For those of you who missed Maia Amai and Letitia Hayter’s presentation last Thursday morning, please read Annie's article to gain an understanding of the message and its impact. All present were fully and emotionally engaged with the challenges that Maia has overcome, her sporting and personal accomplishments, and by caregiver Letitia’s amazing support and inspirational song. A donation of $500 was made from our Sunshine Fund to assist Maia’s trip to the International Women’s Wheelchair Rugby event in Paris next month. We owe our thanks to Allan and Sue Smith for bringing Maia to our attention. To learn more about Maia’s life and Letitia’s role, I recommend the following youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLEdSMeQJA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg3EyU-gT-4 (the latter with almost 47,000 views!)
This week, our guest speaker Roger Green has 33 years’ experience working with addicts and alcoholics. Roger is CEO Director of the New Zealand Retreat (NZRA) Auckland that operates a facility in Otahuhu similar in concept to the Retreat at Wayzata, Minn., USA. Both are modelled on the Twelve Steps principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Roger is also active in establishing Drug and Alcohol workplace programmes for NZ industry and sports academies, and will provide an overview of his work to counter the massive negative effects of the disease of addiction in NZ.
What a privilege to hear Maia’s phenomenal story with her bestie Letitia Butler supporting her enthusiastically with heartfelt passion.
Maia is the only female in the New Zealand all male wheelchair rugby team. But there’s more…Maia has been selected from around the world to participate in the 33 female Wheelchair Rugby World Tournament in Paris this December. BUT her current wheelchair won’t make it. Maia’s male teammates receive a new chair yearly, but Maia doesn't! She has to fundraise for this herself. A chair costs $13k and replacement wheels approximately $2k. Both Maia and Letitia are incredibly thankful for the financial support given through their Give a Little page to raise funds and Maia now only requires $700 more to reach her goal and be able to purchase her new chair. More to read...
Many of us will be following the team via posts from Miles on Journi and Ainie's posts on Facebook. Miles reports they all arrived safely and their accommodation is at Club Magnolia. Mornings start gently with Tai Chi at 7:15am led by Hunter (one of the team members). Miles stated they are all “an uncoordinated bunch of misfits”. Breakfast follows at 7:30am and then a bus takes them 30 minutes to get to the build site (with a stop on the way to buy fresh bananas). Safety boots for locals are jandals or bare feet, whereas Team Habitat has standard issue closed footwear.
If you didn't make the meeting last week, you missed seeing Elf Robyn, correctly dressed and diligently at elfin-work urging members to get their name on the Elf Supervision Rosters. If you haven’t put your name down for a shift - be warned - you may well find yourself on the “naughty” list!
Only 35 more sleeps until Christmas!
St John’s Rotary and Glendowie College Interact Club are combining Elf resources at Sylvia Park this Christmas Season to man the “Gold Coin Donation Christmas Gift Wrapping” booths. Based on last year's donations this fundraiser could potentially raise up to $21K. (Click Read more for How it will Work...)
It would be great to enjoy some Laksa and banter with fellow Rotarians. Come join us! A few moderately cringing Thanksgiving practices may take place 😊
Fun run, walk or dance to support our local community and especially our young people by raising suicide prevention and awareness. A great way to support a local cause and connect with our Pt England GI community. Suitable for all ages and fitnesses.
Club member Toni Millar [Orakei Board] pictured with Desley Simpson [Auckland Council] and Denise Lee [MP Maungakieke] at the opening of Stonefields Heritage trail.
Located along the cliffs on the south-west side of the old Mt Wellington Quarry, the trail runs along existing basalt benches and a short section of open terrain, and traverses a proposed stair and boardwalk structure. Click Read More for another photograph...
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
You can help or join in all projects (whatever the committee), just contact the committee director and/or project team leader. In most cases, you can include family and friends.
For those of you who missed Maia Amai and Letitia Hayter’s presentation last Thursday morning, please read Annie's article to gain an understanding of the message and its impact. All present were fully and emotionally engaged with the challenges that Maia has overcome, her sporting and personal accomplishments, and by caregiver Letitia’s amazing support and inspirational song. A donation of $500 was made from our Sunshine Fund to assist Maia’s trip to the International Women’s Wheelchair Rugby event in Paris next month. We owe our thanks to Allan and Sue Smith for bringing Maia to our attention. To learn more about Maia’s life and Letitia’s role, I recommend the following youtube videos: 
Located along the cliffs on the south-west side of the old Mt Wellington Quarry, the trail runs along existing basalt benches and a short section of open terrain, and traverses a proposed stair and boardwalk structure. Click Read More for another photograph...
