We are off to a great start with a good meeting on February 14th. 31 members and 17 guests, (including Hon Member Alex McKenzie and our new International Exchange Student, Gonzalo), enjoyed a fun and info filled evening setting the foundation for the next 6 months.President Allan reminded all of the range of activities / commitments planned and there are even more to be added to this list;
- Golf Tournament March 2019 – Supporting KidsCan
- Freshwater Project – Interact Team alongside NIWA
- Visit to Little Barrier Island
- Have a Go Sailing – 20 schools
- Discovery Training for year 8 students
- RYDA Training for student drivers
- ANZAC Breakfast – April 25
- Club Trivia Nite – April 5 - Raising funds for Oxygenator project
- Taveuni Project Team Trip – May
- RYPEN planning for attendees
- RYLA planning for attendees
- Alongside attending the District conference in May
- Interact Club looking at establishing a pop-up library in Glen Innes
Our first speaker, Shaun Peacock President of Auckland Rotaract updated the meeting on the Fiji Rakiraki Library rebuild project. The Rotaract Club of Auckland City, together with the Rotaract Clubs of Suva and Nadi New Horizons, have committed themselves to building a new library for St Francis School in Rakiraki, which was destroyed by Cyclone Winston. To complete the project as planned will require a budget of $30,000. Shaun will remain in touch and keep us appraised as to how the fund raising is progressing, but if any members would like to assist now, please contact Shaun who will be happy to discuss options with you.PE Robyn and her husband Tony then shared some of the highlights of their recent European Tour. Robyn did tease us with a hint that there were 500 slides in the presentation but she was exaggerating, there were only 456! - their trip started in Bern Switzerland which is where Robyn and Tony met at a Youth Trade Exchange 30 years ago!!! Apart from some wonderful skiing experiences they filled in their trip with great shopping and eating experiences as well as catching up with old friends and a highlight was spending a weekend with past International Youth Exchange Student, Henning who the Ingram's hosted when Henning was in NZL.
Their travels finished in the UK and another significant highlight was a visit to the McLaren factory where they experienced a magical tour and were made most welcome, being New Zealanders and of course the very close link that McLaren has with NZL.
