Co-President Gary opened the meeting and introduced our Guest Speaker Craig Lord and thanked him for coming along.

 

Gary reminded us to make sure we vote on the regionalization pilot scheme.  It is important that everyone votes, (See separate story below).

Co-President Graham reiterated Gary's comments and referred all to various websites for more detail if still required.

Kevin K and Trish have been working on the selection process for Science Forum and making good progress.

Margaret Voyce is now leading our involvement in the Dictionaries in Schools project.

Saturday 24 September is clean up the stream day, and the aim is to get at least 100 people to come along and help - see separate story below.

Angus was Snap Chatterer of the day.  He talked about family; he has been married for 42 years, has 3 children and 3 grandchildren, and ended by commenting on why he is standing for council and, just as important, he didn't exceed the 2 minutes allocated!!

Sergeant Patrick conducted the sergeant’s session and boy did he keep things rolling.  Over the last week he sourced some good fining material on several members, including Lesley recently getting her wet suit on and swimming with the dolphins, Mark Hillman flying nonstop to New York on Saturday on the Air New Zealand Inaugural flight, and that he has been married now for 121 years and 6 months!  Looks like some one's information needs updating.

Of course it did not go unnoticed that Graham F has been away on holiday many times in the last month…..but he’s back now and onto things in his usual positive manner.

Patrick managed to collect$120 in fines - well done Sergeant.

 

Summary of his talk:

He moved to Auckland at the age of 15 and was employed as a training engineer specializing in hydraulics and injection molding.  He was trained and traveled the country over the next 20 years, taking up various roles within the company.

He was even asked at one stage  - would he like to buy the company! He did not!

His next significant role was in media, initially as a photographer and then freelance journalist, primarily in the area of motor sports.  Eventually he became a talk back host for Newstalk ZB and sky sports.

 

His philosophy is summarized as follows:

We wish him luck in the Mayoral race and thank him for taking the time to speak to us.

 

 

 

 

 

The team of Gary, Beryl and Colin promoted St Johns Rotary to the community at the Orakei Volunteer Expo last Saturday (17 September 2022), and came away with 20 high quality leads for Beryl to follow up and convert into future volunteers or even, members, so if you see visitors to our meetings in the coming weeks please make their experience a memorable one as usual. 

 

The stand was at the end of a row and while the pictures make it look a bit 'lonely' we actually think our position was perfect and we got a good number of people stopping. Also present were Auckland East, Remuera and Ellerelie Sunrise Rotary along with about 45 other volunteer organizations all seeking more volunteers or members.  Overall we did better than most with our immediate offer of the Omaru Stream clean-up next weekend and the upcoming Quiz. 

 

Also there was Margaret in her Orakei Board role, but huge kudos to her for wearing a St Johns Rotary shirt ... well done Margaret!  Thanks also to Murray who called by to see if anyone needed a break.  This was the first volunteer expo and these are likely to be held bi-annually.  As you will notice, the tear drops look very smart ... we need to always use these at our projects.  If you need these for any project / event, they are held for safe keeping by Co-President Graham.

 

Sat. 24 Sep.: 10am - 12 noon, Ōmaru Stream Clean-up.   

 

Participants are suggested to park cars in Apirana Ave adjacent to Apirana Reserve (opposite the Seventh Day Adventist Church), and to walk through Eastview Reserve to Line Rd.  Clean-up of Ōmaru Stream and surrounding reserve land to commence from Line Rd end and to conclude back at Apirana Ave.  Participants then cross Apirana Ave to be introduced to the project led by Ken, Nanda, and Roger to restore Apirana Reserve.  Many St Johns Rotary members have contributed to this project already with ground preparations, mulching, and planting.  

The clock's ticking real fast now and we are now only 3 weeks away from our Quiz Night.  

This is one of our few major fund raising events of the year, and as we have missed the last two years, it is essential that we make this one a winner!!

 

Full details are clear on the attached flyer - just click on "Read More" to see this.

 

 

 

The next packing day is next Wednesday morning (September 21st) and it would be great to have the St Johns team there again.
 
Time: 9 – 12 noon.

 

Place: 18 Allright Place.
 
If you can assist, please contact Murray H. for more details.

 

 

Mid Nov: Heritage Clean up, ideally to do so in consultation with the Stonefield Residents Association.  Margaret has contacts in the RA and she attended the AGM last Sunday.  The Chair,  Paul Van Dorsten is delighted, and will communicate to his members (we are sure to attract extra folk to help).  This will be either Sat or Sunday – perhaps around 19 / 20 Nov?

 

Stonefields Music in the Park.  Date TBC: Rotary has the opportunity to set up a table to provide free sausages for the event.  The idea is that we will also set up a table beside the sausage sizzle and complete a membership drive too. 

 

One of our favourite Fun & Fellowship events on the St. Johns calendar is our Golf Night at the Remuera Golf Club Driving range, followed by the Remuera Golf Clubs World Famous in Remuera Fish & Chip dinners.

 

Full details in the flyer below. Please RSVP asap - now would be good!