Presidents Comment.
It is great to see so many turn out tonight over 55 in attendance thank you for coming together to celebrate the year past. What a strange year with Covid continuing to take its twists and turns, War in Europe,  high inflation in New Zealand and the world and our own personal trails and tribulations our successes and challenges. However, our passion for service is still as bright and our purpose for service is still intact. Experiencing the true gift of servicing others in sustainable and transformative projects and developments in turn creating the ability to connect people throughout the world, truly this is indeed the pathway for Peace in our turbulent world .
 
Those within our world with more than they need giving to those who may have less can change one and many lives. We at Pakuranga Rotary are a small team- of tireless volunteers who this year like every other year keep things moving and we all should be proud in acknowledging the difference our service to others matters. We started out the year to meet in person have fellowship share meals with each other and have some fun whilst continuing our work as Rotarians we have raised limited funs and supported our young people in Rotary projects, we are gearing up for our Fun carnival to raise funds and promote Rotary within the community.
 
Thank you all for supporting our communities. Rotary is lighting the path in this different and challenging world. Thank you, Pakuranga Rotarians and friends, for giving so many  food items this evening, which is amazing the items will be passed onto the Salvation Army - thank you
 
This time of the year brings friends and family together to reflect on the year past and look forward to the New year . It is a time to reflect on those that have passed those that have had there own personal and health challenges, providing support and comfort. We often overlook this time together and often lack in the way we communicate within our families, during this time it is ever so important that we listen to each other respect each other’s differences and communicate our feelings towards each other particularly our young folk. We must put aside any negative thoughts to embrace diversity, each other’s beliefs and cultural differences and respect the opinions of our young folk. The year ahead will be very challenging for our young people who have yet to experience a turbulent world with high inflation , increase costs in living and interest rates not yet experienced by our younger generation. We have been through these challenges over our years, and we have pulled through, it is our role to support our young folk listen to there concerns take on the differences and provide guidance based on our life experiences.
 
I would like to thank Ian and his family for providing a great evening of fun, entertainment, gifts, and fellowship thank you so much. To our Sgnt Duncan as always providing the humour to make us laugh- and help raise funds. To Peter for running our raffles and Dennis and the management team who are the engine behind the club thank you so much . Our executive team Govind, Kim, Dennise , Graham, Allan, Philip, and Andrew thank you for your help and support . I nearly forgot thank you also Santa for taking time out to visit the Rotarians of Pakuranga.
 
Kim and I wish you all a happy and safe time with your friends and families over the Xmas be safe and we look forward to seeing you all in January.
 
Kind Regards
 
 
Mike Collins
Scribes Report 
 
Guests gathered at the Howick Club to celebrate Christmas and our final meeting for the year.

Past President Duncan Loney was the MC and as usual kept the meeting under a semblance of order. His first task was to promote President Mike to the much wanted position of President for Life. Unfortunately the motion was not carried due to the absence of a full medical clearance, so Treasurer Kim Collins was fully stitched up at the last minute and will cover as necessary. He was however, up to delivering a thoughtful and sincere speech which is included in this bulletin. 

Guests included, Lesley Mclagan,  President Highbrook Rotary Club; Maureen Kearns President Friendship Club; Carmen Hanekom, President Howick Inner Wheel. 
Ian Handisides was accompanied by his sister, Adrienne, sister in law, Maureen, Stephen and Rhane, son and future daughter in law, Laura and Ian, daughter and son in law and Emma and Alex also daughter and son in law. 

During the meal guests were entertained by Tracey Collins on the piano accordion and the musical theme then continued featuring Stephen Handisides and his fiancee Rhane,  delivering such classics as  Hopelessly Devoted to YouMy Heart Will Go On, My Way, Pearly Shells, Sweet Caroline and I will Survive .
The highlight was the Christmas  song,  The Twelve Days of Xmas with words suitably  amended and now known as the Rotary Christmas Party Version.
The musical selection was superb and judging by the audience singalong  was really appreciated. 

Best wishes  Stephen and Rhane from the Rotary Club on your pending marriage.
Twelve Things To Do At A Rotary Christmas Party 
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
12 DRINKS LATER
 
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
11 KIWIS LAUGHING
 
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
10 CHEERS FOR JACINDA
 
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
9 ROAST POTATOES
 
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
8 MEN SCOOPING
 
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
7 OLDIES DANCING
 
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
6 ACHING BODIES
 
On the Fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
5 GOLDEN HARPS
 
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
4 SEXY LADIES
 
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
3 COURSE MEAL
 
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
2 RAFFLE TICKETS
 
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me,
A RO-TA-RY CHRISTMAS PARTY 
 
Many thanks to Ian Handisides and Dennis Kavanagh for all the arrangements for the Christmas party. 
 
 
 
 
The next Rotary meeting will be at the Sailing Club on the 2rd of January.
Donna Brown
Like all parents to be Donna was thrilled to have started a family.
It was then a huge blow to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
 
Donna treated members to a very interesting and moving presentation about the disease and her journey - a triumph of determination overcoming what seemed to be very difficult odds. 
 
 
 
 
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive and debilitating disease of the central nervous system. It affects more young people than any other chronic neurological disease, 3 out of 4 sufferers are women and progress, severity and specific symptoms very widely amongst sufferers. MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The list of potential symptoms is both long and daunting and the average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average.
 
Treatment in New Zealand is generally limited to drugs that look to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the symptoms. 
 
Donna researched the disease intensively and saw hope for a much brighter future via a treatment - autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This treatment is not available in New Zealand so following some intensive fund-raising Donna travelled to Russia to undergo the treatment.
 
The treatment is not for the faint hearted but the results have been amazing. Results show higher rates of improved disability, halted progression, reduced relapses, reduced brain lesion volume and overall improved quality of life. The cost is not inconsiderable but with the cost of the drugs currently used in New Zealand there is strong evidence for this treatment to be a very cost effective approach. 
 
 
More of Donna's presentation which includes lots of information about the disease and the treatment is included below. 
Read more...
A picture can be worth a thousand words
 
The cartoons/ illustrations are by a multi award winning artist from Luxembourg - Pol Leurs- who publishes under the pseudonym Poleurs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calendar
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2022
 
Boxing Day
Dec 26, 2022
 
New Year's Day
Jan 01, 2023
 
Day after New Years Day
Jan 02, 2023
 
Waitangi Day
Feb 06, 2023
 
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