru Award.  

The spiral shape of the Koru signifies new life, positive change, personal growth symmetry , harmony and hope for the future

The objective is to give recognition and pay tribute to a person who in the face of adversity displayed perseverance in overcoming obstacles in pursuance of goals and dreams. It is anticipated the recipient is a person who has responded to adversity, bounced back and in doing so has been inspirational or helpful in assisting others become full contributors to their community.

This will be an annual award and successful applicants need to be New Zealand citizens residing the Pakuranga and Botany electorate boundaries

Nominations are sought.

If you know of or are aware of a potential nominee I would be pleased to hear from you.

Del Johnston
0274 948 501
delboykiwi@gmail.com

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.

Roger Milne reports that Trees for Survival has big plans to grow the number of schools participating by 25 each year to reach 2,000 by the year 2020.  95,000 seedlings are going to schools by courier but some volunteers are needed to put the plant growing units together for the schools entering the programme.

Peter Hawkins presented on Monday evening an outline of the New Zealand Tour which a group of Australian and American Rotarians are about to commence.  The logistics in arranging such a tour are immense and already 90 Rotarians have indicated an interest in next year’s tour.  Some improvements have been made to this year’s tour based on a questionnaire sent to last year’s participants with the 17 day tour now ending in Christchurch with a farewell dinner.  Peter deserves many plaudits for the effort and time in promoting his vision and the potential it has demonstrated.

In a though provoking address to our meeting on Monday night Sylvie Wilkinson outlined the results of exit and entry surveys she had carried out on behalf of District.  The purpose of the surveys was to endeavour to collect evidence as to the motivation for people joining Rotary and leaving Rotary.

Speaker this week was Matt Poland of Auckland Transport who gave us a comprehensive update of the AMETI projects – there are actually 4 stages, the first being the completion of the Panmure Transit Station.  The next stage, already underway with archaeological exploration of the Mokoia Pa site, will provide rapid bus access (and wider pedestrian and cycle thoroughfare) along Lagoon Drive, across a new bus-only bridge to Pakuranga Plaza.  Graphic representation showed very attractive settings for this stage – still a couple of years away to completion.

This week Noel Holyoake introduced Maurice Williamson to address the club and we were treated to one man’s story about his keen interest in technology, his belief in New Zealand and a passionate promoter of our country and its enterprise.

Following completion of his studies at university, Maurice was employed by Air New Zealand where he stayed for 17 years before being elected the Member for Pakuranga and entering Parliament where he served for 30 years.   Maurice looked after some 30 portfolios during this time and his qualification to serve as Consul General in the US is well founded.   Maurice says however that his role is more “deal doing” rather than diplomatic as he strives to generate contacts and create opportunities for New Zealand Businesses wanting to establish trade with the US.

Interesting read in regards to Top Day Out Fishing:

gulfjournal.org.nz/article/state-of-our-gulf-2017

Previous State of our Gulf reports called for bold, sustained and innovative steps to improve management and halt progressive environmental degradation.

A new report has been published. What has it found?

Go to gulfjournal.org.nz to read more

Disposing of your E-Waste? Check out ewaste.org.nz

At its meeting on the 5^th of March, Pakuranga Rotary celebrated 25 years of running the Top Day Out Fishing Day.   Originating from an idea Noel Holyoake had, the first event was organised by John Rofe who created the relationship with Coast Guard not only as major beneficiary of the proceeds but also as a key contributor to the event providing boats to ferry the fishos and safety on the water.

Your Environment Committee encourages to bring your old and flat dry cell batteries to Rotary , and we will have them recycled.

The box will be near our Rotary reception at every meeting.

Please do not put these batteries in your rubbish  as they are bad pollutants.

If the batteries are already leaking, we do not want them!

In September last year, after an exhausting election campaign, Simeon became the new MP for Pakuranga on the retirement of Maurice Williamson. The day of that election was his most restful in the last five months!

