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Editors Rant
the time you get this issue…
you might have heard from those that made the effort to our evening meeting last tuesday were treated to another meeting of fellowship and outstanding speakers covered in Alan Hayward’s excellent report in Club News.
you might also have heard of Pres Dave’s carrot and the stick …send in your contribution to Members Slot or put up with Big Wig himself and related shenanigans featuring instead. John Hawke’s pictorial essay below just managed to stave off this possibility this week. Each and everyone of you must have something interesting! Please let me have have it!!!.
you might have ridden on the Auckland train network at the combined District 9920/9910 Polio All Transit event and/or been at Newmarket train station to support you club members who answered the call to enjoy showcasing US and support Rotary’s flagship project END POLIO NOW
you will hopefully get the BIG PICTURE of belonging to Rotary NEWMARKET is finding your hot button to be engaged. I know we can do it ….together.
'ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini' – my strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.
Ron Seeto
Dave's Rave
The Big Picture Never Changes
I met a person recently, not a Rotarian, who passionately declared the whole world stood at the edge of a precipice; and a plunge into decline.
“Just look at the facts”, they declared to me: talk of limited nuclear attacks in Ukraine, unabated global warming, COVID resurgence, extreme charismatic (left & right) politicians, and the obvious breakdown of “traditional” family values. They could smell societal collapse in the air.
How naïve I thought. People have been declaring the same inevitable decline for thousands of years. Consider these word: “bear in mind, constantly that all of this has happened before. And will happen again - the same plot from beginning to end, the identical staging.” Words written nearly 2000 years ago. The BIG picture never changes. All we can control (or change) is the enthusiasm, courage, and wisdom we bring to each day, week, month, or year as we face these challenges. I take great comfort from young people like Holly & Gen who spoke to us on Tuesday. Neither nihilistic or naïve – they just get on and help change the world to be a better place. Respect.
We were pleased to welcome Genevieve to our meeting on Tuesday evening – cofounder, with Jazz Thornton, of Voices of Hope [ www.thevoicesofhope.org ]. Genevieve outlined their current mental health sports campaign – Behind the Jersey.....
Holly Kewene
President Dave introduced Holly to the meeting – the recipient of our 2021/2 MAPAS Award, advancing Maori & Pacific Island students into Health Sciences at the University of Auckland. Holly, 19, is of Maori and Samoan descent and graduated top student in her class. She hopes to be accepted next year into the B. Med. Sc. degree. She capably acknowledged the Award, and some of the role models who had helped her on her academic journey to date.
Melanie Medland
Our speaker this week is involved – like Genevieve - with the mental health of young people. She works also with parents and employers. Her engagement with education is key: in particular the support provided to parents as well as youth.
After introducing herself in time and place, Melanie then described for us the power of “kia ora.”
She outlined the interweaving of listening [rongo], leading to awareness, resulting in understanding which in turn provides knowledge - all interconnected in an endless loop.
Melanie told us of some of her experiences as a flight attendant earlier in her career. Increasingly now in our day to day personal interactions we are using ‘kia ora” – literally “to be well” - not only as a welcoming “hello”, but also as a positive affirmation “yes, we agree”. ....
Our traditional Christmas hamper box packing, at Royal Oak, will take place on the morning of Saturday 17thDecember. 8.30am to 12 noon. 691 Mt Albert Road. The Club has donated $8k to the Sallies again for this purpose. In addition, the 60 Xmas puddings purchased by members for the hampers have been delivered to Royal Oak. We are not required to distribute any hampers in the week following.
Please sign up on the list circulating at the next few meetings or let John Hawke know of your availability.
Members Slot
A trifecta from our busy community spirited CAN-DO member John Hawke .......ROTARIAN+++ indeed Big Wig Ed
I donate Plasma every 2 weeks. I am now a Cryogenetic donor which means the Plasma is used quicker. Last Tuesday I did my 471st donation
During Christmas I am Santa Claus. I wear this while on duty on the Coastguard boat. This creates a lot of laughs and I sell heaps of raffle tickets.
On the last Sunday in November for the last 13 years I have been a marshal on the Queen st Santa parade, For the last 6 years I have been the lead marshal. This means that I control how fast or slow the parade is.
The Kindness Collective [ www.kindness.co.nz ] is again operating its Joy Store this Christmas to provide gifts for some of those children who would otherwise go without. After visiting Santa at the store in Sandringham, each child is allowed to choose 3 gifts – at the gold, silver and bronze levels – roughly valued at about $50, $40 and $30 dollars, respectively
Members are invited to bring new suitable toys, unwrapped, that can be passed on to the Collective for the children. In lieu of toys, cash donations will be equally acceptable. Receipts can be issued by the Collective.
Ariana Andrews [who is a member of the Board of the KC] and AIan Hayward will be accepting gifts and/or donations at the next two Club meetings on 15th & 22nd November. Cash in an envelope giving your details and email address for a receipt to be issued by the Collective, please.
Alternatively you can donate directly on the KC website. Thanks for your generosity with this. Alan Hayward.
We were pleased to welcome Genevieve to our meeting on Tuesday evening – cofounder, with Jazz Thornton, of Voices of Hope [ 
On the last Sunday in November for the last 13 years I have been a marshal on the Queen st Santa parade, For the last 6 years I have been the lead marshal. This means that I control how fast or slow the parade is.
