Guests: Michelle McManus and Shane McAlister (speakers), Steve Lowe and family, Bruce Morgan, Wayne, Fletcher Martin & family, Anne Marie & Chris Garrett, Steve Pasene, Mal Bird
Marilyn generously shouted everyone in the room a drink for her upcoming big "0" birthday. Wayne declared he's now broke.
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile - Albert Einstein
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
President Vic presented awards in recognition and appreciation of Anthony and Bruce for their efforts, supporting RYLA and the Yellow Pages delivery fundraiser, respectively. Bruce told us he does what he can because it's a Club full of excellent people.
NOTICES
President Vic
As part of the regionalisation project, there is a position for a Community Leader representing our area which is from Kāpiti to Wellington South. Marilyn has applied, which was supported by the whole Club and Board. A decision will be made by 1 July. If Marilyn is successful, she will not be able to be Club President after Ross.
Richard Moulton
The Kāpiti Community Foodbank is really struggling to keep up with demand from our community. They are running low on basic necessities. Mal Bird generously donated a lot of fish from the spearfishing competition. The annual Rotary collection is on Saturday 25 May. Thanks to the members who make financial and other donations. Please consider doing so if possible.
Rod
A shunt sheet is going around for Oliver! on 20 April at 7pm. $40 plus booking fee per ticket.
Martin
Firewood working bee on Saturday at 9am. Update: It was a nice warm day and we had enough people and trailers to make deliveries to 10 families all over the district. Recipients were very grateful and thought the Wood For Good concept was great.
Thanks to Sue for the yummy lemon muffins.
Martin and his list
Loading with style
Team Pink unloading. Steph kept busy supervising and appointed herself community liaison manager. Murray taught Paul to fasten his seatbelt.
Clan Martin-Stevens
President Vic with Fletcher and very proud whānau
Fletcher spoke very eloquently about his experience at the Science and Technology Forum
2024 Science and Technology Forum Speaker: Fletcher Martin
The Club sponsored Fletcher to attend the Forum in January. As Fletcher noted, Rotary has been a big part of his family's life for many years. The experience was incredible, both in terms of the course content and the people Fletcher met. The extracurricular activities were great fun, everyone bonded, and many still keep in touch.
Fletcher was already planning to study medicine, but the forum exposed him to many novel career path options. He particularly enjoyed the Biomedical Science, Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, and Chemistry units and visiting laboratories. He was inspired by the Liggins Institute and as a result is now considering a career in pre- and neonatal medicine.
Fletcher expressed his immense gratitude to the Club for the opportunity. Proud Nana Marilyn told us Fletcher is off to London for an international forum which will be another life-changing experience.
5 minute speaker: Steve Lowe from Melbourne Rotary
Steve was impressed by the size and energy of our club; his club has 25 members. Steve shared with us the story of his participation in a project called Pingpong-a-thon: sponsored ping pong tournaments which raise money to fight modern slavery. Distressingly, there are are an estimated 50 million people around the world living enslaved.
The project has raised over US$4 million in the last 4 years, and in Australia, last year over $440k was raised. 77% of the money raised goes directly to helping young people across Asia escape trafficking and exploitation. Education is the gateway to ending exploitation.
The first time Steve's club ran an event they raised $14k. Organisers of tournaments partner with schools, churches, clubs and corporates. The website: pingpongathon.com has many resources to help people organise an event.
Steve Lowe
A great crowd came together for one of our livelier meetings.
President Vic and Steve
Speakers: Michelle MacManus, Deputy Principal and Special Needs Co-ordinator Paraparaumu School and Shane McAlister, Tui Ukelele Institute
Steph introduced Michelle and Shane. The Youth Committee received an application for funding the music programme the school has been running with Shane's input. We were so impressed, we invited Michelle and Shane along to speak and give us a sample.
The school's roll has doubled over the past few years. They are doing such a good job with kids with additional needs that they are getting a 30% increase in such students this year.
The school was gifted some money a few years ago specifically to run a music programme, but it has now run out and the school simply can't afford to keep funding it.
Shane came into the school as his own kids were pupils, and started running a wonderfully chaotic lunchtime programme. He has a variety of traditional and improvised instruments, puppets and a magnetic personality at his disposal.
The kids with special needs, many autistic, began creeping in, but they really struggled with the noise. Shane began working one on one with them and it transformed their lives. Kids who were non verbal, or screamed and couldn't engage in the classroom, have just blossomed. It has been incredible to see.
Michelle showed us some video of the kids talking about why they love the music programme and want Shane to come back. For many, this is the only way they can access music lessons.
Shane very generously played music throughout dinner, accompanied at times by the enthusiastic and talented Chris and Anne Marie Garrett. Shane managed to get most of the crowd to join in, singing, playing instruments and generally having a ball. It was an awesome, fun night. Watch some video here:
President Vic gifted $250 from the Sunshine Fund to the school, and the Board will be considering a funding application on Monday. Liz and Rod told Michelle about funding that may also be available from KCDC and the Nikau Foundation.
Bruce receiving a gift in recognition of his awesome efforts
Shane crowning Chris Garrett with the cymbal helmet
It was a lucrative Sergeant's session
A rare photo of Bruce and Vic both grinning broadly.
Chris Garrett displayed hitherto hidden musical talents
The Pied Piper held us enthralled. This beautiful flute was carved by a local craftsman from 45,000 year old swamp kauri.
Make it click, boys & girls!
Port Nicholson Breakfast Event Invitation
7am 11 April 2024
It’s Rotary Club of Port Nicholson’s annual Goal Setters ‘Ki Te Ao Mārama’ Awards!
This year it is being held at the Pipitea Marae & Function Centre, 55 Thorndon Quay, Wellington Our guest speaker is Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister
The event celebrates the efforts of tertiary students who have been through hardships and adversity in their life and who in spite of that set goals and chose education as the path for their future.
Four exceptional students will each receive $4,000 with no strings attached. These have been kindly donated by club members and non member sponsors.
Each will speak about their experiences and their motivation to get themselves out of the upheavals they have been through.
The price is $70 pp or $700 for table of 10. Email mselva5511@gmail.com to book your ticket/table.
This week:
Kāpiti Golf Club Dinner and optional 3 hole fun golf night
6pm Thursday 14 March
104 Valley Road, Paraparaumu
This is going to be a casual, fun night: it's for everyone, not just the golfers. Our usual delicious catered meal will be served and there is a bar. If you feel like playing 3 holes of golf, please bring a club or 2 and sign up on the night.
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Board meeting: 7pm Monday 11 March Ocean Road Meeting Room
