Rotary Club of Plimmerton
Visitors
President Bill warmly welcomed our speaker, Swee Tan, undoubtedly the reason why so many visitors had turned up to hear him speak. He welcomed Honorary members Les Austing, Christine Blick, Ted Nation, Maree Press, and Peter Turner. He also welcomed partners, Sue Couch, Annette Craig, Jenny Garner, Glenys Greaves, Velma Knight, Faye Raffan, Sheryl Perera, Joy Tongs and Carolyn Wallace, and Sue Adams in her new capacity as a Friend of Plimmerton Rotary.
Viewpoint
John O'Connell gave us his Viewpoint tonight by way of a visual presentation. He would like the Government to step in to make Councils take action so that we can look into our kids and grand-kids eyes and say that we left them a better financial future, instead of a nation of renters and hospitality serfs.
The speaker said …
The speaker said …Mike has captured the essence of what Dr Swee Tan had to tell us here and we hope to be able to add his power presentation shortly. As Mike says, there is currently a focus at the Institute on cancer stem cells, which are the most malignant cells appearing in cancer. It may be possible to treat these using common and off-patent medications. This has also led to the Institute’s interest in repurposing existing medication for other conditions too, and may yet provide an answer to Covid-19.
This week’s happenings
September is Supporting Education Month. Here is the District 9940 September Bulletin in case you didn't get your copy direct. It mentions the District Conference in the Wairarapa from 19-21 March 2021. If you click on Read More ... at the end of DG Gillian's September message, you'll notice that Plimmerton gets a mention in the middle of the big paragraph.
Mana Zonta has kindly sent us their September 2020 Newsletter which you can read here.
President Bill has received an invitation from Johnsonville Rotary, one of the clubs in our cluster, to attend their meeting on Monday 28 September. The focus of the meeting is primarily to assist women with small businesses in their local community to network. They have invited a number of local businesswomen and hope that other guests will bring friends who might be interested in joining Rotary. Johnsonville Rotary meets at 5.45 for 6.15 pm at Johnsonville Club, 1 Norman Lane, Johnsonville. If you would like to attend this meeting, please let Bill know.
While the latest membership list is unavailable on the web site to avoid the possibility of foreign interference, copies will be available at club meetings from either Graeme Tongs or Philip Whearty.
Snippets
President Bill was delighted, and relieved, to welcome back Peter Lillico into the fold. Although obviously not restored to perfect health, Peter said that he was glad to be standing and delighted to be back.
Bill asked members to indicate what they thought of the format of the previous week's social meeting. The general consensus was that it had been very enjoyable and one member asked if it could happen more often. It was commented that the food was especially good.
Donna reported that she, Keith, and Leigh had interviewed an exceptional candidate for the Science Summer School in January. Her name would be going forward for consideration. Donna also mentioned three ways in which members could give service:
- Reading at Rangikura Primary School on Wednesday or Thursday mornings at 9.00 am.
- Helping at the Myanmar Homework Club on Tuesday afternoons at 4.30 pm.
- Helping with serving and clearing up breakfast at Holy Family Primary School from 7.30 am to about 8.45 am any morning of the week. This is a Decile 1 school and needs some additional volunteers.
Les Callear, Chair of the Community Projects Committee talked about the Book Fair. A committee comprised of Les, Allan, Chris, and Euon has been set up to consider the challenges of running this event, challenges like the workload, storage, and the heavy lifting. One solution being considered is to set up a single location where books can be received, sorted, and sold from the same place. A suitable location is being sought and if one is found, the Book Fair will take place next year. The committee is looking for a team leader. Les called upon members to give Allan a standing ovation to recognise all the work he has put into this project over very many years.
The Myanmar Homework Club needs to know the numbers for next week's off-site meeting by Friday of this week so please get any relevant apologies to the Professionals by Friday instead of the usual Monday morning. Details are in 'What's coming up?' below.
Kay needs to let the caterers know very soon what the numbers will be of those who would like to attend the next social event at Brewtown on Saturday 19 September. If you didn't sign the form, please let Kay know urgently. Details are in 'What's coming up?' below.
What’s coming up in September and beyond?
The restrictions in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 may put future plans in jeopardy. If any of the following events cannot take place, we will notify you by email.
This is a weekly reminder to check out our Plimmerton Rotary Calendar - which you can now find in the top right-hand corner of our Home page. If you use an Android mobile phone to access the Club's web page, you will notice that the items that appear in the right column on a pc are not visible. To access all those items, scroll down to the very bottom of the page and - voila - there they are! If, however, you use an i-Phone, just turn it sideways and the whole page will be revealed. Isn't technology wonderful?
The next Friday Frolics will be at The Supply Room at 5.00 pm this Friday 11 September.
A reminder from last week's Update that on Saturday 12 September at 10.00 am, President Bill will lead a walk around the area that we will shortly commence planting as the Plimmerton Rotary Forest of Peace and Remembrance. Meet in the car park between Palmers Garden Centre and Plimmerton railway station for a walkabout with Bill and Barry. This is an opportunity to see the planned planting plan for yourself. It is also a good time to bring along non-Rotarians as future planters. Remember to bring your gumboots (and a raincoat if it's raining) as the park is likely to be wet. The walkabout will last about an hour.
Remember that our meeting next week, Tuesday 15 September, will be off-site at the Porirua Gospel Chapel, 88 Hereford Street, Cannons Creek where we will be hosted by the Myanmar Homework Club. This promises to be a fun evening with a difference.
Our September Social Event has been arranged for Saturday 19 September 2020. The venue is 23 Blenheim Street, Maidstone, Upper Hutt 5018. Brewtown is Wellington’s only craft beer village with a number of great craft breweries and a boutique distillery. They’ve got a passion for craft brewing and want to share it with us. You will find lots of information about this outing here.
You can find future events on the Events page.
Parting thought
Allan Nichols gave us the Parting Thought tonight which comes from an unknown source. ‘In life, it is important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong’.
Who’s on duty for the next month?
Unable to do your duty? Please find a replacement and inform Graham Wallace.
If you're a late 'no show' please tell President Bill.
Please arrive at 5.45 pm if you're on Door duty or on Introduction duty to greet the Guest Speaker and be his/her host for the evening.
Need to apologise or bring additional guests?
Advise the Receptionist at Professionals before 10.00 am on the Monday before the meeting on 233 9955 or email paremata@dwre.co.nz if you prefer.
Please provide the name (and spelling if necessary). The same applies if you're going to be late.
