President's Message

 

YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU TO HELP MORE THAN EVER FROM NOW ON!
We are very pleased to advise that we have huge quantities of books etc most of which are now packed ready for the “BIG SHIFT” to Somerville Intermediate School on Wednesday 30th September.
The community have been most generous with their donations and now all we have to do is sell them.
We have help coming from students at Howick College on Wednesday to move the books and help with the disposal on Sunday 11th October. This will relieve us older folk of the hard-physical lifting. However, there will be a real need for help in laying out all the books etc at the school from Thursday 1st October until the beginning of the sale.
If you can provide some help during this period it will be hugely appreciated. John Osborne is preparing a roster for help on each of the sale days-you will be contacted and rostered onto shifts.
The last day of the sale is Sunday 11th October and from 3.00pm we commence the massive job of clean up. As always, we expect every member and their partners, if possible, to come and help with this job
Let’s join together and make this the best Bookarama ever!!
Regards
Geoff Thompson
Convenor Bookarama 2020
 

 

 

Hazel Hanlon – 1926 – 2020
Sadly, our much-loved honorary member, Hazel, passed away peacefully in Middlemore Hospital on Monday last. Hazel was the widow of Brian, a past President and Paul Harris Fellow (+Sapphire pin) of our club. Brian wrote the history of Howick Rotary published in the book “Looking Back,” which is a great historical resource.
Since Brian’s death Hazel has continued to be active in our club, attending significant events as her health has allowed.  She has been there to present the “Brian Hanlon Speech Award” prize on an annual basis, a competition originally established by Brian.
Hazel has been involved in almost all Bookarama sales over the years apart from when health issues have kept her away. Each year until recently she has been on the front desk helping with sales. Over the past couple of years, she has attended as a valued customer purchasing her next year’s supply of reading material.  She was looking forward to coming this year to do the same once again.
In spite of her more recent health issues Hazel continued to be so positive towards life in general and very thankful for her family, her friends and her Rotary connections. She maintained her keen interest in our club, following its progress and keeping herself well informed through the Keyway. She continued her close association with a number of club members and was always a starter to come out to watch a rugby game, to go to the movies, or simply to come out for a meal. Her knowledge of current affairs, movies, books and political issues meant there was never a shortage of conversation. She was always such great company.
At the age of 94 we cannot be too sad at her passing even though she will be greatly missed. We need to celebrate a wonderful life by a very special person, richly lived.