Tucked away on the stroke side of Panama Road heading towards the Tamaki Estuary is the superb facility that is the home of the Auckland Rowing Club, now in its 149^th year.  Pakuranga members and their spouses had the opportunity on Monday night of viewing the resources and learning of the Club’s history from Club Captain Michael Smyth and other officers.  The Club’s colours (and blazers) of red and black stripes were adopted from the colours of the Auckland Regiment (some members of which later settled in Canterbury and allowed the use their colours by assorted sports teams).

Top Schools is held annually, generally on a Sunday at Edgewater College in Pakuranga, Auckland Organised and supervised by the Pakuranga Rotary, teams from the local schools take part in a range of sports type activities. The emphasis is on co-operation, teamwork as well as friendly inter-school competition. Teams are mixed with students from Year 3 - Year 6.

With three years’ experience in dealing with Chinese ‘officials’ (whether local, sub-district, district, municipal or provincial!), ‘consultants’, ‘compliance officers’ etc. one fears for the condition of Duncan’s liver as he endured meeting after meeting to help organise the construction of Bakels Dalian in China. In fact, with 36 licenses required and face to face meetings with compliance officers to gain approval for each one, it’s not surprising it has taken so long to get a factory up and running.

This week Past President Terry Carson made a surprise visit to Pakuranga Rotary and updated attendees with his community school projects in North Pakistan.

Terry was introduced into Rotary by Bill Duncan, joined Pakuranga Rotary in its first year, and was elected President in 1979/80. He operated a successful engineering consultancy business in Auckland, sold out and then established a similar operation in Sydney. He continues today as a Rotarian in Sydney.

We had three pupils from Room seven at Riverhills School visit us at Rotary to say thank you for the support and assistance our club has given them in preparing and delivering their Emergency Grab Bag project. The girls told us that our motto of Service Above Self was an inspiration to them and that we were excellent role models for young people. They admitted that they wanted to become members of our club when they grew up. The girls were accompanied by their parents, siblings, Principal and Deputy Principal… a lovely opportunity to “sell” Pakuranga Rotary.

Georgia (Georgie) Chalmers is being sponsored by the Pakuranga Rotary as an outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student to Denmark. Georgie will depart on her 12 month exchange in January 2018. Originally from Canterbury (cheers of support from some Pakuranga Rotary members!) Georgie’s family moved to Auckland after the Christchurch earthquakes. Georgie then attended Macleans College where she was a very keen hockey player and has just completed her Year 13 studies.

Georgie has wanted to go on a student exchange since year 9 so is very excited to now have that opportunity and she will be hosted by the Rotary club of Holstebro in Jutland which is in the north west of Denmark and is a town of about 35,000 people.

Our speaker last Monday was Past President Peter Armstrong who shared with us his involvement and experiences as a member of the above Fellowship.

As our founder Paul Harris said “Fellowship is wonderful, it illuminates life’s pathways, gives good cheer and is worth a high price.

Formed in 1965 the Fellowship has 1500 Rotary members’ world-wide and according to Peter is Rotary’s best kept secret. The Group is divided into global areas including Australasia , Americas, European, and rest of the world. The Fellowship includes 65 Recreational groups and 38 Vocations and in addition to Flying the categories include Banking and Dentistry. The New Zealand section has 38 members and the E club of Aviation , worldwide meets weekly. There are two Fly Ins per annum in New Zealand

Last Sunday,38 Children were entertained by 3 Coaches from Playball Skills who managed interaction with the Kids and it was great fun for the Participants and the Adults looking on. After a scrumptious Morning Tea, the man himself ----SANTA  of course duly arrived in an amazing  Silver Mercedes Convertible and was welcomed by some very excited children. SANTA had just arrived from the North Pole so we were very priviledged to have him first on his very busy schedule.Presents for all which completed a very happy occasion.

Special thanks to Don Bowater and Mike Collins for playing a very important role.

This week, Roger Milne led a team of three speakers involved with the improvement of our environment.

Firstly, Roger Milne gave us an update on the Trees for Survival (TFS) programme.   Already his goal to increase by 25 a year, the number of participating schools has 17 prospects.

