Scribes Report.

In 1998 Govind and family moved to NZ where he joined Wireplus and Steelplus as a financial controller, a very different scale and nature of business.
Scribes Report.At our last full meeting of they are our own Govind was the presenter. Govind was born and raised in India and came from a family of bankers, his father holding the position of managing director of the State Bank of Travancore, a bank with about 1500 branches across India. He did his schooling in Delhi in Delhi Public school followed by a B Com from Loyola College a part of the University of Madras. ![]() Govind enjoyed rapid advancement in his career moving from an assistant audit manager, via finance manager positions to CFO positions in a wide range of companies, industries and countries. By the late 1980's he was working as CFO for the Park Group a company that engaged in very large scale building developments including but certainly not limited to, 14 high rise condominium towers. In his role with the group he spearheaded the public listing effort which was halted by the Asian crash of 97. That setback required bringing in strategic investors including the Government Investment Corporation of Singapore as 13.3% shareholders and successfully restructuring the companies debt. In 1998 Govind and family moved to NZ where he joined Wireplus and Steelplus as a financial controller, a very different scale and nature of business. In 2003 it was back to India, joining Best & Crompton as head of finance 2003-2005 a position that saw him actively involved in the restructuring and reinvigorating of a company that had fallen on troubled times. |
||||||||||||||||||
ERK'sThe Volunteer Coordinator for the Emergency Response Kit Rotary project sent their thanks to the Inner Wheel members for the wonderful effort that they all made in helping achieve such a successful project for the Emergency Response Kits. Our very positive comparison compared to there clubs was noted. This year over 1000 boxes were packed compared to 750 in the previous year.
|
||||||||||||||||||
FundraisingFund raising has been made very difficult this year with Covid 19 limiting opportunities but there has been some hard work done with Xmas Tarts raising $1,147.00 and Xmas Puddings raising $3,180.00 giving a total of $4,327.00. Thanks to all those who did the work and those who purchased the tarts and puddings. In preparation for the Carnival in March we have received a grant of $30,000 from the Local Board and planning is now well underway for that event. We are paid to run this event and so members can expect [look forward even] to be given plenty of opportunities to assist in the lead up and on the day. There will be jobs for all level of skill and ability! |
||||||||||||||||||
Next Club MeetingCome join us at the Elm Park School for a brief AGM and our own Govind Pani, whose subject is his experience in international construction and development. Govind is currently the CEO of a property development company based in Melbourne and has been in the role since March 2012. With a career spanning businesses in Dubai, India and Auckland and with a Masters in taxation it will be talk of interest to members. As is the new norm we will need to know numbers attending. The link you use to register for the meeting will follow. We look forward to seeing you there.
|
||||||||||||||||||
More Fellowship![]() The Friends of Rotary Group held a Friendship Dinner on Saturday 21 November. This was the third the group has held in the past two years. To date the dinners have been held in Dannemora Gardens and the chefs excelled themselves with a beautifully presented quality meal. There were 20 in attendance and those present look forward to many such happy occasions. |
||||||||||||||||||
Volunteering in a Volunteer Organisation.It wont be all that long before I move from President Elect to President. That's not because I am planning a coup but rather because the Rotary year is rushing by. There are now two important things to be done. 1. The first is extracting some volunteers to take on the roles of chairing our committees for the next Rotary year. Fortunately I have had some interest expressed but there are still plenty of roles to fill. You could wait until I managed to corner you and ask you to take on a role but I would prefer that anyone who is willing and able, to approach me. There will be those who are very happy in the committee they are currently leading or are on and who would like to continue doing that. That would be great news so I look forward to hearing from you. 2. We also need to choose a President Elect for the year I am President. If you want to be considered for that role or have a good idea of a member who you think should be considered please get in contact with our Floor Member, Mike Collins. I huge thanks from me Mike for agreeing to take on this role. The intention is to make the role of President as doable and enjoyable as is possible. All members have a role in doing that. Remember we are a volunteer service club that needs volunteers to be able to have the sort of club people want to be members of. ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Dictionaries![]() A recent presentation to St Patricks School, Panmure of the Illustrated Dictionaries by Carol Noble & Maureen Kearns from the Howick Inner Wheel on behalf of our Club. The Dictionaries were again well received and much appreciated by the Staff and pupils of this small but enthusiastic school. |
||||||||||||||||||
50th Anniversary Project Up-date 2The 50th Anniversary sculpture project is under the control of Terry Urbahn, Project manager Arts and Culture for the Auckland City Council. ![]() Terry reports they have just completed the contracting process with Dion and now processing his first progress payment to allow him to start sourcing and purchasing materials for the proto-type fabrication The Resource Consent has been submitted. Terry has also updated the Howick Local Board and presented Dion's adjustments to the design. Their response was very positive and they also look forward to the point where we can show progress with fabrication. |
||||||||||||||||||
Club AssemblyASSEMBLY-piecing together a fractured year ![]() A well-attended and lively Club assembly on Monday evening provided members with a broad outline of activities and projects scheduled for the rest of Pres. Alison’s year and the funding choices available in a year disrupted by Covid 19. Just the regular programmes funded by the Club each year would require fundraising of approximately $22,000 (which includes $5k for the 50th anniversary project). The support of each member is therefore vital to ensure that our support for initiatives such as dictionaries, Duffy Books in Homes, ERKs, Pest Free, Top Schools and Trees for Survival can continue. Fundraising is obviously more effective by tapping funds outside our Rotary community. Amongst fundraiser, our annual community Carnival is on track and other smaller fundraising projects are also underway. In a wide ranging general discussion, the importance of the role and social advantage of committees was emphasised. Members who are not currently part of a committee are encouraged to join in and enjoy the vibrancy and bonhomie they offer. |
||||||||||||||||||
Club Christmas Lunch![]() The annual Christmas function is a Pakuranga Rotary tradition. To really keep up this tradition we need people to register.
Dennis, who is hard behind the scenes to ensure the club event event is a success will again send out the registration details and the instructions on how you should pay. Remember to ensure this is an event to be proud of your club needs you! |
||||||||||||||||||
FellowshipIn a world of change Rotary has also needed to change. Our club has been no exception and over the past years we have looked to adjust things such as meeting schedules and the role of committees in order to meet the new reality and in order to try to better meet the needs of current and potential members. An unintended consequence has been a gradual reduction in the amount of socialising and fellowship. The disruption caused by Covid 19 threw into sharp focus the importance of fellowship as part of a fully functioning Rotary club and there is hopefully going to be a groundswell of support for social activities and fellowship. The notion of arranging club meetings in a way that ensures that pre-meeting food and refreshments are enjoyed as a group was discussed at the recent club assembly. These kinds of discussions are never easy, as past traditions rub up against new possibilities, but ensuring that there is respectful and well informed debate and discussion is of course what all Rotarians would expect. ![]() ![]() ![]() I wait in anticipation for a flood of social reports from the other Committees. |
||||||||||||||||||
City of Auckland Singers![]() The City of Auckland Singers of which Peter Woodcock is a member, were to be the main act at the Christmas fundraiser which has unfortunately had to be cancelled. Come and enjoy their concert ( with much the same programme as scheduled for 5 December) at the Glendowie Presbyterian Church, 197 Riddell Road on Sunday week 29th November at 2.00 p.m. Adults $18; Seniors $15; Door sale but no EFTPOS. Afternoon tea. Also CDs and raffles being offered. Satisfaction guaranteed! |
||||||||||||||||||
Te Reo and New Zealand.The headline in the Herald following the election was "Now The Mahi Begins ". What made that headline standout was that it used Maori but didn't see the need to translate . The idea that mahi is now recognised pretty widely as meaning work serves to show that as well as Te Reo Maori night classes overflowing, we non attenders at those classes are slowly adopting Maori words and phrases. Mokopuna, mana, whanau, Aotearoa, Tamaki Makaurau, korero, and kaupapa, haere mai are increasingly used and more widely understood. Every primary age child can confidently belt out the National Anthem in Maori [even if the tune continue to challenge] and the seven stars of Matariki hold no fear. While there is still a long way to go, President Alison stepped up to the lectern and did her bit. As for many of us, speaking in public in a second language is a daunting prospect so congratulations Alison. Kia ora Alison. Alisons musings. It has been a busy few weeks with Rotary;
Ngā mihi, Alison. |
||||||||||||||||||
The artist behind our 50th Anniversary Project.There has been lots of interest in the 50th Anniversary artwork project and the artist so in upcoming bulletins I will add some detail, explain more about the artwork itself and keep members updated with photos as it is fabricated and assembled. ![]() The artist, Dion Hitchens has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts at The University of Auckland and a Postgraduate Diploma from AUT University. Dion is a self employed artist which includes working on commissioned pieces but has also held a variety of academic and teaching roles across New Zealand including MIT, Te Wananga o Aoteoroa and Unitech Institute of Technology His work is in the collections of Te Papa Tongarewa The Museum of New Zealand, Waikato Museum, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, and on public display around New Zealand including large pieces commissioned by the Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua Councils. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
A Rotary and Fundraising Event.![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Upcoming events![]() The Club is planning an evening at Howick Little Theatre to see the play "Ä Christmas Carol" during late November to early December. It is proposed to try to book a group on Saturday night 28/11/2020 but because pre-bookings without payment is no longer an option a notice will be released shortly for members and partners to note their attendance and make payment into the Club account ![]() Advance notice for the Club Xmas Function. This will be held on Sunday 13/12/2020 at the Howick Club commencing at 12noon. A request for members and partners who wish to attend will be sent out closer to the date.In the meantime please reserve this date and time. Dennis Kavanagh Club Services Committee 027 3022377. |
||||||||||||||||||
Environmental sustainabilityAs our club settles into a much more normal system of meetings, on Monday we welcomed Cate Jessop , Enviroschools and Sustainable schools advisor for Auckland City Council and two students, Jessie and Ashley from Farm Cove Intermediate to address members and guests. Cate began with a poll covering some of our beliefs about environmental change and future needs. While we were far from being unanimous there was a general understanding that it takes many years to effect real change to attitudes about the environment, that its going to take a long time to effect actual environmental improvement and the sooner and younger we start people thinking about the environment the better. Enviroschools which started twenty years ago is based on the whakatauki - “success is not the work of an individual but the work of many” a sentiment that is closely mirrored in Rotary’s own ideals. With 1000 New Zealand schools now signed up and active members [39% of all schools] the notion of building a more sustainable future is the key focus of this initiative. For Farm Cove the guiding ideal is “to foster a generation of people who instinctively think and act sustainably.” The Enviroschools model is based on four pillars, each of which is on display at Farm Cove Intermediate: Place – Wahi. Ecological design and action in the natural and built environment. E.g. edible gardens, beehives, solar panels and the local environment. Practices – Tikanga. Sustainable practices in the day to day running of the school.e.g. being a Wastewise school, a worm farm and the use of eco-friendly products in the school. Programmes – Kaupapa Ako. A living curriculum with sustainability integrated into learning and action. E.g inquiry learning, Te Whare Ako lessons, student well-being surveys. People and participation – Tangata. E.g. local beach clean ups, moth plant eradication, Pestival, Zero waste Rotary Carnival. ![]() While we often think that the natural order of things is to educate the parents who will then pass that knowledge and those attitudes through to their children, but research has shown in areas such as diet and the environment, children can often be powerful catalysts for change in their families. That enthusiasm for a more sustainable future was evident in Jessie and Ashley’s presentation and in Cates obvious belief in, and passion for, the work she does with schools. |
||||||||||||||||||
Trap library![]() On Sunday morning the Community committee became involved in the combined Club’s Trap Library East Auckland’s programme that was established by our Club in 2019. ![]() At the request of Biosecurity, the Rotary walkway is currently their target area. A purpose built and appropriately decorated trailer arrived at Bramley Reserve with a huge assortment of traps, the locals, (being advised by a pamphlet drop and social media) turned up in numbers and took away around 80 possum, stoat and rat traps. Even with six helpers, (from three Clubs) we were busy the whole morning. ![]() Many locals congratulated and thanked us for such a worthwhile community service and we have since had one contact us wanting to either join our Club or become a volunteer. We went away energised and with a feeling of pride at being involved with such a great programme. |
||||||||||||||||||
Stanhope Road
Ellerslie Sunrise and the school were lavish in their praise of our contribution. We each got a gift from the children and a huge thank you card.
