Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498)
Well, what an inspiring meeting to end the year with, with Sarah Blyde, a Rocket Lab ambassador, enlightening us about NZ’s place in the space race, what happens in the big factory in Mt Wellington and at the launchpad on the Mahia Peninsula. I know I will never look at those satellites quite the same on beautiful starry nights. I will be thinking is that one of Rocket Labs and what is the motherload?
What was really good to also learn was that the future of our country is in great hands with a talented bunch of people like Sarah ensuring that NZ is punching above our weight in the rocket department, and are working with not only private organizations, but NASA as well.
It was disappointing that only about 20 members attended, given that it was the final formal meeting of a strange year, but it is possibly a sign that people are zoomed out and longing for some face-to-face connection. So the timing is right with the advent of not only the traffic light system but the silly season as well and our Club are aiming to finish the year on a high.
From no events to three in one weekend – I hope you can all cope. Break out your Covid Passes and join us for some good food, good company and good fun at our regular stomping ground at the Remuera Golf Club on Saturday night from 6pm. Please make sure you have RSVP’d to Robyn and have your passes handy. That will top off a ‘feel good’ day stocking the shelves of the food bank with, hopefully, many generous donations at our Christmas foodbank drive at New World (thanks Graham), to spread a bit of Christmas cheer to those less fortunate than ourselves. Then on Sunday morning you can top off the weekend with some time in the great outdoors helping Peter B. and the eager team beautify the Apirana Reserve.
We would love a great turnout to wave good-bye to the lock down restrictions, and to show support for your Club after a difficult year so we can end the year in the St Johns way - feeling good, doing good in our community and having fun. See you all there.
For what was our last Zoom Meeting of the year, and hopefully our last Zoom Meeting, period, we had 20 member, 2 partners and our guest speaker zoom in.
Co-President Penny chaired the meeting and first up called for Directors' Reports;
Club Services Director re-emphasised the need for RSVP's for the year-end event on December 11th - now please.
PP Hugh thanked all volunteers for their commitment of time on the 11th for the Foodbank collection at New World - all spots now full.
PE Gary again thanked all members who have donated to the Foundation and reiterated that it's never too late to donate!
Peter B invited members to participate in the last working be of the year at Apirana Reserve. See more details below.
Co-President Penny is still seeking expressions of interest from members who are considering attending District Conference in Wellington next May - She is just looking for an indication of interest at this time - no commitments needed - yet.
It was then time for Co-President Penny to introduce our guest speaker, Sarah Blyde. Sarah is a project engineer at Rocket Lab, a space company that builds and launches the Electron rocket in New Zealand. Sarah grew up in Auckland and went on to study engineering at the University of Auckland before moving to Western Australia to work as a petroleum engineer. While there, she became fascinated by the growing space industry and decided she wanted to be part of all the action so went to France to do a masters degree in space studies. The pandemic kicked off halfway through her studies and she ended up coming home to New Zealand to finish her studies remotely before ending up with her dream job at Rocket Lab!
Her current responsibility at Rocket Lab is managing the end configuration of the Electron Rocket, which is essentially used to transport small satellites into space. She is also working on a project that will see Rocket Lab launch an unmanned mission to the Moon - very exciting!!
During her talk, Sarah covered off numerous facts and figures relating to the company, their launch site and why it was chosen, future missions, and latest news from Rocket Lab. This included an early advice that there was to be an announcement from Rocket Lab last Friday morning. If you haven't already viewed the YouTube announcement, as shared by Peter B via email, its highly recommended and can be viewed via this link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kwAPr5G6WA&ab_channel=RocketLab
As detailed in the video, the current Electron Rocket used by Rocket Lab is relatively small, (hence small payloads), and is not designed to return the rocket to the launch site which means it normally burns up re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or occasionally parts become space junk. The new Neutron Rocket is significantly larger, (hence larger payloads), and it will be designed to return to earth to be refurbished and fly again - a huge step in Rocket Lab's evolution.
To date Rocket Lab have had 22 successful launches with the 23rd launch scheduled for tomorrow December 7th at 1.40 pm. If you are interested in watching the launch live - you can do this by searching YouTube, "Rocket Lab Launch December 7th".
