Stories

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's

The 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.

Fundraising

Fund 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 Meeting

Come 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.

Event:	Pakuranga Rotary Meeting
Date:	Dec 07, 2020 5.30 PM - Dec 07, 2020 7.00 PM
Fee:	$15.00
Location:	Elm Park School Gossamer Drive Pakuranga Auckland, New Zealand 2010

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 2

The 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 Assembly

ASSEMBLY-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 50^th 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.

Allan Vester noted the willingness of parents to get involved in helping out with Rotary projects which may involve their children without initially wanting to commit to any ongoing Rotary participation. Harnessing that support can make a big difference in meeting our goals during trying times like these

Club Christmas Lunch

The annual Christmas function is a Pakuranga Rotary tradition. To really keep up this tradition we need people to register.

Event:	Pakuranga Rotary Christmas Lunch
Date:	Dec 13, 2020 12:00 PM - Dec 13, 2020 3:00 PM
Fee:	$35.00
Location:	The Howick Club 107 Botany Road

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!

Fellowship

In 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.

The above is of course a rather long winded introduction to a very brief report on the Community Committee social get together at Gorkha a Nepalese and Indian restaurant at Eastern Beach. A fine time was had by all in an evening which raised the spirits of all who attended. Certainly that event plus some very cordial Community Committee meetings has served to show newer Rotarians just what fun being a Rotarian can be.

I wait in anticipation for a flood of social reports from the other Committees.

City of Auckland Singers

See and hear what you missed!

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 29^th 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;

Steve and I were guests at Inner Wheel’s Spring celebration
I, with other club members, attended the opening of the playground at Stanhope school of the Rae and Ernie Johnston tepee playground
The Pakuranga Rotary Club Trophy for Community Spirit and Leadership was at the Edgewater prizegiving awarded to Connor Magatogia.
The Board has agreed to sponsor students for both RYPEN and RYLA – great to see these programmes up and running. If you know of potential RYLA students contact Trish Plowright
The Board has also agreed to sponsor Sunnyhills School for Trees for Survival
Top School plans are progressing – Trish and Nick will be looking for helpers, with past experience for this programme.
The Carnival plans are in hand – Save the Date - Sunday 21 March. Linda Agnew and her team are looking for help for the organisation.
We had our first induction of a member to our club for the 2020/ 2021 Rotary year – Sojung Yoon, who is a teacher at Farm Cove Intermediate.

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 sustainability

As 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

What a wonderful morning we had at Stanhope!! The outdoor education area was outstanding and far exceed expectations.

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.

Simon gave a very detailed account of the challenges faced and steps taken to rescue twelve soccer team boys and their coach from caves in the Tham Luang Forest Park in the far north of Thailand in July 201 Though not directly involved in the rescue he is a close friend of Richard Harris (Anaesthesist) and Craig Challen (Veterinary surgeon), two Australian divers who both received recognition as Australians of the year (2019) for their crucial part in the dramatic events.

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:

An appreciation of just how murky the water was in the cave sumps and how convoluted the passages through which the boys, anaesthetised and hanging from their diver rescuers, had to be negotiated.
How easy it was to ‘lose the line’ which had been set by the first search divers. The loss of a Thai diver was attributed to this.
An appreciation of how this became a world event with experts from the UK (Rick Stanton in particular) the USA and Thai authorities and multi-national divers involved (about 100 in total).
How frightening it must have been for the team, in total darkness, without food and with limited water trickling down the cave walls (the water below was too polluted for safe use), in putrid surroundings with no sense of time and no realistic expectation of rescue until the appearance of the first divers after 9 days!
The total underwater distance the boys had to be brought through – 1.2 km. with the longest section being 350 metres. The total ‘journey’ was close to 4 km.
The risks taken in using anaesthetics as the only viable way of keeping the boys calm during the procedure and the need to re-inject (even under water) at the first signs of body movement – other that expired air bubbles. There were no precedents to follow so no guarantee of success
The effectiveness of the full face Interspiro Divator masks which ensured constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) during the whole time.
The selection of the first two boys to go, on the basis that they would have the furthest distance to ride their bikes home once out of the cave!

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:

While younger people get involved in individual causes and projects, they seem much less likely or willing to join service clubs. Rotary has in fact held up quite well in terms of membership compared to organisations such as Lions, Kiwanis and Jaycees.
Rotary was seen as a somewhat elite organisation which along with the good work it did also generated business contacts and encouraged business networking. That type of networking is now done differently and is therefore less likely to be a reason why people might become members. That notion of being something of an elite organisation may also be part of the public perception of the organisation.
Families are now much more likely to involve two fully employed adults and a regular meeting along with other commitments makes being an active member more difficult.
Clubs have struggled to move with the times and the age, gender and cultural profile of many clubs does not reflect that of the wider population. We are of course all lovely people but it’s hard to see how we might be an attractive club for younger people and especially younger women.
The structure of the organisation places a significant weighting on the regular meeting. That is often not what those people who want to roll up their sleeves and get involved in a project or cause are looking for. That is the ratio of meeting to actual action may not fit the needs of at least some.
Meetings are still relatively formal and are less likely to mirror the type of meetings many prospective members now engage in.

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 Bulletin

After 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 September

This 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 50^th 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.

Lottery

Savings in a Covid world.

The loss of face to face meeting has meant that we no longer have sergeant sessions. A saving to you.

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 Party

Christmas Party.

Our Father Christmas missed out on using his costume last year and so to keep him happy we are looking at running the children/ grandchildren/ great grandchildren Rotary Christmas party again in December.

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 Committee

Joining a Committee.

Over the past two years there have been regular requests from members to re-establish committees. They were seen as the engine rooms and key fellowship hubs of a highly functioning club.

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 Auxiliary

What’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.

Members of the Auxiliary are full members of Pakuranga Rotary. They pay the same annual fees as others and that fee goes straight into our club accounts.
As members know, most Rotary clubs in New Zealand are struggling to maintain, let alone grow their membership. Our Auxiliary encourages younger people to join Rotary and contribute to the community in a way that better meets their circumstances.
The Auxiliary makes up around 20% of our membership and very significantly improves our gender balance. Without them our numbers would total just 42.
Right now, despite Covid, our Auxiliary have contributed: Communicare knitting group, clothing for Plunket babies, reading programme, supporting Women’s refuge and spent 30 hours packing ERKS boxes.
Their meetings are business focused, akin to our Committees.

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.

Expressions of interest please!

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

Next meetings guest speaker is Cate Jessop.

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

Established in 1959, Communicare is a not for profit association, serving the elderly, lonely and disabled within the Auckland Community for over 55 years.

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 Trust

The 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:

Papakura Netball Centre - Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini
Sat Aug 29th
Tickets $10 and include glowsticks
three different age group sessions to make sure everyone has the best time: 4.45pm - 8.45pm
sausage sizzle, snacks and Harold merchandise to buy
chill out room for parents
have your photo taken with Harold!

