Peter welcomed everyone to our first formal meeting of 2018. "Did you miss me?" Welcomed guests Bryce & Janet Weal of Rotary Waikato Sunrise, Mike & Janette Graves from the UK and Geoff & Maureen Yeend. 2018 club agenda looking forward, is now set to be a full, full year ahead. "Lot of work ahead". Peter and Chris enjoyed their 11000 kms trip of southern African countries in 27 days. Saw much diversity and challenges some of those countries are facing. The 6 areas of focus of Rotary came to mind, that could be of assistance there. Now has the travel bug, intrepid travels beckon. "More of an adventure than a holiday". Asked Leonie Tisch to pass on to Lindsay, nice one being awarded the QSO.
Eric Tanner started off meeting proceedings.
Plus Honesty Box 'fines' plus and a few members indiscretions as well.
Mike Graves presents President Peter his United Kingdom Rotary Workington Derwent Club Banner .
Maureen and Geoff Yeend, Geoff was our guest speaker on his experiences as a child, during the blitz in London WW2.
Geoff was 6years and 6 months old when the aeroplane bombing blitz on London started in 1939 through till nearly the wars end with Doodlebug V1 flying bombs and V2 Rocket bombs. Was just over 12 years of age when the war ceased. Can justifiably claim to be a Cockney, being born in Hackney, East End of London. Although through the war, he and his parents lived on the outskirts of London called Moreton. He remembers hearing with his parents, the PM Neville Chamberlain declaration of war on the 'wireless', and being issued with the mandatory carry at all times, gas mask. His father an aircraft technician by day, and conscripted fire warden by night for incendiarism fire fighting. They initially had an issued Anderson Air Raid Shelter in the back garden, but on health reasons for his Mother, were issued with a Morrison Air Raid Shelter for use within their home. The bombers were regular 7pm every night, and when they didn't arrive at that time, the quip was' they are late tonight!!!". There was indiscriminate bombing, and strafing aircraft gun fire to endure. Geoff was evacuated to Shropshire for 12 months due to intensive V1 Doodlebug bombing of London. Schools had shelters built, and many a time ,classes continued while seated in them. The loo was screened off but not very private, always a few giggles in hearing what was 'going on!' The local fire station siren reminds him immediately the same sounding sirens warning of an air raid. He and Maureen have an actual ARP Warden bell , as a momentous from those times. Geoff said as kids, they new no different, and collecting shrapnel was a pastime for boys. Anti Aircraft shrapnel was the most common, and the falling shrapnel did injure and kill people falling from such great heights. A bit of brass shell with a number printed on it, was a most prized find. Doodlebugs were easily heard, due to their distinctive engine noise, then silence. One such time, V1 engine stopped, silence then WOOSH of slip stream sound, as one passed just over their home and hit houses across the street. The explosion blew in the front door and windows of their home, and of course demolished homes it hit. V2's had no sound until they exploded.
Vividly remembers as a Boy Scout, cycling along a country lane in south England, with US jeeps and trailers, jeeps and gun trailers, field ambulances lined up for 'miles' ready for D-Day embarkation the next day. Remembers seeing dog fights in the air, then later the D -Day aircraft ,especially the aircraft towing gliders. He reminded us, it was lucky that Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty, had had the navy pretty well in order, to keep the seas and English Chanel well protected especially at the outbreak of the war..
Last thirty years, Maureen and Geoff finally settled in Matamata district, as dairy farmers and now retirees. Prior to that, were in business in the USA servicing the movie industry.
Geoff Yeend remembers hearing PM Neville Chamberlain. on the wireless in 1939.
And on the right, Geoff also has admiration for Winston Churchill. As First Lord of the Admiralty, had the British Navy in good shape at the declaration of war with Germany in 1939. He became Prime Minister in 1940, and the rest of course; is history.
Secretary Dave Johnson has nice thank you letters from, Starfish, for our club help and $20k donation and Food Bank for our contributions of food, gifts & money that supported the 49 families in need.
Don Stanley, just to clarify ticket cost for Concert by the lake. $60 basic ticket price. $150 Family Pass ( 2 adults-2 children 12 and under), under 5 years free. Rotary Clubs who sell tickets at $60 will retain if they wish,$15 per $60 ticket sold for their own charitable work in their respective community. Rotary Matamata members will have received an email from secretary Dave J. as to concert tickets.
Corporate gazebos will now have a prime private viewing location at the concert venue. Wade Linnell is the organising committee person managing the corporate area. $1200 for max of 10 people. That includes eats and nibbles service. The corporate area will be overviewed during the concert, for private parties use only.
General ticket sales points are , Matamata Paper Plus, Matamata Mitre 10 and Guthrie Bowron. Wade Linnell will oversee Corporate Gazebo sales through our club/ web-site, and public ticket sale outlets enquiries.
Interact, Their book fair rasied funds ,have been donated to Food Bank and Salvatikon Army. Nice one team.