Vonney was very proud and thanked us for our stewardship of the Trust. A member of Ellerslie Sunrise can remember the big oak being planted !!
It was a magical morning.
|
||||||||||||||||||
Up and Running![]() Members will be pleased that we are now back to our normal two week meeting schedule and have started with some really excellent speakers. Committees are also back in action as we start the process of raising the money and resources we need to support our local and wider communities. In the last bulletin I published an opinion piece on membership and invited members to feedback any thoughts and ideas they had. I have received two very thoughtful responses from younger women whose connection with our club is through current or past members. The intention is to create a summary response from everyone who sends in their thoughts rather than ascribe thoughts to individuals -i.e. your thoughts can be anonymous. If however, you would like to draft up a more publishable piece that can be published in full. Share your thoughts as it is by the sharing of the widest possible range of ideas that we can ensure the best outcomes possible for our club. |
||||||||||||||||||
A daring rescue of 12 boys trapped in a cave.At a very convivial joint meeting with the Auckland east Rotary Club, our members were treated to an extremely interesting and moving talk by Professor Simon Mitchell, one of an intrepid group of people who enjoy diving deep into the oceans and exploring large caves. ![]() Check out all the details on You Tube but there is nothing like hearing the story first hand from such an enthusiast and knowledgeable presenter. Some highlights:
![]() All who heard this talk could not have but been moved by the whole account – in times of Covid, such uplifting stories need to be more widely known. |
||||||||||||||||||
Alisons Musings for October.![]() Auckland is back at Level 1, so hopefully our Rotary year can return to something akin to normal. A couple of our big projects are running next year: Top Schools and the Rotary Community Carnival and Water Festival. With fewer club members some members are taking on multiple roles. For the Club to succeed we do need all members to be involved. The Community Committee needs help with a couple of projects, including delivering flyers for the Trap Library project. Please contact Linda Agnew aggi04@gmail.com President’s Quiz At last week’s meeting we debuted the new fundraiser for the Sunshine Fund. A true/ False quiz. Incorrect answer, you pay. The questions will be sourced from my general knowledge (with some assistance from my family). $40 was raised last week. ![]() Science School We have put forward 2 excellent candidates for the John Yolland Memorial Prize. Madeline will be involved when the students present to us next year. Thanks Phillip Tse, for yet again, interviewing students and putting forward the applications. |
||||||||||||||||||
Membership thoughts.![]() The issue of membership is a perennial one and we continue to lose members more quickly than we can attract new members. This is of course not peculiar to our club. From my perspective there are a number of contributing factors:
Over the years we have tried a variety of approaches and we have individual members who have been very active and innovative in trying to attract new members. . One very obvious trend is that very few of us [my self included] have our own children as members. Why not? The reason for asking the question is twofold. Firstly, what are the barriers to membership? Once we know those perhaps it will inform our next step. Secondly, and a more sobering outcome might be the response that shows increasing membership by any approach will be difficult. Finally there are past members who have gone on to become really active in other organisations, and it would be instructive to know why they have made that transition. There is another aspect to membership and that involves retaining, in some capacity, as many members as we can. Is there any way in which people can retain an association with the club without being full members? Alternatively, would it be possible to have some form of “non-member active”, which are people who have never been members but who will support us in some capacity? That might include working bees, supporting an activity such as the Carnival, Top Schools or the Quiz night. This would mean that while actual membership remains low our capacity to do work in the community would be increased. If what we have been doing has not had the desired effect then it makes sense to look at what other things we could do. In my view, addressing the situation requires the best ideas from across the club so your thoughts are sought. Let Alison or your committee chair know hat you think. Alternatively write a piece for the Bulletin that we can share with all members. |
||||||||||||||||||
Buckley Systems![]() While Bill Buckley himself was left stranded in New Plymouth due to a fault with his plane, his very capable physicist, Tobin Jones gave us a very intensive address on just what Buckley Systems is about.The company manufactures precision electromagnets, vacuum chambers, accelerator systems and components coupled with design and physics. ![]() The products manufactured appear to be finding their way around the world where they are comprised in other manufactured systems. Of particular interest were the semiconductor devices used in computers, phones, and flat screen TV’s, automobiles and personal computers. Buckley’s high-precision electro-magnets are being used in both medical diagnostic treatments and medical therapeutic treatments. Of particular interest were the use of particle accelerators used in medical therapy for cancer. Charged particle beams can be accelerated and directed at a patient’s tumour in a controlled manner for a specific amount of time. The high precision magnets with specific and challenging magnetic field requirements are also manufactured by the company. Several different modes of treatment of cancer cells are utilized, for example: electrons, protons, gamma rays and neutrons can be used for treating cancer. Buckley’s is another example of the ingenuity with which New Zealand organisations are able to invent systems and use their productions around the world to enable enhancement with other products and organisations. Thank you Bill and Tobin for making us aware of a company New Zealanders can be proud of. |
||||||||||||||||||
A Short BulletinAfter successive lockdowns punctuated by the occasional chance to meet in person as a club members were pleased to be able to again meet and welcome a guest speaker. The report from the scribe that details the activities of a very successful and innovative New Zealand company can be found below. Membership will be something that is on many of your minds. I have added a few thoughts in the bulletin [the benefit of being the editor]. If you have any thoughts feel free, encouraged even, to share those with Alison or the chair of the committee you belong to. President Alison has volunteered to co-ordinate the Rotary Community Carnival and Water Festival to be held in February 2021. The Howick Local Board has committed to funding this again. It showcases Pakuranga Rotary in the community and is a welcome source off fundraising but does require a sizeable workforce from our club so look forward to a day in the sun early in 2021. |
||||||||||||||||||
Alison’s Musings for SeptemberThis Rotary year has been challenging. Until it is safe for us all, we are back to Zoom meetings, but that is no barrier for Rotary. In the last month, among other things, the Club has: a. Learnt that the 50th anniversary sculpture project is continuing – thanks to this team; b. Facilitated planting days for our Trees for Survival Schools – thanks Peter Taylor (Community Committee); c. The Rotary Raffle has been launched – thanks Fund raising under Sylvie Wilkinson’s leadership; d. The Auxiliary club helped with ERKs packing – thanks Trish Plowright and her team; e. Learnt that Tamaki River Festival, with slightly reduced funding, will happen next year (Community Committee under Linda Agnew’s leadership) ; f. Started planning for Top Schools in March next year – Youth Committee under Trish Plowright’s leadership. This year we have reintroduced committees. This is where the work of the club happens. Not everyone has joined a committee. There are vacancies in: Youth contact either, Trish Plowright trish@elmpark.school.nz the committee chair or Nick Loseby her deputy nick.loseby@gmail.com Community contact Linda Agnew linda aggi04@gmail.com Finally, a special thanks to Don Lawry and the Club Management Committee for their rapid responses to the lockdown changes. Keep safe. ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
LotterySavings in a Covid world. ![]() Fewer meetings means no costly food and beverages. More savings. We are now offering you the chance to invest some of that saved money. For just $100 you can secure your own numbered lottery ball that lasts the rest of the Rotary year. Provided 100 balls are sold, you will have 20 chances of actually making money. As a club full of the titans on commerce and industry we are sure this investment will be high on your list of priorities. Call to Action! Be in with a chance to win by depositing $100 in our club account number is 02 0223 0017811 02. Make sure you include your name and the reference is Tambola. Swift, no-obligation requests for more information to Sylvie please on sylviecalling@gmail.com or 5277035 or 0274847335. |
||||||||||||||||||
Christmas PartyChristmas Party. ![]() If you have one or more of the above – providing they are 10 years or younger and you think they would like to come to a party – can you get back to kim@ajetservices.co.nz. |
||||||||||||||||||
Joining a CommitteeJoining a Committee. ![]() The good news is that committees have been established. The bad news is that we still have a lack of members in some committees. There will be any number of good reasons why members have not been able to commit to a committee but for the rest of us it would be great to either join a committee or if you can’t manage the extra meeting, get hold of a chairperson and commit to supporting some or all of the work that the committee will be undertaking in this Rotary year. ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Whats the story with our AuxiliaryWhat’s the story with our Auxiliary ? Our Auxiliary is a first for Pakuranga Rotary and as with lots of new initiatives, details are not always well understood. In the interests of clarity some key points are outlined below.
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Lock Down 2![]() Just as we were getting back in the swing of regular physical meeting the tricky virus has disrupted what we hoped was the new normal. Despite President Trump declaring he did not want to be like New Zealand we are still in pretty good shape and will hopefully be back out of level 3 soon. ![]() The level which we will move to will of course impact on the type of meetings we can hold. Club Management will be working behind the scenes to plan for that and once we get some direction on Monday the final planning will be able to occur. |
||||||||||||||||||
District Changeover Recognition.![]() Graham Kearns was awarded a sapphire for his PHF, in recognition of his work as ADG. Congratulations Graham! ![]() Pakuranga Rotary was awarded the Rangitoto Trophy for “the club project that has achieved the greatest environmental impact in the District.” Duncan, Sylvie and Joe were the Club’s key movers. |
||||||||||||||||||
Health Issues and Club Support
If anyone would like to share in confidence (or for publication) any health or welfare issues or you could do with some help from the Club please contact Chris Ward or Geoff Shapland. |
||||||||||||||||||
Wool you help?![]() Could members and partners please have a peep in cupboards for any part balls of wool (any type) They are needed so Communicare, Margaret A and Mary Benjamin of Anchorage Park can continue making items like these beautiful blankets for Plunket and needy families in our area. |
||||||||||||||||||
Thank You Pakuranga Rotary.![]() “On behalf of St Marks Church in Pakuranga, we thank you and Pakuranga Rotary for the donation of plum puddings for our foodbank. Our recipients will definitely enjoy the sumptuous taste of this treat. God Bless!” Mannix Lopez, Pastoral Coordinator. |
||||||||||||||||||
Boy do we have a deal for you.![]() Covid has changed most things in our lives (plus we are all getting older) so no surprise that the club must take a different approach to everything, including fundraising. We are offering an opportunity to passively generate funds while having a wee bit of fun along the way. Remember all that money we saved by not being able to attend Rotary? Just $100 (three Waipuna meals) of that will secure you one numbered lottery ball that lasts the rest of the Rotary year. Provided 100 balls are sold, you will have 20 chances of doing nicely thanks! We have 15 takers already! Balls are not limited to Rotarians, so please ask friends to join in. Swift no- obligation requests for more information to Sylvie please on sylviecalling@gmail.com or 5277035 or 0274847335. |
||||||||||||||||||
Next Meetings Guest Speaker![]() Cate is Auckland City Councils Environmental Advisor, working in 75 schools across the Howick and Papatoetoe Wards, empowering youth towards a sustainable future. Hear about this programme, which sits so beautifully with our own TfS initiative. Assisting Cate will be Saralee and Ashlee, Enviro-school leaders speaking of the initiatives Farm Cove Intermediate has taken to develop a sustainable school. |
||||||||||||||||||