The Great Auckland Duck Race
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:

three exciting duck races down the white-water rapids, including a Business Race, School Race and Everybody Race with 5,000 little ducks
FREE photo-booth, bouncy castle and face-painting
$2 games including 'soccer darts' and Hook-a-Duck where everyone wins a prize
food carts, music and entertainment

Business ducks are available to buy for $200 (inc GST) at: https://thegreataucklandduckrace.com/product/business-duck/

https://thegreataucklandduckrace.com/

Chris Luxon

Preferring 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:

Disciplined people – Chris wanted Level 5 people with him – humble but professional, prepared to set and achieve defined goals and having potential to go even further – his expectation was that at least 70% of those leaving the company would go to higher levels in new undertakings. Close reviewing and mentoring aided this personal development.
Disciplined thought – focussing on what can be controlled rather than finding excuses for things not working e.g. fuel prices, exchange rates, weather etc. etc. Confronting reality but thinking outside the square, finding what one can be passionate about but still focussing on the core and doing it well.
Disciplined action – removing the ‘pain points’ from customer experiences e.g queues, lounges, cabin service, booking systems etc. (15 listed). The operational model had to focus on safety, reliability, service and profitability – in that order.
Building to last – developing a competitive advantage and then holding it against all competition. Becoming the world’s best – almost there, currently ranked 3^rd!

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.

Rescare Homes Trust provides supported residential accommodation and vocational support for adults with intellectual disabilities, to enable more independent living. Tracey Lanigan, CEO of Rescare, says, “The training café is an excellent stepping stone to learn new skills in a supportive environment, and we are excited to be partnering with Te Tuhi and The University of Auckland in creating equal learning, training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.”

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.

Through the generosity of our members and the Club coffers, we were able to donate 14 boxes of NZ made high end plum puddings to foodbanks in our local area. The idea was to allow needy families to enjoy a hot luxury treat in the middle of Winter, not only filling tummies, but lifting spirits along the way. An added bonus is that they have our logo on each one!!

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

At our second physical meeting post Covid 19 lock down the club was pleased to have Dr Diva Cohen join us by Zoom. Diva, an ex Pakuranga College student who the club supported to attend RYLA and the Model United Nations in the Hague, and who went on to become a “Young New Zealander of the Year" introduced the club to the Neuroscience of Flow.

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:

get to know other members of the club;
Participate in projects to help/ serve our community. Remember this year’s theme is Rotary Opens Doors – so let’s help others open the door to future opportunity;
Socialise with Rotary members;
Have a forum to raise any issues about the Club.

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

Assuming there is not a long line of people wanting to be the bulletin editor, it looks like it might be me for a while yet.

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

Newmarket Rotary are holding and evening meeting which might be of interest members.

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

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.

“It was hard to say goodbye to everyone at the airport and I still can’t believe I am back in France and that I am not going back to New Zealand.”

Changeover with a difference

This year Covid forced us into rethinking Changeover.

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 Awards

Don 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

Posted on Jun 15, 2020

2020 Virtual Convention

Posted on Jun 15, 2020

Join us during the 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention, 20-26 June, for activities beyond the general sessions that will get you moving, help you get involved, and connect you with members from around the world.

You can:

Stay active with the Rotary Walking Challenge. Track your progress on a leaderboard, enjoy some friendly competition, and have the chance to win great prizes – including two tickets for next year’s convention!
Explore the Virtual House of Friendship to discover Rotary Fellowships, Rotary Action Groups, potential partners, projects, and other valuable resources.
Join our Featured Breakouts to learn new skills and engage with fellow members. These take place daily, 22-26 June, with more breakout sessions throughout July.
Share how you’re participating by posting a selfie or other photos on our event pageon Facebook.
Use our Aloha Rotary GIFs and augmented reality filters to engage with your friends and family on social media. Add a GIF to your Facebook or Instagram stories. Snap a selfie or record a video while virtually wearing sunglasses or face paint. Learn how.

Sign up for our free convention today and encourage friends in your network, club, and community to join you. Don’t miss out!

http://msgfocus.rotary.org/c/1aIQox1g1QQ60QqgLVfeHmQeuDp

Rotary Peace Scholarships

Posted by Bill Boyd on Jun 15, 2020

Each 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 Germany

Posted by Zoe Lit on Jun 15, 2020

Hi 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 Under

Monday 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.

Rod Smith, author of Guinness Down Under, took members through the history of what is an iconic company and brew. Started by Richard Guinness in 1757 the company moved to its current site at St James Gate, Dublin in 1759, brewing ale which given general town water supply quality was a safer drink than water. The recipe for the porter that the company is now world famous for came from London.

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

Posted by Allan Vester on May 27, 2020

Beginning with the statement of the objective to “make the club relevant to current members and inviting to prospective members”, Alison outlined some proposed changes for the coming Rotary year recognising that to some extent it was "going forward to the past".

To have the club and the ancillary club working in tandem rather in parallel.
To reintroduce committees. These committees become a “home” for members, act as a conduit to the Board and allow for more, smaller scale social events. Rather than allocate members to committees Alison is aiming for members to volunteer to join a committee that especially interests them.
To set up project teams which all members can contribute to for those larger, one off events.

The Committees that will run in the coming years are:

Community	Linda Agnew
Aiming to work with both the local community and the business community.
Fundraising	Sylvie Wilkinson
With almost certain limits on donations and grants the committee will need to to be innovative and think outside the square.
Youth	Trish Plowright assisted by Nick Loseb
Post Covid 19, some traditional programmes may not run in the coming year.
Club Management	Don Lawry
Treasurer	Kim Collins
Secretary	Duncan Loney and Sarah Gilbert

Changeover

Posted by Don Lawry on May 27, 2020

Changeover July 4^th 2020
Opportunity to enjoy some Rotary Hospitality to start the new Rotary Year.

Due to Covid19 restrictions Changeover will be celebrated in small groups& Home Hosting mid-winter Xmas style this year.
All Rotary Club members will be invited to register for Changeover on Saturday July 4th.
We will need a number to register as hosts and will endeavour to work with them to allocate their guests from those who register.
The meal can be potluck or catered by the host at the host’s discretion and a bottle of your favourite tipple will be appreciated.
Dessert will be NZ made Rotary Xmas Pudding
The Formal Changeover will be done via Zoom so that all members can participate.
Watch for an invitation to register on Club Runner

50 Years as a Club

Posted by Bill Duncan on May 27, 2020

Bill as the second half of our charter member duo presented some reminisces of his 50 years as a member of Pakuranga Rotary. As Bill noted, 50 years is a long time and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and while some things have remained the same most has changed.

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

Posted by Bill Boyd on May 25, 2020

Many Rotarians support the concept of Peace [though there is no clear definition of what Peace is]. While the decision to establish a Peace Endowment was made in 2005, it was 2008 before work to fund the endowment began and by 2017 the gifts as at 30 September 2017 are in excess of $156 million.

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.

The cost per student varies from University to University and in addition we provide an administration stipend to each University. The current cost per student and source of funding are outlined below.

My Mum used to cut chicken

Posted by Alan Davies on May 25, 2020

My mum used to cut chicken, chop eggs. And spread butter on bread on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning. Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in ice pack coolers, but I can't remember getting e. coli

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.

Classifications

Posted by Bill Boyd on May 25, 2020

The 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 Covid

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 25, 2020

Autumn is upon us and while this means the humidity has gone, it also means the return of the rats!
As we experience cooler weather and longer nights, under cover of the extended darkness, the little guys come closer to dwellings in search of both food and warmth. Nows a good time to increase your trapping efforts? What a great way to make an additional contribution to our community. Let’s get trapping and when Spring arrives, we will see increased bird numbers in our gardens.

A message from the Trap Library Chair, Duncan, who is continuing to have success on his own property.. (photo of a large rat in a mustelid trap!) “ Breaking news!… staying home in our bubbles, we have been given special powers to eliminate all pests breaking the country’s isolation rules and encroaching on to our properties. Best of luck to you all and I look forward to hearing your stories”

What we did in Lockdown 2

Not long before Lockdown, members of the Club and their partners answered the call for help and donated spare knitting wool so it could be turned into something useful.

