banner
Executives & Directors
President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Rotary Foundation
 
World Community Service
 
Membership / Vocational
 
P R / Communications
 
Youth
 
Community & Environment
 
Fundraising & Events
 
Bulletin Editor
 
Special Services
 
President's Message
David Bradshaw
Presidents Notes - Rapport 18 September 2018
 
From PP Roger Harvey on behalf of President David Bradshaw

 

RCON meet at midday next Tuesday 25 September at the Newmarket University Campus.

 

We will have a brief report on the Motutapu weekend by Martin, followed by a short update on our Foundation - NRCF by Brian McMath.

 

Our main speaker is our newest member - Robert Lee who will address "Understanding the China Dream". 

 

With an escalating Trade war, China's massive expansion and the ambitious Beltway project - there is much for us to understand.

Robert's broad experience in China makes this a must hear opportunity.

 

Please let me know by return if you will attend - so I can ensure you get fed.

 

Program

Programme 25-Sep-2018 2-Oct-2018 9-Oct-2018
Venue and time Lunch meeting at the University Evening meeting at the Remuera Golf Club Evening meeting at the Remuera Golf Club
Speaker
Robert Lee
Understanding the "China Dream" and its significance in the Belt and Road Initiative
Social Enterprise Challenge Evening Mike King
Introduction TBC Brian McMath Nigel Fowler
Thanks David Bradshaw Brian McMath Nigel Fowler
Rapport Neil Shah Colin Lucas Roger Gower
AV Duty David Weikart Paul Monk David Weikart
Cash Desk Greg Carr John Hawke Colin Lucas
Registration of Visitors John Graham Patrick Learmonth Colin Lucas
Presidents Table Foundation Youth TBC
Host to Visitors Ron Halls John Long  
  Alan Hayward Bill Mabey  
Attendance Register Marcus Graham Ben Mugisho  
Sunshine Boxes Terry Hibbitt Malcolm Macdonald  
  Richard Holden Glen Marvin  

Duties - Fellows If you cannot undertake your duties as noted please arrange for some-one else to stand in in your place.
Stories
An Evening at the Centre for Brain Research
Our Meeting on Tuesday was hosted at the University of Auckland Medical School and more particularly at the Centre for Brain Research.
 
Our hosts were Sir Richard Faull, and Dr Malvindar Singh-Baines who were themselves supported by graduate students Christine Arasaratnam, Adelie Tan and Micah Austria.
 
Sir Richard opened proceedings by giving us a run down of the activities the Centre for Brain Research undertakes.
He noted that the Centre is made up of 74 different research groups across the University undertaking diverse aspects of Brain Research.
Sir Richard noted that the centre has approximately 700 brains in its brain bank.  A unique collection which enabled a collaborative approach to research within the centre rather than the silo approach that seems to be adopted in other research centres in other parts of the world.
One of the important features of the brain libarary is the buy in from families of those whose brains who have been donated for research. Those families feel that they are doing their bit for research into the various brain diseases the centre focus's on. 
 
After Sir Richard gave his introduction Malvindar gave us more detail on the centres activities and then she and her colleagues took us on a tour of the centre itself which was fascinating for those who have not been there before.  The most important point Malvindar made was that those who work in the centre acknowledge that they are priveleged to be working their  and consequently treat the brains in their care with the utmost respect.
 
Those present enjoyed the both the fellowship the evening provided and also the most interesting tour and presentations by Sir Richard and Malvindar.
 
Motutapu Work Party Report
Martin McGahan reports on the recent Motutapu work Party;
 
Rotary Newmarket has a twenty-eight year history with MOEC. Over this time members, family and friends have contributed 1000’s of hours to projects at the camp. And the club has provided tens of thousands of dollars to infrastructure and resources at the camp.
 
What does the camp do? Go to: www.motutapucamp.org.nz  and find out.
 
This past weekend, 15/16 September, 13 members, family and friends continued the story of our association.
 
Our projects over the weekend included:
  • Constructing 3 flag pole stands
  • Lining two storage containers with ply sheeting. (Containers previously supplied with funding from Chenery Memorial Trust and club members input)
  • Rebuilding landing pad and access platform at assault course obstacle
  • Re-barking assault course landing pad
  • Constructing new timber stair
We have exclusive access to the lodge for the weekend and self-cater. This weekend we started with a group of thirteen, reducing to twelve after John Hawkeye Hawke had to depart for coastguard duties.
Work tasks were allocated and everyone just “got on with it”.
 
Domestic duties were shared over the weekend and as usual, the social element was a highlight.
 
We even got to see the “Test”, thanks to Michelle and her “techy” assistants.
 
The camp hosted its first school group in 17 months the previous week, post cyclone Debbie at Easter 2016.
 
This storm caused widespread damage to buildings, services and infrastructure, and the camp is only now ready to resume normal activities. The costs have run into the millions to remediate the camp, and our members have contributed their labour to some essential re-build activities over the last two seasons.
 
As usual Duncan and Lindsay provided all the planning and equipment for our team to carry out their tasks. And John Meadowcroft lead and corralled us all in his usual determined and welcome style.
Motutapu is of course, now predator free. And this was so evident with bird life all round us: quail, pukeko, tui, kereru in abundance. The island now is home to some 26 takahe (some of which wander about the camp we are told) and 60 plus little brown kiwi.
 
This is a fantastic venue right on our doorstep and if you haven’t been there yet, then plan on being part of the team next time. You won’t regret it!