Communicare![]() It has as its mission statement “To actively improve the quality of life for the elderly, lonely and disabled by providing recreation, support and advocacy in Friendship Centres.” If you have some spare time you might be willing to volunteer as a driver for Commuicare. Generally, its only once or twice a month and in our area on a Monday or a Tuesday morning. Interested? Contact bulletin editor – allanvester@eduplus.co.nz. |
||||||||||||||||||
Life Education TrustThe Life Education Trust has two great fundraising events coming up that Rotarians might like to support. That support will enable Life Education Trust Counties Manukau to continue to teach 28,000 children aged 5-13 our health and well-being programme annually across Counties Manukau and Franklin including to thousands of children in the Pakuranga Rotary Club area. Harold's Disco:
![]() Vector Wero Whitewater Park. Sat Oct 17th 2020. 9am - midday Life Education Trust Counties Manukau and Harold the Giraffe are in the throes of organizing the fifth year of this fantastic community event:
Business ducks are available to buy for $200 (inc GST) at: https://thegreataucklandduckrace.com/product/business-duck/ |
||||||||||||||||||
Chris LuxonPreferring to be known for who he is, rather than what he does (or has done), Chris Luxton, National Party candidate for the Botany seat in the imminent election addressed an attentive gathering of about 60 local Rotary Club members, partners and friends at this week’s meeting. Chris’s lengthy CV was used by Del Johnson to introduce a man who has made a huge impact already in the international and New Zealand business world. A snapshot of his education (much in the Howick area) and university achievements provided background to his extremely valuable experiences as a leading executive in the global multi-national company Unilever where he honed his strategic thinking and actions to enhance the company’s position in world markets. With these well prepared tools in his pouch he accepted the position of CEO of Air New Zealand, an 80 year old company, with which he stayed for seven years. Most Kiwis would be aware of the incredible record of this airline under his leadership with the upgrading of systems, opening new markets, forming strategic alliances with other airlines, Air Points, modern aircraft and recruitment of top executives and workers to the point where it was elected the top Corporate Reputation and Trust Company in NZ (2015 – 19) AND in Australia (1017 – 19). Listening to his underlying philosophies and strategies in the bulk of his address one can understand how this success story was attained. The three basic components for company success were outlined as being Enhanced Consumer Experience < High Performance and Engaged Culture > Superior Commercial results. Profit, while important for shareholders, was seen as a pleasing end result of nurturing and supporting exceptional leaders. The popularity of the company as a place to work is shown in the fact that 58,000 people applied for 1000 jobs in recent times. Chris recommended the book ‘Good to be Great’ by Jim Collins as a starting point to understanding his strategies and goals. Why settle for ‘good; when ‘great’ is achievable? Even a summary of the strategies outlined by Chris would just about provide another book but in essences they were based on four ‘plans’, all involving discipline:
In question time Chris fielded questions relating to his move into the political arena, one in which he admits to having to learn a lot but not afraid to start at the bottom and learn to ‘unlearn’ what might impede his future. He made it clear that his desire was for public service rather than politics per se. Electorate first, party second and country third was his mantra – perhaps a foresight into his political future (?) In reference to NZ/China relations he used the expression – ‘we can disagree without being disagreeable’ – wise counsel in the current climate. All attendees, I am sure, could not help but t be impressed by Chris’s openness, humility, depth of knowledge and thought, articulateness, sense of humour and, yes, charisma. Botany could be the winner next month and if that is the case, so will the quality of our parliamentary representation. |
||||||||||||||||||
Headline |
||||||||||||||||||
Keen on Politics?![]() It's election season and there will be promises. This candidates hoarding was spotted heading into Wanaka. It will be interesting to see how many votes he gets. Perhaps honesty will have it's reward? |
||||||||||||||||||
A great community initiative at Te Tuhi.Te Tuhi has partnered with Rescare Homes Trust and The University of Auckland to establish Aotearoa’s New Zealand’s first training café for people with intellectual disabilities The new café, located at Te Tuhi, provides in-house training and paid employment for people with intellectual disabilities, through a community-based programme. The initiative launched on 20 July 2020 and will be open Monday to Saturday 9am-2pm serving barista-made coffee and a range of freshly baked cabinet food. ![]() Pakuranga Rotary supported the establishment of the Te Tuhi Community centre and Art gallery and an added bonus of supporting the café is easy access to nationally significant art exhibitions. The café project is a non-profit enterprise and they are currently seeking support to cover wages of trainers, trainees and other café staff. |
||||||||||||||||||
Covid 19 puddings.![]() Photo shows Major Allister Irwin, his wife Anne , Sylvie and Romona Lolohea, the Sallies Community Ministries Manager. |
||||||||||||||||||
Back to real meetings.Large numbers attended our last club meeting and people enjoyed the opportunity. This is another reminder to all members that you do need to respond to the invitation sent to you before each meeting either accepting or declining. That enables club management to ensure that we have the correct amount of food and liquid refreshments and ensure that we do not run meetings at a cost to the club. Thanks in advance. |
||||||||||||||||||
Scribes Report![]() Diva who is now employed by Google to lead the “hyper-local problem” which deals with issues around accurate location for such services as ride sharing. If you have ever felt completely immersed in an activity, really creative, with high levels of energy and with time seeming to just disappear then you are likely to be in a state that psychologists refer to as flow. It can result in a 500% increase in productivity, 200% increase in creativity including lateral thinking and a reduction of 50% in the time it takes to learn. Flow is a concept that societies have recognised for thousands of years, but it is only in the past one hundred years that science has started to provide more understanding of what it actually involves. There are three key characteristics of situations of flow. The task needs to involve a stretch goal with a reasonable chance of completion. The goal will feel very clear and as you perform an action towards the goal there is feedback as to progress. While it might be logical to expect that our brains are more active during flow, Diva explained that exactly the opposite occurs. Our neurons move increasingly from beta waves to alpha and gamma waves. Those parts which are involved with ego and sense of self, and act as a brake on us taking intellectual risks shut down. All five of the neurochemicals that stimulate the brain fire at once giving us a burst of energy and an intellectual high. Meditation and “mindfulness” can help us achieve a sense of flow, but the research also has implications in employment where the tasks that are set and environment provided can increase the chance that people will be in the flow. ![]() Diva finished with some comments on life in the USA where she is based. Recently married life is great, but she is also aware of the increase in social tension resulting from Covid -19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. With an increased sale of guns and the concern that many people have about how they might fare in any interaction with the police, Diva noted, we are lucky to live in New Zealand. |
||||||||||||||||||
More From Changeover.![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Committees for New Rotary Year.Joining a committee enables you to:
If you haven’t already joined a committee can I suggest you contact one of the above to find out where the committees will be meeting. Note, you can still be involved in projects outside of your chosen committee. Fundraising - Sylvie Wilkinson Club Management – Don Lawry Youth - Trish Plowright/ Nick Loseby Community - Linda Agnew Note, you can still be involved in projects outside of your chosen committee. At their first meeting committees will be discussing planned projects for the year. Come along and be involved in deciding what the Club will be doing in 2020/21. Projects for 2020/21 will be discussed at the Board meeting on 27 July. The Board will be then report back to the Club. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Bulletin for 2020![]() I am of course happy to fill it with my musings on politics and the world in general but many of you might like to avoid that. The solution is easy - if you want items published, get those through to me as they become ready. allanvester@eduplus.co.nz Images are a welcome addition. |
||||||||||||||||||
End of Life Referendum Presentation![]() Kiwi journalist Caralese Trayes who has written a book called The Final Choice- End of life suffering: Is assisted dying the answer? Remuera Golf Club. Tues 11 Aug 6.30pm (for 7.00pm) The cost is $40 per person, and includes dinner. Caralese will tell us about her journey and hunt for the truth about assisted dying and the End of Life Choice Act. She has many stories to tell of her interviews with lawyers, doctors, ethicists, clerics and many others from around New Zealand and across the world. If you are interested in attending, contact Scott Burridge 021 684 733 |
||||||||||||||||||
Trees for Survival![]() We have been advised that the next planting day for Pakuranga Intermediate School is to be on Thursday 6 August 2020 out a Clevedon. We are looking for someone to be the Club’s TFS co-ordinator. If you are interested please contact Linda Agnew 021843804 and aggi04@gmail.com |
||||||||||||||||||
Elise Arrives Home.![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Changeover with a difference![]() We opted for a mid-Winter Xmas theme, with five homes becoming Xmas Bubbles with up to 12 guests around the dinner table. Half way through the evening, all locations logged into Zoom, beamed from Alison’s home, and witnessed Bart give his end of year report. Certificates were awarded to his Board members as well as Nick, Del and Joe d’Ambrosio (of the Auxiliary) Bill Duncan and Bob Ritchie received Charter Member pins. Then came the PHFs. (all the awards had been secretly delivered to Bubbles and were presented personally, by the host… a lovely touch). [More details in the Bulletin.] Following the handing over of the Chain, Alison briefly outlined her plans for the year… service to the community, and introduced her Board. Our thanks to our hosts Allan Vester, Alison Gilbert, Don Lawry, Kelvin Davies and Peter Armstrong. A very pleasant and inclusive Changeover. |
||||||||||||||||||
Club AwardsDon Lawry PHF Sapphire Pin Is a valued trustee of the Johnston Memorial Trust, where he adopts a clear, measured and logical approach to funding applications. He volunteered for the Taveuni building project in Fiji. Don did an excellent job as chair of the 2020 Carnival Committee, where he demonstrated strong leadership and excellent organisational skills. He is well organised, easy to work with, hardworking, reliable, approachable, likeable and has an enviable ability to get the best out of people. Don is a fine Rotarian who exemplifies all aspects of both the four way test and our principal motto of service above self. Pakuranga Rotary is fortunate to have such a person as a member. Duncan Loney PHF Sapphire Pin Duncan stepped up as President when the Club was in a difficult situation. He secured the attachment of the Satellite Club securing 18 new members for Pakuranga. He gave financial support and became a Rotary Grandpa to a uni student, assisting her to become a Rotarian. He brought a jolly and professional touch to meetings and was very active in fundraising efforts for the Club. He co- established the biggest environmental project this club has seen, since Trees for Survival, engaging with six other service clubs, Council, Enviroschools and Bio Security to establish the Trap Library across the Howick Ward. Always cheerful, energetic, pleasant and positive. President’s Cup Penelope Franca, from our Auxiliary club, initiated and ran the Plunket programme, supplying hundreds of garments for needy children. She led the Communicare Knitters programme, providing donated wool to the group who in turn, produced baby clothes. She was a member of the Carnival Committee redesigning and printing flyers and street signs and collecting field data at the event. She also worked at editing Membership material. Penelope is a hard working, pleasant, cheerful and positive Rotarian.. all this while working full time as a successful real estate agent and a young baby at home. Joe D’Ambrosio Is part of our Auxiliary and a very valued member the Pest Free committee where he played a major part in establishing and running the electronic registration system, keeping track of hundreds of traps and trappers across the whole Howick Ward. This was ground breaking work, without which, the programme could not have proceeded. |
||||||||||||||||||
Elise's Farewell![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