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

One of my all time favourite books is Caribbean by James A Mitchener. It's a large fictional book based on fact, giving an account of the settlement of the Caribbean Islands from the the days of the Caribs and Arawaks, through the pirate era, European settlement, the slave trade, up to the time and after we lived in Barbados. It was quite absorbing in many ways to Maureen & me having visited most of the islands while we lived there.

I Knew I was Right 2

As we all contemplate a move to Level 2 and then the even more exciting Level 1 we will all look back on the weeks since the Covid 19 crisis began. How did it go? Should we have acted sooner, more aggressively, less aggressively, given more support or less support, allowed more exceptions by business or region or population cohort? Did we trust the experts too much or not enough? Can pandemic modelling be trusted? All these questions and many more.

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.]

Confirmation bias - searching for and focusing on information that confirms our own views.
Egocentric bias - recalling the past in a self-serving manner.
False consensus effect - a tendency to overestimate the degree to which others agree with us.
Expectation bias - where research agrees with our own expectations it is more likely to be published.
Hindsight bias - “I knew it all along.”
Subjective validation - the perception that something must be true if an important belief which we hold requires it to be true.
Self-serving bias - a tendency to claim more responsibility for successes than failures.

Meeting by Zoom

Posted on May 07, 2020

Our second meeting by Zoom attracted 20 members. Let's aim for a 50% increase for Monday 11th.

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

Posted by Allan Vester on May 07, 2020

	Yesterday. The Beatles. Dennis Kavanagh. It reminds me of my youth but still stands as a great in today’s world. While the song is credited to Lennon /McCartney it was written entirely by Paul and he was the only Beatle to play on the recording of it. The melody was written a long time before the lyrics and its title was Scrambled Eggs until Paul worked out the lyrics.
	Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen. Alison Gilbert. I have read this book at least once every year since I was 16. Every time I read it I am staggered by the sheer beauty of the language and how Austen’s commentary on human nature is still relevant today . I find something new to think upon every time I read this book.
	We Are the Champions. Queen. Gary Langford. Written by Freddie Mercury, who was thinking about football [soccer] when he wrote it. A great participation song the fans could sing. He did wonder if it could be construed as his version of I Did It My Way. "No bed of roses but we have made it."

District Foundation News

Posted on May 07, 2020

Smile

Posted on May 07, 2020

A woman reports her husband’s disappearance to the police.

They ask her for a description, and she says, “He’s six feet three inches tall, well built with thick curly hair.”

Her friend says, “What are you talking about! Your husband is five feet four, bald and has a huge belly.”

And she says, “Who wants that one back?”

50th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Posted by Ian Handisides on May 01, 2020

Gala Dinner.

Saturday 2nd of May the night the Rotary Club Of Pakuranga was to have staged their 50^th 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

Posted by Zoe Lit on May 01, 2020

We have been in lock down for a long time now. I don’t exactly know which day of lockdown it is anymore. Some years in school have gone back to school. Sadly, not my year but hopefully it means that I’ll be back to school soon enough. A lot of shops are now open but it’s weird because you have to have a mask to enter and most shops ask you to take a basket, trolley or chip to make sure that the shop isn’t overcrowded. There's also a new rule in my district now. Everyone has to wear masks in shops or public transports. If not you could get a fine of 50 euros which is almost as much as not having your transport card on public transport.

Smile 2

Posted by Alan Davies on May 01, 2020

Smile 3

Posted on May 01, 2020

Best Song [and book and film] Ever

	Graham Kearns. *Bob Dylan. The House of the Rising Sun* Bob Dylan included this on his first album in 1962, using a folk arrangement he picked up from hearing Dave Van Ronk perform it and singing it as "it's been the ruin of many a poor girl." When The Animals recorded it two years later, it was transformative listening for Dylan, who learned he could put apply a rock rhythm to a folk song. He bought an electric guitar and started to use it, famously at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival where he did an electric set for the first time.
	Peter Woodcock. *A-round the Corner - The Weavers* - late 1940s. As a kid, this song really took my fancy and led me into the world of Folk Music in which I had many years of involvement. Coincided with getting my first (plastic) ukulele. *Blowing in the Wind - Bob Dylan but Peter Paul and Mary's* version mid 60's A folk-singing group I was in (West Side Four) sang this song in the finals of 'Have a Shot' at the Auckland Town Hall - and won!! Big time win which led to a couple of years doing gigs around Auckland and even Brooklyn Bowl in New Plymouth. Good times.
	Adrianne Skiffington *All Wrapped Up [Album] The Undertones*. An Irish "Punk" band, with the cover showing a lady in a meat dress which was later made famous by Lady Gaga. The Undertones song, Teenage Kicks was mixed with Blondies One Way or Another by One Direction in 2013 as a fund raiser for Comic Relief, their video starred Tony Blair.
	Joy Ward. *Choral finale from Symphony No ) Beethoven - Ode to Joy* I sang it in German for a concert in the Sydney Opera House, with about 800 other choristers, last year.
	Chris Ward - *Film .The Big Chill.* A 1983 American comedy-drama that was the forerunner of many moviesof the modern era where friends hang out and strive to find intellectual meaning within stifling middle-class banalities. The movie has a sound track featuring soul, rhythm and blues and pop including tracks by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, the Rolling Stones and Three Dog Night.
	Jeanette Roberts. *Best book and movie. “Pride and Prejudice” Jane Austin*. Published in 1815. The film version I like best is the 1940 MGM version, starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson, but the 1980 BBC TV Presentation starring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul was very good and to my mind better acting and more honest than the later versions - 1995 with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and the 2005 one with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley. I have the 1940, 1990 and 1995 ones on video.
	Nick Loseby. *Film. The Italian Job*. Best of British actors along with beautiful British and Italian cars, humour and of course the unforgettable line “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” This is one film where you wanted the “baddies” to get away with it.

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 Interact

In 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

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Apr 24, 2020

Rotarians don’t let something like a lockdown prevent them from doing something useful for the community. Seems the Council does not view graffiti removal as an essential service, so sugar soap and scrubber in hand… job done!

Next, moth plant infestations and their “almost ready to burst” pods along the Rotary walkway were dealt to and poison spread on the roots. One hundred and five pods were collected, and with each pod producing around 1,000 seeds, that is a lot of potential pest plants gone from the Riverlea Ave stretch of the walkway.

Smile

Best Song Ever Part 1

Posted on Apr 23, 2020

Here 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.

