Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498)
Finally we have met in person, and what a lovely occasion it was and a delightful end to what can only be termed as an 'unusual and trying year'
Christmas themed, the Golf Club did us proud with a beautiful dinner (which we didn't have to plan, cook or clean up after!) and in spite of best laid plans going astray in the singing department, a good time was had by all, catching up with each other, mixing and mingling, just like the old days!
A fitting end to a day where we completed the foodbank collection and witnessed our community's unconditional generosity to the benefit of those less fortunate, to being able to participate in a social event with our Rotary friends by our side - socially distanced/or not of course!
Finally, we wish all our Rotary friends a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year and here's to a complete Rotary year without the reliance on ZOOM!
New World Lunn Ave was the first venue of the day for what was a very busy last weekend for the of St. Johns Rotary members, "doing good in the community".
This was the venue of our annual collection on behalf of the Glen Innes Foodbank.
Once again we were amazed by the generosity of the New World shoppers who so very generously donated a significant amount of needed goods that will go a very long way in making many local residents have a more joyful Christmas.
A huge thank you from St. Johns Rotary and the GI Foodbank to all the volunteers who helped at another successful collection. Pete from the Foodbank sent the following message to Hugh,
"Hi Hugh, thanks for the marvelous work you and your team did today. We didn't break our record but we managed to collect 78 boxes. A Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year to you all, we really appreciate what you do for us. Regards Pete."
Once again our thanks also goes to New World Lunn Ave, and specifically Graham Fabian, for being so generous with his time, his supermarket, and donations.
Pictured below are members of the "first shift" of the day, Graham, Lesley, Gary and Miles with an array of early donations.
One of the many highlights of events such as this are the positive comments received from many donors - below was one of the best from last Saturday;
"I went in for 3 things and bought a large bag of groceries for the food bank - I wouldn’t have thought to do it without these great humans there - and also with a list of what is needed!"
While all the good collecting was going on in the foyer of the supermarket, outside our photographer spotted an unknown elderly masked man confronting young ladies with what appears to be blank notices!
If you know this man and would like to submit a suitable caption you may be lucky enough to win a chocolate fish at the first meeting next year. Please send your entry to the Editor before Feb 10th!
As mentioned in the Presidents comments above, last Saturday after the Foodbank Collection, the year-end Christmas Party was held at our home venue and for the first time in nearly 4 months, members and partners were finally able to socialise face to face. We look forward to many more such opportunities next year.
Candid Kev was back in action for the first time in a long time and the following photos clearly show that those present enjoyed the occasion.
I thought that this was the Loud Shirt Day Party - I hope I win!
Very nice shirt Graham, but I don't think you will win Miles competition.
Three lovely ladies
Now where are those three lovely ladies sitting?
Our members partners really are a good looking bunch.
Please vote for my husbands loud shirt.
I agree - your shirt should win the competition.
It's so good to finally see you both in person rather than zooming presidents.
Well at least one guest got the memo on Covid protocols! Well done Sue.
You do look good, but I did like the Number 1.
Looking very good Mr & Mrs B.
Sorry - there's only one piece of dessert left and I'm still hungry.
Last Sunday Morning was the last opportunity this year to participate in a local project, and a Working Bee at the now very familiar Apirana Reserve was the lucky location. Last week two truckloads of mulch were delivered to the site and all that was needed on Sunday, was an eager team of enthusiastic and a fit bunch of Rotarians. The first three photos capture the volunteers, including a few from Auckland Rotaract, and the last two photos show the "Before" and the "After". What a great feat - well done and a big thanks to all volunteers and we look forward to more working bees in the new year.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10TH 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.
Our Co-Presidents Penny & Lesley recently had the privilege of presenting the 2021 Peter McKenzie Scholarship to Ryan Gin. The Peter McKenzie Scholarship was founded by RCSTJ and Deloittes and awards $2,000 to the top Accounting Student at Glendowie College annually .
The photograph shows Ryan, together with our Co-Presidents, Gordon Robertson Principal and Noeline Doherty the Accounting teacher.
As we are all aware, next year's District Governor is none other that our one and only Allan Smith. All members should have received the following e-mail from the District Office, but just incase you have not yet seen it, or are interested in finding out more, please contact Allan directly;
"Dear Rotarians;
DGE Allan Smith is seeking Expressions of Interest for the role of District Environment Chair. Please email any expressions of interest to asmith@rotarydistrict9920.org by 5pm on the 31st of January.
I am thrilled to announce, we have 12 developers working.
I still can't quite comprehend it, seeing our students who just a couple of years back couldn’t speak a word of English nor use a computer, now working as professional software developers in European tech teams. Watching them dial into meetings and discuss projects on an equal footing with their colleagues in the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Singapore and a host of other nations makes me think just how impossibly far they have come.
They are working for a wide range of companies: many in technology startups and web development agencies, but also a data science school, and a climate-change charity. And they are performing! Their managers are impressed and are coming to us as soon as they need more developers which I see as a very good sign.
Cashflow positive
Last month we covered our costs. This is a huge achievement, only made possible by our committed, focused, serious and very diligent team - our teachers, our operations team, our developers, our students who have all worked so hard for the three to four years. Congratulations you've achieved something truly remarkable.
This is also timely since our funding has just about dried up now. Anything you contribute now we'll use to fund our expansion and help us reach the dream of training thousands of students each year.
Thank you
So I wish to thank you, our Rotarian supporters, many who have contributed their skills to help us reach this day.
In particular I would like to thank Simon Jones who led the project within Rotary alongside Gary Key, Kevin Kevany who formed the project committee. Thank you also to Peter Buchanan, Ainie Kwok, Hugh Scott-Russell and the Rotary Club of St Johns for their tremendous support.
The future looks bright. Our next steps will be to get all of our developers placed in high-growth positions while planning Onja's future growth. We're aiming to take 90 new students each year, starting in 2023. From there, the sky will be the limit!
This is the last St. Johns Rotary Bulletin until next year when the first issue in 2022 will be dated February 7th 2022.
The Editor would like to take this opportunity of thanking all contributors to the Bulletin for their input over the last six months and to all St. Johns Rotary members, supporters and readers, may I wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season.
Here's to a Covid free year and many opportunities to meet face to face while we continue to do good in the community.
Co-Presidents St. Johns Rotary, Penny McGarry (Ph: 021 702 310), and Lesley Harris (Ph: 027 4935 498)
New World Lunn Ave was the first venue of the day for what was a very busy last weekend for the of St. Johns Rotary members, "doing good in the community".
As mentioned in the Presidents comments above, last Saturday after the Foodbank Collection, the year-end Christmas Party was held at our home venue and for the first time in nearly 4 months, members and partners were finally able to socialise face to face. We look forward to many more such opportunities next year. 
I thought that this was the Loud Shirt Day Party - I hope I win!
Very nice shirt Graham, but I don't think you will win Miles competition.
Three lovely ladies
Now where are those three lovely ladies sitting?
Our members partners really are a good looking bunch.
Please vote for my husbands loud shirt.
I agree - your shirt should win the competition.
It's so good to finally see you both in person rather than zooming presidents.
Well at least one guest got the memo on Covid protocols! Well done Sue.
You do look good, but I did like the Number 1.
Looking very good Mr & Mrs B.
Sorry - there's only one piece of dessert left and I'm still hungry.
The photograph shows Ryan, together with our Co-Presidents, Gordon Robertson Principal and Noeline Doherty the Accounting teacher.
This is the last St. Johns Rotary Bulletin until next year when the first issue in 2022 will be dated February 7th 2022.