News
Georgie Chalmers & Viktoria Melber

The club was treated to reports by two very enthusiastic Rotary exchange students. Georgie Chalmers who has returned from a year in Denmark and Victoria Melber our exchange student from Austria.  The Rotary Youth Exchange [fittingly initiated by the Copenhagen Club in Denmark in 1927] now gives around 9000 students a year the opportunity to live and study in another country.

The messages from Georgie and Viktoria mirrored those given by successive students and reinforces just how valuable this exchange is.

Both Georgie and Viktoria were given and took the many opportunities offered, to see and experience new cultures while on exchange. For Georgie this included trips to many parts of Europe on the Europe tour and Cologne in Germany on a school trip and Majorca [part of the Spanish Balearic Isles] on a family holiday.  For Viktoria it involved the South Island trip and visits to places all over the North Island. She recounted all of the many activities she took part in ranging from the school ball, Marae visit, Challenge Camp, Tongariro crossing, school sports teams and many Rotary activities.

Both Georgie and Viktoria found the school experience different. For Viktoria, New Zealand meant the new experience of school uniform, many fewer subjects, and basically a less demanding schedule. Georgie moved to no school uniform, a structure where students stay with the same group of students for all subjects and a system that was much less formal and rigid. Both made great friends at school and described the positive support and acceptance that they received.

For both young women, the exchange year was described as life changing. It opened up new ways of thinking, gave them increased confidence to try new things while at the same time helping them realise just how different [and in many cases more difficult] some peoples lives are. They talked about the lifelong friends they made, the incredible people they met and the generosity and sense of belonging they gained from their host families.  “A year I will never forget” and “One of the best years of my life.”

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Duncan's Doodles

We have a range of traps for hire from our Howick Ward Pest Free Group and we would really appreciate you taking up the challenge in your own backyard. Better still enrol your neighbours and others in your street to also participate in the program. We have traps for rats, stoats and possums available. Please contact Duncan, Sylvie or Joe to arrange to hire

That was my final meeting and thank you all who attended  and worked on projects during the year.

My final parting thought

Rotary has a simple plot

First you're President then you're not!

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Speakers
Aug 05, 2019 6:30 PM
The Year Ahead
The Year Ahead
Aug 19, 2019 6:30 PM
Rotary Youth Exchange
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Calendar
July Board Meeting
Waipuna Hotel
Jul 22, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
 
World Friendship Day
Jul 30, 2019
 
Rotary Membership and Development Month
Aug 01, 2019 - Aug 31, 2019
 
International Youth Day
Aug 12, 2019
 
August Board Meeting
Waipuna Hotel
Aug 26, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
 
View entire list
Rotary Club Of Pakuranga's 50TH Anniversary Gala Night
Pakuranga College Interact Club  - Movie night fundraiser.
 

Pakuranga College Interact Club  - Movie night fundraiser.
Monterey Theatre Howick at 6.00 p.m on Thursday 4 July. Ticket cost $22 – includes ice-cream
The Movie:     Spider-man:Far from Home – the latest in the series.  Go to Monterey Theatre website and check out the details in the ‘Coming Soon’ page.
Interact would appreciate your support as they aim to raise $8000 in the World Vision 40 Hour Famine exercise.   Contact Peter Woodcock: 5754406 OR peterjwoo@xtra.co.nz to confirm tickets but be quick!
Elise Dubuche

Welcome Elise Dubuche from Arras France
Rotary Youth Exchange Student

Elise is sponsored by the Lens Louvre Rotary Club in Arras France. Arras has a population of 41.000 people and is 50km south of Lille and  160km north of Paris.

Elise is 16 years old and accomplished in rhythmic gymnastics. She is learning Spanish and English at school and is looking forward to her exchange to improve her English and learn about another culture.

Elise will attend Pakuranga College and her first host family is Jodie & Terry Kidston whose daughter Mia is on exchange in France being sponsored by the Pakuranga Rotary Club.

Elise message for Pakuranga Rotary is “I really thank them (Pakuranga Rotarians) for welcoming me in their club and I look forward to meeting them and discovering your country. “

Elise arrives in New Zealand on the 11th of July and her counsellor is Graham & Sue Rea.  Contact them on rea.roost@xtra.co.nz if you have any activities for Elise to share.

Get to Know Elise

Elise is being hosted by the club for 12 months and during her time with us we want her to enjoy that great Pakuranga Rotary Hospitality.

Maybe each member could come up with an activity to share with Elise ranging from hosting her for dinner to meet you as well as family or friends or to take her somewhere in Auckland or beyond. It is a great opportunity to include her in your normal events and activities or to plan something you might not otherwise do… There is always the chance to invite a second exchange student for company if that suits.

To get us all started here is a list of things to consider. Even the most everyday ideas are good options because the NZ life we are all used to will be quite a different experience for Elise.

Let Graham know if you are interested in one of these activities or have something else in mind. Let Graham know now even if the timing is uncertain  rea.roost@xtra.co.nz 021757074

 

Share your time with Elise:

BBQ at home

Dinner at home

Morning/afternoon tea at home

A hobby or special interest

Fishing

Boating

Water Skiing

Snow Skiing

Rugby Game (All Blacks, Sevens,  or Super Rugby)

The Warriors

Cricket Game (Black Caps)

Basketball game (Tall Blacks)

Beach (day trip, weekend, or holidays)

La Cigale market (Parnell)

Farm Visit

Bush walk

Rangitoto Summit

Waiheke Island

Matakana  Markets

Waitomo Caves / black water rafting

Otorohanga Kiwi house

Hobbiton

Karangahake Gorge

Cycle trail

Rotorua Cultural and Geothermal

Napier

Cape Reinga