As Auckland Council no long provides funding, Roger is seeking commercial sponsorship where TFS is rewarded by commercial sponsorship on a tree/sales basis.

Numbers will be taken over the next few weeks for our Pakuranga Rotary’s Christmas night on December 11.

A fun night for all at Waipuna, 6.00 for 6.30, and at $50.00 per head we have been able to keep the cost as the last two major evenings.

Howick Rotary President Gavin Green has invited us to their Christmas party on Tuesday, 5 December 2017. 

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.

During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.

With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.

Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?

Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.

How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?

Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.

What impact can one donation have?

It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.

Vodafone has announced it will close its email accounts on 30 November. This includes all email addresses ending in vodafone.co.nz, vodafone.net.nz, ihug.co.nz, paradise.net.nz and clear.net.nz.

Vodafone is encouraging customers to sign up for a Google Gmail or Microsoft Outlook email address and is offering an auto-forwarding service.

If you are one the 250,000 or so people who have been relying on a Vodafone, Clear or Paradise email address, then you will need to get a new email address and update ClubRunner so you still get the Pakuranga Rotary bulletin.

Special guest and speaker this week was our very own District Governor Malini Raghwan, member of the Suva Rotary Club in Fiji.  It was interesting to hear that Malini’s induction into Rotary matters was as a RYLA participant in NZ some years ago.

A few challenges started the address.  First, to keep up the momentum of introducing more women into Rotary membership.  District 9920, with 28% women members is well ahead of the world average of 20% but there is still a way to go.

Ian Balme is a Waikato Farmer with a booming voice and an interesting history of development projects and commercial success.  When he stumbled across the decommissioned Stratford/Okahukura Railway Line 7 years ago he immediately sensed that the unused line and the impressive scenery it travelled through could be utilised in a unique way by creating a scenic train ride in the majestic forgotten world.  Obtaining a 30 year Lease over the line in 2011 was just the first step in creating a viable business.  Rail carts needed to be designed and constructed and refined in a way where all ages could be readily accommodated.  The Rolling Stock had as its pedigree Golf Carts and in designing and developing the conveyances, the comfort and safety of the cart was put before the horse-power – the petrol engines allow a maximum of 24 km per hour (two thirds of the company’s clients are 65 plus). 

Last Monday Pakuranga Rotary gathered at the Pakuranga Sailing Club to unveil the new BBQ which has been a Club project for over three years. The co-sponsors for the project were the Howick Local Board and the Stephenson Family Trust.

Kelvin Davies acknowledged the support of the co-sponsors and also Gary Boles and David Collings from the Howick Local Board. We should also thank the various Pakuranga Rotary Boards and the Community Committees during this time who maintained their confidence in the project despite the extended time frame.

This follows on from my report in the previous bulletin.

The photos above are showing the rebuild of a burnt out building in the hospital grounds which has been declared sound for such rebuild.

The cost of the rebuild will be met in part by the Ministry of Health who will provide the materials. The estimated cost nett of  materials is $25k plus fit out which to a large extent could be provided for by DIK,  e.g. furniture and furnishings.

The revamped building will be to provide a “house” for birthing mothers and family members of hospital patients – (Ronald McDonald House concept) and includes 5 bedrooms, kitchen and lounge.

The Taveuni Rotary team of builders have amongst other activities built 9 teacher houses (photo attached shows 2) comparable to any newly built house in New Zealand.

Building this “house” is now a relatively simple routine undertaking for them.

 

Recently Stuart Batty Director for RNZWCS visited Taveuni Island, Fiji 9920 to evaluate Rotary and MFAT funded activities undertaken since Cyclone Winston.

Rotary’s response is second to none found anywhere in Fiji with School Teacher Housing, Classrooms and Amenities Blocks rebuilt having been the priority,

along with distribution of DIK (school desks, chairs, cabinets etc.) and immediately following the cyclone ERK’s (Emergency Response Kits).

Significantly, all buildings previously built on the island including the preschools suffered no damage from Cyclone Winston.

