We all enjoyed last week’s 'personal touch' meeting featuring Alex G (who knew he was a stand-up comedian originally from Inner Mongolia?) followed by Steele sharing his gruelling Outward Bound experience with us. Thank you, gentlemen, for trusting us enough to deliver very personal accounts of your pursuits.
Looking forward this week to hearing from Mark Bone, owner of the local and newly built (Merton Road) SwimTastic.
Members should have received details of our District Governor Nomination via ClubRunner email. Following our speaker, I will share an overview of Club requirements when supporting a District Governor so an informed decision can be made.
Please remember Daffodil Day is coming up. I challenge you all to wear something yellow this Thursday, in support of this day. We will have Daffodil pins available for a gold coin donation.
NEWSFLASH: Gonza’s appearance has changed radically. Read more about this in his story further on in the bulletin.
See you all with a splash of yellow on Thursday morning.
A total of 31 members were present on the 22nd to enjoy the fellowship and comerarderie, but primarily to hear from two of our very own members.
First up in the Snap Chatter slot was Treasurer / Secretary, Alex Gatt. In fact we had two Mr Gatts speak!!!
No 1 Gatt was born in 1902 to a Coloured Dad who paid 10 pounds to come to New Zealand, living in Paritai Drive and attending Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, failing 5th Form Certificate and it was at this stage “stand in Scribe of the day", Mr Gary (Gaz) Key, decided that No 1 Gatt had had too much coffee!!
No 2 Gatt, well, maybe bits of the above are true, however, it was our own Beryl R. who collared young Gatt into membership of St Johns, and we will dismiss that Club funds were used to buy his BMW. According to Club Runner, Alex Gatt joined the Rotary Club of St. Johns on 23rd February 2012 and he does not seem to have had a birthday for some time, so maybe 1902 is correct. I will leave that to the readers to decide.
Alex, was married for 50 years and sadly his wife Val passed away late last year, and he took her ashes back to the UK this past May. Alex has 5 children and 6 grand children who keep him on his toes. He is self employed, running a small Accountancy Firm (his words).
Second member up at the meeting, in the Guest Speaker slot, was our very own Club Member Steele Gibson who joined the St. Johns Rotary on 07/11/2013. Steele gave us a detailed photo presentation of his recent attendance at Outward Bound ANAKIWA, during June of this year on a 21 day course. He was a member of "Huria 654 Watch". Steele attributed his decision to attend Outward Bound to our Hon Member and PP Andy McCarrison. Andy had completed an adult course a number of years ago. Steele described in detail the trials and tribulations that they were put through from kayaking, hiking, climbing, enduring a 3 day Solo where you are effectively dropped off in the bush at night with minimal provisions and left to contemplate. It is forbidden that any human contact be made even if you are aware that in some cases people are not that far from you. Steele shared with the meeting his fear of heights and how he overcame, or rather managed that, from Rock climbing to abseiling to narrow tracks across the ridges — Yes I Can – and he did!!! Unfortunately Steele suffered a show stopping severe injury to his medial ligament which limited his further involvement, and over-dosing on Diclofenac did not help, but he made the best of the time cleaning around the camp, and doing as much walking as he could do albeit in pain.
The Outward Bound experience has allowed Steele to reset and refocus, from completing his MBA to now Outward Bound and he is now charting his future endeavours. At only 40 years of age he has the world at his feet!!! Steele then dropped in that at the tender age of just 19 he was a world ranked small bore sharp shooter, and as we know, he is also a keen Mountain Biker.
Thank you to both Alex and Steele for sharing your stories and a big thanks to Gary K for stepping up to cover for Ed. at this meeting.
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 29th - "BUILDING A BUSINESS IN GLEN INNES", MARK BONE OWNER AND MD OF SWIMTASTIC:
Mark is a successful swimmer and athlete and he started a swim school within our local community. Just recently Mark, after a huge effort, has opened a new swim learning centre in Merton Road. This is a great opportunity to hear Mark discuss his life's journey and the importance of members and their friends and family of all ages, learning to swim and survive in water.
AND DON'T FORGET TO WEAR A TOUCH OF YELLOW!