	Allan Vester. *Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum* This song has its main melodic line based on J.S.Bach’s “Air on the G string”. It was a forerunner to what became known as progressive rock.
	Nick Loseby. *American Pie by Don Maclean* According to Nick this has got to be the best sing along song for young and old. The song was originally inspired by the death of Buddy Holly. Maclean who was young at the time of the plane crash that killed Buddy along with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper wrote the song from his memory of the event.
	Del Johnson. *Ave Maria by Schubert and performed by Celine Dion* There are actually a number of Ave Maria’s by other composers including J S Bach. Schubert did not write the song as a hymn but as a setting of a song from Walters Scott’s epic poem. The Lady of the Lake.
	Ian Holmes. *Imagine by John Lennon* Lennon is credited as the songwriter but later said that it should have been a Lennon/Ono song because a lot of the lyric came from Yoko. In 2000 George Michael paid over $2 million for the upright piano the song was recorded on and donated it to the Beatles museum in Liverpool.
	Bill Duncan. *Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel* This was the title track of the last album the duo recorded before they split up. Elvis Presley released a version of the song that helped win over many critics who doubted his ability as a vocalist.
	Geoff Roberts. *My Way by Frank Sinatra* It was 5^th on the UK charts for 124 weeks and was released by Sinatra 40 years ago this week. Originally Paul Anchor wrote the English words from originally a French composer. Also our own Pakuranga Rotarian Graeme Houston has sung a great version on his CD.
	Chris Ward. *San Francisco by Scott McKenzie* It was the only hit Scott ever had. He found his sudden fame overwhelming, and abruptly dropped out of the music business - only to resurface decades later, as a replacement singer in the Mamas and the Papas' nostalgia tours.
	Jeanette Roberts. *Stars Fell on Alabama* An oldies song, composed in 1934 following the spectacular occurrence of the ‘Leonid Meteor Shower’, or ‘the night the stars fell over Alabama’.Composed by Frank Perkins, lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Was sung by Guy Lombardo, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Billie Halliday, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra and others. Written in G, it is lovely to play, smooth and enjoyable. During the mid 1950’s, the NZ Tourist Bureau ran tours to the Chateau for winter skiing breaks. Left Auckland Railway Station after work on Friday night, arrived at National Park at midnight and bussed to the Chateau. Many great nights were had in the lounge playing on the lovely grand piano there and singing this particular song time and time again. Great weekends, great skiing and great music. My memory tells me the cost for the weekend was six pounds.
	Graham Kearns. *I Did it My Way performed by The Three Tenors* They first performed it at packed Los Angeles Dodger Stadium to coincide with the Italy-Brazil World Cup final being held the next day. The audience included one Frank Sinatra. It was broadcast in 100 countries to an estimated audience of one billion people.

Elise in Lockdown

Hi everyone, I hope you and your family are all safe and well. As all of you probably, I am now in lockdown due to the COVID-19. Of course, I wasn't expecting that to happen during my exchange year but I can't change anything and I am now adapting to this situation. I am still enjoying my time in New Zealand but in a different way now.

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

Posted by Don Lawry on Apr 20, 2020

The Carnival Is Over and so goes the line from a famous song by the Seekers. What a successful Carnival it was, with the biggest attendance ever. 35 Rotarians and Auxiliary helped on the day along with Inner Wheel, and members of the Interact Club of Pakuranga College and 15 environmental students from Farm Cove Intermediate school who managed the waste steam and ensured the waste was separated into the correct bins

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

Posted by Allan Vester on Apr 19, 2020

The current Covid 19 crisis has got me thinking about what I see as worrying forms of wisdom.

The first is wisdom when there is no consequence for being wrong. The second relates to the “bob either way” form of wisdom. The third is wisdom in hindsight.

Like many of you I follow the news on Covid-19 with great interest. A wide array including the NZ Herald, New Statesman, Project Syndicate, local TV channels, Radio NZ, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Fox, Sky News Australia and RT along with a variety of pod casts. A heady combination of sometimes factual reporting and often opinion that has me at various times, better informed, concerned and bewildered

RI Issues

Posted by Bill Boyd on Apr 19, 2020

I 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

Posted by Bill Duncan on Apr 19, 2020

“My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01.

As a charter member of a club nearing 50 years of service I have been asked by some of my Rotary friends why we have so few female members sharing Rotary in the Pakuranga Club.

There is a lot about Rotary that has changed since 1970; the year we were chartered. Elements of chauvinism still existed. Even many female partners still regarded Rotary as the domain of the top male executives, most of the gatherings of which still had that look of gender inequality.

The work of a JP

Posted by Del Johnston on Apr 19, 2020

Justice of the Peace is the oldest legalistic position in New Zealand. Joseph Kendall was appointed NZs first JP in 1814, based at the mission settlement in the Bay of Islands, Northland. JPs have been serving their community for more than 200 years. The duties of the early Justices were many and onerous, and included supervising the accuracy of weights and measures, the seizing of wine sold for excessive prices, and assisting those whose homes were burned. Justices had great authority over the lives and liberties of those brought before them

Today, thank goodness it is different.

Report from the USA

Posted on Apr 17, 2020

Covid- 19 Report from the Rotary Club (2175) D5960 of Winona,

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

Posted by Bill Boyd

As at 8 April, Afghanistan had 3 cases this year as again 29 for the full year last year. In the month of February there were 6.7 million children vaccinated but 1.9 million children were missed as they were in areas that were inaccessible. They have 19 cross border posts which vaccinated 1.8 million children as the amount of movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan is considerable. In their country they have 2926 social mobilisers, who organise and vaccinate.

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

Posted by Nick Loseby

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

Posted by Grimsby Rotary Club

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 Distancing

Posted by Bill Duncan

For 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

Posted by Bart Signal on Apr 08, 2020

Our daily lives look very different right now as we hunker down to get on top of Covid-19. In our house online classes, telecommuting, family dog walks, video calls and virtual family dinners are the new norm. How many of you have started a new project or connected with friends differently?

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

Understand what New Zealand’s response to at Covid-19 (covid19.govt.nz)
Check out campaigns such as Getting Through Together allright.org.nz which shares ways that New Zealanders can cope with the stress of COVID-19.

The health, safety and well-being our community is our top priority. Above all else keep safe, reach out to friends and family and be kind.

Kind Regards

Bart Signal
President
Pakuranga Rotary

2021 Rotary Youth Exchange

Brett Meale – Police Sergeant based at Howick

Brett’s brief was to enlighten his listeners with the state of play relative to policing the Pakuranga area. We were certainly enlightened!

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

Though he could have given us all sorts of advice and insights into the running of small businesses and coping with all that this entails, Gary Barzilay chose to give details of family and life experiences which shaped an underlying philosophy instilled in his being.

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

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Dec 12, 2019

We were delighted to catch up with Alison’s life history at our last meeting. Overall Alison is an extremely busy person who has worked hard to become a Partner in the Brookfield’s management team.

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

Posted on Dec 11, 2019

Essential French for Tourists

Posted by Graham Rea on Dec 11, 2019

A Decade of Dictionaries

Posted by Bill Duncan on Nov 26, 2019

The 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.

On 12 November we had the privilege to attend a presentation of 280 dictionaries to Students at Finlayson Park Primary School, in Manurewa, the largest decile 1 school in the country. We witnessed smiles all round and was made aware again of the great effort this Trust and the Pakuranga Club and its Auxiliary team are making to improve our literacy standards.

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

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Nov 11, 2019

Dennis Kavanagh was inducted in to The Rotary Club of Pakuranga on Monday 7 Oct 2019.

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

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Nov 11, 2019

Philippa Loseby’s Monday nights presentation was a great reminder of the variety and talent that we have within our members families.

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 Lab

Posted by Les Divers on Nov 11, 2019

Rocket 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

Posted by Graham Kearns on Oct 07, 2019

Stirring Doomsday debate

Posted by Les Divers on Oct 07, 2019

Every 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 Girl

Posted by Bart Signal on Sep 25, 2019

On 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.

Rocket Lab Coming to Pakuranga Rotary

Posted on Sep 23, 2019

On 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.

Rotary Youth Exchange on a Summer Holiday

Posted by Mia Kidston on Aug 08, 2019

It’s weird to think I’ve been here on exchange for over 6 months now. That I’ve already spent half a year away from my family and friends. It’s also a little weird to have summer in the middle of the year, but hey! I’m not gonna complain about three months off school. This summer has been chock-a-block. This month especially.

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 6^th. 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 30^th but sadly, I can’t go for the nights. There may be a chance I’ll go for the last day.

