JAM PACKED EVENING MEETING
President Dave welcomed several categories of visitors to our pre-Easter meeting: a lively occasion with an attendance of 65 including representation from 7 other rotary clubs, involving the welcoming of a new Club member, a moving vocational, the award of a Paul Harris, Alimac’s albannaich Burns’ Selkirk grace, an up-to-date and perceptive analysis of Ukraine’s struggle against its Russian invaders, and some warm Rotary fellowship.
TENBY POWELL on KIWI K.A.R.E
Ron Seeto introduced [and thanked] our guest speaker, founder of Kiwi K.A.R.E. [Kiwi Aid and Refugee Evacuation]. Tenby is a retired Army Colonel and former Mayor of Tauranga. He has spent time in the dangerous Red Zone in the east of the Ukraine and is heading back there again next month through to the end of the year. Tenby outlined why it is important that Ukraine wins this war, not only for the country but also for the rest of the free world. There have been thousands of deaths of soldiers and civilians. More than 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced – half of these fleeing the country as refugees elsewhere. There is massive local and international economic disruption as a consequence. 
Tenby became involved through a friend in Warsaw. Last July he set up an NZ flag operation – Kiwi K.A.R.E. – delivering humanitarian and medical aid and enabling evacuations from occupied territories. The aid is delivered directly into the hands of those who need it.
Other issues covered in his presentation included
- The 7 donated ambulances and the 10 ton truck being shipped to the Ukraine, along with medical and practical aid
- The increasing volume of Russia’s war crimes, including massacres and the deliberate targeting of hospitals and health clinics, and the forced repatriation to Russia of more than 300k Ukrainian children
- The Wagner private Russian army
- The West’s provision of tanks and armaments to Ukraine
- An analysis of the likely pattern of the war from this point
- Future potential EU and NATO membership
- AUKAS
- Facebook and the Give-A-Little $350k response to date
A sobering and realistic account of this ongoing tragic battle. Tenby returns to the Ukraine with our good wishes and great respect for what he is achieving under such difficult and confronting circumstances.
OLIVIA LIV McIVER FIZZING VOCATIONAL
Olivia gave us her engaging and personal vocational, outlining her philosophies of life [including introductions to her family and especially her Nan]. She has overcome significant medical adversity, with successful recovery and rehabilitation. She founded Soda Digital 5 years ago and now with solid application and effort has assembled a great team around her, specialising in social media profiles. She reminded us all – “Luck is an attitude.” 
Thanks, Liv, for a very special presentation.
MEET Winindu Kannangara WINNI NEWEST MEMBER
Martin presented Winni Kannangara to President Dave for induction into the Club. Winni is a senior banker with BNZ – he will be a member of the Youth Committee. He has been to several of our Club meetings already – make sure you welcome him at the next meeting or two. His contacts are winindu.kannangara@gmail.com , 022 0804 208. Great to have you on board Winni – enjoy your association with us.Paul Harris Fellow – Deb Hardy
Boyne, and on behalf of Paul, introduced Deb Hardy to the Club, from the Garden DesignFest Committee. Deb has been involved with the Committee from the start, 11 years ago, managing sponsors, promotions, media, the selling of tickets and the like. During that time more than $180k has been raised for Charity. President Dave congratulated Deb on her Paul Harris Fellowship, presenting her with her pin: our Club’s public acknowledgement of her and her significant community service.