2020 Virtual Convention![]() You can:
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Peace ScholarshipsEach year, Rotary funds up to 130 fully funded Peace scholarships. We now have over 1300 qualified Fellows. The Master’s programme consists of approximately 21 months of study and Fellows graduate with a degree, generally in Peace and Conflict Resolution. Midway through the course Rotary funds around six weeks for the Fellows to individually gain practical experience and some go to very interesting and dangerous places! The universities that provide these programmes are Duke/University of North Carolina, Bradford, Uppsala, International Christian University in Tokyo and Queensland. These universities are inspected every three years and over the years three have been dropped and replaced and the competition to be selected is intense. On the last occasion we had over 100 universities apply. The Certificate course was altered last year to include three months live-in at the University, nine months of on-line support, and then back for a one week residential refresh of the experience. In this course, Fellows go together for a one week practical experience. Often for the Fellows at Chulalonghorn in Bangkok they travel to Laos to gain an understanding of the causes of the notorious Pol Phot genocide and from Makerere in Kampala they will visit countries such as Rwanda. This is the first year in operation of Makerere and it was selected in a very competitive process. Rotary wanted a Peace course in Africa and several countries wanted to be the host. In general, applicants with a study background tend towards a Master’s programme and individuals who have been working for some years in peace related activities gravitate towards the Certificate course as it requires less time off work.Of the graduates, most reside in the US as so many international organisation are centred there but 9% of the total [116] reside in Australia and Oceania. Almost 40% of the graduates work for NGOs or other peace related organisations and many are teachers/professors, in research positions or working for governments. 71 work for UN agencies and 9 for the World Bank. Our Peace programmes are very attractive to Rotarians and over $170 million has been given to the Peace Endowment Fund. |
||||||||||||||||||
Zoe Litt report from GermanyHi all, ![]() Hope you are well. I heard New Zealand is corona free! Lucky you. Germany is a lot better now with under 10,000 cases. Despite new cases we have been on the decline which is amazing news. Things are slowly starting to return to normal! My monthly report for this month is a mix of quarantine and life starting again. I’m so grateful that things are coming back to normal and that my new host family is so welcoming and amazing. This would not have been possible without the Rotary and my clubs Saalburg-Taunus and Pakuranga. Zoe. |
||||||||||||||||||
Guinness Down UnderMonday night saw the club host its first guest [non club member] speaker by Zoom. Given the ability to have speakers who are not in Auckland, or possibly even in New Zealand, its very likely we will have more such occasions in the future. ![]() Production was limited by heavy excise tax and tariffs on exports to England and by the time Richard Guinness died in 1766 around 22,479 barrels were being produced per year. The removal of those restraints and good management by successive generations of the Guinness family saw that production rise to over 2 million barrels. Brewed in fifty countries under license, that has continued to grow and over 9 million glasses of Guinness are poured around the world every day using the “double gas” method first developed in the 1960s and replacing the cask conditioned method used previously. The company was expanded by a strong export policy. Guinness first came to Hobart in 1824 and by 1851 was being imported into Nelson. The company also entered into a range of bottling arrangements where the brew was bottled in the importing countries often under the name of the bottler rather than the brewer. New Zealand first brewed the beer to bottle here in 1960 but it was only in the 1990’s when we started brewing draught Guinness that the brand really took off. While the first four generation of the Guinness family were directly involved in the production of the beer, as is often the way management and ownership of the company has passed out of family hands with only 5% of shares now held by the family. In New Zealand production of the draught product is based at the Lion facilities in East Tamaki. Bottles and cans continue to be imported from Dublin. If anybody who would like to buy a copy of Guinness Down Under – please email Rod at guinnessdu@xtra.co.nz and he will arrange. Cost is $30 (which includes postage) payable by internet banking. He’ll advise the bank account number. |
||||||||||||||||||
President Elect - Alison![]()
The Committees that will run in the coming years are:
|
||||||||||||||||||
ChangeoverChangeover July 4th 2020
|
||||||||||||||||||
50 Years as a Club
The Panmure club, now no longer in existence but once with a membership of over a hundred members, was our mother club. After a few weeks at an alternative venue our club started what has proven to be a very long-term relationship with Waipuna, the initial attraction being the poor standard of food at the initial venue. In those early days members had the responsibility for serving the food and then tidying up. As a charter member at only thirty years old Bill had to wait until the advanced age of forty to get the opportunity to lead a group exchange team to Kentucky, an opportunity Bill said he will always be grateful for. A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court making it illegal to restrict membership on the basis of gender saw the beginning of women being able to join Rotary. This did not change things quickly and Bill could well remember the impact of our first female member. Now thirty-three years later Pakuranga Rotary has elected its first female president. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Peace Fellowships Program![]() When we first established our Peace scholarship program 15 years ago we were almost unique. Now there are some 600 scholarships and we have no point of difference.although our scholarships remain amongst the most generous. The funding comes from Foundation funds and there is no requirement for districts which nominate scholars to contribute to the cost, though some districts give DDF. |
||||||||||||||||||
My Mum used to cut chicken
Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in creek, the lake or at the beach instead of a pristine chlorinated pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then either? We all took PE ..... and risked permanent injury with a pair of Dunlop sandshoes bare feet if you couldn’t afford the runners instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors that cost as much as a small car. I can't recall any injuries, but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. We got the cane or the strap for doing something wrong at school, they used to call it discipline yet we all grew up to accept the rules and to honour & respect those older than us. We had at least 40 kids in our class and somehow, we all learned to read and write, do maths and spell almost all the words needed to write a grammatically correct letter......., FUNNY THAT!! Read on below. |
||||||||||||||||||
ClassificationsThe classification principle goes back to the start of Rotary in 1905 when Paul Harris and his friends decided that members should come from different classifications so as to represent a cross section of society and not become another focused self-interest group. Classifications were so important that Rotary International established a committee in 1923/24 to review and to make a list of acceptable classifications and clubs were advised that a list of members and their classifications be sent regularly to the General Secretary. A publication was produced and regularly updated and it is interesting to read of some of the classifications in the 1937 edition. In today’s world it would be a challenge to find a stoker, with the choice of industrial or locomotive, and while some may wear a toupee, there must be a limited number of toupee manufacturers. Anyone use whisk brooms unless you are in the middle of Africa, and it would be the ultimate in political incorrectness to have as a classification “Insane Asylums”. While ship building is still current, ship delivery sounds rather limited. Not sure if we have autographic registers and the probable alternative name for check writer is parent but only for another year or two. All joking aside, classification lists have been an important membership tool for Rotary and could be even now. Clubs would compile a list of classifications within their area and ask members to suggest names that would then go the Membership Committee of the club to follow up. The list would be very different to that of 1937 but it certainly connects the club with the community! |
||||||||||||||||||
The return of the rats and CovidAutumn is upon us and while this means the humidity has gone, it also means the return of the rats!
|
||||||||||||||||||
What we did in Lockdown 2![]() When each day became an enforced home-stay, Margaret Armstrong got busy with the crochet hook and knitting needles to create these fantastic garments for the little ones. She has produced several cosy beanies and 23 pairs of strong warm slippers for cold little feet.Margaret has asked that these be donated to needy families around our area and we will be using the Auxiliary educators to identify these children. What a wonderful and valuable use of our enforced isolation. |
||||||||||||||||||
Best Ever Book
|
||||||||||||||||||
I Knew I was Right 2
Did anyone write down their analysis down, their views on what should or should not have been done, their predictions on the impact on health or the economy? Probably not and as it turns out that will be really helpful in helping us all conclude that what we thought was really accurate and that we are remarkably prescient. To help us in that quest for affirmation, there are well over 100 documented biases and tendencies at our disposal. Here are a few to watch out for when thinking about our own recollection of events and the statements of the many commentators who have spoken or written so confidently [with special reference to Mike Hosking and Duncan Garner.]
|
||||||||||||||||||
Meeting by Zoom
District Governor, Gary, joined us and presented the club [virtually] a certificate of 50 Years of membership. Of the 31 charter members two are still active and one, Bob Ritchie was able to present some the history and his recollections. A highlight for Bob was the start of the Rotary Walkway during his presidency and his Paul Harris Fellowship, presented in 1992. Bill Duncan, the other charter member, was thwarted from offering his recollections by the technology but we are hopeful of that Bill will be able to do that at an upcoming meeting.
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Best song, book and film
|
||||||||||||||||||
District Foundation News![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Smile
|
||||||||||||||||||
50th Anniversary Gala DinnerGala Dinner. Saturday 2nd of May the night the Rotary Club Of Pakuranga was to have staged their 50th Anniversary Gala Night at Waipuna, a Night not to have missed. But yes we are missing the night, thanks to COVID-19. A huge disappointment due to the hours and hours of planning and I would like to thank my Committee. However, The Gala Night must go on, certainly won’t be Take-Away! A future date to be decided. WATCH THIS SPACE. |
||||||||||||||||||
Report from Zoe, our outbound student
|
||||||||||||||||||
Smile 2![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Smile 3![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Best Song [and book and film] Ever
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Merchandise ROTARY CLUB OF PAKURANGA APPAREL With all the spare time on your hands these days, this would be a great time to check on your wardrobe, for any replacements that you may want. Polo Shirts (Men’s and Ladies) $30.00 Caps ( “ ) $13.00 Floppy Hats( “ ) $21.00 Paua Ties $20.00 Paua Bow Ties $15.00 Only On Line Orders Taken!! Please contact Ian Handisides, Email : ibhandi@xtra.co.nz Merchandise Manager |
||||||||||||||||||
Thirty Years With InteractIn 1990, with just one year Rotary membership under my belt, I was approached by a fellow Rotarian Bob Benzie with a suggestion that I do something about getting an Interact Club under way at Pakuranga College. I had moved there from Edgewater College in 1987 and was still fairly much under pressure finding my way with new systems and relationships so wasn’t too chuffed about taking on new responsibilities. But many of you will remember Bob – he was persistent if nothing else and finally wore me down. As a result, after clearing it with the principal Pamela Stone, our Paskuranga College Interact Club was assembled and chartered at a special evening on 14 March 1990 where Bruce Robinson (DG), Noel Holyoake, (past DG) and Dennis Waller (Pakuranga Rotary President), gave us the all go. |
||||||||||||||||||
Production in lockdown
|
||||||||||||||||||
Smile![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Best Song Ever Part 1Here are the first tranche of musical masterpieces. Hopefully this will prompt more of you to share your best song ever and be included in parts 2 or 3. Don’t worry if you don’t have any interesting details about your choice. That’s a job I love doing. Might even be useful for our next trivia evening.
