September is Rotary International Basic Education and Literacy month
Vic Hewson:
Opening thought
Vic took the first opportunity since he handed over the role of President to offer some tips to Ross. These included-
First rule of leadership: everything is your fault
You can build a throne with bayonets but you can’t sit on it for long.
Boris Yeltsin
Sometimes you have to take a break from being the boss that’s always trying to teach people things. Sometimes you just have to be the boss of dancing.
Michael Scott, The Office
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
George Carlin
Make friends first, make plans second, make love third. In no particular order.
Kevin Stratton
People who know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.
Isaac Asimov
People who enjoy meetings should never be in charge of anything.
Thomas Sowell
Parting thought
Advice for those parents and grandparents who have difficult teenage children living at home. Just say “ Act now! Move out and get a job, whilst you still know everything”.
Notices
Derek
For the love of Pete, at the end of your raffle ticket selling shift please ensure the money is sorted into denominations and the stubs are bundled in numerical order. A little effort from each seller at the time saves a lot of work for the team at the end. Instructional photos below (with buyers' details redacted for privacy reasons).
Doug's snippets
Wood for Good
Update: A perfect day, a healthy turnout and a great effort. Well done, everyone who contributed.
Ronald McDonald House
Tuesday 22 October 2024, 3.00pm to 8.00pm
This is a rewarding team volunteering experience. We will be cooking dinner for 50+ people – so expect a fast-paced afternoon. Our team will cook, serve dinner, and clean up whilst getting to interact with families and have dinner ourselves. It is suitable for groups of up to 8 people. RMHC organises the menu and ingredients so all we need to do is turn up on the day ready to cook! There are no costs associated with this activity, which is at Wellington House, 38 Riddiford Street, Newtown, (opposite the hospital steps).
Please give Doug a call 027 454 5754 if you are interested in joining in.
Camp Leader
Further to my announcements recently, this social event is this year based at Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park just over two hours travel from Kapiti, and just north of Wanganui. At this point in time there 7 caravans and motor homes, but some non-self-contained units are available for those who would like to join us 7 couples, plus the 3 people who have already booked other accommodation. We have Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday evenings, a compulsory activity for two hours on Sat afternoon, the rest of the time can be spent exploring Whanganui and surrounding areas, golfing, fishing, cycling, walking etc. Or doing nothing if that is your wish.
(extraordinary Sergeant) called for some of those who have not contributed to the Bulletin production (taking and typing up notes, taking photos) in recent months to volunteer to the Director of Club Services (Paul), to cover a shift of taking notes or photos during Steph’s absence in the next 5 weeks. Steph has been away due to bereavement so was not able to circulate a shunt sheet herself.
Your assistance will be essential to ensure Steph can put the Bulletin together whilst she and Murray are travelling in Canada and the Land of the Free. A guidance note will be circulated. The notes do not have to be War and Peace in length, or Sowry level in wit, as Steph will sprinkle magic/bulldust over them. Having said that, prizes will be awarded on the Editor's return for contributions that delight and/or astonish. The Editor's decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Please also email Steph and Josie (or drop into the WhatsApp) photos of any activities, working bees etc and a wee write up of any other items you would like included in the Bulletin, social media, the weekly slide show.
Bryce
needs more members to sign up for Trailer Raffle ticket selling for October. The sheet was circulated.
Tim O
asked for volunteers to support the Charity Golf Tournament on 7 November. The club is also still seeking players and sponsors. Interested parties should be put in touch with Tim.
Paul
showed the new club flags (blade pennants) which are of two sizes and have differing stands depending on their size. These will be stored in the clubrooms and users should read the label on the flag to identify the correct stand.
Al's digger and other team members hard at work
Team Wood for Good on the tools
The Wood for Good mascot with helpers
A grand day was had by all
The crew of the good ship Kāpiti
Smoko break
Keeping it all tickety-boo
MC Mike on the mic
Someone had too much time on their hands...
5 minute speaker: Mike Copeland
In a speech replete with witty repartee, Mike had the club in stitches as he recounted his life: from being enrolled in a girls’ school from birth until he was eleven years old, to stealing underwear in the launderette, now that he has retired. He has a BSc and MEcon, has worked in Wellington and London and elsewhere for many years, and produced environmental impact reports for the Kāpiti Expressway, Transmission Gully and other KCDC initiatives.
For years he and his family (daughter, two sons and a very patient wife) were weekenders in Raumati but now Wharemauku Rd is his permanent home. Mike still offers his services as an MC for various fundraising activities. He recently joined Rotary looking for camaraderie and loyalty, which are two things that he values highly.
