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President Govind, in his last regular meeting before changeover, presided over a full program which featured the presentation of a Paul Harris fellowship, a farewell summary of her year by Helene, recognitions of the sponsors of our golf tournament, two community awards and detail of the planned Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre at Lloyd Elsmore Park. A Paul Harris Fellow Award was conferred on Past President Mike Collins, recognising not only his long service to Rotary since 1989 in various clubs but his outstanding community service in organisations such as Life Education. And those who have attended the Xmas party over the years knows the magic he brings to being a wonderful Santa Claus! In accepting the accolade, Mike noted that Rotary had been kind to his family over the years and we can look forward to his continued involvement going forward.  It was also an evening where the club was able to make two Club Community Awards. Johnny Chetty teaches children with special needs, is involved with various charitable trusts and works with students at Mt Richmond Specialist School. From South Africa, he is guided by the belief there is one universal language-the language of the heart, and that responsibility is an honour, not a burden. The second recipient was Julia Castles, formerly of Howick Inner Wheel and currently President of Pigeon Mountain Garden Club. Julia manages a staff or 25 delivering English language skills to 800 migrants. She is also involved in training 80 volunteers to work with refugees and migrants in their homes. Two very worthy recipients who join the extensive list of awardees honoured by the Club over many years. Our exchange student Helene is returning to Germany shortly and entertained members with a kaleidoscope of images, colours, friends, experiences and memories from her time in New Zealand. From the South Island trip and the Tongariro Crossing to her grateful thanks to her Host Families, Helene spoke of her life changing experience and thanked the Club for such an enriching time. The Club presented a replica cheque (remember cheques?) for $20,000 to St John Ambulance representing the second donation of such an amount in the last two years resulting from the Golf Tournament. Representatives from our major sponsors were also in attendance to be acknowledged for their generosity and ongoing support. Ray White Eastern Group again played a significant support role and others including Pakuranga Park Village, Coombes Johnston BMW Hamilton, Bruce McLaren Village, Pak & Save Botany and United Industries all contributed to another successful event. By 16 June, Club Member Gerald Patterson had covered more than 4200km of his 5150km bike ride from San Francisco to New York. The Club has donated an extra $1000 to Gerald’s nominated charity Motor Neurone Disease NZ. Snow on Day 13 in the Rockies caused havoc with the planned schedule. With the end in sight, Gerald and the team are now having to cope with a heat wave in the Eastern U.S. |