|
||||||||||||||||||
Elise in Lockdown
I am still with my 3rd host family the Pleiss’s whose daughter Madita went on exchange to France and returned in January. I have 3 host sisters, which is really nice during the lockdown because most of the time, I have something to do with someone! We play a lot of board games all together, I play the piano, do some work for France, call a lot of my friends to keep in touch and lately Madita started to teach me how to play the ukulele. I am keeping busy during this lockdown which is quite fun! The situation back in Europe and France is concerning since the virus is spreading way quicker there than here, but people can't do anything else than staying home. In France, there are more than 100,000 cases but the daily amount of new cases has been going down a bit. Fortunately, my family is safe, they've all been in lockdown for about a month now. My parents are working from home during the day and my brother and my sister are doing some school work. All my grandparents are safe, which makes me very happy! I keep regular contact with them to see how they are during those difficult times. Stay safe everyone! ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
The Carnival Is Over
There was all the fun of the fair with a clown, bouncy castles, sausage sizzle and mussle fritters, animal rides, an animal farm with pets and ponies, face painting, a fire engine, coconut shie and much more. Mr Whippy. Coffee Guy and Snowiez shaved Ice all did a brisk business as the ques of people never seemed to get any shorter. We were entertained by a trio from Howick College who were very good. Kayaks, and sail boats also added to the spectacle and made best use of the location of Farm Cove Reserve and the Pakuranga Sailing Club A strong breeze was welcome as the weather was hot and sunny during the afternoon. Interviews done on the day showed an overwhelming positive response and the marketing, and organisation of the Carnival was a great success. |
||||||||||||||||||
Wisdom
|
||||||||||||||||||
RI IssuesI saw a comment the other day that a Rotarian was querying what was happening at Rotary International level. RI staff are working from home till at least 30 April and there will be no funded RI travel before May 31. The April meetings of the RI Board and the Foundation Trustees were both held virtually. Not simple because of time zones! All Peace Fellows were asked to return home if possible and somewhere in excess of a 1000 Rotary Youth Exchangees returned home early. Rotary’s worldwide membership at March 31 was 1 216 706, up 27 240 since July 1 2019. Over that period the total membership in New Zealand fell by 70. District 9910 dropped 22 to 998 and our District, 9920 dropped 28 to 1355. One of the significances of these figures is the RI considers the minimum number of Rotarians needs to be 1100 for a District to be effective and D9910 is falling further below this figure. The leadership of that District proposed a merger of the two Districts but this has not been accepted at this time. Inevitably there will need to be some action unless that District can find a way to grow. The greatest growth by any District in Australia and New Zealand is in District 9640, which has added 90 members this year. That district is partly in Queensland and partly in NSW, which must creating challenges as Queensland has closed its border. Pity the District Governor! |
||||||||||||||||||
Women in Rotary
|
||||||||||||||||||
The work of a JP
Today, thank goodness it is different. |
||||||||||||||||||
Report from the USA![]() Minnesota USA By Rotarian Carrie McGhee Good Morning from a snowy Winona, Minnesota. It is April, the daffodils are blooming and we have five inches of snow on the ground. Looking out the window, the sky is blue with a warm sun, you can hear the birds singing their songs. The picture is perfect, perfectly eerie due to Covid-19. There are no people out and about. No sound of children playing. No sirens, no traffic only the sound of birds and silence. Since March 16, 2020, the state of Minnesota has been “shelter in”, “safe at home”, “involuntarily nesting”, all meaning that unless you are an essential worker you are expected to stay home and stay indoors. We can go outside for exercise, go buy groceries, gas, and other essentials. We can attend religious services, weddings and funerals if there are no more than 10 people present and each person is practicing social distancing (six feet of separation). The stores that are open are grocery, liquor (their business has seen a 250% increase in the past month), hardware and gas. Restaurants can only serve carry away. Schools, bars, movie theatres, retail shops, playgrounds, automobile dealerships, malls, barber and hairdressing salons, dentist and any non-essential health clinics are all closed. Governor Tim Walz has stated that he will reassess the “shelter in” executive order on May 4. He is relying on a team of health experts and scientist to track the progression of the corona virus. All the models show that staying in has slowed the spread of the virus/flattened the curve. The worry is that our world will open back up too soon and there will be a round two of the disease, worse than the first round. Fortunately for Minnesotans, we are the world headquarters of companies like the Mayo Clinic, 3M, Medtronic, the University of Minnesota. These institutions are on the forefront of coming up with test tools and equipment that will assist us in battling and ultimately winning the war on this disease. This period in history will show that the American way of life has been forever changed. People have proven they can work at home. Parents have successfully home-schooled their children. Families have bonded over being together twenty four- seven. In the past month we have used technology in ways we never thought possible by having virtual happy hours, talent shows, Rotary Noon meetings, funerals, weddings and other social get-togethers. We have stayed connected and stayed in touch. |
||||||||||||||||||
Polio Update![]() Pakistan is a much bigger problem. In January there were 18.3 million children vaccinated which is an amazing achievement but many were still missed. The population is so dense, particularly in the slum areas, that it a very difficult to ensure all children are seen. They have 376 permanent transit points, which includes bus stops, railway stations and highways and they vaccinate many children in these but much of the work is a hard slog through slums. In Pakistan as at 8 April this year there were 37 cases as against 149 for the full year last year. One of the surveillance techniques used in many countries to check that polio is not circulating is to take and analyse environmental samples, which is a polite way of saying that samples are taken from sewage and then laboratory tested, and in Pakistan this means taking samples from ditches and creeks. Not a very desirable job! In January they found 27 positive samples. Covid19 has now changed the landscape as it was necessary to stop vaccination activity everywhere in mid-March with a target resumption of July 1. The polio workforce has now transferred its activities to covid19. Sadly, it is accepted that this will mean more cases of polio. Not all activity has ceased however as surveillance, planning and training continues and new more effective vaccine, mOPV2, will become available in August/September. In India, during the successful polio eradication, Rotary formed an alliance with the Ulema Council which is made up of some of the most senior Muslim clerics in India and that alliance has been rekindled to fight covid19. Yet another example of our polio campaign building health structures that will fight other health issues. An ongoing challenge in the background is the amount of vaccine derived polio in Africa and this is a problem that will only be beaten when the wild polio virus is eradicated. Clearing vaccine derived polio cannot occur until we can stop vaccinating and then it will be just a matter of money and time. As a final comment, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will stay in the polio effort with Rotary and will again next year provide the subsidy of US$100 million if we raise US$50 million. |
||||||||||||||||||
Nicks Soup![]() NICKS SPECIALTY PUMPKIN SOUP Ingredients: Half a pumpkin Two Kumara One red onion Carton of vegetable stock Tbl spoon of peanut butter Tbl spoon of crushed garlic Half teaspoon of paprika Half teaspoon salt Two chopped carrots (optional) . Wash pumpkin and take seeds out. Chop into small cubes (Skin on) . Wash and chop kumara (Peeled) Chop up onion and carrots Put all ingredients into a large pan. Top up with water to about two inches from top. Boil up until Veges are soft. Allow to cool slightly and then put into blender. Serve with garlic bread and sour cream. |
||||||||||||||||||
Nick at Grimsby![]() ![]() Nick began with a brief overview of his early years growing up and working in Grimsby with reference to the the many establishments that are now no-longer. After emigrating to Aukland, New Zealand, Nick became an active member of the Pakuranga Rotary Club. Pakuranga Rotary Club The club has several female members and Nick claims that these give much of the driving force behind the Club. Membership features multiple ethnic groups representing the extent of the geographical region which includes Pacific islands such as Fiji. Young people and local businesses play a big part in supporting the Club's activities. Charitable Activities Help in providing dictionaries, atlases and reading books plus the provision of a prefabricated mothers' and children's (Whanau) room has benefitted the local schools and the club also provides Christmas presents for refugee children. The club has also provided emergency response kits (ERKS) in response to situations that have occured on the nearly islands. Community From time to time the Club engages their 'Working Bee' team to clear derelict land and plant trees for the benefit of the local people. An annual fishing event using 'commandeered' boats in the sheltered waters of Auckland raises the majority of the charity funds and is enjoyed by all. |
||||||||||||||||||
Social DistancingFor those of us who have been Rotarians for a good many years, one of the great joys of being a Rotarian was, and remains, the ability to make up at another Rotary Club’s regular meeting, anywhere in the world. This was by way of assisting you with attaining your required percentage yearly attendance which, if my memory serves me correctly, was 60% of your own clubs regular meetings in any one year. In fact, many of us retained an updated Rotary International Directory for this very purpose. Social Distancing reminds me of the time I decided to make up at a club in Rotorua. The only Rotarians I came into contact with were the gentleman who took my meal money and two or three other visiting Rotarians who with me had been guided to a roped off area especially ordained for visiting Rotarians. I do recall some whimsical remarks made by my companions for the meeting but I can’t recall whether we were given any form of introduction or indeed whether were visited by the sergeant. In recent years we have become familiar with ‘E’ clubs and now in this time of Coronavirus we learn that at least two of the clubs in our District, Remuera and Downtown, are meeting via ZOOM. Members in the Downtown Club regularly meet in the late afternoon, if only to address the topic DRINKS” on the Agenda. So might we have a member who, unlike some of us, is not technology challenged, who might be able to organize such meetings, possibly with a view to using such technology for smaller group meetings in the future. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotarians in Lock Down
|
||||||||||||||||||
Our daily lives are Different
Looking after ourselves and each other in a COVID-19 world is more important than ever. While Pakuranga Rotary has ceased face-to-face meetings until further notice – you can still stay in-touch and show you care with a telephone call or text message. Perhaps you’ve tried video calling using FaceTime or WhatsApp and had a virtual coffee or wine with friends – a smile makes a difference. My thoughts go out to those dealing with Covid-19 work challenges or health concerns – Please reach out to someone for help. If you know someone that is working for an essential service, then please pass on our thanks and gratitude. We recommend taking time to
Bart Signal |
||||||||||||||||||
2021 Rotary Youth Exchange |
||||||||||||||||||
Brett Meale – Police Sergeant based at Howick
Howick station is part of the Counties Manukau East district, the main HQ of which is based in Ormiston. The district polices about 200,000 people comprising a huge range of ethnicities and a very large youth component. The Howick station has only 5 of the 137 sworn staff in the district, this low number reflecting the relatively small number of incidents requiring attention compared with areas further east and south. Brett made it clear though that it was no cake walk and the work load in each of the sub-areas under his supervision is still huge. |
||||||||||||||||||
Community River Carnival![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Gary Barzilay
With words and graphic actions Gary revealed the pain endured in the botched process of ex-foliation of leg hair, designed to reduce drag as a keen cyclist. As if one leg was not bad enough, he knew he had to endure the agony of a second. In similar vein he told of his ambitions to be a cowboy, his life as a horse trainer designed to meet this end. Being tossed to the ground, not once but twice by a reluctant and rampant filly he was urged to get back in the saddle knowing full well the likely consequences. Third time lucky, the horse accepted the load and became compliant. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Alison Gilbert File
Alison spoke about her life and the influences that have impacted on where she is now and focussed under four headings. In reading her story one should also bear in mind she has made her way in times when women had to prove their worth many times over. 1/ Alison is the second eldest of six children. As a child she was shy and retiring. She is related to the late Les Hammond, who was a Past President of our Club. When it came time for Alison to head off to University at the end of the seventh form year her parents were reluctant to allow her to move to Auckland to study law. Instead she studied for a Bachelor of Social Science at Waikato University. This course of study did not interest her that much so she went to work for the Public Service. Within six months she was promoted and then travelled to Wellington to work for the Department of Education. She attended the Outward Bound course and this enhanced her confidence. |
||||||||||||||||||
Elise![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Essential French for Tourists![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
A Decade of DictionariesThe Bill and Lorna Boyd Charitable Trust, formed to commemorate Bill’s appointment to the office of Rotary World President in 2006, has been heavily involved in the supply of Usborne Illustrated English dictionaries to year 4 decile 1 schools since 2009. The Usborne books are supplied to their New Zealand agents Harper Collins Limited. To date the Trust has distributed through Rotary Clubs throughout New Zealand, close to 200,000 books estimated to have a retail value of approximately NZ$6m. Recently the Trust has added to its literacy library of books available, a book with flashcards for new entrants to primary schools called Rhyming around the Alphabet. The books were published by Wendy Pye Publishing Ltd and the Trust was assisted in this initial purchase by the Trillion Trust.
