ROTARY BULLETIN  7 NOVEMBER 2022

Next Meeting –   14^th  November 22 – Visit of District Governor Kevin Foregeson

. – 21st November 22 – New Member Talk, Janice Feutz

Rotary Bulletin – 7^th November 22  –President Brin welcomed members to the Club meeting, this time being held in the community room, Baptiste Church, Te Aute Road, in the company of Friends of the Baptiste Church and the Club, the venue is a delightful location, with scenic views.

TWO-MINUTE TALK: was given by Mandy Kimber who spoke of the event in 1605, when King James 1 was supposed to have been opening Parliament, however, a group of conspirators including Guy Fawkes had plotted to blow up and kill England’s entire protestant government.  However, the night before an anonymous letter was received by a member of parliament, and the protesters were arrested, tried for high treason, and all convicted and sentenced to death – hung, drawn, and quartered on 30 – 31 January 1606.  So why 417 years later do we in New Zealand celebrate a failed plot?  The latest attempt to ban the sale of fireworks to the public in New Zealand was in 2020.  It was ruled out by a select committee that decided that the seven businesses that imported the fireworks would be severely affected.  In July 2018, 653,303 kgs of fireworks were imported.  This year Kmart, Wharehouse, Foodstuffs, and Woolworths won’t be selling them. Most customers prefer the events of Public Displays.  Sales season occurs during the birds’ nesting season and it is not only the animals that suffer, the Royal Society of GPs claim human injuries are common, especially burns to the hands, arms, and head areas – as for here, the Te Mata Peak fire was yet again the target for a repeat episode.

SERGEANT’S SESSION – Rotarian Charlie Fergus gave a very energetic session from fining those who’d celebrated a birthday or an anniversary, to those who didn’t watch the Black Ferns and who’d bought fireworks. Based on the plans of the Bridge Pa Golf Club, he recommended that all golfers should also pay.  He similarly referred to Trish Giddens, our member from Waipawa,  who has been a great supporter of the Club and volunteer – she should get a Sergeant’s Honour!  $75.30 was raised from the session.

GRACE – was given by Scott Henderson: 

GUEST SPEAKER:   Rotarian Ian Holford introduced our Guest Speaker Cristina Sanders, an historical fiction writer from Wellington, who spent 20 years overseas, and now lives in Havelock North.   She began her career in the book trade in the Gateway Children’s Book Shop, and some years with Collins Publishers in New Zealand, Hodder & Stoughton in London, and back to Bookshelves, New Zealand, followed by a business career.  She took up full-time writing when the kids left home a few years ago.

Cristina advised that as a local historian – she found she was happy to take a little bit of history and turn it into fiction.  She found her niche in colonial New Zealand history – who we are, and where we came from. Her genius was generally directed at the colonial attitude – the juxtaposition between colonial and Maori perspectives – noting the underlining tensions. She would look for suitable characters in various books. Her next story included the issue of displaced girls and their mums, Cornish and Norwegian settlers, noting that Norsewood is currently celebrating 150 years of community in New Zealand.

Her third book related to the ship – the ‘General Grant’, and the shipwreck which ensued.  With historical fiction, it is difficult dealing with facts, and the people and link it with fiction.   Her book “Wreck of the General Grant” was a story with women involved, who survived, fictional stories which don’t have to be true, but must be authentic, including the human element.

Books written include:

• “Mrs.Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant”
• “Jerningham”
• “Displaced” – a young adult read.

Rotarian Peter Mayne thanked our Guest Speaker for her fascinating address.  He advised that his introduction into history was at Primary School, reading History Journals, which he really enjoyed. Cristina was advised that she had a real gift of storytelling and thanked her for coming for the evening.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP Peter Mayne was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Club.

Peter joined our club in 2015 whilst originally joining Rotary in 1976. He was introduced by Kevin Longman.

A Paul Harris Fellow is a person who has been recognized as having done something significant for others. The Rotary Foundation recognizes them for the contribution of   US$ 1000, which will be spent on Humanitarian efforts around the world. A club recognizes them for service to the club and the community. Individual Paul Harris Fellows recognize others for many reasons; admiration, service, or whatever. In ALL cases the recognition is significant and something to be proud of.

Peter was Club President in 2019-20. During this year as president, he increased club membership, developed a five-year plan, made an annual business plan template which is reviewed by incoming boards, and developed position descriptions for director roles.

Peter instigated Eye Care for Africa project – over 1300 pairs of spectacles donated within the community and by Rotary Clubs throughout D9930. With assistance, he initiated Havelock North Rotary as the overseas partner for the Global Grant for facial prosthetics 3D printers at a hospital in Brazil.

Peter helped initiated Havelock North Rotary as the overseas partner for the Global Grant for facial prosthetics 3D printers at a hospital in Brazil. He introduced the club’s support for Christmas Cheer Appeal to provide gifts for needy families.

Peter had a successful career in teaching, NZ Police, and banking ( taking him to the highest level in banking).

PROJECTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Directors’ Meeting – A zoom meeting is to be held on Wednesday 9^th November 2022.
• Eye Care for Africa update

Niall has commenced his 3,000km fundraising walk from Cape Reinga to the Bluff following the Te Araroa Trail. You can track his progress using the computer link below.  Also included is the Give a little page link. Currently, Niall is just south of Kaitaia and his Give a little page is standing at $5,960. Tracker:  Device Position (mytrack.co.nz) Give a little page:  Eye Care For Africa – Te Araroagivealittle.co.nz

• Raffle Sales this week –   Pascale advised that still more members were needed to work on raffle sales this week.  Please email him to advise of your availability.
• Havelock North Club Christmas Party Members are requested to get dressed in 1970’s outfits.  Schools are still being contacted regarding the music.  The date of the event is 12^th December.
• The Lost King The movie, a premier fundraiser, is about Richard III, who once was killed, but nobody could find his body.  The movie is to be held in Napier on 6^th December 2022, and is a means of fundraising for Polio Awareness Month, by the Ahuriri Rotary Club at 6.30 pm
• Xmas in the Park, 3rd December – Charlie Fergus invited volunteers for the event to act as traffic controllers and ticket collectors.   Dave Dobbin will be the guest – there will be 2 shifts – one at 2 pm, to 4.30 pm, and another from 430pm to 7.00 pm
• Rotaract – so far there is no progress with the involvement of young people, but there is still hope that others will join
• Visit of District Governor – Grant advised that next week the current District Governor Kevin Foregeson will be in attendance – he is a really engaging fellow and provides a good presentation.
• Havelock North Rotary AGM – President Brin advised that the AGM will be held on 28 November 2022, as part of the Club’s weekly meeting.  An agenda will be distributed prior to the AGM

President Brin also thanked guests of the club and the Village Baptiste Church for attending and enjoying a very interesting night.

PARTING THOUGHT from Scott Henderson:    “In life one often has to choose between being right and being kind.  If you choose to be kind – you will be right.”

Sue Forde

Bulletin Editor.