July (Jul 14, 2024)

Opening remarks

Thanks to Dennis and some great organisation we were able to welcome a large number of members and also of guests to the changeover evening.

As incoming President it was great to see so many there but even more pleasing to feel the good will and warmth of the meeting.

The chance to award two PHF's and the Rotary Cup along with a remarkably non-political speech from a recently retired politician all contributed to the event.

The fact that so many people stayed around at the end of the formal meeting, catching up and chatting, struck me as a good omen for the future.

Meeting - 15 July 2024
Howick Club
Jul 15, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Meeting - 5 August 2024
Howick Club
Aug 05, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

Meeting - 19 Aug 2024
Howick Club
Aug 19, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM

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President Govind welcomed guests and members including:

The Honourable Michael Woods, Former Labour Party Minister of Transport and Deputy Leader of the House

District Governor-Vidja Chand

Exec.District Secretary - Nitika Chand

Past District Governor - Gary Langford and wife Jan,

Past District Governor - Willard Martin and wife Gabrielle

Rotary Community Leader - Evelyn York

Past President of Highbrook Rotary - Leslie McLagan

Adele Siljeur - Pakuranga College

President of Inner Wheel - Sue Miller

During the year the club focus has been on fellowship and President Govind thanked Malcolm McLagan, Graham Kearns, Dennis Kavanagh and Ian Handisides for their assistance.

The accompanying Power Point presentation highlighted the club’s main activities undertaken during the year. Whilst we are only a small group of members the number of projects and range of projects is impressive and our new sculpture located on the rotary footpath is drawing favourable comment from the local community and visitors to the area.

The River Carnival, Golf Day and the Diwali Celebrations were very successful.

Govind presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Lesley McLagan, for her tireless work for Rotary including the planning and management of the River Festival .

In presenting Adele Siljur with a Paul Harris Fellowship, Peter Woodcock outlined the very valuable work that Adele had done for many years with an active and involved Pakuranga College Interact Club.

Govind then presented the annual Rotarian Cup to Graham Kearnes.

Our guest speaker Michael Woods has enjoyed a long association with the Pakuranga area reminiscing about the times when what is now heavily built up residential and commercial was once open farmland. Memories includes attending Pakuranga College where he was a member of the school debating team which participated in the Holyoake debate and defeated Saint Kentigern College.

In his youth he worked parttime at Hugh Wrights and commented on the associated benefits of interacting with customers, something that and brought back memories for many members who had also worked in the retail area in their youth.

He provided an interesting insight into New Zealand today and the problems we all face, the pressures facing many in the workplace and not surprisingly the pressures of a career in politics.

A New Rotary Year

The new year aims to be continuation of the previous year with continued active fundraising and community support but also maintaining a strong focus on the needs of our members and recognising the importance of fellowship opportunities.

As in-coming President I think of us being in a state of evolution and not revolution.

There is no intention to redesign the way the club operates or to look at major changes.

The sense of goodwill and purpose in the club strongly suggests that things are generally where members want them to be.

As stated in my remarks at change-over the strength and vibrancy of the club lays with all the members of the club and not solely with the members who happens to be President in any particular year.

It's how much leadership we have in total not how much any one member has.

To enable us to do all that we have planned we are in the fortunate position of having a very capable group of members who have put up their hands to assist in the running and many activities of the club.

As one exchange student leaves we welcome another one

We very recently farewelled Helene. Now back safely in Germany we get ready to welcome Matilda from Austria.

Finding host families from within the club has become very difficult but it is good that we can continue to be a host club and give these young people what is often a life changing and enhancing experience.

Still hoping

Having an interesting Bulletin, that reflects what our club is doing and what our members are thinking and contributing is important.

The best way to ensure that, that happens, is for you the members, to provide material.

If you have interesting Rotary news you would like to share, a review of a book, television programme or film you think other members would enjoy or benefit from, a humorous item or simply something that you have done that others will find interesting then send it to me, the editor.

It needs to be less than 250 words and in order to be published has to meet the Four Way Test and reflect well on Rotary and our club.

Images to accompany your submission will be really helpful.