Recently with the help of Kiri Kirkpatrick, we presented the Rhyming around the Alphabet books to Year 1 students at Panmure Bridge School with great success. |
||||||||||||||||||
Induction - Dennis Kavanagh
Dennis is a Past President of the Sunnyhills Friendship (ex Probus) Club which was set up by the Rotary Club of Pakuranga about 11 years ago and is an active committee member. He was also a team member of the Taveuni building team at Bouma School in November 2018. His Classification is Aluminium Joinery Manufacture having owned a Nulook aluminium joinery franchise, but is now retired. Dennis enjoys golf, DIY building and travel, is married to Raewyn and has two children, Rachael and Shane and 4 grandchildren. I believe that Dennis will bring experience and be an asset to the club. |
||||||||||||||||||
Philippa Loseby
As part of a Masters in Health Psychology, Philippa investigated the link between physical health and mental health as it applies when people are faced with a major medical issue. The specific issue that formed the focus of the thesis was type 1 diabetes which usually begins to affect people aged under 20 but which can strike at any age. While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, usually, the body's own immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses — mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The physical impact of the disease on sufferers and the need for ongoing testing and treatment can have a significant phycological impact which in turn impacts on the efficacy of treatment and ongoing health outcomes. Philippa used 113 participants with type 1 diabetes and by using a series of questionnaires was able to establish the link between how people responded psychologically to longer term health outcomes. Because poorly controlled diabetes has a serious impact on other aspects of a person’s health managing the disease is vital. Those respondents who showed more positive optimism and a higher degree of self-compassion also demonstrated a higher degree of self-care. That translated into more careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and better control of insulin levels which in turn led to well managed diabetes and better health outcomes. While the link might now seem self-evident it was not one which had been explored previously and Philippa was invited to present at a conference in Melbourne. She thanked Sylvie Wilkinson and Bill Duncan for their support with the costs associated with that event. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Rise and Rise of Rocket LabRocket Lab Production Director Jamie France attracted such numbers to our meeting on Monday evening that space became a challenge. More than 100 people crammed into the Banquet Room at Waipuna to hear an enthralling account from Jamie of the launch and rise of Rocket Lab. Jamie had a design engineer background with Team New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel and Air New Zealand. From just 12 people when Jamie joined Rocket Lab in 2014, Rocket Lab now employs over 500 people. 300 of those work in the Rocket Lab facility just a stones’ throw from Waipuna, building 17-metre-tall Electron Rockets at the rate of 1 per week. The rockets are then transported to Mahia and the world’s only private launch site. The firm has a 100% mission success rate with customer product, putting in low earth orbit satellites for a variety of customers, most of whom are American. The company is presently building a second launch site in Virginia to solidify its American customer base. The next stage is to complete an end to end delivery system with its own network tracking stations. The company builds everything – all hardware, software, avionics and electronics. |
||||||||||||||||||
Tag Off Polio![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Stirring Doomsday debateEvery year since 1987 Pakuranga Rotary has hosted teams from local schools for a fiercely contested debate with the Holyoake Trophy as the prize. Sponsored by PDG Noel Holyoake, the debate involves senior students from the three colleges in the district – Edgewater College, Pakuranga College and St. Kentigern College with teams alternating to challenge the winner from the previous year. Since 2018 the trophy had been held by St. Kentigern College but the holders were hotly challenged by Pakuranga College at our last meeting. The debate is conducted under the rules used in secondary schools with the greatest test being the limited time for preparation. Teams do not receive the moot for the debate until noon on the day of the contest. With the support of school management they are given the afternoon to set up their strategies and arguments. Recent debates under these rules have been of very high quality and attest to the initiative and clever cramming of content undertaken by the talented students. The 2019 topic had echoes of Stephen Hawking’s warning to the world in his last book-if robots don’t get us, climate change will. The moot was “That AI presents a greater threat to mankind’s future than climate change”. The Pakuranga College team consisting of Khusrav Bhajiwalla, Jaxon Gear, Helen Lam and Chris Matthews (Teacher i/c) which argued for the affirmative, wove a picture of a world dominated by Artificial Intelligence which didn’t share human values, caused massive unemployment and anarchy and which posed a more serious threat long term to the world than the climate change issue which was solvable. Ben Shepherd, William Feng, Ben Fraser and Chris Hodder (Teacher i/c) representing St. Kentigern College and arguing in the negative, countered that the portrayal of the risks posed by AI was overhyped and unrealistic and that extreme weather will overwhelm us before cell phones overpower us. The debate was coordinated by Peter Woodcock and adjudicated by Jeanette Roberts, with years of experience, Desiré Truter, Acting Head of English and teacher in charge of the debating team at Edgewater College and Simeon Brown MP. In awarding the debate (and retention of the Holyoake Trophy) to St. Kentigern College, Simeon made reference to the quality of the debate and the passion exhibited by both teams. There was certainly nothing artificial about the intelligence on display from our local College debating teams. |
||||||||||||||||||
Ride Like a GirlOn Thursday, 24 October - we are joining forces with Somerville and Highbrook Rotary at a charity movie night in support of PolioPlus - Rotary's world project to eradicate polio. Ride Like A Girl is the incredible true story of Michelle Payne. As a little girl, Michelle (Teresa Palmer) dreams of the impossible: winning the Melbourne Cup - horse-racing's toughest two-mile race. The youngest of 10 children, Michelle is raised by single father Paddy (Sam Neill). After her own near fatal horse fall all but ends the dream. But with the love of her dad and her brother Stevie, Michelle will not give up. Against all the medical advice, and the protests of her siblings, she rides on, and meets the Prince of Penzance. Together they overcome impossible odds for a shot at the dream: a ride in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, at odds of 100 to 1. Register at our Ride Like A Girl Movie Night event to secure your ticket |
||||||||||||||||||
Rocket Lab Coming to Pakuranga RotaryOn Monday, 21 October - Jamie France a former Team NZ engineer and now Production Director at Rocket Lab is enlightening us on how a design engineer with the yachting syndicate from 1997 through to 2013 is now building $7m rockets that are launched into space on New Zealand's east coast. Register at our Rocket Lab Night event to let us know you are going to be there. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange on a Summer Holiday
One of the highlights of this month was getting to see my friend Oscar! He visited Lille for the day and it was amazing! We had some coffee and a good yarn, went to watch Toy Story 4, and then he met one of the Australians Sara. We had so much fun that day, mucking around in shops, having a picnic in the park and wandering endlessly through Lille. We even bought matching toy rabbits for our blazers. It was so nice to see a familiar face. The last of my oldies left on the 6th. After that, trips to Lille were a little boring and didn’t feel right. Us newbies, uh oldies now, have been hanging out as much as possible, but it’s a little difficult since all of us are going on holiday with our host families. We’re all really excited for our newbies to arrive, there’s about 30 arriving. The integration weekend is on the 30th but sadly, I can’t go for the nights. There may be a chance I’ll go for the last day.
|
||||||||||||||||||
Wearable Arts Pakuranga Trivia Night and Auction - 7 SeptemberTickets On Sale NowWith well-known NZ actor Shane Cortese as auctioneer, teams will compete in a fun night putting their trivia knowledge to the test to win great prize and auction to support Life Education Trust and Pakuranga Rotary projects. Come in your outlandish and creative wearable art.
|
||||||||||||||||||
Sanctuary Sculpture Support
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Foundation receives highest rating for 11th yearFor the 11th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized,” says Foundation Trustee Chair Ron Burton. “It represents the hard work and dedication of countless Rotarians throughout the world. They know their gifts will be used for the purpose for which they were given and that they will, indeed, make a real difference.” The rating reflects Charity Navigator's assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotarians descended on Hamburg
During the convention, they were part of the conversation on pressing world issues like polio eradication, pollution, refugee migration, disease prevention, and literacy. They inspired to enhance thier skills in areas that Rotarians value, like fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and fellowship. Attendees - Past RI President Bill Boyd and Rotarian Del Johnston enlightened Pakuranga Rotary about the Hamburg Convention. |
||||||||||||||||||
WAP Trivia Night - 7 SeptemberTickets On Sale Now
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Leadership Institute |
||||||||||||||||||
50th Anniversary Gala Dinner![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
A Salute to International Rotarian - Bill Boyd
On 30 June 2019, Bill finally drew closure to his stellar 30 years of International service to Rotary and returns to be 'Bill Boyd - Magazine Distribution and member of Pakuranga Rotary. Always by his side during his years service has been his much adored wife Lorna, who herself played her part in Convention break-out sessions and became a fountain of Rotary knowledge which she graciously shared with whomever and whenever the appropriate occasion rose. The members of the Pakuranga Rotary salute Bill's work for Rotary and its many endeavours. |
||||||||||||||||||
Georgie Chalmers & Viktoria MelberPakuranga Rotary was treated to reports by two very enthusiastic Rotary exchange students. Georgie Chalmers who has returned from a year in Denmark and Victoria Melber our exchange student from Austria. The Rotary Youth Exchange [fittingly initiated by the Copenhagen Club in Denmark in 1927] now gives around 9000 students a year the opportunity to live and study in another country. The messages from Georgie and Viktoria mirrored those given by successive students and reinforces just how valuable this exchange is. 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Newest Rotarians
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Melissa Chan-BrownLast 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
John Taylor - The cloud Application and Cost benefitsFor 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:
|
||||||||||||||||||
Ahead of the Curve
|
||||||||||||||||||
Who is Penelope Franca
|
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary and Public Work of Art
|
||||||||||||||||||
Panmure Bridge School Reading Programme
|
||||||||||||||||||
Pestival![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Howick Local Board citizen Awards 2019![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Curtain Call![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Peace CentresRotary Peace Centers
|
||||||||||||||||||
Wellbeing Day Out![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Bringing in the Big Ships to the Port of Auckland
|
||||||||||||||||||
Mt Eden Rotary & Epsom Rotary Invite You to ROCKETMAN Movie Night @ Lido Cinema (Thu 30 May)![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Geoffrey Amos
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Gavin TretheweyWhat 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Dawn Johnston Koru Award Nominations Wanted
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. Adrienne Davies President Howick Inner Wheel Club |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange - Apply NowHave you thought about a Student Exchange? Every year Rotary International offers students the chance to go on a 12 month exchange in countries like France, Germany, Holland, Argentina, plus more. It is not as hard as it might sound because Rotary gives you a lot of support and you will have your own support person in your exchange country while you are away. You don’t have to know the language before you go. One of the highlights is a summer trip around Europe or your host country. "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 Join them to find out more
|
||||||||||||||||||
Make a Difference from the Backbenches
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Remuera and St Johns - Quiz Night![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Tip Top Schools Fun Day Out Coming Soon |
||||||||||||||||||
30 Years of Women in Rotary![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Club of South Auckland Cultural & Charity Night 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary National Science and Technology Forum Inspires
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! |
||||||||||||||||||
Meeting Highlights
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
District Conference is only 2 months awayWe 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakistan's female vaccination team moves from polio to measles![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Crossing Thru the Clouds
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. ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange Information EveningsHave you thought about a Student Exchange? Every year Rotary International offers students the chance to go on a 12 month exchange in countries like France, Germany, Holland, Argentina, plus more. It is not as hard as it might sound because Rotary gives you a lot of support and you will have your own support person in your exchange country while you are away. You don’t have to know the language before you go. One of the highlights is a summer trip around Europe or your host country. "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. Join them to find out more
|
||||||||||||||||||
Eels, eats and eco- entertainment at Pirongia
![]()
|
||||||||||||||||||
Help Support Te Whakaora Tangata
Date & Time: Wednesday 27 February, 12noon to 1.30pm Paid Parking: Available in the EMA parking building on Auburn St Cost: $60.00 per person RSVP: clicking here or contacting Jacqui - (09) 486 6010 or office@aucklandrotary.org.nz |
||||||||||||||||||
Pestival - East Auckland Schools Green Jam![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
A Colourful TimeSchool started and I got really busy in school. I joined the tennis team and went to the tryouts for the volleyball seniors team, where I finally made it in the team. For subjects in school I chose English, Chemistry, Calculus, Physics applied and Outdoor Education. On the 10th February I went together with some of the other Rotary Exchange students and my friends from school to the Hare Krishna Holi festival, which took place at the Hare Krishna Temple in Riverhead. We all came home with the colour everywhere and were looking forward to our rainbow shower. It was so much fun. ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Dental Clinic to Multipurpose Room
|
||||||||||||||||||
Fiji Oxygen Project Fundraising
“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" |
||||||||||||||||||
Atlas Presentation
|
||||||||||||||||||
Viki's Travels
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. ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
RYPEN needs Your HelpThe 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.
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Keeping an Eye on PuntersThere 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Community River Carnival |
||||||||||||||||||
Gary Braid - From Otumoetai to SloveniaGary 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Highbrook Rotary Fun Run Walk![]() Can you help Highbrook Rotary?
If you can help, then contact Highbrook Rotary
|
||||||||||||||||||
“Chippies” of ActionA 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Wonderful Community ProjectsPakuranga 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? |
||||||||||||||||||
Another one bites the dust!
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! |
||||||||||||||||||
New Christmas Addition![]() Christmas is all about a very special baby... We want to share our own special Rotary baby with you all... some beautiful shots of Mahina Louise, Penelope's wee girl now just 6 weeks old. |
||||||||||||||||||
Touring the South
Click on the link below to see more |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary on Show at Howick Santa ParadePakuranga Rotary, Howick Rotary, Somerville Rotary, Auckland South Rotary, Half Moon Bay Rotary and Botany East Tamaki Rotary joined forces at this year's Howick Santa Parade to show all the good work done in the local community. Be it dictionaries in school, Bangers to Bluff, eradicating polio or supplying Emergency Response Kits to the South Pacific.
|
||||||||||||||||||
St Johns Rotary - Trivia Night
|
||||||||||||||||||
Erin Forsyth - A Few
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Whare Hauora a First![]() Whare Hauora, an amazing new in-school health facility created by Starship Community, in partnership with the Starship Foundation and Bartfoot & Thompson. Located at Panmure Bridge School, the relocatable clinic is designed to provide a higher quality of community health care to primary students. Whare Hauora is the brainchild of Nurse Consultant Sarah Williams who saw first-hand the need for appropriate spaces for healthcare within schools, and has worked on the project from conception through to reality. Sarah says: “The Whare Hauora project celebrates a collaboration between health and education which came about through a shared vision and established relationship. Experience had shown us that having a nurse available in the primary school space greatly supports children who have health issues that are preventing them attending school or engaging in learning activities. This approach works even better if there is an appropriate facility for our nurses and others to use.” Richard Johnston, Principal of Panmure Bridge School, says: “This concept makes a significant and positive change in the relationship between education (the school ) and health. The model developed here, in creating a respectful and purpose built environment, has huge potential to be up-scaled across the education sector to meet the needs of many communities. |
||||||||||||||||||
Kenya Ashcroft - Rotary Service Award Recepient 2018Kenya was the recipient of the Rotary Senior School Service Award for her service to environmental issues at the Saint Kentigern College. Kenya has been widely involved in environmental programmes throughout her education. Of particular significance is her involvement in Trees for Survival. This is an environmental programme that sees students grow, care for and plant out thousands of native seedlings in riparian zones across Auckland every year. Kenya began her involvement in ‘Trees for Survival’ at age 7 at Ardmore Primary School; which she then continued to engage with here at the College until Year 13. Trees for Survival has been running at the College for now more than 25 years, and in that time has planted over 30,000 trees. The Saint Kentigern is very grateful to the Pakuranga Rotary who are our sponsors and never miss a planting day with the college. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Down Under November 2018 |
||||||||||||||||||
Mission Heights Pestival |
||||||||||||||||||
From Afghanistan to New ZealandOur 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
An Invitation from the Rotary Club of Remuera![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Bohemian Rhapsody![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
World Polio Day
|
||||||||||||||||||
District Conference 2019
You can find more information about the conference here (https://rotarydistrict9920. 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.