It was an inspirational talk and we can all be very proud of the very successful achievements of this home grown company, now listed on the stock exchange in the USA. Thank you for your time Sarah - much enjoyed and appreciated.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 9th - MEETING CANCELLED IN LIEU OF DECEMBER 11th CHRISTMAS DINNER:
SATURDAY DECEMBER 11th - Year End Event - Please see details in separate story below. RSVP essential - please respond to PP Robyn today.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12TH FIRST MEETING OF 2022! - BREAKFAST MEETING - GUEST SPEAKERS Jada MacFie and Jo Brain from Tamaki Restoration Company:
Newly appointed GM of Connections and People Experience, Jada MacFie, and GM Strategy and Masterplanning, Jo Brain, have been invited to give us an update.
Saturday December 11th at 6,00pm, following what will be a great day at Lunn Ave New World, collecting grocery items for the GI Foodbank, we will get-together to recognise what has been a tough year for many, and to celebrate Christmas and the end of the year. All members will have received the e-mail below from our PP & Club Services Director, Robyn.
If you haven't already RSVP'd, please note that this is essential and your attention to this as soon as possible will make it easier for all concerned - THANK YOU!
CHRISTMAS DINNER and FINAL MEET FOR 2021
"Hi, I am delighted to advise the new traffic light system will enable us to enjoy an 'end of year' gathering to celebrate a successful Foodbank Collection and final Club meet for this year.
Come and enjoy the novelty of a 'real life' meet up and a delicious dinner with fellow members and partners at the Remuera Golf Club.
Please note, our venue requires double vaccination proof, so your vaccination passport MUST be shown to gain entry. No proof, no entry. Physical distancing of 1 metre will also be a requirement.
This is your last chance to do good in the community this year! Members may have already read and responded to Peter B's email, inserted below, promoting our last Working Bee of the year, but as a reminder here it is again.
Kia ora St. Johns RC Members;
Progress at Apirana Reserve continues at pace with Ken having arranged delivery of one (or more) truckloads of wood mulch, with our task to help spread it around the planted trees.
We've already demonstrated our competence with this, having performed this task at an earlier pre-lockdown working bee (photo below).
Where and When: Apirana Reserve, Sunday 12 Dec., 9.30 - 11.30 am
It's now time to be chatting with your networks, local businesses, friends, family etc etc, all whom have been on the edge awaiting the arrival of this year's Rotary Christmas puddings!!
Our "ultimate pudding salesman" (Christie Rutherford), has supplies ready and waiting for your order.
These are a great little fundraiser for the club! To avoid disappointment contact Christie asap to arrange to your purchase. Price $20, same as last year.
To Order: email Christie at windesign@xtra.co.nz, or phone 027 4731378
Pickup: Christie will deliver if required, or you can arrange to pickup from him - It couldn't be simpler - order now!!
Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498)
For what was our last Zoom Meeting of the year, and hopefully our last Zoom Meeting, period, we had 20 member, 2 partners and our guest speaker zoom in.
It was then time for Co-President Penny to introduce our guest speaker, Sarah Blyde. Sarah is a project engineer at Rocket Lab, a space company that builds and launches the Electron rocket in New Zealand. Sarah grew up in Auckland and went on to study engineering at the University of Auckland before moving to Western Australia to work as a petroleum engineer. While there, she became fascinated by the growing space industry and decided she wanted to be part of all the action so went to France to do a masters degree in space studies. The pandemic kicked off halfway through her studies and she ended up coming home to New Zealand to finish her studies remotely before ending up with her dream job at Rocket Lab! 
As detailed in the video, the current Electron Rocket used by Rocket Lab is relatively small, (hence small payloads), and is not designed to return the rocket to the launch site which means it normally burns up re-entering the Earth's atmosphere or occasionally parts become space junk. The new Neutron Rocket is significantly larger, (hence larger payloads), and it will be designed to return to earth to be refurbished and fly again - a huge step in Rocket Lab's evolution. 
To date Rocket Lab have had 22 successful launches with the 23rd launch scheduled for tomorrow December 7th at 1.40 pm. If you are interested in watching the launch live - you can do this by searching YouTube, "Rocket Lab Launch December 7th".
SATURDAY DECEMBER 11th - Year End Event - Please see details in separate story below. RSVP essential - please respond to PP Robyn today.
Yes its that time of the year again!
