Today’s attendance:
 

 

Visitors:  Tommy (Kapai) Wilson, Nigel Dixon (Guest of Bill Holland)

 

President Chris held a minutes silence for David Woodhouse who passed away last week .

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries –

Birthdays – Les Garaghty 10^th May, Barry Fredheim 13^th May and Nancy Dever’s on Monday 9^th

Anniversaries – Viv Dykes, Bryan Winters 2 years, Colin Beere (longer than 2 years) Barry Fredheim 4 years, Ray Scott 14 years

 

Tommy was introduced by Ron Fyfe, long time golfing buddy and friend.

 

Tommy started with a Karakia and introduced himself and his background. Tommy came from a large family of 11 kids with 7 sisters! This was a result of his dad going to war at age 16 and he never wanted to be alone after that. His grandfather’s built the Te Puna Rugby Clubrooms, the Paparoa Marae and carved the Waka along the Strand.

 

Tommy started his working life by washing dishes down at Mt Ruapehu and then worked his way up the kitchen ladder. After moving to Australia he became the Aid de comp for George Harrison (yes the Beatles), and a long list of Celebrities including John Denver, Jimmy Barnes & Nicole Kidman. After a tough life… of living with the rich and famous and flying in Lear Jets, Tommy finished working with Mark Rich (Glencore) in Zurich. He also had the pleasure of delivering a 132 ft speed boat for a kids birthday!

 

On returning to New Zealand he took up the Chairmanship of The NZ Maori Tourism Board and then went on to publish many children’s books including Kapai the Kiwi, and Cuzzies.

 

Tommy is the Chief Imaginations Officer for Te Tuinga Whanau Trust, which started teaching troubled youth on a fiberglass Waka the traditional Maori fishing methods and knowledge. From those humble beginnings of 5 staff, they now employ 87 staff and are reconnecting people with society.  The Services they provide include Social Services, Youth Services and Transition Housing.

 

Paul Adams is the Patron for the Trust and they have recently relocated down the end of the Strand.

 

Buddy Mikaere thanked Tommy for his presentation and for living next door when they were growing up.

 

Pat Taylor – Club’s 25^th Anniversary Dinner is to be held on the 21^st May, RSVPs to Pat Taylor, and there is no meeting on that Friday morning.  Please invite past members of the Club that might want to attend.

 

Simon Beaton – Simon is collecting old photos for the 25^th, if any members have pre 2007 photos can you email them to simon@learningjourneys.co.nz

 

Michele Beaton – Drain Socks have been refitted and a sign has been installed.  There will also be an Environmental  event on 15^th May an Aongatete Forest Park.

 

Auction – Tommy’s T- Shirt – won by Phil Mangos

 

Steve proudly told us of the trials and tribulations of his new Job and the various challenges this has presented him. Fines were given out to Chris Dever and Greg Brownless for his toaster knife use.

 

Happy Birthday Steve, born on this day (6^th) in 1963.

 

 

Duties 13th May 20th May no meeting 3rd June Welcome   (Hotel Door) Ron Fyfe    NA Technology Set-up                                Bryan Winters    NA Second Door and Parting thought   Steve Read    NA Attendance recorder Viv Dykes    Adrian Pohio Speaker Intro and Host   Jane Nees    Bob Sutton Sergeant Warren Banks    Lynda Burch Speaker Thanks  Glenn Dougal   Bill Holland Bulletin Editor Graham Cornes    Indeevar Duhan Backup  Jim Rickard    Warren Banks Speaker is  Einstein Hales Senior Gender Counseller    BoP Youth Development Trust site visit 13th Avenue Tauranga