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 |
||||||||||||||||||
Emergency Response Kits - Assist in a Practical Way
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary announces $96.5m to end polio![]() The announcement comes as Nigeria marks two years without any reported cases of wild poliovirus, following four reported cases in 2016, said press release received here from Rotary (Pakistan). “Nigeria has prevented further cases of wild poliovirus. Thanks to the improved surveillance and rapid response protocols Rotary and its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners have supported, particularly in Borno,” said Chairperson of Rotary’s Nigeria PolioPlus Committee, Dr Tunji Funsho. |
||||||||||||||||||
Asking those Questions that make all the Difference for Rotarians |
||||||||||||||||||
Ride for Rotary in India
|
||||||||||||||||||
Pest Free by 2050?
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
2018 Holyoake DebateHolyoake Debate: Featuring Edgewater College and St Kentigern CollegeThe 2018 Holyoake debate presented the very topical moot, “That freedom of speech is a threat to both social harmony and political stability.” After a long break Edgewater College was back at the debate with an inexperienced team debating against the cup holders, St Kentigern College. St Kent’s, in a display of good sportsmanship also brought a more junior team. Despite the relative youth of the teams there was no shortage of good arguments, extended vocabulary and some great oratory flourishes. |
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles 3 September 2018![]() Next week is our fellowship night which are growing in popularity. If you have not attended such a night yet please come and enjoy a more relaxed evening. On 17/9 the following Monday it is club assembly where budgets are presented! We have lots to talk about! |
||||||||||||||||||
Predator Free 2050![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary eBike SafariSomething you may be interested in from the Rotary Club of East Auckland |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary 50th Anniversary Project
|
||||||||||||||||||
Trivia and Auction NightIt is only a few weeks away and tickets are selling fast!![]() This year Pakuranga Rotary are supporting Life Education Trust and Rotary projects. Contact Alan Davies (abdavies@xtra.co.nz or 021535556) to secure your tickets for $25 pp or $250 per table |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary Supports Life Education TrustLife Education Trust Director Lincoln Jefferson comes to speak to Pakuranga Rotary as the Club prepares for Trivia Night 2018 to be held on Saturday 6 October supporting the work of the Trust.![]() Nationally, the LET’s 45 mobile classrooms reach 250,000 children per year with their interactive programme on healthy living, all facilitated by trained teachers. Locally, in Counties Manukau, the goal is to lift the figure from 35,000 this year to 40,000 next. |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary swings in behind exciting new predator free programme
|
||||||||||||||||||
Upcoming event; Life Education Trust to speak to Pakuranga RotaryOur speaker next week: Lincoln Jefferson-General Manager Life Education Trust Counties ManukauLincoln joined Life Education Trust Counties Manukau late last year. Lincoln sees his role as general His previous roles have included leading the John Walker “Find Your Field of Dreams” Foundation Primary Sport programme which supported primary, intermediate and secondary schools on South Auckland. Our environment is really important to Lincoln and leading the Manukau Beautification Trust successfully he was able to beautify the community with projects such as The Largest Single Environmental Clean-up in NZ History which attracted 2,000 volunteers. |
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles 6 August![]() At 7pm in the bar that same evening Graham K, Bart Phillip and I will be holding a meeting with Howick Lions starting planning for Project Gunpowder, a fireworks display night. We need another member to join this team so if you are interested in this exciting project please contact any of us Our area Pest Free Meeting with the 4 other Rotary Clubs in the area will be held Wed 8/8 and we will report progress at our next meeting 20/8 HELP. We are short of funds. Are there some unused items you could list on trademe for club funds? Any other fund raising ideas? Please share |
||||||||||||||||||
Operations Manager wanted - New Zealand![]() ![]() OPERATIONS MANAGER NEW ZEALAND Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children ROMAC is a key District Governor Rotary programme providing life-saving and dignity-restoring treatment to the children from developing countries in Oceania. This Rotary programme spans the Australian and New Zealand regions, and between 20 and 30 children are referred to New Zealand (mostly to Starship hospital) for treatment each year. We are looking for an Operations Manager, who is a current member of Rotary, to join our volunteer team, mostly based in Auckland. The primary role of the Operations Manager is to organise and manage the logistics of getting ROMAC patients from the Pacific islands to New Zealand for treatment. This includes the processes associated with obtaining and managing the appropriate passport, VISA and immigration requirements and ensuring ROMAC documentation is completed. Travel documentation, itineraries and ticketing for child and carer travel to New Zealand and return home are also part of the role. This role is part of the NZ Regional Committee with members who are supportive and have roles integral to the Operations Manager role. Generally, a commitment of between 7 and 14 hours per week may be required to fulfil this role, occasionally longer when uploading data and information into the ROMAC database and reporting. If you are a Rotarian looking for a way to contribute directly to the objects of Rotary and are interested to find about more about this role please email NZ Region Chair Glenys Parton at newzealand@romac.org.au for a Role Description. |
||||||||||||||||||
Exchange Student Viktoria Melber arrives from Austria
|
||||||||||||||||||
DG Ingrid Waugh Comes to Pakuranga Rotary9920 District Governor Ingrid Waugh promised a short address and time for questions – and she delivered! ‘Be the Inspiration’ is the Rotary theme of World President Barry Rassin and Ingrid obviously took this on board as she gave her seventh presentation to 9920 clubs as D.G. After some warm fuzzies directed to our club’s record and Rotary stalwarts she outlined her FOUR priorities for the current Rotary year. |
||||||||||||||||||
Beauty in the pie of the beholder......![]() ![]() President Duncan’s instructions were simple. Use the big dish to make a pie for sharing. Use the small dish to make a pie for judging. Easy. Yeah, nah. |
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles![]() Come and show us your pie making skills! I have the NZ Bakels Team gearing up for Rotary Pie Awards and look forward to a great evening tasting all of the pies you are to bake and bring along As advised I will shortly arrange to send to you one small tin for a pie that is to be judged and a larger tin for a pie that we can share for dinner. The pies will all be reheated on arrival At present we have just 16 attendees so for all of the undecided who have not yet registered please do so as soon as possible so we can firm up numbers for the event |
||||||||||||||||||
Rev. Dr. Richard Waugh on Cars and PlanesLocal Aeronautical Icon and British Motor Car Enthusiast Visits Pakuranga Rotary
|
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary Auxilliary's
|
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles - Jul 9
|
||||||||||||||||||
The World Press Photo Exhibition Opens![]() ![]() NOW OPEN! THE OUTSTANDING 2018 WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Say YES to Life Pod |
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles - Jun 26![]()
|
||||||||||||||||||
Duncan's Doodles - Jun 21No meeting Monday 25/6
ERKS ( Emergency Response Kits)Fellow Rotarians we have an opportunity to take up a slot to pack ERKS
Are you able to assist? We shall put an invitation on ClubRunner WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME UP IN LIGHTSSocial Night Monday 30 July NZ Bakels Cnr of Industry RD and Church St East Penrose 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 |
||||||||||||||||||
Mary Taylor recognised with PHFMary Taylor was recognised for her work driving Rotary District 9920's Pacific Island Midwifery Training Programme. This, her second Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition which was bestowed and presented by District Governor Malini - congratulations Mary! The programme facilitates the sending midwives from remote areas of the Pacific for leadership skills training in Canberra. The course content has been designed to facilitate personal and professional development, and to enable them to pass on their leadership knowledge to their colleagues. |
||||||||||||||||||
Sylvie Wilkinson receives a PHF
|
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Tamaki River Rotary AuxilaryOn 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:
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Support ChristopherTo get a ticket, either
Alternatively make a donation into Pakuranga Rotary's bank account 02-0223-0017811-005 with ERKs in reference. |
||||||||||||||||||
Doing Good with Rotary Foundation![]() “The Rotary Foundation is the most visible expression of Rotarian generosity – a generosity that not only brings benefits but also brings help and cooperation to solve the problems that affect mankind.” Recently our Rotary Foundation turns 100. That’s a century of Rotary members changing lives and improving communities all over the world. And that’s definitely something worth celebrating. Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide. To find out more visit Rotary Foundation. |
||||||||||||||||||
District Governors' Changeover InvitationTo RSHP email pbarron@xtra.co.nz |
||||||||||||||||||
Highbrook Rotary Changeover Dinner Invitation |
||||||||||||||||||
Dame Lesley Max brings a story of hope, work and success against drivers of poverty and inequalityThis 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). |
||||||||||||||||||
RYPEN as a Life-changer
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
A Lot of RotThe issue of leaky buildings is one that just won't go away and an expert report from Jeanette Drysdale on the problem was warmly received. Jeannette, a long serving and very actively involved Rotarian is also highly qualified in the area of timber rot and the regulations and standards associated with the use of timber in construction. As Jeanette explained it New Zealand was at the centre of a perfect storm. A relaxation of the standards associated with the use of untreated timber in construction, increasingly complicated designs, parapets, enclosed balconies, smaller eaves, increased reliance on paints and sealants, monolithic cladding directly fixed and a raft of new building products, ably supported by architects all combined to lead to what was a disaster. |
||||||||||||||||||
Trees for Survival Reaches 135 SchoolsRoger 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. TFS has received a generous donation from the Potter Masonic Trust. Individual schools will be responsible for the first $1,000 of the cost of a growing unit and the Trust has agree to contribute to the balance. Roger’s presentation highlighted the enormity of the Government’s tree planting programme and the role that TFS is playing in engaging our young environmentalists of the future. |
||||||||||||||||||
Allan Vester - 23 Years at Edgewater College![]() In addition to his long term at Edgewater College, Allan was Chair of the New Zealand Secondary Principals’ Council for 5 years. He leaves Edgewater College in great shape, with a loyal staff and students who have enjoyed their time at school, his emphasis being that everyone cares about each other. He looks forward to maintaining his interest in education and having the time to expand his recreational opportunities. Pakuranga Rotary congratulated Allan and proudly presented him with a Community Service Award and wished him all the best for his future endeavours which will no doubt retain a community focus while giving him a bit more time for his own interests as well. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Potter Masonic Trust helps Trees for Survival
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Blankets![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Host Families Needed
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? Also refer to the Rotary Youth Exchange website for information www.youthexchange.org.nz |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange applications CLOSING SOON |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange – Emily Lit
|
||||||||||||||||||
The Dawn Johnston Koru AwardIn 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 |
||||||||||||||||||
Seas the Day
|
||||||||||||||||||
We Are the One![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Trees for Survival
|
||||||||||||||||||
New Zealand Tour
|
||||||||||||||||||
What Attracts New Rotarians?
