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Editors Rant
This issue you will find
• in Dave’s Rave our glorious leader ruminate that this could just be #yearofthe hug
• in Club News our chief reporter gives his usual clear and concise summary of the lunch meeting goings ons followed by a pot pourri of club committee updates abridged or abbreviated with editors privilege by Big Wig ed
• in Members Slot you get another pictorial essay. No apologies for yet another self pic but you were warned. Please send me pix with or without words.
• in Rotary World there is sad news x 2 as Rapport honours the passing of PDG Noel Holyoake & passes on DG Allan’s message cancelling the District Conference… an uprecedented and unwelcome first ever.
A cautionary tale if ever there is one, perhaps make a mental note to give each other a hug at our next meeting.
Ron Seeto
Dave's Rave
REMEMBERING APRIL 2015
One morning in early April 2015 my day started badly.
The shirt I’d hoped to wear wasn’t clean, I’d noticed a cracked windscreen on my car, and to cap it off I dropped my wallet, spilling the contents, when paying for my morning coffee.
Frustrated I said aloud to Surbash (the coffee guy) “ I’m having a s@!t day”. He quietly replied “me too”.
I asked “why’s that”.
He replied he had just got the news that his father, sister and uncle had all died the day before. They were casualties of the Gorkha earthquake that had killed around 9,000 people in Nepal.
I’d wanted to retract my glib & insensitive comment. I’d wanted to somehow show my empathy. I’d wanted to hug him.
But in the moment, I felt awkward and… didn’t. Regretfully, I simply quietly wished Surbash well and retreated with my coffee.
Since that day I promised to myself to greet each new day with more gratitude. Also, that if it felt right to hug someone (and they agreed) to do so.
This week at Rotary I was able to hug one of our kaumātua (elder statesmen) and thank them for their life of service. I’m glad I did.
Have you hugged someone recently?
Club News and Notices
Taking Stock
Our lunchtime meeting last Tuesday was a time for us to pause and reflect. Reports were received from our various committees on activities for the Rotary year to date, with plans for the next few months - Community and Environment, Communications, Fellowship, Youth, Fundraising, World Community Service and Membership.
We are a busy Club, doing a power of good in the Community. But as President Dave reminds us, reality beckons. Our membership numbers are dropping, and we need to look to the future. Our home is in Newmarket. We have to make ourselves attractive to our younger members, as well as remaining true to our core.
So a useful lunchtime exercise, with a challenge for all of us. Who am I going to bring to a forthcoming meeting, and introduce to the Club? Indeed!! Big Wig Ed
Evening Meetings at the Remuera Golf Club
This coming Tuesday 14th March
A field of speakers, from our Garden DesignFest Charities: Lifeline, KidsCan and Oke. Plus Jacob Madacanno-Holland from Dilworth, who attended the Walsh Flying School.
Tuesday 4th April
Tenby Powell, on the Ukraine war.
Tuesday 9th May
Roger Partridge, NZ Initiative
Tuesday 13th June
Bruce Cotterill, NZ Herald columnist.
Mark your diary now.
Flood Relief
Ric reported that a target of $25k looked achievable
DO YOU KNOW WHAT OUR COMMITTEES DO?
Want to learn abut our committees? Communications, Fellowship, Youth. Environment & Community, Fundraising & Partnerships, World Community Serives and Membership.
This is what you sent in ...keep them coming or you get more fillers of Big Wig Ed.
1. once more for our fighter Asel Opata. Click on images below check out the Youtube link
2. a throwback from Peter Ross.
Ron,This was taken in June 2020, in the early days Salvation Army packing at Manukau. We (with help from a few other Rotary Clubs) have been packing weekly (apart from a few weeks at Christmas) for over two and a half years. Thought you might like if for Rapport at some point
3. a recent throwback from Colin Lucas the Night of the Big Wet!
4. another recent throwback from Big Wig Ed & his bestie Sharon louting outside Fat Boy Slim
Garden Fest 2022 Newsclip
Boyne Drummond had this to say in a press release for the District Newsletter.
The Auckland Garden DesignFest is a biennial event that showcases up to 18 individual high quality residential gardens and gives the public the opportunity to view these gardens and meet the designers. The AGDF is an initiative of the Garden Design Society of New Zealand and the Rotary Club of Newmarket. Entry to the gardens is by ticketholders only and all profits from the event go to nominated charities.
The 6th Auckland Garden DesignFest was held on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27 th of November 2022. Once again garden lovers were given the opportunity to visit a range of beautifully designed gardens across Auckland and speak to the designers who conceived them. The gardens on show reflected the excellence of garden design in New Zealand.
The popularity of the festival has grown significantly since the inaugural event which was held in 2011 and record numbers in excess of 1,200 visitors attended the 2022 event. All funds raised by the AGDF after the deduction of costs are donated to the chosen charities, all of which are instrumental in supporting those at risk in our communities and with a specific focus on CHILDREN and YOUNG ADULTS.
The charities supported by the 2022 event are Lifeline, KidsCan, Oke, Garden To Table, and the Newmarket Rotary Charitable Trust. The event raised just over $60,000 which resulted in a grant of $12,000 to each of the charities.
Special thanks must go to premier sponsors Kings Plant Barn and Dawson & Co. who played a very big part in setting up and running the event, and to our other valued sponsors Gubba, Gardena, Central Landscapes, Ray White Mt Eden, and the Village Square Trust, who generously supported the event and ensured its success.
And also special thanks to the garden owners who allowed the public into their private domains. Without their generosity and support this event would not happen.
Rapport and Rotary Newmarket sends condolences and aroha to the Holyoake family for the passing of PDG Noel Holyoake father of the Rotary District 9920 Trees for Survival program. Noel Victor Holyoake aged 91 years passed away peacefully on saturday 4 March at home, as he wanted with his family beside him. A Totara has fallen. Rest in Peace
DG Allan had this to say;
Good morning
It is with much regret that we need to inform you that the D9920 Conference has been cancelled due to lack of registrations. This is obviously a sad position to be in but when considering the events of the last 6 weeks and the costs of being involved in support of the communities this is understandable.
For those who have supported us we have appreciated that support, but the conference is not viable, so the decision needed to be made so further costs were not developed.
For those of you that have registered and paid a refund will be issued to you over the next few weeks.
One morning in early April 2015 my day started badly.
