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President's Message
Michelle Smith
Although it was President Michelle’s first meeting she was overseas on business so past president Martin McGahan stood in. 
 
We welcomed the Right Honourable Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Michelle Dickinson , New Zealand, Jo Lloyd and Caron Lonergan from Autism NZ and Mike Chunn, Debbie Little, Tom Patton, and Madeline Bradley from Play it Strange and Matt Laidlaw guest of John Hawke (and Link Laidlaws grandson).
 
Martin reported on the recent death of Clive Carter, former president of the club.   Further information will be circulated as it comes to the hands.
 
Martin also commented on the very successful running of the RYLA at the previous week.  Our club participated and assisted in running of the program.  Newmarket is responsible for RYLA next year so once again the club’s full support is sought. 
 
Below is the duty roster for the next two weeks.  If you are allocated a duty and cannot attend please arrange with another member to cover for you.
 
Programme 18-Jul-2017 25-Jul-2017
Topic Mike Alison - Vocational TBC
Speaker Richard Enright Harold Titter Awardee TBC
Introduction    
Thanks    
Rapport Ron Halls Roger Gower
AV Duty Paul Monk John Hawke
Cash Desk Greg Carr John Hawke
Registration of Visitors Peter Bassett Nigel Fowler
Presidents Table Rotary Foundation Youth
Host to Visitors Bill Bennett John Graham
  Scott Burridge Marcus Graham
Attendance Register John Burton Ron Halls
Sunshine Boxes James Carmichael Ross George
  Alan Cole Alan Haywood
Raffle Duty Pat McKenna Ian Bond
Stories
The Right Honorable Paul Goldsmith
Our speaker was Right Honourable Goldsmith Minister of Science and Technology. 
 
He gave us a wide-ranging address from his role in the cabinet and his specific ministerial duties. 
 
Before entering politics Paul was a professional Historian and Biographer focusing on New Zealand economic history and development. Additionaly he spent some time as an Auckland City Councillor.
 
The underline theme of his address that science and technology are everywhere and the focus on science technology is to preserve and enhance what is special about New Zealand with the intention over insuring our society remains cohesive.  Paul commented that in comparison to the rest of the world that is the special feature of New Zealand society. 
 
A significant focus on work under his portfolio is how the 4.5 million occupants of New Zealand affect the islands on which we live and the very large area of the South Pacific for which we are responsible. 
 
Paul told us a good deal of effort in the science and technology field goes to understanding and giving solutions to the problems arising in the areas water quality, techtonic plate shift, volcanology. 
 
Given New Zealand’s reliance on the environment these are the important areas of research.
We are presently spending about 1.5 billion per annum on science over a wide area from Crown Research Institutes to Mission Led Natural Science programmes to Callaghan Innovation.
 
Paul told us innovation is a broad discussion and not just about science.  The essential question is how do we do what we do better.
The creative sector is source of innovation and in this regard he pointed to Weta workshop in Wellington.  One can also point to sporting innovation as is a case with Emirate Team in New Zealand and their revolutionary approach to power and control systems in the recent America’s Cup.
 
One of Paul’s other hat is as Minster of Regulatory Reform. 
 
He commented that creating a successful business is hard work and point of regulatory reform is to break down barriers that prevent ideas turning into revenue.  Coming up with the idea is easy part but making money out of the idea is the difficult bit. 
 
He commented that New Zealand’s officials have not taken historically a disciplined approach to regulation making which creates problems in the economy and stifles innovation.  Look at the current brouhaha over rare Hamburgers as an example.  Many regulations are passed as a reaction to a perceived a problem without considering the consequences creating a quite tangled regulatory landscape.  He commented that we need to discipline in this regard to enable business to function efficiently. 
 
In closing Paul commented that agriculture is now not the only mainstay of our economy as aquaculture, tourism and education now add the same or similar value to our GDP.  Innovation in these area has given great balance to the economy. 
 
Paul commented in response to a question on research and development. That he considers, we, as in New Zealand are where we should be in terms of per capital contributions to R&D on a worldwide basis noting also that there has been a 29% increase in business R&D in New Zealand over last 2 to 3 years.
 
Thank you to the Honorable Minister for spending time with us.
 
Read more...
Presentations
Roger Harvey and Scott Burridge presented $3,000.00 from profits the Recent District Conference to Dr Michelle Dickenson to assist with publication of a kitchen science cookbook in which every recipe is a science experiment. 
 
Michelle's intention is to sell the book on a one plus one basis in that for every book is sold one book is donated to individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford it.
 
It is anticipated there will be in October launch.  Look out for that. Your editor will be.
 
Paul Monk and Neil Swanney presented from the proceeds of the Play it Strange concepts a cheque for part of the proceeds to Autism New Zealand.  Carol Lonergan from Autism New Zealand following receipt of the donation thanked the members and told us that the funds would be applied to assisting the placement of autistic adults into employment.  While a sometimes challenging exercise it can be rewarding. A very worthwhile cause.
 
Mike Chunn then commented on the origins of the Play it Strange concert the genesis of which was a coffee meeting in Parnell. Given the success of this year's concert the intention is to run a concert in 2018 making it bigger and better.
 
Trees for Survival

From Peter Bassett

 

A pleasant, but also hardworking day, was spent recently on a large Maori Trust farm just north of Helensvllle.

Together with a bus-load of boys from St. Peter’s College, some 800 trees & flaxes were planted as part of the “Trees For Survival” programme.

RCON was represented by David Weikart, John Graham & Peter Bassett.

 

A further planting day will be held on August 17, this time with St. Cuthbert’s College near Waiuku.

Club Information
Newmarket (Inc)
Come join us for a club meeting
We meet Tuesdays at 12:30 PM
Ellerslie Convention Centre
Ellerslie Racecourse
80-100 Ascot Ave
Ellerslie,  1051
New Zealand
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