Rotary’s impact on Taveuni  would not be what it is without the 24/7 commitment of PP Geoffrey Amos.

Whilst on Taveuni, Stuart inspected a number of pending activities including the rebuild of a burnt out building in the hospital grounds which has been declared sound for such rebuild. (see photo)

Dr Lester Levy could have addressed the club on any topic from his wide range of experiences (including Chairmanship of three District Health Boards) but chose to focus on his insights as Chairman of Auckland Transport.

The question posed was, “Is traffic congestion in Auckland inevitable?” The answer was NO but is it likely? YES. Reasons given included the huge current and projected population growth of the city, with or without new migration, caused by greater life expectancy, returning Kiwis, and the burgeoning numbers of international students seeking education here.

Geoff Amos reports as follows:

" Hi Del and Ron,

Today we delivered the two donated Defibrillators to Dr. Alumita, the SDMO of Taveuni Subdivisional Hospital. She expressed her very grateful thanks for this much needed equipment.

One will be kept at the Hospital and one in the Rotary Ambulance. She has undertaken to train nurses and drivers how the to use the Defibrillators correctly and to care for them.

Our thanks to RC Pakuranga and RC Plimmerton for their kindness and support. 

We were fortunate to have RNZWCS Director STUART BATTY & his wife Leslie here when we made the presentation."

Peter Woodcock presented members with a dilemma in terms of Top Schools. This event is eagerly anticipated by hundreds of primary aged pupils and is a great community event but as a club we are finding it increasingly difficult to staff the event. A show of hands made it clear that members value the event and want it to continue. Peter outlined some possible alternatives to Pakuranga Rotary members providing the bulk of the labour force but if numbers on the day continue to decline the longer term future of the event must be in doubt.

First speaker was Cindy Bakewell, herself a Rotarian with the Remuera club. Cindy is a travel broker with NZ Travel Brokers and her key messages were that attending the District 9920 conference in Fiji starting Friday April 6^th 2018 is something well worth considering followed by a great travel deal for those intending to attend.

Cindy has arranged a twenty seat discount with Fiji Airways giving a return fare of $795. Members would have to travel up on the 5^th but can arrange a date that suits them to return. Those interested should contact Cindy. cindy@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Fresh from the surreal experience of walking through the doors in Wellington as an MP, Simeon Brown spoke on Monday of the privilege and honour he feels to have been elected to represent the Community.  He gave a huge thank you to the Club for its support over the last 6 months.  Simeon is shortly about to undergo a 2 week induction program for new MPs and looking forward to getting stuck in to working hard over the next 3 years.  He has already demonstrated his appetite for hard work during the campaign and if that is any indication, the citizens of the Pakuranga Electorate will be well represented.

The Board of Edgewater College and Principal, Allan Vester have generously assisted the Pakuranga Rotary for some years with its annual Trivia Evening and President David took the opportunity on Monday night of presenting Allan Vester with a cheque for Edgewater College of $1,000.

Pakuranga Rotary recently assisted the Children’s Autism Foundation to have representatives at the Asia Pacific Autism Conference in Sydney.  The justification for providing that help was profoundly evident from the address given to the Pakuranga Rotary on Monday night by Service Manager, Gera Veheul.

The Foundation was established 7 years ago to meet needs of parents who were struggling to get support.  It now has 9 staff, including 5 Family Counsel Consultants.  Autism Spectrum Disorder is the name of a group of Developmental Disorders affecting people in different ways.  In some of the more severe cases development is stalled at a 2 year old level.  Those who are Autistic display areas of the brain that are stronger or weaker than normal – the visual part of the brain functions exceptionally well.  Some exhibit amazing memory skills and Autism is characterized by incredible honesty.  However, such honesty can have a downside because the lack of social skills include a lack of diplomacy.

This week Christopher, our exchange student, told us he went fishing. He caught a 50-cm snapper – there’ll be a few of us that would aspire to do that on a regular basis!

