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The Presidents' Pen

Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498)

 
Rotary Zoom is alive and well!
 
We joined the Harbourside Rotary Club last Wednesday for a presentation by Brice Gaudin, the Alliance MIN Manager at Link Alliance, who is actively involved in the City Rail project.
 
It was some presentation, with the digital imagery showing what we can expect the new stations to look like, and the train driver perspectives of the journey between stations.  It was a real insight into how "today's technology" contributes to a project of this size. 
 
This was followed by a lighthearted Sergeants session and an affirmation that the Clubs will meet again in person for fellowship and a glass of wine - only problem is, we don't quite know when!!
 
Well done St Johns for Zooming in - we were 19 of the 34 attendees!
 
L and P
Stories
Thanks from the Editor;
A special thank you to PP and Director Club Services, Robyn I, who has assisted the Editor in publishing the last two issues of the Bulletin during his absence from official duties over the last few weeks duties over the last few weeks -Thanks Robyn and did I hear a chant "Robyn for Editor"!!!!
Meeting in Review - Wednesday 27 October 2021 
As reported by our Co-Presidents, we had an awesome turnout for our joint meet with RC Auckland Harbourside last week with 19 of our members Zooming in and including three partners, our actual attendance was a very healthy 22.
 
The guest speaker was Brice Gaudin who is coordinating with all the Link Alliance partners to plan, manage and coordinate the BIM process for the delivery of the City Rail Link which is now well underway (in fact mostly underground) in Auckland City.
 
Brice had a hugely informative presentation complete with digital imagery and to tell us about the four stations they are working on:  Britomart (redevelopment), Aotea Station (new), Karangahape (new) and Mt Eden (redevelopment).
 
Britomart is expected to be NZ’s busiest station and will have a lot of services to divert.  This re-development of Britomart has taken place some 18-25 meters below ground level and this part of the station will be around 400 meters long.
 
Aotea Station is completely new and is 11 meters below ground.  Karangahape Station is also completely new and has two shafts (Pitt Street and Mercury Lane).  Mt Eden Station is being developed and is complicated due to ongoing operations on the Western Line, a lot of tunnelling activities etc.
 
The whole project is due for completion in 2024 and started in July 2019.
 
Brice then took some time to explain the BIM process (Building Information Modelling) and showed us how it goes beyond the planning and design phase and includes:  cost management, construction management, project management and facility operation.
 
He spoke about how technology is transforming industrial production and advised they use Microsoft SharePoint to track EVERYTHING.  He then showed us a sample of their SharePoint 'Dashboard' and it was easy to get a sense of how every piece of information relating this huge project is logged, tracked and any issues resolved.  He explained how there is a Digital Totem at each of their sites – which is an access point complete with computers, internet, and Wi-Fi for workers to source all of their information easily.
 
He also showed us a sample of the virtual reality environment that has been developed to assist with training for workers and saves time and money e.g.  they can conduct ‘virtual’ safety inductions for the tunnel boring machine; or run ‘virtual’ Fire Evacuation trials. 
 
It was an information packed presentation which certainly provided a better understanding of how huge this project is; and gave us a virtual peek at how this will transform the City Rail Link in the very near future.
Club Meetings and Other Important Dates
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 4th - EVENING ZOOM MEETING - 6.00pm.  Guest Speakers, Scott Brown and Jessica Bell:

Scott Brown Carpentry is a small building and renovations business owned by Scott Brown and Jessica Bell.  In 2018 Scott started creating YouTube videos following his work on building sites.  Three years on, with an audience of 279,000 followers, and averaging 100,000 views per video, Scott and Jessica now work full time managing their building company and growing local and international YouTube audience.

Jessica and Scott will share how they grew an audience through their digital marketing platforms, as well as the challenges and successes of operating a unique business model in a growing digital world.


 
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 11th - BREAKFAST ZOOM MEETING - 7.30am. 

Club Meeting & AGM.
Fantastic odds for your hard-earned money
The odds of winning Lotto are 1 in 383,838. You might think that “Hey, that’s a chance!” but the odds are so extremely low.
 
A better option if you want your hard-earned money to do some good is to make a donation to The Rotary Foundation.  That way you KNOW it will do good to children, women and men in real need of a helping hand up.  The great news is that the way the Grant system works, coupled with the vibrancy of our own club, means as a club we gain back far more than we ever contribute thanks to the skill of our Rotary Foundation coordinator, Gary Key - think ONJA, Have a Go Sailing and much more.  So, instead of Lotto each month why not consider donating the $20/month to The Rotary Foundation?! Thanks to those who have already contributed and please contact Gary at anytime if your have questions about The Rotary Foundation, how to donate or suggestions for projects we can support with their help.  Interesting facts, knowledge and Foundation stories from around the region are in the November Rotary Down Under magazine here.
 
"All Transit End Polio Now", Fund Raiser.
Subject to Covid restriction, we now have  new date for this event - February 25th 2022.
 
The email below from District is self explanatory. If you are able to support a St. Johns team on the day, please contact Murray H and register your availability.  Murray is the clubs co-ordinator and he would love to hear from you.  Mobile 021 069 0203 Email murrayh1@orcon.net.nz
 
From: Jennie Herring <herringjennie.gmail.com@clubrunner.email>
Date: 26 October 2021 at 22:08:25 NZDT
To: Alex Gatt <gatt@xtra.co.nz>
Subject: Polio All Transit Event - 25 February 2022
Reply-To: Jennie Herring <herringjennie@gmail.com>
 

Dear Fellow Rotarian,

As you may be aware the Polio All Transit Event has been rescheduled to 25 February 2022 due to the Covid 19 Lockdown.