It’s because my host family is taking me down south for a week which I’m really excited for! It’s really generous of them. I spent the last 10 days in Saint-Florent, Corsica! I stayed with very generous and kind Rotarian family. They took me out on the boat most days, the others were chill days where we made food at home and then I would explore a little. They even took me to Bastia for dinner one night! It was so much fun getting to know Georges and Emilie and their little girl, Rose. One night, I made Bacon & Egg Pie as a thank you for hosting me, they loved it. I’m super grateful for the opportunity and hopefully will be able to see them again as they live in Bethune.

Wearable Arts Pakuranga Trivia Night and Auction - 7 September

Posted by Nick Loseby on Aug 01, 2019

Tickets On Sale Now

With 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.

07 Sep 2019
		Sep 07, 2019 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
		Edgewater College 32 Edgewater Dr Pakuranga Auckland, 2010 New Zealand
		Alan Davies 021 535 556 abdavies@xtra.co.nz

Sanctuary Sculpture Support

Posted by Les Divers on Aug 01, 2019

Public Art adds uniqueness to our communities, improves the image and identity of the local environment we inhabit and directly influences how people see and connect with a place. It delights, welcomes, challenges and inspires. It asks questions, tells stories and impacts different people in different ways. It celebrates richness and creativity. It transfixes public places and can have a utilitarian effect.

Richard McWha is the Auckland Council arts and culture manager and on Monday evening he demonstrated the impact various pieces of public art around Auckland have had. Richard and Nichola Waugh, an arts and culture project manager at Auckland Council, are both involved in the Pakuranga Rotary's 50^th anniversary project to commission a work to install along the Rotary walkway at Sanctuary Point.

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating for 11th year

Posted by Rotary International

For 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.

The Foundation earned the recognition for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

“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

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Jul 19, 2019

More than 24,000 Rotarians from 170 countries descended on Hamburg in June to Capture the Moment, make new connections, renew old ones at the 110th annual Rotary International Convention.

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 September

Posted by Nick Loseby on Jul 16, 2019

Tickets On Sale Now

07 Sep 2019
		Sep 07, 2019 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
		Edgewater College 32 Edgewater Dr Pakuranga Auckland, 2010 New Zealand
		Alan Davies 021 535 556 abdavies@xtra.co.nz

Rotary Leadership Institute

Posted by Bart Signal on Jul 15, 2019

50th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Posted by Ian Handisides on Jul 12, 2019

A Salute to International Rotarian - Bill Boyd

Posted by Bill Duncan on Jul 11, 2019

Bill Boyd was President of Rotary International in 2006/2007, only the second New Zealander to hold that position.

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 Melber

Posted by Allan Vester on Jul 01, 2019

Pakuranga 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

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Jun 14, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melissa Chan-Brown

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Jun 14, 2019

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

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

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

John Taylor - The cloud Application and Cost benefits

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jun 11, 2019

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

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

The cloud provides the ability to access high speed computing over the internet.
What makes this possible is the provision of multiple data centres all over the world, always available and durable and, most importantly, totally secure. Currently 20 centres are in service with another 4 on the way,
Sydney is our closest centre. N.Z. lacks security of power supply to be viable for this purpose.
Amazon Company, in 2006, decided to sell infrastructure as a service (iaas) based on its own development of massive systems of racks to handle its world-wide sales of books then other products.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) floated at $US18 per share – now worth about $1900!
The data centres provide at least 160 services to customers e.g. app. creation, A.I., web applications, internet of things etc. etc.
Economy of scale has greatly reduced the cost of maintaining storage of data for customers whilst giving fastest performance, highest availability and reliability, the largest and most flexible global footprint and the strongest security.
You don’t buy a package, you just pay for what is used, when and where.
All data inputted is owned by the provider and can only be accessed by the provider’s personal system.

Ahead of the Curve

Posted by Les Divers on May 14, 2019

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

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

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

Who is Penelope Franca

Posted by Les Divers on May 14, 2019

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

Pakuranga Rotary and Public Work of Art

Posted by Les Divers on May 14, 2019

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

Panmure Bridge School Reading Programme

Posted by Les Divers on May 14, 2019

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

Pestival

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 14, 2019

Howick Local Board citizen Awards 2019

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 14, 2019

Curtain Call

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 14, 2019

Rotary Peace Centres

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 14, 2019

Rotary Peace Centers

Dear Rotarian,

We have a little over one month left to recruit qualified candidates for the 2020-21 Rotary Peace Fellowship and we need your help!

As club president, you play a critical role in communicating information about Rotary Peace Centers programs to potential candidates in your network. Clubs also play an important role in coaching candidates and helping them connect to districts for endorsement. We encourage you to use and share these resources:

Send personalized emails with the fellowship announcement to contacts within your network.
Do you know someone who could benefit from our program? Submit their name and email in our referral form and we’ll follow up with them.

Candidates have until 31 May to submit applications to their district. Districts must submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation by 1 July. General inquiries regarding the fellowship program may be sent to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.

We thank you for your dedication to the Rotary Peace Centers and your continuous support in educating the Rotary network about the fellowships!

Sincerely,
Rotary Peace Centers
Rotary Peace Centers – your investment in action

ONE ROTARY CENTER

1560 SHERMAN AVENUE

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201-3698 USA

ROTARY.ORG

Wellbeing Day Out

Posted by Graham Kearns on May 14, 2019

Bringing in the Big Ships to the Port of Auckland

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Apr 24, 2019

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

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

Mt Eden Rotary & Epsom Rotary Invite You to ROCKETMAN Movie Night @ Lido Cinema (Thu 30 May)

Posted by Graham Kearns on Apr 24, 2019

Geoffrey Amos

Posted by Del Johnston on Apr 24, 2019

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

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

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

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

We send our condolences to his family and his community

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

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

Gavin Trethewey

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Apr 04, 2019

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

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

Rotary Youth Exchange

Posted by Graham Kearns on Apr 04, 2019

Dawn Johnston Koru Award Nominations Wanted

Posted by Adrienne Davies on Apr 04, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adrienne Davies

President

Howick Inner Wheel Club

Rotary Youth Exchange - Apply Now

Posted by Bart Signal on Mar 21, 2019

Have 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

	Thursday 28 March
	Remuera Golf Club 12 Abbots Way Remuera

Apply Now

Make a Difference from the Backbenches

Posted by Les Divers on Mar 21, 2019

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

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

Remuera and St Johns - Quiz Night

Posted by Graham Kearns on Mar 19, 2019

Tip Top Schools Fun Day Out Coming Soon

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Mar 19, 2019

30 Years of Women in Rotary

Posted by Sarah Gilbert on Mar 19, 2019

Rotary Club of South Auckland Cultural & Charity Night 2019

Posted by Duncan Loney on Mar 19, 2019

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum Inspires

Posted by Les Divers on Mar 18, 2019

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

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

Rotary in action!

Meeting Highlights

Posted by Les Divers on Mar 18, 2019

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

Tribute was also paid to Les Hammond.

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

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

District Conference is only 2 months away

Posted by John Fothergill on Mar 17, 2019

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

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

Pakistan's female vaccination team moves from polio to measles

Posted by Bart Signal

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

Posted by Viki Melber on Mar 05, 2019

The Tongariro crossing has been great fun!

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

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

More about Rotary Youth Exchange...

Rotary Youth Exchange Information Evenings

Posted by Bart Signal on Feb 22, 2019

Have 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.

Join them to find out more

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

More about Rotary Youth Exchange...