Christopher also attended a visit to a Marae, and went to Goat Island to do some diving. With school holidays a week away, Christopher is looking forward to joining members and share their activities with them. You can contact Christopher via Don Roberts.

Read more...

Mike Henderson, CEO of Professional Real Estate, brought our understanding of the real estate business into the 21^st century with a most interesting account of the ways in which technology is revolutionizing the whole set-up.

We came away with the impression that only techno-whizzes could have much future in the selling of property and even then, you could be in danger of being by passed. He bravely informed us that all you would ever want to know about possible purchases is available online quite independent of the firms engaged in the occupation!

This also puts a big question mark over the future of those engaged in property valuation! However he was quite up-beat about the general direction of real-estate activity and obviously relishes his involvement in it. Bill Duncan expressed the thanks of the club for Mike’s most enlightening address.

This week the Club again hosted the Holyoake debate. This contest was initiated by PDG Noel Holyoake in 1983 and has been contested over the years by the three secondary schools in our catchment area namely, Pakuranga College, Edgewater College and St. Kentigern College.This week the Club again hosted the Holyoake debate. This contest was initiated by PDG Noel Holyoake in 1983 and has been contested over the years by the three secondary schools in our catchment area namely, Pakuranga College, Edgewater College and St. Kentigern College.

As much as my summer was relatively busy, this month is just as bad (I don’t think I’ve stopped once but I love it!)

So, because the summer holidays have come to an end now and Greece is far behind in my rear view mirror, it's onto a different chapter involving school and the last couple of months of my exchange. It is extremely weird to think that time has flown by this fast. Everyone always says that the first 6 months go by fast but the next 6 months go by even faster. Faster? When I got told that i just laughed - thinking in my head how is that even possible knowing that for 17 years of my life school has gone by so slow and the years have dragged on. However experiencing it now really puts things into perspective. 

Our speaker this week was Chris Sattler, the CEO of the Company operating float planes from the Auckland Harbour.

Chris has an interesting background, born in Germany, has served in the German Airforce, travelled extensively and indeed visited over 100 countries. He is now a NZ citizen and also a member of the Auckland Rotary Club.

Geoff Amos’s long involvement with the Pakuranga Rotary is well known and members were pleased to have Del Johnson present Geoff with two defibrillators for Fiji.

Geoff took the time to outline three issues he believes are important.

This week Pakuranga Rotary was privileged to have Simeon Brown introduce David Carter, the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives as our speaker. The Speaker is elected by members of the House and David has held the role since 2013, following on from Dr. Lockwood Smith.

Ever wondered what Rt Hon David Carter, the Bee Hive's Speaker of the House does?

We expect this will be informative insight into the day in the life of of the Speaker of the House, as well as some gems about how Parliament works behind the scenes.

If you are planning to join us, then please go to Upcoming Events and register so we have an idea of numbers.

Jarrod Lee is an Auckland singer, actor and performer accepted to one of the world’s leading conservatoires, the Royal Academy of Music London.

The Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise sponsored Jarrod to attend the Rotary Youth Leader Awards developmental programme six years ago, after which he decided to give up his job to follow his dream of becoming a professional performer.

They invite you to join them to experience a wonderful new talent along with students from Michael Park School.

August: Membership and New Club Development

This month we will be focusing on attracting new members.

Having the Rt Hon David Carter our guest on 7 August provides an excellent opportunity to invite prospective members. 'A day in the life of' the Speaker of the House and insights into behind the scenes at the Bee Hive promises to be an evening that should be of great interest to a wide audience.

I urge you all to play your part in making Pakuranga Rotary successful.

New Membership Options

Shortly members should receive an email with proposals for new membership options. Some of these mirror the ideas have already been implemented by others. They include Corporate, Associate and Family membership options.

Our aim is to get others involved with Pakuranga Rotary and demonstrate what makes Rotary different from other service organisations. Once they have gained insight into the ideals of Rotary and want to get more involved.

