Busy meeting!

Left to right: sitting -  Sara Graham-Reid and Varayame,
standing - Sitiveni Rubuka and Varayame's mother

The meeting on 30 June was busy (what's new!) with many guests:

Update on Varayme - Sarah said that his progress was excellent consdering with his spinal infection resolved and he is funally out of hospital for a break prior to returning for surgery to his feet that will enable him to walk (after a fashion) for the first time.  The Sergeant's Session of $242 went to assist Varayame's family with their expenses while in NZ.

Isabella was thanked for arranging the very successful participation by club members in a Habitat for Humanity project that built a house over a weekend.

Solene attended her last meeting prior to returning to France this Sunday.  She was quite tearful and said that the "club was like a big family - you guys get on so well and it's hard to leave". 

Our Guest Speaker for the meeting was Major General Sitveni Rubuka (former Fiji Prime Minister).  He spoke of the sutuation in Fiji, mentioning that his greatest achievement oiver the years was to replace the constitution with on that started "We the people" as opposed to the former that was granted by Queen Elizabeth.  He said that todaym the people of Fiji were still trying to find a consitution that best suits them but it may not be possible to find the ideal.  In the meantime the situation in Fiji is murky and uncertain.

Congratulations - well deserved recognition

To complete the formalities of the Changeover, at the meeting of 30 June, Immediate Past President Andy received his special gift from the club members for his year as President (2010-2011).

It has been a tradition with the club for many years to show the club's appreciation to the outgoing president with a carciature

IPP Andy also presented Neil Dewar with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.  He said Neil was "Mr Reliable", someone who could always be counted on to do all that was asked of him well and went about this with a quiet efficency.  Well done Neil.

After another successful year! a new team takes over ...



Solene in Gisha with host family Alex and Wendy

 The annual Changeover of club officers occurred at a theme dinner (Chess and Thai) at the Remuera Golf Club.  The atmosphere was jovial and we were delighted to have join us District Governor Elect Alan Eyes and Claire plus our Assistant Governor Willard Martin (also DGNN) and Gabrielle.

President 2010-2011 Andy expressd his thanks to the club for another outstanding year which saw members enjoy the cameraderie of a club doing great things.  He ran over some of the many highlights - these will be included in his formal report to the AGM in December but just some include:

Pres Andy

• Hosting two Ambassadorial students - Wesley is still with us
• Hosting RYE student Solene
• The inagural Brian Gibbes Memorial Golf Tournament
• A fantastic selection of inspiring and high quality weekly guest speakers
• A variety of socials that kept the spirits of members high and included family
• A club team in the Cure Kids $10 Queenstown Challenge
• The successful application for a large joint project in Zambia
• A water project in Samoa
• Varyame (ROMAC) medical project
• plus the usual Youth leadership programmes

President Andy made a very special recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin recognition to Gary Key for his dedication and immense contribution to several major projects including the ROMAC - Varyame and  Zambia projects.  Acknowledgement was also made of Lloyd Williams whose long service to the club was recognised and his long stint as club Secretary.

Then President Andy handed over to incoming President Bruce, a club in good heart. President Bruce introduced his Board and commented that while we were active in the community he wanted to place more emphasis on the club coming better known in the community, especially through a growth in projects involving the local community. 

The exciting times of a Rotary Youth Exchange student

"Rotary Youth Exchnage isn't a year in your life, its life in your year" - Solene Moutier at her presentation to the club on 9 June.  Solene is about to complete her year hosted by the club - 14 July 2010 to 3 July 2011.

Solene's Top Ten experiences:

10)  Rotary
Owes a lot to Rotary and would like to give something back in the future - definately would like to stay a part of Rotary in some form long-term
9) School Community - Glendowie College
Really enjoyed her time at the College.  Schoo time in Frnace is strictly learning time compared to NZ where the school is a community involving sports, recreational and cultural actoivities.  A much greater opportunity to get to know peope and make friends.
8) Black Water Rafting

Congratulations Isabella!

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Mrs Isabella Huihana Tedcastle, of Auckland. 
For services to the community.

Congratulations Isabella from all the members of the Rotary Club of St Johns.  Well deserved.