WOW!! Conference last weekend was a blast.  6 members and two wives attended tall sessions of the conference and we were rewarded with inspiring speakers and great friendship.  We reacquainted ourselves with old friends and made new ones.  Conference next year is in Wellington at Te Papa and as Wellington club is hosting it will be a National not just a District conference as they were the first club in New Zealand to be charted. 
 
Solomon Ord-Walton from NPBHS spoke last Monday evening about his trip to Auckland in January for the Rotary Science and Technology Forum.  He has become a real champion for Rotary.  He is assisting with getting an Interect Club formed at Boy’s High, helped last weekend at the Crowded House concert and has put up his hand to help at Relay4Life.
 
We still need members to help at the Relay4Life on 27th March in Inglewood at TET Stadium.  Please email or text me(as above) if you can help out.  Specifically we need assistance as follows.  
 
12-1pm 1 person in Finance Hub This is counting money and writing receipts.
12–1pm And 1 for Beads
3-4pm 2 people in the Finance Hub.  
4-6pm Handing out Beads as participants complete a lap.
4-5pm 2 for Finance Hub
5-6pm 1 for Finance Hub
 
Please email me if you can help at any of these times. This is URGENT.
 
The club is having a Forum next Monday so please attend to have your say on the future of your club.
 Yours in Rotary

 

President Sally

 

Introduced by Dennis Eales

 

Solomon is a New Plymouth Boys High Year 13 student that our club sponsored to the National Science and Technology Forum from 10th-23rd January 2021 in Auckland.

 

He is currently studying Calculus, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and has a keen interest in cross country running and mountain biking. He's also an astronomical society member, volunteers to help feed children in need, potential Interact member.

 

His interest in Science was kindled in 2010 at primary School by an experiment on how to  blow things up.

Loves learning and experiencing science problem solving.

 

Accommodation in Auckland was at the new Auckland University, Waiparuru Halls of residence for students.

There were 174 students from all round NZ at the course which involved the 3 Universities: Auckland, AUT and Massey.

 

He was extremely grateful to our club and Rotary for the experience to learn about science careers with like minded students guided by young advisors (relatively new Students at the universities)

 

Students were divided into teams (his was orange)of about 30. with visits to numerous science companies like Landcare- Biodiversity and an Iwi Company Peka.

 

Extra curricular activities involved, choir singing, fine nights, social nights, volleyball, team building and The Worst Movie he's seen. A formal dinner ended the course with some nominations to go to The International Forum.

 

He found the whole experience very worthwhile mixing with other like minded students and it helped to validate his chosen career path which will be Mechanical Engineering at Canterbury University.

 

One of the take away statements he liked was:

 

In Life do not fall Backward, fall Forward.

 

He was thanked by President Sally.