Our first formal club meeting for 2023 was a meeting focussed on Club issues and Club members.
Sally Fletcher gave a very powerful insight into the work being done by ReliefAid, founded by New Zealander Mike Seawright, in Ukraine at the moment. We can only imagine the dreadful conditions and deprivation the people of Ukraine are living with at this time. ReliefAid is an international humanitarian organisation with a vision of saving lives and alleviating suffering of people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters through independent and impartial humanitarian action. Sally has personal knowledge of the organisation and the founder and assured us that money raised goes straight to the cause and the people who need it most.
Rob Mouncey also provided information that Rotary NZ World Community Service is working with Rotary Ukraine to provide relief aid and is appealing for clubs to assist. It was apparent from the mood of the meeting that members would like to support both appeals.
Subsequent to the meeting the Board and Trust have had digital communications and have agreed the following course of action.
In the case of the ReliefAid appeal the club will apply to the Thomas Brydon Trust for a grant of $2500 which will be matched with a donation of $2500 from the RCoH Community Trust. In addition, members donations collected through their club accounts will be added to the overall amount donated to ReliefAid.
In the case of the Rotary NZ World Community Service appeal on behalf of Rotary Ukraine the Board and the Trust have approved a donation of $3000.
As a 1-minute speaker President Elect Malcolm Pascoe named his Board of Directors for 2023/24
President - Malcolm Pascoe Community - David Fels
Pres. Elect - Rob Mouncey Membership - Bill Charkow
Past Pres. - Madeleine East IVY - Mike Abercrombie
Treasurer - John Richardson Social - Pat Abercrombie
Asst Treasurer - John Sanders. Sergeant - Steve Lines
Secretary Carole Ansley
Malcolm thanked everyone for their willingness to take on these roles.
The speaker for the evening was our own Garry Donoghue. It is very clear that Garry has had an interesting career being involved in major developments of extremely large corporations such as K Mart. He quipped that he has struck it lucky twice in his life ,once when he missed the ballot for the draft in Australia and the second and most important when he met Helen, with this latter we all agreed most heartily !! In his corporate life, while the work was complex and he needed to be very skilled in his strategic thinking and planning, there were also some very good highlights or “perks” such as swanning around the country side and across the Tasman in a private corporate jet. After retirement Garry and Helen looked for more adventure and spent 3 years in a Camper Van travelling around Australia and New Zealand visiting all sorts of interesting places on the way. He even wrote a book which was published, and while it didn’t make the best seller list full marks must go to Garry for such an achievement. At age 70 when many of us are deciding if we can be bothered going for stroll around the block, Garry Donoghue planned 7 Marathons completing them all !! Another amazing achievement. All of which were acknowledged by David Teape in his thank you to Garry on our behalf, along with the very valuable contribution to our club Garry has made over a number of years.
Thank you, Garry, for sharing your story with us.
A further reminder, January 31st is the 5th Tuesday of the month and the Social Committee has organised a BBQ at the Tennis Club. You need to confirm your attendance please for catering purposes to Pat Abercrombie.
Fun/Walk/Run is our next big event on 26th March and all hands will be needed maintain this highly successful event in our community. Please contact Bill Charkow if you have not already volunteered. Remember this is Club Project!!
It is good to be back into our routine and I am looking forward to the next 6 months as we continue to work together to serve our community.
Kia tupato, kia noho haumaru. Take care and stay safe.
Madeleine East MNZM
President.
