Stories

At our last dinner meeting we were fortunate to hear from the very talented Dr Helen Murray, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Auckland studying the anatomical changes in neurodegenerative diseases using post-mortem brain tissue. Helen made an incredibly complex subject so interesting that she was able to hold members and visitors spell bound!

Dr Murray is captain of the NZ Ice Fernz women’s ice hockey team and as such her research is closely aligned to her personal experience which is helping better understand brain changes after repeated injury from severe knocks in contact sport and how then to improve brain health in sport.

If you would like to join with us to hear other outstanding speakers, and to participate in other club activities please call or email Colin Monk Mob: 0275 771 879 email: monk@xtra.co.nz .

 

It is now 20 years since the Friends of Mangamangaroa was formed and a short power point presentation of the activities of the organization including the part that Howick Rotary played in its formation and ongoing operations was given by Allan Riley, Jim Duckworth and Warwick Kitchen. The power point presentation was accompanied by a quiz on the recognition of native tree samples – not an exercise members found easy!

The Reserve was first formed when a number of individuals and community groups convinced the then Manukau City Council to purchase the land from the Somerville Estate and turn it into a reserve. The first planting took place on the 12th June 1999. Since then, an estimated 4500 – 8000 trees have been planted each year creating an amazing 5.4km walkway for the community.

 

The club can feel justifiably proud of the part that it has played in helping form this wonderful environmental asset.

Bri. Flexman attended the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum in January of 2021. She joined two hundred other nationally selected candidates sponsored by Rotary clubs for an intensive two-week series of activities that spanned a vast range of science and technology subjects. These ranged from molecular biology to astronomy including practical’s involving analyzing her own DNA, testing her performance on Sport Science equipment and dissecting the heart, lungs and trachea of a sheep. 

Apart from providing her with a much wider perspective on what science and technology careers could be in front of her she immensely enjoyed being with liked minded people and has made some life long friends.

 
The club really enjoyed hearing Bri’s feedback as the Forum is one of the many ways that the club helps young people through sponsoring them on leadership and personal development courses.

This week’s meeting was kept short as we had an invitation to join with Howick Club’s ‘Wine Tasting’ group. 

After dinner members moved to the Howick Club’s function Room to enjoy an evening of tasting from Hãhã wines. Some 6 or 7 wines were offered creating considerable ‘well informed’ discussion. The presentation of the wines was accompanied by a background on the company and a description of each of the wines on offer by Auckland Sales Representative Ben Plummer.

 
Interestingly, Ben described Hãhã wines as a “virtual” winery with contracted grape growers, winemakers and bottlers. 

A most enjoyable evening for all. Thanks to the Howick Club wine group for the opportunity to participate.

One of the key objectives of Rotary is to provide support where we can to those in need. We know how Covid increased that need for so many young people and families over the past year. How best could we help within our limited resources? The media made it clear our local Foodbanks were struggling due to unprecedented demand. Members decided we should dig deep and provide financial assistance. With some of the funds raised through our projects such as our annual Bookarama, along with personal donations from members, we were able to provide funding close to $20k between 'Stand Children's Services, All Saints Church and the Salvation Army to assist those in most need in the middle of last year and again prior to Christmas. At last night's meeting we welcomed Pene Frost, Regional Manager of 'Stand Children's Services' and also Becky Fenn and Lole Turner from All Saints Church who in turn expressed their thanks for the generous support the Club had provided.

 

 

Pene Frost                                        Lole Turner                                     Becky Fenn

Regional Manager                            All Saints                                        All Saints

Stand Children Services                  Food Parcel Coordinator                 Christmas Lunch Box Coordinator 

 

Pene told us about how Stand had to go to 'contactless" deliveries under Covid and how Rotary's support had helped buy bulk food and blankets that were then dispensed into family lots. Sadly many of the families are transient with no permanent home as such. Lole informed us that the first donation for Food Parcels was a life line as they had almost run out of funding at the time and she was having sleepless nights worrying about what to do. The additional Food Parcel funding prior to Christmas was used to make a real difference to a significant number of families. Becky told us about the Christmas Lunch Box Appeal and how the members donations had really bought “the Gift of Christmas” to a lot of local families that were recommended by social workers, doctors and other local professionals who had contact with them.  Members were visibly moved by many of the heart-felt stories of the challenges so many families are facing at present. Discussion will continue no doubt as to how we can do more in the future. 

                                               

Howick Rotary President Mike Abercrombie would like to wish the Howick Community, Members, Associates and Friends “A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND TO ALL YOUR FAMILIES AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE & ENJOYABLE TIME OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD”.

Howick Rotary and fellow clubs in District 9920 have responded positively to a request from the Rotary Club of Apia to help them in supporting the Ministry of Health and communities in Samoa. The Ministry of Health have specifically sought assistance from Rotary for health centre furnishings and supplies (beds, screens, trolleys, wheelchairs etc.) The Rotary Club is also providing family support for those bereaved families. To date 16 children have died with some thousands under care and observation.

                      

We urgently seek some more help from members, partners, and friends with duties at this show.

 

This week’s speaker was Dr. Byron Kemp of Platinum Chiropractic. Byron spoke to us about the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Despite the fact he started by confessing to being “Australian” we forgave him because he is a long time resident and has taken on the task of treating some of our members.

There has been an ongoing project to convert our club onto Club Runner. This comprehensive software package specifically for Rotary Clubs is now being used by large numbers of clubs in our district and internationally. This coming Tuesday Dave Wylie and Alex Garden will talk to us about the biggest change to running our club in many years. Alex Garden is a Rotarian and is the President of Pohutukawa Coast club. His company NetInsites specialises in the development and support of websites.

Well it has taken some time but we now have Club Runner up and working and this Keyway has been produced using Club Runner and the individual records of all members and friends of Howick Rotary.

 

The software has functions that will, in time, make it easier for us all to administer and manage our terrific club. Most clubs in District 9920 have either implemented, or are in the process of implementing the system. The software is cloud based (i.e. on the internet) and is also used by District and has links to RI as well.