Bulletin 11/06/20
Posted by Bev Maul-Rogers
Welcome - Meeting, Don Rowlands Centre, Mighty River Domain, Karapiro - Thursday 11 June
A great attendance at our first face to face meeting since lockdown. It was so great to see everyone again in person – particularly those who had not been able to join our Zoom meetings – David Blewden, Brian Palmer, Shirley Haycock and John Windle. Members enjoyed the fellowship and appreciated Gourmet Delicious catered meal.
President Robyn greeted everyone warmly and said how lovely it was to be meeting physically again. Next week’s meeting would again be at the Don Rowlands Centre but there would be no meeting on Thursday 25th as we have changeover on the Saturday (27th) also at the Don Rowlands Centre.
No speaker had been arranged for the meeting but a number of Rotarians spoke and new members who had been inducted previously were presented with their badge.
New Members – Gretchen Bosacker, David Partis and Alan van Niekirk
Gavin Levesque introduced the three new members and President Robyn presented them with their badge and new member kit.
Each spoke briefly:
David had resided in a number of locations in New Zealand and also spent some time in Australia. He is a previous member of two Rotary Clubs – Henderson and Taumaranui. When looking for somewhere to live in New Zealand (rather than Auckland) he and his wife fell in love with Cambridge and settled here. David operates his own web design business from home.
Gretchen is a GP with the Cambridge Medical Centre where her husband practices also. She originally came from Wisconsin in the United States and moved to New Zealand 2 years ago. They originally settled in Waihi but found it too small for their liking. They are enjoying living in Cambridge where their children attend school. The family are into cycling.
Alan comes from South Africa. He has worked for companies in the roading and bridge building industry. He wanted a lifestyle change, came to New Zealand, explored the country and “got stuck in Cambridge” which is ideal. He now works as a project manager in the gas industry. Alan has 2 children living in New Zealand and would like to meet his grandchildren in South Africa when he is able to travel overseas again.
Magic Moment
Ode to Covid -Presented by Jan Bilton
It came upon us out of the blue
Before that the only Corona I knew
was out of a bottle with a small slice of lime
It took a while to adapt to the unusual time
It was a time when the phone rang red hot
Friends were calling all day and all night
Marvellous for keeping up with my mates
even though we weren’t having dates
Social media went berserk
Time spent on Facebook and Instagram instead of on work
Lucky me I could continue to write
But supplies for food testing were very very tight.
At the beginning of lockdown my car ran out of steam
The AA said ‘don’t drive it and the repairs won’t be lean’.
This meant walks to the dairy to replenish essentials
Even though I was restricted by my ‘over 70’ credentials
With Countdown deliveries 7 days in the making
I relied on neighbours for shopping so I could continue baking
People were kind, we couldn’t have wished for better
And in Level Three this was proven to the letter
Our neighbour Dave generously loaned us his wife’s car – ha! ha!
Oh the freedom of driving once more on the tar
I enjoyed it so much Dave said I have great news for you
And a near new Qashqai came out of the blue
Of course this car wasn't free
But it sure beat walking for me
So we signed on the line
And the car is now mine.
One thing I’ve learnt is that you don’t need a million
Just kindness, warmth, respect and teddy bears
Lots of walks and bike rides with people who care
Thanks to those essential workers who helped us all
Regain our freedom and prevent a great fall
Thanks to our friends and neighbours for helping us through
With good words, good thoughts and good deeds. Here’s to you.
Richard Johnstone reflected on life under COVID-19 restrictions and commented on Vinnie Simmonds’ presentation the previous week which highlighted need in the community. Had it been a “physical” meeting he was sure people would have been pleased to donate to the cause. Richard presented to Robyn his personal contribution to Rotary funds covering the time of no meetings where the club had missed out on fundraising through fines etc.
President-Nominee, John Bishop
John gave a light-hearted view as a President-Nominee – a role he will take over in 2022-23.
NOTICES
Next meeting.
Thursday, 18 June at 5.30, Don Rowlands Centre. Andrew Bateman will have something for us.
Changeover
Changeover is on Saturday 27 June at Don Rowlands Centre (Lake Karapiro). 5.15pm for a 6pm dinner. Numbers are need by 18 June and the organising team require members to advise they are going and if they are bringing partners/ guests.
Bookarama
Ray Milner advised that books can now be received at Achievement house. A message will be put on Facebook letting the public know. No sorting this week but will commence the following week and you will be advised of times by email. Ray is investigating a pop-up shop in the town as an outlet to sell books. If you know of vacant premises could you please talk to Ray. The Town Hall has been reserved for Bookarama on 8-15 November.
Materials Recovery Project
Mark Hanlon reported on progress with the Materials Recovery Project. The project team had held a working bee to clean and tidy the leased premises to be used and this work would hopefully be completed in 2 weeks. After this an e-waste collection would be held involving the club.
District Grant Project
The bus stop project for which we received a District Grant was still going ahead but had been delayed due to COVID-19. President Robyn said she had heard from Council who was getting a quote for the bus shelter. It was pleasing to learn that Rotary will be promoted on the glass panels.
Firewood Working Bee
The firewood project working bee at Harbutt Rd has been put off for one week until Saturday 20th June. We will need a few volunteers with chainsaws and others for splitting and stacking and trailers for carting away. If you can help please let either Chris Crickett or Ken Leatham know, the project will only take 3 or 4 hours followed by a beer or two. If you are available let Chris Crickett know and we can better allocate the work
Raffle Winners
Ray Milner and Bill Wilson.
DISTRICT NEWS
District 9930 Changeover
The Rotary Club of Havelock North will be hosting the District 9930 Changeover. The event will welcome Grant Spackman to the 2020/21 District Governor role and acknowledge with thanks, the work of retiring District Governor, Peter Maxwell. The proposed date is Sunday 26 July at the Havelock Community Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North. Because of COVID-19 the original event has been delayed. All being well, regarding the ability to comply with lockdown level conditions, registrations will open before 1 July 2020.
Opportunity for Rotarians in your district to have a say – Message from DG Peter Maxwell
President Robyn has circulated the following message to members from DG Peter Maxwell. Please take some time to have a look at the email attached to Peter’s and respond to the survey by Friday 19 June. This is your opportunity to have your say.
As you will no doubt be already aware – recently Rotary in New Zealand has become part of Zone 8 along with the Pacific Islands and Australia.
Rotary International has given us an opportunity to put a case forward on how the Zone will be structured and run. To help us with this, we are seeking Rotarian’s views - see attached. To get this structure right will enable Rotary in New Zealand to develop an organisation that is fit (culturally and operationally) for New Zealand.
Can I please ask you to encourage all your members to give this some serious thought and to put forward their views and suggestions – as per the attached email.
We are seeing elsewhere in the world the consequences of electorates who have not spent enough time considering their leadership options – with, in my opinion, disastrous consequences - so let’s make sure that our member’s views are properly articulated
The survey remains open until 19th June, when we will analyse all responses.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Rotary International Convention
The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention: 20-26 June 2020
Some time ago, Rotary International announced with regret that the Rotary International Convention, scheduled for 6-10 June 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, was cancelled due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. This decision is necessary to protect the health of everyone involved. Read further here about the Virtual Convention to be held 20 -26 June 2020. The programme is included and you can register for one or more session. Learn more.