President Lynda.
Lynda started the meeting with an Induction of a new Member - Kat McMillan. Proposed by Dan Allen and is on International Committee. Warm welcome Kat.
Birthdays & Anniversaries –
Wedding Anniversaries – Adrian – 53 Years! Wayne Shadbolt - 50 Years ! Congratulations to their lucky wives.
Guest Speaker – Lavina Good 
Glen gave us an excellent welcome for Lavina and her background as a sporting commentator and food rescue extraordinaire. She is one of Co-Founder of the Good Neighbour food charity.
Lavina, originally from Australia via London has been in New Zealand for the last 24 years as a sports reporter for Sky TV (among others), covering everything from Netball to the Olympics.
Lavina discussed that she had observed the amount of food waste, right through to kid’s lunch boxes and food thrown out by supermarkets that was still able to be eaten. So began a journey to do something about it in the Tauranga area.
At the beginning there was a need to start a Trust, and then a need for support of a local business. After a chance meeting with John & Jackie Payne, who had a trust, they co-founder the Good Neighbour Charitable Trust. This has grown to be the biggest food rescue in New Zealand, saving over 10 tons of food a week, and then distributing out to organisations that need the food.
However Lavina felt there was still something missing, and giving food away was not empowering people. Thus began her journey to set up a Social Supermarket in Otumoetai. This is designed to help low income earners, which may have been hit by hard times with things like a big sports bill for the kids, or the car broken down. The idea being for these families they are able to still purchase food with dignity.
So once again Lavine has teamed up with John and Jackie and they will be launching a social supermarket. It will be a low cost model, which initially will be heavily supported by foodstuffs. The plan is to launch in November, and they are just in the process of setting up a space at the Baptist Church in Otumoetai with items like shelving and fridges. From there, families referred will have to pay something (say a 1/5), because people always feel better if they contribute.
The goal is to enhance food security and change the cycle of poverty. That is, stopping families from falling off the cliff before they get there. This could include offering extras like school uniforms and school stationary. Volunteers are very welcome to support for things like picking up food and so forth.
Note; there will be a Launch evening on the 13th Sept to meet and greet.
Chris Rapson thanked Lavina for all the work she has done, and which he has seen for many years with his work at the Merivale Centre.
Announcements:
Les Geraghty - Auction –
Request for members to bring their items for Auction. One item of which includes a 6 month membership to the Tauranga Club!
Auction on the 9th Sept, so have a look at the list of items for Auction if you are interested. Guests are welcome.
Sergeant Session: Warren Banks
Warren Banks told us of what it is to be a good neighbour. He has a good neighbour in the form of Julie who welcomes anyone new to their street. Cats are a good neighbour, they offer assistance and share their love. Rotary is a good neighbour through Rotary Exchange and RYPEN. Peacekeepers are good neighbours. So be a good neighbour!
Parting thought: Les Geraghty
We can’t help everyone, But, Everyone can help someone! (Ronald Regan)
Stellin struggled to avoid crashing into Saint-Maclou-la-Brière, a village of 370 people between Le Havre and Dieppe in northern France. He succeeded, but at the cost of his own life. The villagers gave him a hero’s funeral and have honoured his memory ever since.
