We had a good turnout of members for the Police Awards night. Special welcome was made to Clem, our exchange student and also Sarah our Corporate member. We also welcomed back those who had returned from holidays.
Area Commander Rod Honan was called upon to introduce his officers. Constables Laurence Vaimoso, Pat Lemanu, Tyrone Tofilau, Ella Gooding. Also introduced was Ella’s best friend Constable Rebecca Sanuokonoko.
After dinner David Owen, who himself was a Police Officer in the UK for thirty years called on Inspector Rod Honan to advise us who had been selected as the award recipient. Prior to naming the winner, Rod told us a little about his life in the Police Force. He began his Police career in 1997 at the Counties Manukau office, spending three years with the Drug Squad, some time as a Detective and later as relieving area commander within the District. Recently he has taken the position as Area Commander at the new Ormiston Police Station. Rod also mentioned that in his youth he was a Rotary Exchange student and went to Australia.
The recipient of the Award was then named as Constable Ella Gooding. Ella had done her training in Porirua and has been a Police Officer for four and a half years. She heads up an area prevention team at the Ormiston Station. She has been recognised for her great work in leaving no stone unturned in her quest to prevent crime. The Rotary trophy was presented to Ella and she responded by thanking the Rotary Club expressing that she was very proud to have been chosen.
Rotary Business then took place.
Sergeant Steve extracted money by fining members for misdemeanours. This session was received with much humour.
Congratulations to the raffle winners. Have A Go Raffle...1st Alison Kearney...2nd Maureen Owen...........New World vouchers for Mathew Cooke and Colin Monk.
Our first meeting for the proposed merger with Pakuranga Rotary Club is to take place on Monday 14th August. The Club will be updated at our next dinner meeting.
The next dinner meeting is 22nd August. Guest speaker is Sharon Stuart (local councillor)
Kind wishes
Take care and keep warm
Malcolm J Pascoe.
President RCOH.
