Report on Rotary meeting 13 April

A bigger than usual audience of Rotarians, partners and guests were given a comprehensive view of the work of the Kidney Society by Joanne Hand at this week’s meeting.  

The Society is an independent organisation, set up in 1978, dedicated to life-long support of people with kidney disease and currently has 56 patients using their dialysis services in the area north of Taupo. Their services are free of charge and meet a demand unable to be accommodated by the public health system.

CKD or chronic kidney disease affects about 5000 New Zealanders and with ageing this number is likely to increase. Healthy living including being wary of some pain medications can stave off kidney problems but symptoms are often ‘silent’ not revealing themselves until 90% of the damage has occurred. Offering the services of social workers educators and peer connections, the Society provides wrap-around support which is world-leading, catering for individual needs where and when it is most needed. For every 14 people using dialysis through the Society, the taxpayer is saved  a million dollars – a huge contribution in the current situation.

David Wardell prefaced Joanne’s talk with an account of his brush with severe kidney problems last year, showing just how quickly our two precious organs can misbehave and create life-threatening conditions.

The number of questions after the address was a good indication of the relevance of this topic to the audience.  Thank-you Joanne for your revelations and advice.

Fellow Rotarians and Guests

Tonight we have the privilege of recognising one of our own for a commitment that goes way beyond words.

In Rotary International we often speak of Service above self. But every now and then we pause to honour someone who truly lives the ideal in a practical and generous way.

Del Johnston, through your 50 years of continual work in Rotary you have reached the level of a multiple Paul Harris level pin; that is five sapphire pins, recognised today by the Ruby pin. This is not simply a token- it represents lives touched, communities strengthened and hope extended to many and far.

For the more recent members of our Club and less we forget here are just some of Del’s works for Rotary.

In 1986 you were the president of our Club under the banner of our then World President’s theme, “Rotary Brings Hope”. You had an extremely successful year notwithstanding that our meal charges took a hike to $8, which had then risen from $2.50 in 1970. In this year also your wife Dawn put on a fashion Parade which raised $16,000 for the polio immunization project,

On the launch of the worldwide polio eradication campaign, you travelled to India to be part of the first liquid inoculation

You were district chairman of the Student Exchange Committee for a number of years, and here I must add how ably you were supported by your wife Dawn.

You were a pivotal member of our Clubs building projects teams in Tavenui and Rarotonga.

You were the District Secretary in 2007 for our own District Governor, Allan Davies, who even today marvels at what you accomplished.

You were an important founder and regular supporter of our Annual Fishing Day Out which ran for many years, and here again I must mention the pivotal support Dawn gave on behalf of Inner Wheel to ensure that everyone on the day was well fed.

You engaged in our footpath project over 28 years. Including its Dick Quax memorial as well as the subsequent building of the structure. 

You were the question setter for our annual trivia fundraiser at Edgewater College.

You supported our own World President, Bill Boyd in many ways, both during his term in office and subsequently with arranged dinners for past club members at Dannemora.

These are just some of the ways you have supported our Club, our District and the ideals of Rotary.

The Ruby Paul Harris medal pin symbolises that your Rotary journey has continued well beyond your first sapphire pin, as well as work that changes lives in ways we may never fully see but can be sure are real and lasting

Del, on behalf of our Club it is my pleasure to present you with this ruby pin. Thank you for your dedication, your generosity and the example you have set for us all.

Rotarians and guests, please join me in congratulating Del.

One of the important signature activities of our club was the hosting of Rotary exchange students. Many members will remember hosting and the students.

Currently we are travelling in Europe and had the opportunity to spend time and be hosted by two of our more recent students.

Arriving in Austria we were met by the club's very last student, Matilda and spent five great days in Vienna. Matilda is in the very last stage of high school and the teacher in me made sure she didn't use us as an excuse not to study. Never-the- less we spent some lovely time with her and her parents in a beautiful city.

Matilda and I outside the meeting venue of the club that sponsored her. 

Then it was on to Augsburg in Germany where we were met by Caroline, her husband Christian and children Magdalena and Freddy. Time has flown since Caroline was with us and she is now a qualified doctor and Major in the German army. More fantastic days exploring another great city while Caroline and Christian worked, followed by family excursions in the weekend. 

Both young women remember their time in New Zealand and the families that hosted them fondly and wanted their thanks to be passed on to members. Coming half way across the world is a daunting prospect for a young person but positively life changing.