Attached to this email are the following two documents:

1.  Polio All Transit Club & Rider Registration form

2.  Polio All Transit  Sponsorship form

Each Club needs to register their intention to participate to allocate a Transit Platform to them.  Each Rider needs to be registered to know how many riders we will have on the day.

It is envisaged that each Rider will have their individual sponsorship for this event.  Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jennie Herring, DRFC D9920

by simply replying to this email.

Yours in Rotary Service.

Jennie Herring

D9920 District Foundation Chair (DRFC)

027 2932095

District 9920 Conference - Te Papa 2022
It's never too early to start planning!  If you are thinking of attending now's the time to start thinking about it.  Let our Co-Presidents know that you are interested and they will keep you up to date with planning for a St. Johns team participation.
 
Ready, Set, CANVA
Canva is a graphics software that the club has free access to (Pro version).  It is also a common software that some of you may use personally or in your work (or want to),  The Rotary Zone 8 PI Committee recently ran a workshop on the basics and here is the material and recording:
 
 
Time For A Smile 

A nomad had been wandering the desert by foot for many years. He has saved up some money on his travels and decided that his walking days were over and it was time to buy a camel.

He went to the nearest camel ranch and asked the ranch owner what type of camel he could get for the money he had.
"I am sorry," said the rancher "that's not even enough for the cheapest camel." The nomad looked forlorn until the rancher said "we do have this one camel though, we weren't going to sell him because he's kinda special, but I'll sell him to you in you like?" The nomad was overjoyed, "Yes, please! What is so special about him?"
"To make him walk you have to say 'go' and to make him gallop you have to say 'phew.' To make him stop simply say 'amen.' Have you got that?"
"I think so, yeah!" Replied the nomad. He paid his money, got on the camel and said "go!" and it began to walk. After awhile as he had gotten used to the camel, he decided to try to go a bit faster and so he said "phew" and it burst to life. It started hurtling through the desert, bounding over dunes and zooming past oasis's.

Suddenly, the nomad saw that ahead there was a gaping gorge and the camel was charging straight for it. He began tugging on the reins of the camel, pleading for it to stop, but, it wouldn't and he had completely forgotten the word to make it do so!
"Oh god help me!" cried the nomad. He began to pray, "God, please don't let me die on this camel, amen." And of course it came immediately to a dead stop right at the very edge of the deep gorge.
"Phew" said the nomad.
 
....and 
 
A duck is standing next to a busy road, cars are zooming by, while he waits for a break in traffic.  Then a chicken walks by and says "don't do it.."
"you'll never hear the end of it!"

 

 
Rotary Four Way Test
 
Next Meeting:
 
Dinner Zoom Meeting.  Link to join Zoom will be sent to all separately via e-mail.
 
Thursday November 4th 6.00pm. 
 
 
Contents:
  • Presidents Pen
  • Meeting in Review - 21 October 2021
  • Club Meetings & Other Important Dates
  • Fantastic Odds for Your Hard  Earned Dollars.
  • "All Transit Eradicate Polio" Fundraiser
  • Ready, Set, CANVA
  • Time for a Smile
  • Rotary Four way Test
Speakers
Nov 04, 2021 6:00 PM
Scott Brown Carpentry
Nov 11, 2021 7:00 AM
AGM
Nov 18, 2021 7:00 AM
Nov 19, 2021 6:00 PM
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Orakei Volunteer Expo (TBC - in Level 1)
Auckland Netball Centre
Mar 12, 2022
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
 
View entire list

Club Contacts

Co-Presidents': 
Penny McGarry 021 702 310 &
Lesley Harris 027 4935 498
Secretary, Treasurer & Apologies: 
Alex Gatt 021 571 722
Presidents' Elect: 
Gary Key 021 611 169 & Graham Fabian 021 826 292
Club Services: 
Robyn Ingram  022 0200 171 
Foundation: 
Gary Key 021 611 169
Community: 
Hugh Scott Russell 021 0813 7313 & John Lewisham 09 5288908.
Youth: 
Tom Street 021 685 651
Science Technology & Education:
 Peter Buchanan 027 434 1832
Sergeants: 
Michelle Forman 021 0277 9456, Angus McPhee  09 575 1007 & Cheri Joliffe 021 037 7559
Membership: 
Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz
Bulletin Editor: 
Pete Walsh 021 747 858. walshp@xtra.co.nz
 
Club: Email:  stjohnsrotary@gmail.com
Website:  www.rotarystjohns.club
Area Govenor:
Ashwini Sadhu
021 305 261,
email: marysadhu99@gmail.com  
Our Meetings:  (Subject to COVID19 Restrictions)
 
We meet Thursday for breakfast at
7:00 am for 7:15 am start,
except for the first Thursday of the month, when we meet in the evening at 6:00 pm for dinner.
 
Remuera Golf Club
120 Abbotts Way
Remuera
Auckland 1072
New Zealand 
 
All Rotarian's are welcome 
including family members.
 
Others wanting to visit are most welcome - please phone or email:
Beryl Robinson 021 652 802. Email: berylrobinson@xtra.co.nz
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