President Pat:
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Happy birthday to Simon Beaton
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Les’ hip operation yesterday went well.
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Andy’s hip operation is today and we wish him well.
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Bill has had good news about his health scare and says it’s a good reminder for all members to have an annual health check.
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Mike is at home, but has a strep throat, so please could any visitors please wait a few days.
Pat then summarised the decisions following the recent past presidents’ meeting:
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It was agreed the board should be more open and therefore minutes would be available to members via a link after each board and committee meeting - and here's the link
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portal.clubrunner.ca/12121/Documents/en-ca/6460db1d-e66e-46a8-8544-391a77d24d14/1/
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Another initiative was to promote Sunrise Rotary successes more and Pat called for a media communications volunteer. He also thanked Wayne for his regular Facebook posts.
Dave: called for volunteers to run the Home Show stand for Savealife 21-23 September.
Julie: announced further promotion was underway for the black loo paper campaign.
Wendy: called for volunteers to collect for Alzheimer’s Society, from 10am-4pm on Friday 21 September.
Dan: announced the fantastic news that The Graeme Dingle Foundation had been named the official charity for the NZRFU.
Barry: had been disturbed to hear Tauranga described as a cultural desert and encouraged members to attend the Kiwi icon and pianist Richard Mapp’s event as described on the handouts.
Pat: presented Warwick and Raymond with their Treasurer and Secretary pins and announced to resounding applause that they have agreed to continue in their roles for the next year.
Guest speaker
Today’s speaker was our very own Dave Woodhouse on the topic of his year as President.
Dave was born in 1945 in the Midlands, in England, making him one of the first baby boomers. He paid tribute to his longest serving wife (so far) Helen, whom he married in 1985. In 1987, after a wait of over three months,and a very formal process, he was admitted to the all male Rotary Club of Cotswold Tyndale.
The club was extremely social and involved a huge amount of interclub interactions. Dave showed photos of club venues such as the Hunters Hall, The Swan, The Fox, The Swan, The Royal Oak, and The Berkeley Arms He failed to account for the large number of venues this one Rotary Club went through. One can only assume it wasn’t a breakfast club and was somewhat convivial. (Correct on both counts - Dave)
Dave was the founder editor of the club newsletter Murmurings, which has now been published for 31 years. The record number of issues in one year was 26 – anything up to 12 pages a pop!. Dave loved his year as President and followed the theme ‘Believe in what you do, and do what you believe.’ Each President is able to nominate a charity of his choice and his was the Eating Disorders Association.
He provided some excellent examples of fundraising initiatives such as a promises auction and motorway services collections. Dave was awarded Honorary Membership, is still a member and visits the club when he is on holiday in the UK. The Tyndale Monument (tribute to William Tyndale, who translated the Bible into English and was promptly hanged for his efforts) featured prominently in his evocative slideshow presentation.
Sergeant
Neil fined John for drinking 60% proof whisky and Glenn for raising two daughters who bought him an iron for Father's Day and proceeded to ask “Do girls iron?” This was especially pertinent in light of the Suffrage 125 anniversary. He then described the card his wife bought for him for his son who is in the UK, which questioned his role in the family.
An exhaustive history of Father’s Day then ensued, with Richard Nixon finally signed it into US law in 1972.
Members were then taken on a trip through 17 Japanese holidays including Greenery Day, Marine Day, Mountain Day, Respect for the Aged Day, Heath and Sports Day and Children’s Day.
Reminders:
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Savealife stand on 21-23 September
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Premier of Barry Vercoe’s composition on 7 October
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Guided tour of The Elms and Tauranga Art Gallery exhibition The Rooms with Devonshire Tea only $10, on Sun 30 September. 20 places only. Book now.
Raffle won by Chris Rapson ('2nd time in 16 years, grumble, grumble')