In his thumbnail talk, Anil spoke of his humble origins in India in a home where the monthly income was approximately $NZ 10. Attending an ‘English’ school with his two brothers he excelled enough to secure his place for 10 years.A move to Hyderabad was a culture shock but again, his academic ability saw him selected as one of 50 from all of India for a course in IT – he’d never seen a computer before this move at the age of 20!

Now, with his wife and two children, he is happily part of the Kiwi scene, heading the IT section of Barfoot and Thompson. His message to all is ‘Dream Big’ – it has certainly worked for him!

Now studying for a Master’s Degree in Psychology Philippa outlined her experiences as a member of an international team of 15 on Project Starfish, working to support children at risk of becoming victims to human traffickers in Thailand and Cambodia. Rotaract provided the connection. The skilled team offered services including dental work, medical profiling, agricultural development, water-culture systems, providing musical instruments and vocational training – all with the goal of ensuring a safe future for the young participants in the Mission Shelter.Language incompatibility didn’t prevent close bonds between children and team members and Philippa found leaving very hard. Two charitable organisations working with vulnerable children and abused women, INVADER and HAGAR were given practical and financial support by team members.Philippa is committed to continuing this involvement and sees herself using her university studies to the benefit of needy young people, most likely in the same geographic area in the future.

Nick and Denise can be justifiably proud of their enterprising daughter as can our club which has given support to make this experience possible.

Follow the read more link to see more slides of Philippa's experiences.

Oh what a night as the song goes. We enjoyed an evening of fun and frivolity with excellent brain teases, nice nibbles, cool refreshing liquids and an MC (Duncan Loney) in many guises including a Suma wrestler that was finally a knockout and carried of the stage.

Lots of smiling faces, happy winners of the excellent auction items and medal wearers after being the winners of the quiz. Even Harold from the Life Education Trust had his happy face on for all the photos.

The results of the fund raiser are yet to be determined financially but it looks like a good one and up to last year’s profitable level. A special thanks to the total team involved. They know who they are A great job well done. We achieved the result we were looking for and I am sure we will be back next year.

Once again our Pakuranga Rotary is participating in this great Rotary Initiative. For the last 40 odd years we have hosted an Inbound International student and at the same time we have sponsored an Outbound student to an overseas Rotary District.

Our Inbound student this year is Christopher De Blanck from the City of Haderslev in Denmark. Christopher arrived last Thursday having spent 40-hours either in the air or in Airports (10 hours in Singapore).

He was hosted by Don and Bev Roberts for his first two nights and on Saturday moved to his Host Family in Howick where he will spend the next three months.

Chris is now a student at Pakuranga College.

His first visit to our Club will be next Monday so please make him very welcome.

How to recycle plastic bags and other soft plastic packaging.

See: Soft Plastic Recycling Programme Auckland Region

It’s all about vastly reducing the volume of your rubbish which would otherwise be destined for a landfill.

Please encourage this both at home and at work.

Collect : Drop : Recycle

At our Mini Assembly earlier this month, President David outlined that some meetings will be different from the norm.

Our meeting this week was an example of either a night-off or fellowship only night. For these meetings members can still have a meal in the Restaurant at Waipuna just like any other week.

If you attend on one of these nights, then you will need to wear your Rotary badge and sign the attendance sheet as normal to qualify for the $30.00 meal.

You’ll be informed in advance when the next fellowship only night is going to happen.

Trivia Night 

This was a credit to Graham Kearns and his team putting together a very worthwhile fund raising effort in association with the Life Education Trust Counties Manukau. The high jinks of our master entertainer Duncan Loney added to the success of the evening and hilarious entertainment.

The LETS team of Judy, Sarah and Harold contributed to the success with the prizes, auction items and purchase of tables.

We have never had such involvement from a partner for our fundraiser trivia quiz night and their efforts will be rewarded once final figures are known.

'A day in the life of' the Speaker of the House

The Rt Hon David Carter will be our guest on 7 August.