Eels, eats and eco- entertainment at Pirongia

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Feb 21, 2019

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

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

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

Help Support Te Whakaora Tangata

Posted by Duncan Loney on Feb 21, 2019

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

Date & Time: Wednesday 27 February, 12noon to 1.30pm

Venue: EMA Conference Rooms, 145 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton

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

Posted by Duncan Loney on Feb 21, 2019

A Colourful Time

Posted by Viki Melber on Feb 19, 2019

School 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.

More about Rotary Youth Exchange...

Dental Clinic to Multipurpose Room

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Feb 14, 2019

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

Fiji Oxygen Project Fundraising

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Feb 14, 2019

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

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

Atlas Presentation

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Feb 14, 2019

Last week, on behalf of Pakuranga Rotary, Elizabeth and Crystal from our Auxiliary Club visited Anchorage Park School to present a Rotary atlas to each year four child. The two young ladies designed their own brand of presentation, which was not only fresh and lively, but a huge hit with the children. The photos show them explaining the function of an atlas, playing their ”under and over, find the page” game, and with a grateful recipient. Well done Crystal and Elizabeth and thank you for a very different and delightful presentation.

Viki's Travels

Posted by Viki Melber on Feb 07, 2019

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

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

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

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

More about Rotary Youth Exchange...

RYPEN needs Your Help

Posted by Ainie Kwok, RYPEN Chair on Feb 05, 2019

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

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

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

They are looking for assistance for the camp.

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

Team Leaders will be Rotaractors and RYLA awardees 2018.

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

Keeping an Eye on Punters

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Feb 05, 2019

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

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

Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show

Posted by Duncan Loney on Feb 05, 2019

Rotary Community River Carnival

Posted by Chris Ward on Feb 04, 2019

Gary Braid - From Otumoetai to Slovenia

Posted by Les Divers on Jan 29, 2019

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

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

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

Highbrook Rotary Fun Run Walk

Posted by Bart Signal on Jan 09, 2019

Can you help Highbrook Rotary?

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

If you can help, then contact Highbrook Rotary

Email: highbrookrotary@gmail.com
Mobile: 0211588801

“Chippies” of Action

Posted by Chris Ward on Jan 07, 2019

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

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

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

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

Wonderful Community Projects

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Dec 31, 2018

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

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

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

Another one bites the dust!

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Dec 24, 2018

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

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

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

New Christmas Addition

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Dec 24, 2018

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

Posted by Viki Melber on Dec 24, 2018

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

Click on the link below to see more

Rotary on Show at Howick Santa Parade

Posted by Bart Signal on Dec 17, 2018

Pakuranga 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.

With a record 60 floats, the parade was a huge success, and the judges enjoyed engaging with everyone and seeing all the effort our local community put in. It must have made the judges Adele White, John Russell and Richie Barnett's decision difficult.

St Johns Rotary - Trivia Night

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 16, 2018

		Nov 30, 2018 6:15 PM – 10:00 PM
		Glen Taylor School 172 West Tamaki Road Glendowie Auckland 1072
		$35 per Person $330 per Table (10 people)
		Donald Bowie 0274752473 donald.bowie.dbc@gmail.com

Erin Forsyth - A Few

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 15, 2018

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

Where

The Pah Homestead
TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre
72 Hillsborough Rd
Hillsborough
Auckland

When

30th October – 9th December

Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 3pm
Saturday and Sunday, 8am - 5pm

09 639 2010
enquiries@wallaceartstrust.org.nz

https://tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz/event/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

Posted by Les Divers on Nov 05, 2018

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 2018

Posted by Eve Butler on Nov 02, 2018

Kenya 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

Posted on Nov 01, 2018

Mission Heights Pestival

Posted on Oct 23, 2018

From Afghanistan to New Zealand

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Oct 23, 2018

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

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

An Invitation from the Rotary Club of Remuera

Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted by Bart Signal on Oct 16, 2018

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

Posted by Bill Boyd on Oct 16, 2018

One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio 24 October

	With your help, Rotary and its partners can end polio for good.

District Conference 2019

Posted by Ian Handisides and Bart Signal on Oct 08, 2018

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

You can find more information about the conference here (https://rotarydistrict9920.org/page/district-9920-conference-2019) including timetable, accommodation options and guest speakers. You can register for the conference by going directly to the District website. There is a significant amount of interest in this conference and places are strictly limited so get in now!!

Please note:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ian Handisides

Conference Promoter

Emergency Response Kits - Assist in a Practical Way

Posted by Duncan Loney on Oct 08, 2018

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

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

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

Rotary announces $96.5m to end polio

Posted on Oct 08, 2018

KARACHI - Rotary has announced nearly 100 million dollars in grants to support the global efforts to end polio—a vaccine preventable disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every in a year.

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

Posted on Oct 05, 2018

Ride for Rotary in India

Posted on Oct 01, 2018

Greetings from Rotary District 3181!

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

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

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

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

Below mentioned are the event highlights:

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

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

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

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

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

Pest Free by 2050?

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Sep 26, 2018

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

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

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

2018 Holyoake Debate

Posted by Allan Vester on Sep 09, 2018

Holyoake Debate: Featuring Edgewater College and St Kentigern College

The 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

What a great debate! St Kents very narrowly from Edgewater College. Thank you once again to Noel and Betty Holyoake for their sponsorship.

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

Posted on Sep 03, 2018

Rotary eBike Safari

Posted on Sep 03, 2018

Something you may be interested in from the Rotary Club of East Auckland

Pakuranga Rotary 50th Anniversary Project

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Aug 29, 2018

SCULPTURE TRAIL ON THE ROTARY WALKWAY

Our Club was Chartered on the 6th May, 1970 . Over the past few years the Club has been giving thought to an appropriate project to mark the 50th Anniversary.

Last year the above project was formally adopted and we are to kick start a sculpture trail along the Rotary walkway. This is to generate future support for the overall concept....

Trivia and Auction Night

Posted by Bart Signal

It 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

Click here to find out more about this event

Pakuranga Rotary Supports Life Education Trust

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Aug 21, 2018

Life 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.

After a brief introduction outlining Pakuranga Rotary’s close involvement with the Life Education Trust (now Counties Manukau) since 2000, Rotarian Alison Gilbert introduced its current Director LINCOLN JEFFERSON who gave an overview of the organisation, then some specifics related to the local scene.

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

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Aug 16, 2018

Upcoming Speaker Ed Chignell: CEO Predator Free 2050

Pakuranga Rotary has been fortunate to secure this highly respected businessman and conservationist to speak on the topic of Predator Free 2050. The opportunity to join us at this event is extended to Rotary clubs as a combined group along with any other interested parties who would like to grab at the chance to get involved in this exciting initiative on Monday the 24 of September, at the Waipuna Convention Centre.

Ed has a strong commercial background and a ton of strategic nous. He was appointed CEO of this new nationwide initiative in August 2017. He is a life member of the NZ Arboriculture Association and the recipient of the Ron Flook Award for services to NZ.

He was co- founder of Treescape and for 37 years, was CEO of that large company.

Ed will give us an overview of the objectives and a practical look inside this mammoth task to rid NZ of predators. This is a perfect umbrella view for our Rotary and local schools’ push to become pest free in their areas.

Ed gives very few public addresses, so come and join us and make the most of this opportunity.

More information to follow.

Upcoming event; Life Education Trust to speak to Pakuranga Rotary

Posted by Alison Gilbert on Aug 16, 2018

Our speaker next week: Lincoln Jefferson-General Manager Life Education Trust Counties Manukau

Lincoln joined Life Education Trust Counties Manukau late last year. Lincoln sees his role as general
manager for Life Education trust Counties Manukau, as enabling him to continue to work in a
community which he is passionate about.

