Another very good Zoom meeting this week. It is not ideal but it is a good way for us to keep in touch. I have to say we are getting pretty good at the use of technology, even with a few glitches, especially the use of the mute button, and a little help from behind the scenes we are making a pretty good fist of it.
We again had a full programme, with presentations from two very interesting speakers. I am always so impressed with the range of interests, careers and experiences our members have had.
Tony Francis gave an excellent presentation and insight into his life. Tony started his working life in IT and through that field has had an amazing working life in Australia, UAE, NZ and other parts of the world. Not surprisingly earlier in his career his exceptional talent was recognised by the Australians and he was head hunted, he did return to NZ however and set up communications systems for St John and he was poached again by Queensland to replicate the system over there.
3 years with UAE in a leadership role showed him the real Abu Dhabi. The underside that as tourists you never see, the very much” alive and well” class system, the corruption and the poverty, largely endured by the large migrant population forced into very menial tasks and construction hard labour. His time there did, however, provide him with amazing travel opportunities around Asia and Europe.
2017 saw Tony back in Australia where he was Communications Centre Manager for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, then to Darwin where he was introduced to Rotary and finally back home to NZ and to our delight the Rotary Club of Howick. We did pick up that he had a hand in organising a Million Dollar Hole in One Golf Tournament in Australia raising a substantial sum of money. The delight on both John R and Rob’s face was very clear as they saw a potential fundraiser for us!! Tony beware! For Tony’s full presentation
click here.
Our second thumbnail was Carole Ansley. Carole is certainly no stranger to many of our members, and it was good to catch up on her life after Howick.
Carole is an Aucklander and started her working life at Ross and Glendinnings in the city, which closed down in the mid 60’s and Carol moved to UEB.
Moving to Howick in 1972 and as a stay at home Mum was busy both as a Mum and making soft toys which she sold, and involving herself in her children’s interests where she found herself a judge at horse jumping events never having ridden a horse !!The things Mums do !
An interest in politics saw Carole become an active member of the Labour Party and in fact was there when Winston Peters was unseated!
Many of us remember Carole and the Bookshop in Uxbridge Rd. It was a popular spot, so much so that as Carole recalls she would find children tucked away reading her books while Mum’s went shopping. Pretty cheap and cheeky child care I would think.
Some of our more senior members remember Carole and Shirley Rutherford joining Rotary, I have no doubt a very interesting experience.
Carole and her husband moved to Katikati and developed a lovely property featuring in the Tauranga Garden Festival.
During a Baltic cruise Carole’s husband became ill and spent some 3 weeks in hospital before returning home, but his health deteriorated and sadly he passed away during Covid. A difficult time for Carole and we can only express our sympathy to her.
Carole has so much to offer, she is now playing bowls, making soft toys, enjoys hand crafts, is finishing a 3-metre cross stitch, is keen on genealogy and ready to get right into Bookarama! How fortunate are we that this wonderful and energetic woman has returned to our club. For Carole’s full presentation
click here.
Rob Mouncey updated us on Rotary Oceania's invitation to contribute to the End Polio Now Campaign as October is Rotary's World Polio Month. The challenge is for all members to donate $10.00 or more if you wish. As Ian Fox noted, each of us has saved a considerable amount in club costs while not physically meeting.
To action your donation please send an email to John Sanders stating how much you would like to donate and he will put it on your next monthly invoice. Remember the Trust will match dollar for dollar up to $100.00 maximum for a single donation. And in addition the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches Rotary's giving 2:1. So your $10 can become $40 for Rotary International to achieve one of its key humanitarian goals.
Our next meeting should be at the Masonic Lodge in Highland Park. Thanks to Mike Abercrombie for organising this for us. The Board has decided that the easiest way to manage the meeting under Level 2, which allows a maximum of 50 people and no Buffet type meals, is for a complete BYO. You are welcome to bring your own drink and a glass. If you would like some snack to go with your beverage you are welcome to bring that along as well. We will provide a rubbish sack for any rubbish, although I am sure being tidy kiwis you will take home your own rubbish. The meeting will start at 5.30 on MONDAY 11th Oct (Please note Monday night) and should finish by 6.30.
We will have a guest Speaker our RYLA candidate Alex Monk. Partners welcome of course.
Thank you all for being so positive and supportive as we continue to work our way through these uncertain times. It was just great to hear and see the humour and the companionship at our Zoom meetings.
Despite the trials of Lockdown, I do believe the club is in good heart, well done everyone.
Hopefully we will get to see each other on 11th October.
Kia tupato, kia noho haumaru
Take care, stay safe.
Madeleine East MNZM
President.