|
||||||||||||||||||
Matt Poland of Auckland Transport - AMETI projects
|
||||||||||||||||||
Maurice Williamson - New Zealand Consul General to the US
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
State of our Gulf
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 E-Waste
|
||||||||||||||||||
Papakura Food Waste Pilot scheme
|
||||||||||||||||||
Recycling in Auckland |
||||||||||||||||||
25 Years of Pakuranga Rotary’s Top Day Out Fishing Day
|
||||||||||||||||||
Battery Recycling Scheme Announced
|
||||||||||||||||||
Simeon Brown - The First Hundred Days in Parliament
As the new kid on the block (the youngest National MP) Simeon’s induction into the workings of the parliamentary ‘system’ was partly programmed and partly the product of an osmosis process. The end result he described as being ‘life-changing’, both on the home front and in Wellington where he spends three days each week. The busyness in setting up his electorate office, hiring staff, dealing with constituents’ issues, being the minute-taker for his caucus and coping with meeting schedules and attendance in the House has been both exhausting and enervating. He loves it! |
||||||||||||||||||
Lifetime Opportunity - Rotary Youth Exchange![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Rowing – Where 2K Doesn't Go Very Far
|
||||||||||||||||||
Professor Bill Hodge: The Trump Story
![]() This week we were privileged to hear fro Professor Bill Hodge an eminent law scholar and close friend of President Dave who shares a common interest in Marathon running. He has run across the United States of America. Our very own Past President Blair Wingfield, who no doubt enjoyed catching up with Club Members, introduced the Professor. Bill Hodge has degrees from Harvard and Stanford Universities, is now a resident in Auckland lecturing at University of Auckland since 1972. He is a very active in mediation and associated employment matters and collective bargaining. |
||||||||||||||||||
Catch a Top Day Out - Make our Community Safer![]() Pakuranga Rotary has, for 21 years, run a Charity Fishing Competition with the major proceeds going to Coastguard. Named the “Catch a Top Day Out” it is held around March each year. Pakuranga Rotary arranges for groups of corporate guests to go out on a launch fishing competition in the inner Hauraki Gulf. Each boat is supplied with fish bait, lunch and refreshments, with the day finishing in the evening with a meal on Motuihe Island and prize giving. We are always looking for more launch owners who would be interested in making their boat available for this fun and memorable fundraising event. If you have a launch and would be keen to help both Pakuranga Rotary and Coastguard, please get in touch with us on the contact us page. |
||||||||||||||||||
Top Schools - Working with Our Kids
|
||||||||||||||||||
Georgie Arrives in DenmarkDear everyone back home I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the warm weather. It is finally all happening and my exchange is here! It has been a long time coming and I honestly cannot stop smiling about this, once in a lifetime, adventure that is unfolding before me. It all began on the 9th of Jan at roughly 5.30pm when all of us, nervous but excited outbounds, arrived at the airport with our families. I was absolutely terrified. I wasn’t 100% sure on what I had got myself into; leaving everything I knew and of course my gorgeous family to embark on a journey half way across the world. |
||||||||||||||||||
Tip Top Schools DayPeter Woodcock has taken on the responsibility of co-ordinating the organisation of the Tip Top Schools Day, set down for SUNDAY 25 March at Edgewater College. Please contact him with offers of assistance (peterjwoo@xtra.co.nz) in doing the multitude of preliminary ‘jobs’ required to make this a successful day – especially if there was a task you helped with in past years. Key responsibilities will be in organising the man-power (we hope to get some support from neighbouring Rotary Clubs), the parking, and gear check. On the day itself we look forward to ‘all hands on deck’! |
||||||||||||||||||
Setting up Bakels new factory in China
|
||||||||||||||||||
Life Education's Charity Golf Day![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakistan Projects
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Dictionary Project - Furthering Education![]() In 2008 the Bill and Lorna Boyd Charitable Trust, in conjunction with Pakuranga Rotary, implemented a Rotary Dictionary Project for NZ. The intent was that Rotary clubs throughout NZ would supply Year 4 students (8 to 9 year olds), in low decile schools, with their own named copy of an illustrated dictionary. The dictionary chosen has proven to be superb with a huge uptake by Rotary clubs nationwide |
||||||||||||||||||
The Rotary Walkway - Building Community Assets![]() The Rotary walkway was built and laid in stages by members and volunteers of the Pakuranga Rotary with the assistance of Council and community sponsorship. It was completed in 2014 when some widening and replacing of older parts of the walkway also took place. The Pakuranga Rotary shared pathway has become a very popular walk or ride stretching 9km from Prince Regent Drive in Farm Cove to the Panmure Bridge adjacent to the Pakuranga Town Centre. The path weaves past the Pakuranga Sailing Club and offers great views up and down the Tamaki River. |
||||||||||||||||||
Of PHF’s and PoliticsIt might be assumed that after the New Zealand General Election in late September 100% of Kiwi’s considered that 50% of the country had lost their minds. In contrast, there is no doubt that 100% of the Rotarians present at Monday evenings Christmas Party agreed with the three Paul Harris Fellows (PHF’s) which were awarded respectively to Mike Collins, Bart Allsop-Smith and the indefatigable Duncan Loney. From Ian Handisides we learnt that Mike Collins was a master magician at age 16 and joined Rotary in the 80’s in, of all places, Papua New Guinea. He has been a member of Pakuranga Rotary since 1996 and every Christmas displays extraordinary talent at the (Grand)Children’s Christmas Party in keeping the children convinced and their Grandparents in stitches. |
||||||||||||||||||
Riverhills School visit to Pakuranga
|
||||||||||||||||||
New outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student – Georgia ChalmersGeorgia (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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Flying 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 |
||||||||||||||||||
Grandkid's Christmas PartyLast 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary Christmas Party
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Invite to Howick Rotary ChristmasHowick Rotary President Gavin Green has invited us to their Christmas party on Tuesday, 5 December 2017. Details provided below. ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Howick Santa Parade![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga Rotary Children's Christmas Party |
||||||||||||||||||
Myrtle Rust![]() Myrtle Rust – the latest: See this link : http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/media-releases/myrtle-rust-appears-in-west-auckland/ |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Foundation MonthThe 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Plan ahead for email closure![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
District Governor Malini RaghwanSpecial 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
King Country Adventure in the Cart
|
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary BBQ – Bramley Beach
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Day at the United Nations![]() On 11 November help celebrate two organizations’ shared vision for peace and highlight the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world. The event also honors people who make a positive difference in their community, their country, or around the world. Each year, about 1,000 guests attend. |
||||||||||||||||||
Taveuni Rotary - follow up![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Taveuni Rotary Building Communities![]() 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) |
||||||||||||||||||
Murder on the Orient Express Movie Night![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Insights as Chairman of Auckland Transport - Dr Lester Levy![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Defibrillators for Taveuni
" 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." |
||||||||||||||||||
Top Schools Dilemma
|
||||||||||||||||||
Bula - District 9920 Conference in FijiFirst 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 6th 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 5th but can arrange a date that suits them to return. Those interested should contact Cindy. cindy@nztravelbrokers.co.nz |
||||||||||||||||||
Our New MP - Simeon Brown
|
||||||||||||||||||
Edgewater College Contribution
|
||||||||||||||||||
Children's Autism Foundation
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Christopher's& Fishing TaleThis 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Past International Exchange StudentsThis week we enjoyed having two speakers Richard Molitor and Linda Guirey. This was a New Zealand first and probably a first for Rotary where two former exchange students came and shared their experiences since their scholarships some 40 years ago! Richard, an inbound student in 1975 told us that upon his return to the US he finished school and attended the University of Washington from where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in pharmacy. He went on to travel, including to New Zealand before settling down to a role in hospital pharmacy. |
||||||||||||||||||
News from Taveuni![]() Extract from Geoffrey Amos to Del Johnston, emailed dated 20th September “Currently we have a team of 4 workers on Kioa Island painting the school buildings. It is their 70th Anniversary of the first settlers arriving from Tuvalu Island and they wanted the school to look good. We have just finished a big walk way at Holy Cross College outside the boys dorm. The Principal was so happy he got the boys to re concrete the path around the girls dorm, then asked us to put a new roof on the girls ablution block. The Cyclone and white ants caused the loss of the roof. Great to have a good reputation for quality work and be appreciated for the work we do. Without the support of Clubs like Pakuranga this would not happen. Stuart Thomson's “Building for Cyclones “ book has been more helpful than I can believe. He has taught us a lot and for this and other contributions he has made, his knowledge survives”. Geoffrey Amos Rotary Club of Taveuni Island, Fiji |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Leadership Institute![]() Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) develops Rotarians as leaders for the future by providing Rotary Learning and Information A fun, two‐day, interactive seminar that builds Rotary knowledge and develops leadership skills. The RLI course curriculum is set and updated by the International Rotary Leadership Institute. Trained RLI Facilitators are Rotarians chosen for both their Rotary knowledge and facilitation abilities. Reserve a place on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October 2017 and Join Leaders | Exchange Ideas | Take Action |
||||||||||||||||||
Basic Education and LiteracyMore than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Down Under Magazine |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary New Zealand to Receive $5 Million Grant![]() Our current government has just granted the largest sum given Rotary since the last Labour Government. Rotary dignitaries will visit Wellington tomorrow to attend to the detail. Below is the link to the press release: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1709/S00223/rotary-new-zealand-to-receive-5-million-grant.htm |
||||||||||||||||||
Technology Revolutionizing Real Estate Business
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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Holyoake Debate
|
||||||||||||||||||
Outbound Exchange Student UpdateAs 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Auckland SeaplanesOur 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Recognising Community Leaders![]() Pakuranga Rotary bestows honorary membership to recognise people who:
This year for their roles in the community and association with Pakuranga Rotary project the following people were recognised:
This year for embodying Rotary ideals, meritorious service and support of Rotary's causes the following people were recognised:
We hope you’ll be able to join us 18 September to congratulate them all. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Holyoake Debate![]() In 1983, Past District Governor Noel Holyoake initiated an intellectual challenge involving young people from the three secondary schools in the Pakuranga area – Edgewater College, Pakuranga College and St. Kentigern College. Every year since then teams from two of the schools lock verbal horns in the annual Holyoake Debate, an event always eagerly anticipated and invariably enjoyed by appreciative Rotarians, parents and guests. On Monday, cup-holders St. Kentigern College are being challenged by Pakuranga College. Don’t miss this highlight of the Rotary year and bring family and friends. |
||||||||||||||||||
Bullying and Youth Suicide in South Auckland![]() With youth suicide regularly in the news it was timely that Monday night’s first speaker, Alex Lovell addressed the club with an engaging and enthusiastic account of his close involvement with a film on the subject. Alex is half of a production company, Run Charlie, and with a long-time friend is co-producing a short film that grapples with the issues of bullying and youth suicide in a modern South Auckland setting. |
||||||||||||||||||
Making a Difference in Fiji![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Devonport Rotary Fine Homes Tour![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
Speaking on the SpeakerThis 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
The Bee Hive's Speaker of the House on MondayEver 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 Dare to Dream Charity Concert![]() 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.
|
||||||||||||||||||
From the President's desk![]() August: Membership and New Club DevelopmentThis 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 OptionsShortly 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Christopher's first meetingOur newly arrived exchange student Christopher De Blanck from Haderslev, Denmark was introduced. He expressed his gratitude for the club’s willingness to host him for his year in NZ. Christopher impressed with his confidence and maturity and looks set to have a very successful exchange year |
||||||||||||||||||
Anil Anna - from India to PakurangaIn 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! |
||||||||||||||||||
Project StarfishNow 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
An Evening of Triumphs and Trivia![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Rotary Youth Exchange![]() 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Green Gem of the Month
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 |
||||||||||||||||||
Different Sorts of MeetingsAt 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
From the President's Desk![]() Trivia NightThis 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 HouseThe 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
From the Presidents Desk![]() Triumphs and TriviaElizabeth 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. Monday NightThere 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Trivia Night on Saturday - Still tickets availableThere 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 - Auction ItemsTriumphs 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. |
||||||||||||||||||
Gray Bartlett – with Strings Attached![]() Gray Bartlett has packed a lot into his 75 years. Not only has his 30 albums and 20 singles sold well in excess of 1 million units, he continues to work as a concert promoter, boosting upcoming visits by Tommy Mandel and Johnny Cash’s daughter Rosanne. Gray had realised very early on while listening to Chet Atkins that he could see colours in music and by 1961 had recorded his first single as a guitarist. His career subsequently embraced musical direction, composition and production as well as concert promotion. Bill Duncan recalled meeting Gray in the late 1980’s when Gray was performing in China to a live audience of 200,000 people and then conducting a master class for 500 young guitarists. |
||||||||||||||||||
Club Donation makes the Heart Leap
|
||||||||||||||||||
Friends and Family Night - 17 July![]() 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: |
||||||||||||||||||
Pakuranga's NZ Tours 2017 and 2018 Report
|
||||||||||||||||||
Eva's Year in NZ
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 the Power of a Positive Attitude
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. |
||||||||||||||||||