THURSDAY 5th SEPTEMBER MEETING - EVENING FELLOWSHIP - COME PLAY:
As per the direct email you will now have received, Remuera Golf Club has a Ball Tracker driving range where members can play on a course of their own choosing. Open to all levels of Golf with clubs and a golf pro on hand. Click on "Read More", for full details. RSVP TO ALLAN SMITH @ asmith@accessable.co.nz, BEFORE SEPTEMBER 3RD.
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (RLI), SEMINARS: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College.
See separate story below for more information.
MS. STREET APPEAL - SEPTEMBER 20, 21 and 22:
See separate story below.
OCTOBER 5th - CURE KIDS SKY TOWER JUMP CHALLENGE:
Watch this space for more details on how you can be involved!
CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR BREAK:
Last Meeting for 2019 - Thursday December 12th
First Meeting for 2020 - Thursday February 13th
EASTERN BAYS HOSPICE, DOVE HOSPICE SHOPS GARAGE SALE: 3rd Saturday of every month at 8 am.
Corner Elizabeth Knox Place and Thomas Peacock Place, (off Morrin Road). Go along and assist with the sale or just go along and shop - some great bargain's. More details from Murray H.
Ah, what a challenge – following Kevin’s profile in the last Newsletter!
Donald Bowie introduced me to Rotary a few years ago. His daughter Michelle and my daughter Jenna were school friends and they also took dance lessons together, so Penny and I spent many hours transporting and watching them perform in Jazz dancing competitions across Auckland, and hosting sleep overs.
For many years I’ve had a personal goal of ‘giving back’, so I was a Board member and Chair of a not for profit for some years. About five years ago I stepped out of my corporate career, which included the role of General Manager at Air New Zealand responsible for leadership and culture development. What a privilege it was to work with the executive teams led by Ralph Norris after 9/11 and the demise of Ansett, and then latterly Rob Fyfe. I learnt so much and I absolutely loved the 11 years I spent there.
That work remains my passion and about 5 years ago I started my own consultancy designing and facilitating leadership and team programs, and coaching leaders at all levels within a diverse range of organisations, big and small. Because I started my business shortly after I joined Rotary St Johns I haven’t been able to contribute as much time and energy as I would have liked to club activities. During a quiet spell earlier this year I thought I would have the time to do more so I took on the Directorship of the International Community Service Committee portfolio, with Donald as my mentor. This was shortly before a hectic six week project materialised! Nevertheless I am looking forward to working more closely on some international projects with my fellow committee members and the rest of the community, learning more about Rotary and attending meetings whenever I can.
Phil my partner is a Civil engineer and we live in Stonefields. We always enjoy the camaraderie and inspiration at the dinner meetings. I also have a son Brett who is an Architect and on weekends I love entertaining and exploring outdoors in the Summer, and in the Winter watching rugby and much like Hugh, miniseries! We are heading to Japan for the RWC at the end of November.
A small number of members have reported receiving emails purporting to be from other members that were in fact scams. The text in these was: “hello where are you at the moment....I need you to do something".
The Rotary Oceania ICT Committee has confirmed that the Clubrunner website has NOT been hacked.
The information below is not comprehensive, but hopefully beneficial - certainly worth a read. (Click "Read more")
We are now well in to the last week of the August Challenge. Although you all know what the challenge is - a gentle reminder; The challenge for the month is to, "not to use plastic straws, or plastic coffee lids. Instead tip the bottle, can or cup rather than suck. For coffee, request no lid, or even better, take your own cup."
Hopefully you are all recording good successes and remember "Small Acts - Big Impact"
We are looking forward to promoting the September Challenge in next weeks Bulletin!!
Rotary Youth Exchange - the coming together of cultures
A rousing powhiri haka performed by NZ and overseas exchange students from Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands was the highlight of the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) marae weekend attended by District Governor Gary and Jan. The marae weekend was held from 9 to 11 August. Click this link for the full feature https://www.rotarydistrict9920.org/Stories/rotary-youth-exchange-the-coming-together-of-cultures
NEWSFLASH – Gonza’s appearance has changed radically. His tresses are being donated to the Argentine equivalent of “Wigs for Kids” a non-profit organisation which provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer therapy.
