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President's Message
Rob Webster
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Last week we had a great deal of fun and fellowship at the Barefoot Bowls Night on Monday 18 February and I thank Mary  Henderson and Greg Hamilton for organising a very successful event. I'm not sure how we would rate the bowls results, but the event did throw up a couple of Rotarians and friends who showed potential.

We had quite a full programme on Monday 25 February with an emphasis on Youth and in particular the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) recently attended by Club sponsored Willetton Senior High School (WSHS) students Bianca Stevenson, Brett Nigli, Mutia Darusa and Mihan da Silva. Mihan's mother Sabrina da Silva was also our guest and filmed the event for posterity. With his usual flair, our Club Director of Youth Service, Simon Cubitt, conducted a Q&A session with the students.

Simon with Brett Nigli and Bianca Stevenson,

Simon (he wasn't "surfing" just reading the questions from his phone) with Mutia and Mihan.

The student's responses were very interesting and informative and it was clear that they had learned a great deal about themselves, their subjects, their future study preferences, networking and building relationships. I am happy to say all four proved most worthy recipients of our support.

As you know the WSHS Interact Club was very active in 2018 but this did not stop several executive members from starring at the recent Year 11 Awards CeremonyMihan and Jae Breffies achieved six (6) A grades; Jae topped four (4) of her subjects and was Dux of the year group; Mihan received the Citizenship Award; and Duli and Mutia were each top of at least one of their subjects.  In addition Jae has been appointed Year 12 Head girl and Mihan and Mutia were both elected to the Year 12 student council. High achievers indeed!

Just as impressive was a report from  Mikhail Acebo who acted as a buddy at the HANDICAMP held at the Point Walter Recreation Centre in January this year. Mikhail was unable to attend so Club Director for Community Service, Ashley West, did the honours. To read Mikhail's insightful, thoughtful and moving report Click here.

Anna has discovered that Year 12 involves a bit of work, She's up for it of course, but is having to be well organised so as not to interfere too much with her beach time.

Now I want to thank the Club Chair for Rotary Foundation matters, Stuart Diggins, for his excellent presentation on where the Club is at with the international project to set up a Mini Dairy Farm in Sri Lanka which will initially provide a livelihood for 40 families headed by women who have lost their main breadwinner during the last stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War.

   

The project also draws on the expertise of three other Club members being Pushpa Pushpalingam, Erwin Biemel and David Fraser. For Stuart's excellent presentation Click here .   

Speaking of excellent presentations brings me to the international toast to the Rotary Club of Havelock  North (at right) which was delivered most effectively by Kieran (Kiwi) English

Time to register for the District Conference in Collie is fast running out. 28 February 2019 is the deadline. The organising committee has put together a very interesting programme and I encourage everyone who can, to attend. To view the programme and to register Click here.

And finally just another reminder that we are still needing a President Elect for 2019-20. It has been agreed that role will be modified to achieve a better distribution of responsibilities and with the support of the many Past Presidents in the Club it will be very rewarding, not onerous. The other appeal is for nominations for District Governor 2021-22. If you are up for an incredible life changing experience, this would be it. 

Speakers
Mar 04, 2019
Public Holiday
Mar 11, 2019
Presentation of Certificates to 2019 WSHS Interact Club Executive and presentation of 2019 plans
Mar 18, 2019
RYLA, 2019 - Briefing
Mar 25, 2019
Hospital Equpment for Cambodia (Rotary Club of Osborne Park)
Apr 01, 2019
Community Fair 2019 - Final Briefing
Apr 08, 2019
NO MEETING - in lieu of Community Fair
Apr 15, 2019
Zonta - Employment Opportunities for Multi-cultural Women - TBC
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Paul Daly
February 2
 
Peter Cullen
February 6
 
Wayne Hand
February 8
 
Steven Pusey
February 20
 
Stories
KIWI KIERAN TOAST THE ROTARY CLUB OF HAVELOCK NORTH
 
This week’s International Toast is the Rotary Club of Havelock North, New Zealand. Firstly, a few brief facts about Havelock North. 

Havelock North is a suburb of Hastings, in the Hawkes District of the North Island. It is located 2 km south east of the city of Hastings. It is surrounded by numerous orchards and vineyards and industry is based around fruit and wine production. Havelock North has 13,000 residents, a large majority of whom commute to the nearby cities of Hastings and Napier for work.

Havelock North was most recently in the national and international news in 2016. Between the 12-29th of August 2016 the town experienced New Zealand’s largest recorded outbreak of waterborne disease. Campylobacter entered the towns water supply after run off from a nearby farm entered the Brookvale boreholes following heavy rain. Of the towns 13,000 residents, 5500 fell ill, 45 were hospitalised and sadly 4 died.

As regards Rotary Club of Havelock North, it was charted in May 1963 and is part of District 9930. The club meets each Monday at 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start at the Havelock North Communal Centre, Te Mata Road, Havelock North. The current president is John Pollard and there are  thirty seven (37) members. 

The club has a very informative website as well as a Facebook page. The Club’s main fundraiser is Country2Coast- involving every club member. This is a fun run and walk that can attract over 1000 participants each year.

The club supports the global work of the Rotary Foundation- including hands-on building work at a hospital in a remote part of Vanuatu as well as continued support of Rotary’s eradication of Polio. Locally the club encourages children’s fitness by supporting Bike On NZ with the formation of school cycle tracts and bikes for cycling. Rotary Club members regularly assemble the bikes- an activity they really enjoy. Each year the club also supports five (5) local schools with the presentation of dictionaries. The Club has been doing this for six (6) years and finds it a very rewarding experience. 

The Club also produce a regular club bulletin which can be viewed on their website. The club has an interesting range of speakers and activities. At a recent meeting the club was to host a speaker talking about the repatriation of deceased soldiers. Future events planned include a visit to the Rotary Club of Ahuriri (in Napier) on March 11th, and a vocational visit to the Havelock North Volunteer Fire Brigade Station on March 25th

ClubRunner
Service Above Self
     PO Box 103
Willetton WA 6955