David’s address will provide insight into the role he plays in the running of Parliament and an insight into how Parliament works behind the scenes. He is very skilled at handling interjectors, noisy back benchers, points of order and has been known to eject members for the house. So look out Rotarians, any unorderly behaviour will receive the treatment it deserves.

Our Sergeant will be more than happy to carry out Mr Speakers commands. This is an evening not to be missed. Guests and partners are most welcome.

Our Speaker deserves a full house.

Triumphs and Trivia 

Elizabeth and I are looking forward to having some fun at our Triumphs and Trivia evening on Saturday. There are some great prizes and auction items on offer.

We even have an online auction for Santos FC White Soccer Jersey Signed by the great Pele.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/sports-memorabilia/soccer/auction-1370307953.htm 

Monday Night

There will be no meeting on Monday night - We're making a difference. You are still welcome to meet and share a drink or have dinner with friends.

There are still has a couple of tables to complete a full house for Trivia. Please, if you have some sporting contacts or people who enjoy a fun night out with other like-minded persons who would like to test their general knowledge, then let them know we have a great night planned for them.

Contact Alan Davies now at abdavies@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 535 556 and he will do the rest.

Triumphs and Trivia evening is on this Saturday - There are great prizes to available win and check out the interest auction items to win so give them the opportunity to be there and take the plunge yourself if you haven’t done so already.

Bring your friends and family along on the 17th of July for a night of great entertainment.

Gray Bartlett is coming along to speak about his 30 years in the music industry plus he will give a short performance.

Check out his website for more info on him:
http://www.graybartlett.com/

At Changeover I received a few comments/questions as to how the Tour went this year and although President Peter did announce the results at a May meeting, along with twice commenting within his ‘President Reports’, this report will give you an overview of this year's event, and detail what is planned for 2018.

Our exchange student Eva, unfazed by the failure of computer technology recounted some of the details of what had been an amazing twelve months. In that time she had travelled widely across New Zealand in both main islands. She had taken part in many Rotary activities including RYPEN and assisting with the raising of $5,500 for the emergency boxes. She had engaged in many school activities including the school production of Young Frankenstein as well as making many friends on the way.

Paying tribute to her three host families Eva recounted how they had welcomed her so openly into their families and taken such wonderful care of her. This year had been the best year of her life and she was certain that it had changed her life in a really positive way. Common to many of our exchange students, Eva clearly understood that she had had the opportunity to do more and see more than most of her Kiwi friends and she thanked Rotary for that.

Click the read more link to see the slides Eva, was going to present.

Ted van Arkel a prominent business figure in New Zealand and well known to many Rotarians took us on a journey through hs career attesting to the power of a positive attitude and taking the opportunities offered.

Ted had moved as a child with his parents from Utrecht, a University City in the Netherlands to Ohakune. He was unsure why his father, a baker, had made such a move but remembered that his mother did not like the change and within six months they had moved to Auckland. Educated in standard Auckland schools Ted left Mt Albert Grammar after the fifth form and began what was to be a wonderful career in retail at Woolworths.

HELP NEEDED FOR TREE PLANTING:

Sunnyhills Primary Trees For Survival planting

Planting date is the 4th August in Hunua. (Rain delay day is 11th August)

Volunteers names please reply to roger@tfsnz.org.nz

If you have never done this before, it’s a fun day – really worthwhile albeit physical !!

Last Monday, President Dave Andrews gave us a synopsis of the upcoming year at his “Mini Club Assembly” held at Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre.   The evening was a review of where we were at and then where we would like to be at the end of the next 12 months with Dave noting that we were at a turning point.

Fruehauf Trailers Vocational Visit

Upcoming Trivia Night

Harbour Bridge Walk

Bangers to Bluff Alzheimers Fundraiser
29th March – 9th April 2017

At 9.30am Wednesday morning, 29th March, in wet unpleasant conditions, Miss Auckland, Michelle Isemonger sounded her battery blow horn, President Peter dropped the clutch & the Mazda Green Goddess began her journey from Buckland Beach Yatch Club in Half Moon Bay on the Bangers to Bluff Charity Fundraiser rally.