Kevin B
The Sergeant's session was notable for the requirement that everyone speak like a pirate (roll your ooo-arrr's), not because the topic of the speaker's talk was Pitcairn and the mutineers, as Steph assumed, but because 19 September is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
The box was in hot demand with 2 lots of good news: Marilyn and Wayne have bought a house in Paraparaumu, and Bryce Bryce will be moving into a new home in Rimu Rd.
Oeno Island, a coral atoll
Dorothy introduced SIL Greg
A pirate who bears more than a passing resemblance to a certain old sea dog who sometimes visits from Whanganui...
Guest speaker: Dr Greg Sherley NZOM
Dorothy comprehensively introduced Dr Sherley, who was raised on the Kāpiti Coast, developed an early passion for science and biodiversity, studied at Victoria and Massey Universities before completing a doctorate at Canterbury, is a consultant for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SERP) and several other NZ government projects. Dorothy also mentioned Greg had become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation in 2022.
Dorothy told us all of this with her usual poise, but many members were somewhat amazed at the detail she could recall, whilst speaking with no notes. As Dorothy sat down she added “ Oh, and he’s married to my daughter”.
Dr Greg enthralled members with his tales and beautiful pictures of the Pitcairn Islands. He explained that for several years he has done work for MFAT, SPREP, Conservation International, the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and local NGOs, such as the Samoa Conservation Society. His professional focus is invasive species management and biodiversity – he writes project design and review documents, he leads and facilitates meetings and workshops, he drafts guidelines and develops implementation plans (including budgets), he edits for journals and he represents governmental senior officials at multi-lateral environment meetings. He is also a beekeeper.
Whilst visiting the Pitcairn Islands Greg was working with a team to collect bugs that were attacking the primary crops, working to save the 4 endemic species of land birds on the island, attempting a rat eradication programme and assisting with a programme to manage an invasive weed tree. He was also called upon to advise the local beekeepers on bee hives and honey production. There are no bee diseases or varroa mites on the islands at present.
We learned that the Pitcairn Island Group, which is a British overseas territory, comprises 4 islands; Pitcairn, Henderson, Dulcie and Oneo. Henderson is the largest and most populated island. Pitcairn itself has a population of only 55 to 60 people. It was first settled by 9 of the mutineers from the Bounty and some Tahitian women. There are no children living on the island.
Dr Greg’s enthusiasm for this remote location was evident even though it took him five days of travel from Auckland to reach it, and when we saw the amazing photographs we could see why. He encouraged those who could, to include a visit in their future international travel plans.
All at sea
Avast ye landlubbers! Cap'n Ross, First Mate Dorothy and Dr Greg Sherley
The Bounty anchor
Thank you message from Wellington Free Ambulance
We just wanted to send a huge thank you for giving your time and energy to help out with this year's Onesie Street Appeal!
Whether you were wearing a onesie or not, it was great seeing so many of you out across our region in support of Wellington Free Ambulance.
The generosity from the community was incredible and we know you’re eager to find out how much was raised. We’ll make sure to share the grand total as soon as we have it.
Until then, thank again for being so wonderful and making our Onesie Street Appeal such a success!
Cans of Goodness
Paul Adams, President-Elect of Kāpiti Rotary hands over 100 cans of baked beans and 100 cans of spaghetti to Peter Ryan, President of St Vincent de Paul Society, Kāpiti while delighted members of St Vincent de Paul, Margaret Smith, Mike Whooley and Mary Lambert, help with the unloading. The cans were supplied at low cost by Chris Lamont of Pak’n’Save and that cost was met by Fish for Good, a project supported by Kāpiti Rotary and Combined Lions.
Vinnies, as St Vincent de Paul Society is commonly known, supports 60 families in Kāpiti with food parcels. The number of families needing support is on the increase. Support from Fish for Good and from Anzil Hungarian Restaurant enables Vinnies to help families feed themselves.
Dr Sherley told a fascinating tale
Paul delivers cans of food to Vinnies
The team working on the cans for good working bee - great effort, team!
Thanks to Linda for taking excellent meeting notes and typing them up with such flair, and Sue Scutter, and Doug and other members on working bees for taking the photos.
This week:
26 September: Janine Sudbury - Horse Whisperer
Coming up:
3 October: Anthony Dreaver - US Marines in QE11 Park
10 October: Professor Michael Macaulay - Confessions of a Professor/Comedian