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

Next week 13/8 we have our fellowship evening at Waipuna and all including guests are welcome. I hope to see you there

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

Posted by Nick Loseby on Aug 07, 2018

After arriving last Wednesday, Viktoria was quick to settle in with her Counsellor for her year with Pakuranga Rotary - Nick Loseby and his family hosted Viktoria (pictured on the right enjoying coffee with Denise Loseby) for the first few days before she moved on to her first home stay.

DG Ingrid Waugh Comes to Pakuranga Rotary

Posted by Peter Woodcock

9920 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......

Posted by Les Divers

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

Posted by Duncan Loney on Jul 20, 2018

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

Click here to register or decline

Rev. Dr. Richard Waugh on Cars and Planes

Posted by Allan Vester on Jul 20, 2018

Local Aeronautical Icon and British Motor Car Enthusiast Visits Pakuranga Rotary

Monday’s meeting featured the Reverend Dr Richard Waugh a noted expert and author on New Zealand aviation history. In a topic entitled, Pioneer Airlines That Changed New Zealand, Richard gave an informative and entertaining history of the development and importance of commercial air travel.

Pakuranga Rotary Auxilliary's
First Project

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Jul 20, 2018

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

What a joy it was to see our brand new Auxiliary members answer the call to assist in the development of Anchorage Park School’s “Treemendous Makeover !”

After winning the Project Crimson award for the best environmental makeover, the race was on to get the groundwork done before the grand opening later this month.

Duncan's Doodles - Jul 9

Posted by Duncan Loney on Jul 09, 2018

Waipuna Offers Reduced Meal Costs on Fellowship Nights

Meal Costs. Please note these will be charged at $32 from our next meeting on 16/7

On fellowship nights which are the 2nd and 4th Mondays each Month you have the opportunity to meet for Fellowship or to hold Project team meetings. Ron French will be holding the Trivia Project team meeting next Fellowship evening 9/7 in the bar at Waipuna. Snacks and drinks available from the bar.

Apologies I will be away in China for (I think) the last time

The World Press Photo Exhibition Opens

Posted on Jul 09, 2018

NOW OPEN! THE OUTSTANDING 2018 WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION

Say YES to Life Pod

Posted on Jul 09, 2018

Mt Eden Rotary Asks You to say YES to Life Pod Appeal at Eden Park

Duncan's Doodles - Jun 26

Posted by Duncan Loney on Jun 26, 2018

Changeover

Thank you to all who attended and I look forward to the year ahead Special thanks to MC Graeme Houston. Thank you also to Graham Kearns, Bart Signal as well as Virginia, Crystal and Rachel. I trust you all enjoyed the performance of the E - PACS Lion and Dragon Dance Group. I am still waiting for my invitation to join!

We have two project needing some ‘volunteers’ to join the teams. Pest Free and Fireworks Nov 19 Please send your expressions of interest without delay.

Duncan's Doodles - Jun 21

Posted by Duncan Loney on Jun 21, 2018

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

ERKS ( Emergency Response Kits)

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

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

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

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME UP IN LIGHTS

Social Night

Rotary Supreme Pie Awards

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 large pies are for dinner	) identical filling
The small pies are for judging	) and pastry please

Any Pastry, Any filling

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

Mary Taylor recognised with PHF

Posted by Peter Woodcock and Bart Signal on Jun 13, 2018

Mary 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

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jun 13, 2018

Sylvie Wilkinson was recognised for her efforts that started the Pakuranga Tamaki River Rotary Auxiliary. Her Ruby Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition is a first for District 9920 and it was fitting that District Governor Malini made the presentation on the night celebrating fifteen new Rotarians - congratulations Sylvie!

Pakuranga Tamaki River Rotary Auxilary

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson and Peter Woodcock on Jun 12, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

Support Christopher

Posted by Jed Wieland on Jun 11, 2018

To get a ticket, either

Contact Jed Wieland or Christopher
Register on the event page

Alternatively make a donation into Pakuranga Rotary's bank account 02-0223-0017811-005 with ERKs in reference.

Doing Good with Rotary Foundation

Posted by Bart Signal on Jun 11, 2018

“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.”
– Paulo V. Costa, 1995-96 Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair in a speech to the 1996 convention

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 Invitation

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 29, 2018

To RSHP email pbarron@xtra.co.nz

Highbrook Rotary Changeover Dinner Invitation

Posted by Duncan Loney on May 29, 2018

To RSVP email ravinder_manilal@bnz.co.nz

Dame Lesley Max brings a story of hope, work and success against drivers of poverty and inequality

Posted by Jed Wieland on May 25, 2018

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

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

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

RYPEN as a Life-changer

Posted by Peter Woodcock on May 16, 2018

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

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

A Lot of Rot

Posted by Allan Vester on May 08, 2018

The 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 Schools

Posted by Jed Wieland on May 03, 2018

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

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

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

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

Posted by Jed Wieland on May 03, 2018

Allan Vester has retired as Principal of Edgewater College after 23 years. Known for his ability and willing input, Allan has played a tremendous role as a member and supporter of Pakuranga Rotary. Events such as Top Schools and our Trivia evenings would not have been the same without the assistance Allan gave when he made the facilities of the College available, his readiness to set up and run the sound systems, assist with maintenance of equipment and generally do as much around the Pakuranga Rotary’s activities as demands on his time would allow.

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

Posted by Jed Wieland on May 03, 2018

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

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

Rotary Blankets

Posted on May 02, 2018

Host Families Needed

Posted by Bart Signal on May 01, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rotary Youth Exchange applications CLOSING SOON

Posted by Bart Signal on Apr 30, 2018

Rotary Youth Exchange – Emily Lit

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Apr 26, 2018

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

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

The Dawn Johnston Koru Award

Posted by Del Johnston on Apr 26, 2018

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

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

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

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

Nominations are sought.

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

Del Johnston
0274 948 501
delboykiwi@gmail.com

Seas the Day

Posted by Les Divers on Apr 19, 2018

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

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

We Are the One

Posted by Dave Andrews on Apr 03, 2018

Trees for Survival

Posted by Les Divers on Apr 03, 2018

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

New Zealand Tour

Posted by Les Divers on Apr 03, 2018

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

What Attracts New Rotarians?

Posted by Les Divers on Apr 03, 2018

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

Matt Poland of Auckland Transport - AMETI projects

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Mar 23, 2018

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

Maurice Williamson - New Zealand Consul General to the US

Posted by Jed Wieland on Mar 13, 2018

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

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

State of our Gulf

Posted by Roger Milne on Mar 12, 2018

Interesting read in regards to Top Day Out Fishing:

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

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

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

Go to gulfjournal.org.nz to read more

Disposing of E-Waste

Posted by Roger Milne on Mar 12, 2018

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

Papakura Food Waste Pilot scheme

Posted by Roger Milne on Mar 06, 2018

Auckland Council are to begin picking up your food waste – see here how the pilot scheme will work in Papakura

makethemostofwaste.co.nz/papakura-new-3-bin-service

Recycling in Auckland

Posted by Roger Milne on Mar 06, 2018

25 Years of Pakuranga Rotary’s Top Day Out Fishing Day

Posted by Jed Wieland on Mar 06, 2018

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

Battery Recycling Scheme Announced

Posted by Roger Milne on Mar 06, 2018

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

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

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

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

Simeon Brown - The First Hundred Days in Parliament

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Feb 27, 2018

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

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

Posted by Graham Rea on Feb 27, 2018

Rowing – Where 2K Doesn't Go Very Far

Posted by Les Divers on Feb 26, 2018

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

Professor Bill Hodge: The Trump Story

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Feb 18, 2018

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

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

Georgie Arrives in Denmark

Posted by Georgie Chalmers on Feb 01, 2018

Dear 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 Day

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jan 25, 2018

Peter 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

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jan 25, 2018

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

Life Education's Charity Golf Day

Posted by Alison Gilbert on Jan 18, 2018

Pakistan Projects

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Jan 17, 2018

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

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

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 Politics

Posted by Les Divers on Dec 24, 2017

It 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

Posted by Sylvie Wilkinson on Dec 07, 2017

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

New outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student – Georgia Chalmers

