Visitors
Ron McQuilter ( Speaker )
John & Robyn Maisey (Biddy from the Tauranga Club’s folks)
President Lynda
Congratulations to Buddy Mikaere for all 4 of his books being republished.
There were no Birthdays, Anniversaries or Rotary Years to celebrate!
Guest Speaker
Dean Thompson introduced Ron McQuilter , NZ”s Top PI & Author.
Ron gave us his background as a policeman in Scotland before eventually coming to New Zealand, where, unable to get into the police due to residency requirements, he joined Armorguard and hence entered the private sector and eventual formation of his own hugely successful and renowned consultancy PI practice.
Ron has written and published two highly successful books - Busted! and Busted Again!, copies of which he brought along as raffle gifts.
He expanded on the sorts of jobs he and his now very large team of colleagues become involved in – Government Departments particularly- and answered several questions from the floor.
But there's one case with particular significance: the disappearance of Kiwi Lee Sheppard in London, and he went to London – where he was obliged to introduce himself as ‘Detective’, as ‘Private Investigator’ had such a bad reputation there - and solved the case.
Ron was thanked by Ian Burns for his hugely interesting talk.
Announcements/Reports
Rhonda Wisbey thanked those members who supported Wednesday’s Hot Pink Walk, to remember those who have had breast cancer, which was hugely successful and very well attended.
Pat Taylor – Amazing Spaces, Garden Arts Festival
Amazing spaces is taking place on the 23rd November and looking for any ideas that people have for an amazing apace. Pat listed a huge number they think-tanked in 10 minutes.
November 2023
In conjunction with the Garden and Arts Festival
We are looking for ideas and contacts of funky, quirky places to be part of a tour of some of Tauranga’s amazing spaces.
To get the ball rolling here are some thoughts.
Please add yours to the list and send to Shiv or Kathy
Floating Gin Palaces
Phil’s Place
Tiny Homes
Exotic Bordellos
Funky Industrial Buildings
Art Studios
Edgy Gardens
Repurposed Telephone Boxes
Blingy Limos
Steam Punk Emporium
Bondage and Discipline Dungeons
Farmers Building rooftop tour
Tim the Toolman Taylor Man Caves
Virtual Harbour Pilot
Street Art tour
Repurposed Shipping Containers
Bridge Tour of Cruise Liners or Super Tankers
Fairy Grottoes
The Elms
Intriguing Retail Outlets
Coffee Carts
Refurbished House Trucks and Caravans
Looking forward to your out of left field ideas
Michelle Beaton – Guess who’s Coming for Dinner
Reminder to book your place, and more hosts are wanted. Please contact Michele if you are able
Steve Read – Requires Marshalls 21st January
Steve is calling for more Marshalls; please email him directly if you can help
Sergeant’s session
There were two raffles won – one by Sanjana France and the other by Andy Cameron.
Andy advised that there are only 3 weeks to go until the ‘Day of the Dead’ and gave us a background on how that came about. The Day of the Dead is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. It largely originated in Mexico, where it is mostly observed, but also in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. Significance: Prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have died.
He then gave a discourse on the trials and tribulations of deciding where his own parents-in-law’s ashes should be laid to rest, (having finally been narrowed down to 11 sites) but things are at an impasse. Andy had suggested that they be kept for 12 months by the winners of a proposed family tennis match, but this helpful suggestion was rejected, so things are still in limbo.
Andy’s own Dad has the distinction of being the only bloke he knows who got cremated twice in 6 months after the house containing his urn burned down in 1996 – luckily the urn survived!
