What a great night at The Hub, between Chef Kouma cooking up a Greek Feast, 31 in attendance as well as an interesting Guest Speaker Bob Shaw, it all added up to a successful meeting.
Good to see Ray Milton with us for the meeting as well as Honorary Member Uwe, Partners Carol, Allison, Helen, Desley, Pam, Kay, Denise, Roslyn and Liz. Guests included Barbara (who has requested to rejoin the Club), Robert and Alison Thomson (with a Membership Application already submitted for Robert).
Our other Guests were Bob and Susan Shaw – with Bob detailing his time in Papua New Guinea later in the meeting.
The ‘lucky’ winner of the Raffle was Robert Thomson and Grahame Werrell outlasted the others to take out the Heads and Tails.
Bob Shaw gave a presentation on his Papua New Guinea adventures including exploring, rafting, caving as well as the salvage of over 30 aircraft that had been involved in crashes, having survived 2 air crashes himself. These experiences were the catalyst for Bob beginning to write books based on his and Susan’s adventures with the books being Island in the Sky, Fire Cult and Cross of Goa. We found out a bit more about Papua New Guinea with the height of the mountain ranges and how difficult they are to negotiate as well as the customs of the local tribes. The 16 Years spent in Papua New Guinea were certainly filled with interesting experiences and life long memories. Bob was presented with a Club Glass following his interesting presentation. Special thanks to Jim for preparing the slideshow that was shown during Bob’s talk.
Special congratulations to Harold Busch for the successful outcome following the theft of our Club Van. It was noted that the stolen van has been located, but the Club’s Insurers had already paid out on our claim. The Club now has a Hyundai Staria Van thanks to the Insurance payout and we have already put it to use in Mobile Scooter deliveries.
Thanks to those members who set up The Hub prior to each meeting – it is very much appreciated.
Thanks also to the members who have indicated their commitment to working on the Bunnings Sizzle on Friday 21 March.
Thanks also to Colin Welch for his efforts in recycling the cans and bottles through Containers for Change with 2 deposits already made totalling $58.50 which is equivalent to 585 containers returned – thanks Colin.
It’s not too late if any member wishes to join Neil Jones in visiting our Sister Club – Tauranga for their 80th Anniversary over the weekend of 5-6 April.
Also, if you intend to attend the District Conference at the Southport Sharks on 28-30 March, please register.
If members would like to make a personal contribution to the Rotary Foundation, please advise Treasurer Noel and he will ensure that the contribution hits the right account and in turn is paid onto the Rotary Foundation.
With the changing weather, please stay safe and remember that at our next meeting on 18 March Chef Kouma is planning to cook up a Sri Lankan menu.
Yours in Rotary
Neil