District Conference. Miranda T., Lyn D. & Maz M. spoke on the value of attending District Conference. Urges new members to consider attending, and they will make sure you get the most out of conference. It is Leonie T's. conference, and already a significant number of Rotary Matamata members have registered to attend, but it would be great if a few more that will consider to attend. Early bird cost concession ends 31st January. Up to then, accommodation at conference venue is available. Conference organisers have to release room holds back to the hotel company, therefore late registrations may have to arrange accommodation elsewhere around Taupo.
Henry Clothier will endeavour to visit 17 nearby Rotary Clubs, promoting our concert. He does wish to have some support in doing this. Schedule of visits is being drawn up, and will be gazetted for members to view next week.
Stanley Farm Lane. Official opening Tuesday 13th February 2018,5.30pm. Following by a Tree Planting and Lane walk. At conclusion of that, a BBQ. BYO, plates, cutlery and seating etcetera. An update on this auspicious occasion early next year.
Save a life capsules reconfigured to meet Pharmac rules are now available for Purchase.Cost $12 Packet of soluble Aspirin per three capsule set. Lyn Dobbechampion for this Club project.Fact, they actually have literally saved lives.
Michelle Tanner does ask for any unused capsules be returned to her, or remove the previous Aspirin, so to meet legal drug detail requirements . The capsule has good other uses , possibly folding up a $20 note , could come in useful if also attached to vehicle key rings.
CLUB DUTY
30th JANUARY
6th FEBRUARY
CLUB HOST
HARRY DAVIESON
RECEPTION
LACHIE DUNCAN
WAITANGI DAY
RECEPTION
JIM BREMNER
BAR STEWARD
OWEN WESTLAKE
BAR STEWARD
KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMI
NO MEETING
SPEAKER INTRO
BRIAN HUNTER
SPEAKER THANKS
GLENDA MILLIGAN
TOP TABLE
BRIAN HUNTER
TOP TABLE
TBA
PARTING THOUGHT
DAVID HULME
KITCHEN
WADE LINNELL
KITCHEN
TYRONE MAULLIN
Robert Stuart...Programme
January 30 Michelle Tanner ....The opening of the Literacy Centre in Juang.
February 6 Waitangi Day..... No Meeting.
February 13 Opening of Stanley Farm Lane
March 6 ‘Spud in the Bucket’ weigh-in. Railside Green Stage area. Time TBC
District Conferenceearly bird discounted registration expires 31st of this month. David Hulme advises they cannot after this date, hold Hotel room accommodation without a confirmed booking. Every effort is being done by our club organising committee to make this conference a good one, for our DG Leonie T. It would be tremendous to have a good turn out at conference, of Matamata Rotarians.
District 9930 Conference Registrations now open online.
Plus of course, you have been receiving clubrunner emails on how to register for the Toronto Rotary Convention. Early Toronto convention registration discount, now expired.
What are you smiling about, Mike Farrell.
Having joined Rotary for various reasons, but principally to put something back into our local community. Enjoyed being Club champion for annual Food Bank appeal. Last year $2200 of value donated by Club members and friends. But what makes him smile, is the energetic loading of the van by Lachie D, with him struggling to keep up with his pace!!!!
Special guests from Rotary Waikato Sunrise,Bryce and Janet Weal
Bryce and Sonia are now 'city slickers' in Matamata, after faithfully serving in the essential New Zealand Sheep and Beef production farming industry.
Their new neighbour acquaintance has a unique occupation. ----Kills bed bugs.
Peter Thissen reports that things are looking good at concert venue, sown grass areas just been grazed by sheep. Peter does need a few more hands end of this month, to supplement the help he is already getting from members to just prepare the site ready for the transformation into Waikato's premier open air concert venue. Peter will indicate when we need a team at the venue, to complete some required work.
"Selling and promoting our Concert by the lake, a must by our Club members" organising Chair Don Stanley." It won't happen unless you don't talk about it'.
The organising committee are hopeful of attracting 800 people to our concert.
The chairs of the sub committee’s are:
Venue ……………………………………………Peter Thissen
Legal and Health and safety…………David Parker
Program ………………………………………..Leo Kingston
Venue services……………………………….Kevin Sing
Corporate sales……………………………..Henry Clothier
Transport/Traffic……………………………Mike Farrell
Traffic Management Plan……………….Local Constable
Sound/Electrical…………………………….Ross Bay
Catering…………………………………………Merv King
Grenville Stocker, will liaise with the Motor Caravan Association.
Please advise Bulletin editor Stew, for club duty matrix.
If you know you will be absent from club meetings from now till end of July. Please give me the 'heads up' as early as possible, which will help me plan club nights duty roster. For instance, Margaret and I are unavailable for this June normal Rotary Tuesday meetings.
Apologies / Dinner guest(s) booking.
Please phone 083 299 789.
Do so by 9am on the Tuesday morning of the club Meeting.
Maureen and Geoff Yeend, Geoff was our guest speaker on his experiences as a child, during the blitz in London WW2.
