Meeting in Review - May 27th 2021

Unfortunately President Hugh called in sick, but we were fortunate to have IPP Robyn present who once again picked up the gavel and ran another very good meeting.  Total attendance was 42, 26 members and 16 guests.  Get well soon Hugh.
 
Prior to introducing the key guest speaker, there were others in the audience who needed a few minutes to address the meeting 
 
First up, Gary introduced Colin Rickett and Kim Admore from Yachting New Zealand (Have A Go Sailing), which has just ended a two and a half week sailing school in Okahu Bay for 270 students from low decile schools in our area.  Gary took the opportunity to thank YNZ and our co-sponsor Orakei Marina. Colin from YNZ turned these comments around and passed YNZ's sincere thanks on to St. Johns Rotary for supporting the initiative and pleaded that we keep doing what we are doing, giving hundreds of youngsters an opportunity to experience sailing, something, in all likely-hood most will never have had the opportunity to do so before. 
 
Next to take the microphone was Mal McLennan, President of Auckland East Mens' Shed, our Abbotts Way neighbours.  From very small beginnings a few years ago the Shed now have 170 members and they are having to build extra facilities to accommodate the demand for membership.  Don't let the name fool you - they do accept female members, although at this time there are only a few.  Mal invited anyone who was interested, to visit the shed and see what opportunities exist.
 
Peter Buchanan used the open mic opportunity to promote this weeks Working Bee at the Apirana Reserve.  Check-out the story further on in this Bulletin.
 
Before passing the mic to our Guest Speaker there was one more duty to perform and that was for David Hartstone, on behalf of the Club, to present  Simon Jones, in his capacity of Dove Hospice CEO, a cheque for $23,238 being 50% of the money raised at the recently held New World / St, Johns Rotary Golf Tournament.  This year's Tournament was the most successful ever and the funds raised will help both Dove and St. Johns Rotary significantly in their efforts to do good in the community.
 
Dinner was then served followed by our Key Note Speaker.  Our scheduled speaker was to be Simon Yates from LegaSea New Zealand, but sadly Simon's father passed away earlier in the week and he was unable to join us, but we were very fortunate to have Scott MacIndoe present in Simon's absence.  Scott is the "backbone" of LagaSea and a respected Businessman, Environmenalist, Fisherman and  Networker. 
 
LegaSea campaigns for better fisheries management to help restore our inshore fish life to abundance. Fish are our last freely accessible wild resource, however, there is still a complex range of pressures on the resource whether from commercial, customary or recreational interests, not to mention the impacts of climate and land run off.  Our relatively young New Zealand has all but depleted this wild resource in a little over 100 years.

In a very personal, passionate and emotional talk, Scott provided an understanding of LegaSea’s core purpose, explaining their Fish Care and Kai Ika initiatives.  He also gave us an insight into how and why our fisheries have been so decimated, what’s happening in the Hauraki Gulf, (including the recent Waiheke Rahui), what’s happening to core species like tarakihi and crayfish, the problems with the Quota Management System and what the chances are like for us to fix it.

Scotts presentation contained a significant amount of information, (far more than can be added here), and he encouraged anyone who was interested in LegaSea and the work they are doing, or become involved in their work, to visit their website, legasea.co.nz.  St. Johns Rotary would also like to take this opportunity to pass our condolences to Simon and his family.