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Notes of Club Meeting held on 5 May 2022 We had a good meeting last Thursday night for several reasons. President Ian welcomed back both Nigel Salter and Mark Hanlon after some time away. It was great to see them back. He was also pleased to see a lift in attendance this week, given that we have had a period where attendance has been around 25-28 for some weeks. On Thursday it was in the mid 30’s so we are on the way up! As an aside, President Ian noted that West Germany never received sovereignty after World War 2 until 1955, something he was aware from his years in the Army. We have four attendees going to RYLA this year, two sponsored by our club and two sponsored from other sources, which is a good number of participants accepted through our club. Everything is shaping up for Bookarama which opens on Wednesday this coming week. We have many good books so we can expect to be busy over the five days. This week, as we approach and prepare for Bookarama in the Town Hall, it is a time when we must call on our members and partners or friends to give us a hand. It is a big job and I know Ray Milner is hoping for a good turnout which will make the job a little easier for everyone. See you there. Our guest speakers from NZ Red Cross gave an interesting presentation. Red Cross started in New Zealand in 1863 which means they have been active in NZ for 160 years. By way of example, they referred to the refugees that came to NZ towards the end of the Second World War in 1944 and the big part Red Cross played in establishing these people in a new place to live, find work and become part of NZ. Today Red Cross works through Civil Defence, they provide First Aid courses and are NZQA accredited. They manage Meals on Wheels, delivering 620,000 meals every year and also support the migration programme. They are working hard to increase their funding pipeline through cash donations, online donations from individuals and businesses, volunteers and legacies in wills. The speakers expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to inform us about their good work as a voluntary organisation over many years. This week we were able to help contribute towards the CHS Girls Rugby team’s fundraising efforts. The girls, with the help of their parents and supporters, provided our dinner for the evening. We were pleased to be able to support the team in this way and they received $750 for their efforts. We are looking forward to change over dinner this year because it will include celebration of Cambridge Rotary’s 75th Anniversary. Our thanks to John Bishop, our incoming President, and others who have worked together to make this happen, it will a great night. Turning to upcoming Club nights, you will recall that we are due to visit Hamilton East Rotary Club on Wednesday 18th May. Richard Seabrook has been working with Hamilton East to finalise arrangements. The guest speaker for that night is Judge Aidan Warren (Judge of the Māori Land Court and Member of the Waitangi Tribunal). There is room for other members if you have not already joined the group. Close off date for additions to the list is Sunday 15th May so get in quick if you want to come. Hamilton East meets at the Ruakura Campus Club and that is relatively easy to find (see map below). We will meet at the Cambridge Cricket Pavilion at 5pm and carpool across. Please note this meeting replaces our normal meeting on Thursday 19th May. Dennis Finn |
