Ben Faulkner ( Guest speaker) Doug Owens & Fionna Sullivan ( Buddy ) and our exchange student Clara
President Michele opened the meeting and welcomed our visitors.
Sustainability Talk: Les Geraghty volunteered at short notice to
step into this slot even though he admitted to being a fossil and also admitting that his greenie wife has been a positive influence. He also admitted that attending the Rotary District 9930 had also contributed to him becoming a little less of a fossil. He is now making fewer short road trips and using buses more frequently.
Thanks Les for stepping into the breach.
Notices & Announcements
REMINDER: Changeover - Saturday 13 July, 6.00 p.m. Tauranga Yacht Club
- Numbers required by 3rd July
- Pay into the club’s 00 Account including your name and Changeover in the details.
Planting Day: 29 September (20 year celebration) - reserve the date
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner: Round 2 Saturday 8 June
Otumoetai Rotary Club: 17 June, Quiz Night - contact Michele for details if you would like to attend
Omokoroa Rotary Club: 21 June Mid Winter Christmas - contact Michele for details if you would like to attend
Bill Holland is not well and has been in hospital but is now back home recuperating. Bill has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship - double sapphire pin.
Bob Sutton: Moving on. Bob took the opportunity to express his thanks for the fellowship provided by Rotarians and is leaving with a heavy heart.
Lynda Burch extended members thanks to Bob for his many contributions to the Club
over many years including “Bob’s Barbecues”. He has been a big part of club activities and will be missed. Lynda wished Bob safe travels and invited him to keep in touch.
Guest Speaker: Ben Faulkner
Ben was introduced by Henry Kayser.
Ben had been sponsored by the club to attend Outward Bound towards the end of 2023 and he admitted that this was his first presentation to a group since high school. His presentation was well structured and included:
- Why he wanted to attend Outward Bound
- What motivated him to approach the club for sponsorship
- What he expected to gain from the Outward Bound experience
- How Outward Bound had contributed to his personal growth and development
Ben’s Outward Bound experience was clearly life changing and provided him with the
opportunity to learn more about himself and reset his goals and aspirations. He thanked the club for providing him with the opportunity to participate in the Outward Bound programme and strongly recommended that we should continue to provide the Outward Bound programme going forward.
Adrian Pohio thanked Ben for his presentation.
Raffle: The vino was won by Dean Thompson (Ticket No.88)
Sergeant at Arms – Buddy Mikaere
Buddy acknowledged Pat Taylor’s contribution to Rotary over 37 years and referred to a significant US court case which on this day some years ago affirmed the constitutional right of consenting adults to use birth control!
Parting Thought from Steve Dorrington (delivered in absentia by Lynda Burch)
“Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can’t even get into my own pants”
Sunrise team at conference