President Robyn welcomed all Rotarians present to the informal Rotary meeting as well as Nigel Salter and Speech Contests winners Maggie Strawbridge and Katie Hepi-Hagan.

 

Bill Wilson was congratulated by President Robyn and all members for achieving 50 years as a Rotarian.  Bill has given sterling service throughout this time - as President and Director and an active member. Bill’s practical skills and good humour are much valued by the club. On Thursday, he joined Colin Davis in generously providing drinks to all those present – both celebrating this significant milestone.  Both Bill and Colin show the true spirit of Rotary displaying “service above self”.

 

We were very fortunate to have the winner and second place getter from the Schools Speech Contest attend our meeting and deliver their speeches to us.  Winner Maggie Strawbridge, a Year 6 student from Hautapu School, spoke to us about how sports are a waste of time. Her humorous take on this topic, coupled with her dramatic delivery was appreciated by members.  Katie Hepi-Hagan who was placed second in the contest spoke on superheroes, and she informed and entertained during a very well paced speech.  Again she captured members’ attention with touches of humour throughout.

 

The confidence and skill these young people possess was noted by all, and the value of the annual Rotary Speech Contest was endorsed as a valuable programme for our school communities.

 

Bev Maul-Rogers passed on a reminder from Bill Robinson of the Christmas Parade to be held this Sunday, 1 December.  Volunteers are required for marshalling and crowd control. A debrief will be held at the i—site office in the Town Hall at 12noon. All should be finished by 3pm. Bill will send out an email via ClubRunner with full details and seeking volunteers. Please remember to wear your Rotary branded caps, tee shirts, etc.

 

Sorting of books will commence at Achievement House on Monday 9 December commencing 9.00am.  Anyone who can help in this task which will be ongoing up until Bookarama in May 2020 is welcome to attend.  Many hands make light work.

 

Numbers attending our Christmas gathering are between 75-80. This year the occasion is being hosted by Ian Grant and his wife, Liz. We’ll be at Ian’s property at 151b Duncan Road Tamahere on Thursday 12^th December.

 

There is no requirement to bring a chair this year.

 

However, please do remember to bring:

 

John Bishop announced that there would be a vocational visit to Spring Sheep in Parallel Road to observe the sheep milking industry.  Rotarians will have the opportunity to watch Border Leicester ewes being milked.  Sheep milking is a rapidly developing primary industry. Following the farm visit it is proposed to have a meal at the nearby Blueberry farm restaurant.  We need 50 attendees (partners included) to secure a booking.  Those present indicated their interest – we still need a few more but on the basis of more anticipated numbers the restaurant will be booked.  The buffet meal will cost $39 per head.  A cash bar will operate.

 

President Robyn thanked Carey Church and her team for all the planning and work put into the Garden Festival held on Sunday 24 November.  It was an amazingly successful event – the weather was beautiful.  President Robyn thanked everyone who helped prior to or on the day.

Applications for the RYLA course in April are now open. Rotarians are encouraged to think about young people who may be interested in attending.   9930 is a district that accepts applications from grandchildren of Rotarians even if the applicant does not live in its district. RYLA is open to young people aged 20 – 26.   Participants are selected by their local Rotary Club and sponsored to attend the course by their club or their employer.  The programme is designed in conjunction with a Learning Institute at the University of Waikato and is run by a committed group of Rotarians and University staff members. 

Participants have the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership networks through being part of a cohort of emerging leaders, expanding their network of Rotarian contacts and meeting a range of prominent local leaders. Applications for the upcoming course close on 28 February next.  

 
The RYLA course is held at Epworth Recreation Centre, Lake Karapiro from 10 am on the 4th of April to 9 pm on the 9th of April 2020 and the cost per awardee is $850. Last year Rotary Cambridge sponsored three young people. 

 

A reminder that the cost of the Taste Waikato cookbook has been reduced to $25 to Rotarians and sponsors.  Retailing in shops and markets for $35. This is a great Christmas present for family and friends.

 

Remember that Gourmet Delicious are our new caterers on the third Thursday of each month.  The first Thursday will be a community group. Please note that apologies for all meetings are now required by 4.30PM on the Tuesday in the meeting week.

 

Raffle winners this week were David Blewden and Tom Pickering.

 

What wonderful news we received on the 24^th October – that Nigeria has now been certified Polio Free and that wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated worldwide. This leaves only type 1 in existence – currently in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This fantastic achievement has been accomplished with the help of the funds we give to the Rotary Foundation.

 

So, thank you to what you give towards this work – either personally or through your club. Please though, do not lessen your efforts towards supporting the Rotary Foundation – which has been recognized by both Charity Navigator (scoring 100 out of 100) and Charity Watch (A-plus rating). Out of interest, you might like to know that Singapore clubs donate around US$615 per head p.a. Hong Kong US$451 per head p.a. in comparison to the s $245 and our own $70.

I am also pleased to say that so far this year District membership has risen by 21 net. Rotorua Passport Club is planning to be Chartered in January – which will increase the District’s membership by a similar amount. Thames Rotary Club is also working on creating a Satellite Club in Whitianga. Is there scope for either a Satellite or a Passport club in your area? Have you considered approaching companies re the possibility of Corporate Membership? We have made a good start on Membership – let’s see if we can keep up the good work.

 

On a lighter note - Honolulu Convention registrations from this District now stand at 43. I also know that several people have told me that they are going – but have not registered yet. An excellent response but also a good opportunity for those who are thinking that one day they might go to a convention – to attend one relatively close to home and go along with a good number of attendees from our own District.

 

Kind regards

Peter Maxwell

District Governor 2019/20

Rotary District 9930

Mobile 027 432 8872