Visitors:  nil

Birthdays: Grumpy Greg Brownless

Rotary Anniversaries: Bill Holland, 11 years with Sunrise.

 

 

Introduced by Kathy, who thanked Glenys for picking this project up enthusiastically. 

Glenys mentioned the challenges of meeting her mother’s care in these times and gave some of her background. Glenys was born in Taranaki, a region quite distinct in NZ. She left aged 16 and moved to Hamilton. A science training cadetship at Ruakura ensued where she studied lots of different sciences. Glenys went on her OE to London, and began working on viruses, which is quite topical now. These were the early days of HIV.

On return to NZ Glenys joined the reproductive physiology team at Ruakura, working mainly with sheep. It was a wonderful supportive campus with plenty of active possibilities.

Glenys managed Hamilton Park Cemetery which was fulfilling but had some difficulties so she only stayed two years. I guess you could say that as CEO of the Cemetery she had thousands of people under her.

Glenys joined Tauranga Sunrise on moving here. In discovering ROMAC, Glenys found her special niche in Rotary which made it extra worthwhile. She has held regional roles with ROMAC and is now the District Chair. There is always room for others to become involved and help.

 

Not a lot of ROMAC activity in last two years due to Covid. ROMAC was a District Governor’s Project and has been going over thirty years. It is changing lives and making a difference in our own South Pacific backyard.

There is capacity in Starship from time to time and ROMAC works in scheduling children there.

They also received pro bono work from for example, orthopedic and eye surgeons.

Children are housed at Ronald McDonald House. It’s very foreign for the children, some of whom have never seen cars and trucks.

ROMAC asks, “how can we do it” so it’s a very positive organization. Mostly Auckland clubs have been involved in hosting children.

Some costs can be very expensive, with up to four hundred thousand dollars of bills for one child. Glenys has to work hard to the costs down.

Glenys outlined several success stories with photos that included lots of smiles. One young child changed from a tantrum thrower into a singing and dancing delight, such was the transformation.

Glenys is donating a beautiful quilt to raise funds. We all need to get behind this and sell tickets.

 

ROMAC from the website:

Provides medical treatment for children 15 years and under, who are from developing countries of the South Pacific region, for life-saving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.

 

 

- Give hope and restore dignity to transform a child's life

- Provide the best possible surgical and medical expertise

- Engage Rotary and the community at all levels to fund and support surgery for children

- Maintain and improve the quality of the management process and ensure high quality governance of the ROMAC program

 

 ROMAC is a humanitarian Rotary programme which has been in operation since 1988.

 

Rotarians volunteer their time and expertise to run this Rotary programme which encompasses and is endorsed by all Australian and New Zealand Rotary Districts. ROMAC has no employees, no buildings, and no vehicles and consequently almost 100% of donations and grants received by ROMAC is spent on the children. Wherever possible eminent Australian and New Zealand surgeons donate their time for the treatment of our patients and these surgeons get unique opportunities to develop their specialist skills. During their recovery after surgery, the children and care-giver are looked after by New Zealand families, fostering international learning and understanding in the process.

 

Viv thanked Glenys, commenting on her early interest in science which has led to her wonderful contribution. Viv acknowledged the time, effort and enthusiasm Glenys has put into ROMAC.

 

Bryan discussed April Fools’ Day origins, including a January option.

He mentioned the top four pranks of all time.

1957 BBC showed a video of spaghetti seeds being harvested, and was met with numerous requests for such seeds.

Copenhagen media reported dogs were to be painted white to improve road safety.

Eiffel tower was to be dismantled and rebuilt at Euro Disney.

BMW announced magnetic tow tech, whereby you could get a free tow from the car in front using a special magnet system.

Country Calendar Turkeys in boots episode, after which a number of people wanted the contract to make the boots.

Brian concluded with mentioning that the Court jester was the only person who could point out a king’s follies and keep his head. The quid pro quo was that he had to return every year and sneeze, whistle and fart. Eventually this particular jester fell out of favour and was sentenced to death by the method of his choice. Therefore he requested to to die of old age, which was granted.

 

Meantime the NZ Herald 1 April reports that Auckland’s Eden Park is bidding to hold a pro surf competition, banking on its reputation at a longtime host of the Mexican wave. Working with engineers a waterproof membrane will line the park. This will be made of compostable materials to ensure zero waste or environmental impact.

            

 

“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to happiness that you can give out.” Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

Supplementary quote from Roosevelt, courtesy of your grumpy editor:

“I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.” Eleanor Roosevelt.