Club Meeting at the Auto Lodge, Monday, 11th December, 2023
Present : President, Wally Garrett; Immediate Past President, Jan Dempsey; David Brownson; Geoff Harding; John Pitman; Myles Derry; Dennis Eales; Murray Gillespie, Ian Smiley, Harry Duynhoven, Gary Brown, Sally Morch, Tony Bird, Des Friedrich ( 14)
Apologies :Simon Northrop(LOA), Michael Archer ( 2).
Visiting Rotarians: Majoie Hemelaar ( SouthAfrica), David Brown (Rotary Club of Wellington, Somerset, UK), Margaret Brown
Guests: Mary Bird, Joan Harding, Barbara Garrett, Alison Pitman, Trish Betts, Marie Brown, Clare Smiley, Kelvin Weir, Jackie Mayne, Kathrine Smith, Glenys Horsfall, Oliver Jull (Entertainer) and his father Brendon Jull, Lance Girling Butcher , Kathleen Smith.
Grace :David Brownson
Fines were levied by Murray Gillespie
Three Minute Talk : Sally Morch: Read an exert from Mem Fox's- Wilfred Gordon's, McDonald Partridge
Entertainment- Oliver Jull doing Billy Joel, Elton John renditions.
What a wonderful performer hard to believe he has only been singing for 2 years and is only 14 Years old (NPBHS Student)
He was thanked by President Wally
Paul Harris Fellowship presentations By President Wally
Lance Girling Butcher
Former Editor of the Daily News,City Councillor, surprisingly dyslexic
Sad that his wife could not be with him , she has dementia, been together 56 Years
She gave him the confidence to achieve what he has been able to do particularly that he can only hear in one ear and can't see.
Spent 17 weeks in Waikato hospital, tortuous, sleep depravation which lead to losing weight to 60KG normally 100Kg couldn't read or write physically damaged.
Described himself as an Editor and pontificator a figurehead accepting on behalf of all those that have worked with him in Positive Aging particularly Gordon Hudson and Wally Garrett.
Delighted and thrilled to receive the award, lost for words.
Harry Duynhoven
In thanking the club for the Award (taken totally by surprise) Harry mentioned that he first learnt about Rotary when he was shown the Rotary 4 Way Test.
He's been with club 30 years as an Honorary Member while an MP, Mayor, Councillor and joined as a full member in 2017. He has resigned as a member.
Explaining that he's nvolved with Habitat for Humanity and will be devoting more time to that cause also making more time to be with his wife!
He is happy to help the club with Projects in future where able.
He commented that as the speaker organiser (we certainly had some great speakers) for the last few years, the willingness that they accepted the invitation to speak surprised him.
Wished the Club well in the future.
Geoff Harding
Geoff was awarded a Saphire pin and felt very privileged to be given the award.
Geoff joined Rotary in June 1985 with the Hawera Club after an invite by Arthur Brown (when undertaking renovation work in his business premises.
The Hardings hosted 5 Exchange students, their daughter went to Denmark on a Student Exchange.
He served on several District Committee's (Student Exchange, GSE Exchanges and as an Assistant District Governor.
Been 13 Years in Ngamotu Rotary, made good friends and has enjoyed his involvement with The Trust Flats which has continued to be a great Project particularly the recent renovations carried out and helping to maintain the site.
Reminder about the Golf Tournament 9th February 2024
Will be asking for member availability early next year both on the day and the day before in helping to set up.
Will be looking for auction items on the day as well as donated prizes.