A very nicely timed haircut to coincide with Daffodil Day. Please consider making a donation to celebrate this brave gesture. Highest bidder for Sergeants “Buy the Box” will get to remove Gonza’s hat for the “big reveal”. Sergeants fund will be split between Cancer Society and Gonza’s ERKs fundraising.
The 2019 MS Street Appeal collection will be across three days; September 20, 21 & 22 September. St. Johns Rotary is once again assisting with this appeal by providing collectors. As Director Community Local, Tricia Gerrard is the lead on this project so people seeking answers to questions should approach her.
We are hoping to provide two people on duty across 4 two hour time slots on each of the following days:
To have two people on each slot we need 8 people per day - 24 people across the 12 time slots.
The link to choose your time slot without having to contact Tricia - in just three clicks!! is: https://rotarystjohns.club/event/ms-appeal/. Below is a copy of the recent email sent to you explaining the process in more detail;
Dear Member,
This event is being held at Stonefields New World Supermarket between Friday 20 September and Sunday 22 September.
Volunteers are sought from members and others interested in 2-hour slots of 2 volunteers per slot on each day between 9am and 5.00pm.
If you are a member select ‘Myself’ or your name from the member list
Others can enter their details including your email address (for Event-related emails) and mobile number – the site keeps contact details secure.
Once you have selected your time you will receive a confirmation email. Please place your selected time slot into your diary. There is plenty of vehicle parking and a handy public toilet on-site.
If you need to later change your time slot you can revisit the site and make any amendments.
We value the support of our members and Volunteers, and you will be well supported by the club.
If at any time you have any questions, please contact Tricia Gerrard on Mobile (pref after work hours) 021 171 0772
Most of us know someone with MS - Multiple Sclerosis. St Johns Rotary is participating in the 2019 Appeal because of the success of past participation and as a way to raise our presence in our local community including providing an easy way for family, friends and neighbours to experience the satisfaction and even enjoyment of a very worthy community activity with us. What is MS?
This is your invitation to a wonderful Rotary Learning & Information opportunity to join us at our Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) seminar weekend on Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September 8.30am to 4.30pm at nearby Selwyn College. From our St Johns Rotary, Beryl & Colin are always two of the numerous RLI Facilitators who take assorted modules during the weekend, plus others from our club will hopefully also be there, so you’ll already know some Rotarians who attending, plus you’ll make new friends from other Rotary & Rotaract clubs throughout Auckland.
New Rotarians are always welcome, as are longer term members. It’s great that our Rotary Club of St Johns sponsors (i.e. pays for) any Rotarian who is keen to attend RLI to discover new opportunities in the world of Rotary.
The Edmund Hillary Village is holding a Quiz afternoon at 2 pm on August 28th and via Michelle Forman, (our Fellowship Officer), our club has received an invitation to enter a team. The thought is that 8 members of our club, who have the pleasure of being retired, might like to make up a table of 8. If anyone is interested please contact Michelle at, mertie.forman@gmail.com. There is only an option of one table for St. Johns members, so first in first served 🤗
The Rotary Club of Pakuranga, (one of our cluster clubs), have their Annual Trivia & Auction Night on Saturday 7 September. Celebrity Shane Cortez will be auctioning a fantastic variety of prizes including a luxury night for two at Castaways Resort. Supporting Life Education Trust Counties Manukau, Harold the Giraffe and other local Rotary projects. Attendees are challenged to come in outlandish and creative wearable art.
President Robyn is making up a table of family and friends and would love to see other RCSJ members there as well. For full list of exciting Auction items click "READ MORE".
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.
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All members are Challenged to wear “yellow” or something “yellow” at this weeks meeting - Thursday 29th of August. 
BREAKFAST MEETING AUGUST 29th - "BUILDING A BUSINESS IN GLEN INNES", MARK BONE OWNER AND MD OF SWIMTASTIC:
Board Member Profile – Muriel Roake
NEWSFLASH – Gonza’s appearance has changed radically. His tresses are being donated to the Argentine equivalent of “Wigs for Kids” a non-profit organisation which provides wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer therapy..png)
Ever wondered how to contact the Rotary club down the road? 
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