Posted by Graham Rea on Dec 07, 2017

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

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

Rotary Flying Fellowship

Posted by Peter Armstrong on Dec 07, 2017

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

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

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

Grandkid's Christmas Party

Posted by Ian Handisides on Dec 07, 2017

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

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

Improvement of our Environment

Posted by Jed Wieland on Dec 03, 2017

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

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

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

Pakuranga Rotary Christmas Party

Posted by Alan Davies on Nov 29, 2017

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

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

Invite to Howick Rotary Christmas

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 22, 2017

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

Details provided below.

Howick Santa Parade

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 22, 2017

Pakuranga Rotary Children's Christmas Party

Posted by Ian Handisides on Nov 22, 2017

Myrtle Rust

Posted by Roger Milne on Nov 15, 2017

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 Month

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 15, 2017

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

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

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

Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?

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

How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?

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

What impact can one donation have?

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

Plan ahead for email closure

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 14, 2017

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 Raghwan

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Nov 14, 2017

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

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

King Country Adventure in the Cart

Posted by Les Divers on Nov 09, 2017

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

Rotary BBQ – Bramley Beach

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Nov 01, 2017

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

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

Rotary Day at the United Nations

Posted by Bart Signal on Nov 01, 2017

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

Posted by Del Johnston on Nov 01, 2017

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

Posted by Del Johnston on Oct 17, 2017

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

Posted by Dave Hawke on Oct 17, 2017

Insights as Chairman of Auckland Transport - Dr Lester Levy

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Oct 17, 2017

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

Posted by Del Johnston on Oct 11, 2017

Geoff Amos reports as follows:

" Hi Del and Ron,

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

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

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

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

Top Schools Dilemma

Posted by Allan Vester on Oct 11, 2017

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

Bula - District 9920 Conference in Fiji

Posted by Allan Vester on Oct 11, 2017

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

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

Our New MP - Simeon Brown

Posted by Les Divers on Oct 03, 2017

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

Edgewater College Contribution

Posted by Les Divers on Oct 03, 2017

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

Children's Autism Foundation

Posted by Les Divers on Oct 03, 2017

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

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

Christopher's& Fishing Tale

Posted by Jed Wieland on Sep 27, 2017

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

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

Past International Exchange Students

Posted by Jed Wieland on Sep 21, 2017

This 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

Posted by Del Johnston on Sep 21, 2017

Extract from Geoffrey Amos to Del Johnston, emailed dated 20^th September

“Currently we have a team of 4 workers on Kioa Island painting the school buildings. It is their 70^th 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

Posted by Bart Signal on Sep 20, 2017

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 Literacy

Posted by Bart Signal on Sep 20, 2017

More 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

Posted by Bart Signal on Sep 14, 2017

Rotary New Zealand to Receive $5 Million Grant

Posted by Murray Eaton on Sep 14, 2017

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

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Sep 05, 2017

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

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

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

Holyoake Debate

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Aug 30, 2017

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

Outbound Exchange Student Update

Posted by Emily Lit on Aug 29, 2017

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

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

Auckland Seaplanes

Posted by Kelvin Davies on Aug 24, 2017

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

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

Recognising Community Leaders

Posted by Dave Andrews on Aug 22, 2017

Pakuranga Rotary bestows honorary membership to recognise people who:

distinguished themselves by meritorious service
embody Rotary ideals
support of Rotary's causes

This year for their roles in the community and association with Pakuranga Rotary project the following people were recognised:

David Collings – Howick Local Board Chairperson
David Comery – Mt Wellington Trust CEO
Garry Boles – Howick Local Board
Heather French – Howick Inner Wheel President
Maurice Williamson – Pakuranga Electorate MP
Paul Boswell – Farm Cove Maritime Trust Chairperson

This year for embodying Rotary ideals, meritorious service and support of Rotary's causes the following people were recognised:

David Oakley
Dawn Johnston
Geoff Roberts
Jack Tait
John Nicholls
Lorna Boyd
Madelaine Yolland
Russell Brighouse

We hope you’ll be able to join us 18 September to congratulate them all.

The Holyoake Debate

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Aug 22, 2017

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

Posted by Allan Vester on Aug 16, 2017

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

Posted by Allan Vester on Aug 16, 2017

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

Posted by Roger Milne on Aug 16, 2017

Speaking on the Speaker

Posted by Jed Wieland on Aug 10, 2017

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

The Bee Hive's Speaker of the House on Monday

Posted by Bart Signal on Aug 02, 2017

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

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

Date:	Monday 7 August
	Speaker only from 6:30pm for only $5 Dinner + Speaker from 5:30pm for $30

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

Posted on Aug 02, 2017

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.

6:30pm FRIDAY 18 AUGUST
MICHAEL PARK SCHOOL
AUDITORIUM
55 AMY ST
ELLERSLIE

Tickets $25 Adults or $50 Family
TO BUY TICKETS:
Email Gabrielle Gimblett-Martin

From the President's desk

Posted by David Andrews on Aug 01, 2017

August: Membership and New Club Development

This month we will be focusing on attracting new members.

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

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

New Membership Options

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

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

Christopher's first meeting

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jul 31, 2017

Our 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 Pakuranga

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jul 31, 2017

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

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

Project Starfish

Posted by Peter Woodcock on Jul 31, 2017

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

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

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

An Evening of Triumphs and Trivia

Posted by Graham Kearns on Jul 28, 2017

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

Posted by Don Roberts on Jul 26, 2017

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

Posted by Roger Milne on Jul 26, 2017

How to recycle plastic bags and other soft plastic packaging.

See: Soft Plastic Recycling Programme Auckland Region

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

Please encourage this both at home and at work.

Collect : Drop : Recycle

Different Sorts of Meetings

Posted by Alan Davies on Jul 25, 2017

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

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

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

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

From the President's Desk

Posted by David Andrews on Jul 25, 2017

Trivia Night

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Speaker deserves a full house.

From the Presidents Desk

Posted by David Andrews on Jul 19, 2017

Triumphs and Trivia

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

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

Monday Night

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

Trivia Night on Saturday - Still tickets available

Posted by Alan Davies on Jul 19, 2017

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

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

Triumphs and Trivia - Auction Items

Posted by Graham Kearns on Jul 19, 2017

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

Gray Bartlett – with Strings Attached

Posted by Les Divers on Jul 18, 2017

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

Posted by Les Divers on Jul 18, 2017

The Club has presented a defibrillator to the Maritime Centre on Bramley Drive which was purchased with funds raised at our annual carnival.

Friends and Family Night - 17 July

Posted by Sarah Gilbert on Jul 13, 2017

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

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

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

Pakuranga's NZ Tours 2017 and 2018 Report

Posted by Peter Hawkins on Jul 13, 2017

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

Eva's Year in NZ

Posted by Allan Vester on Jul 10, 2017

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

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

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

Ted van Arkel the Power of a Positive Attitude

Posted by Allan Vester on Jul 10, 2017

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

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