Peter all smiles in his welcome to members and guests for this meeting assembly. Special welcome to Ann Duncan , Ces Barrett and guest speaker Rev Stephen Prebble. Touching on his weekly bit of Rotary history, has come across a book 'History of Matamata Rotary 1947 to 1960'. Written in the proper grammar, comprehension and composition of the English written language of that era. So 1947 had local businessmen such as Harold Schofield (Law Barrister) and Jack Somerfield  (Banking), initiate the idea of a Matamata Rotary Club. A meeting eventuated that eighteen people attended. Many attendees, although in some sort of business locally; did not actual know each other. The resolution of the meeting was to form a Rotary Club, which was the catalyst for bringing these people together formally through Rotary Fellowship. Peter then indicated from last Directors meeting, the wish to encourage a good club attendance to Leonie's District 9930 Conference, in Taupo next year. Rotary Matamata are the organising club for this event, to which there is a conference committee already well into organising venue; etcetera. A brief debate with members input on financial aspects, possible protocols to be mindful of to encourage a good turn out of Rotary Matamata members to conference. Especially our newer members, where one experiences another level of what Rotary really achieves.

Reverend Stephen Prebble, presented a very candid address on his previous position in life to the present day. Alcohol addiction to Tomato growing , back to binge drinking and a de facto relationship/kids to being  a settled stable married man graduating to be a Minister of the Anglican Church. His younger days, with a Ford Anglia 105E and his mates consumed alcohol while at that time, underage to purchase such. For him it morphed into binge drinking and into the social problems associated with alcohol addiction. At the age of 28, knew he had to stop, but had no off button. A chance meeting with a woman in involved with Church, skilled in dealing with the socially inept. "You are in trouble are you not"  supported him make the decision to go through the hardest 3 months of his life ,to date. Staying off alcohol, that was really hard work mentally. Stephen at home, kneeled asking God for help. Although denying he was an alcoholic,enrolled with forty others into AA (Alcoholics Anonymous ).AA helped to get sober. Started to attend Auckland Holy Trinity Church as part of his recovery, was inspired ,read the Bible, became a Christian, to which his life became more manageable. Searching for God became very personal to him after 30 years of dysfunctional life. Into a de facto relationship with no plan for a future. So mutually parted and got into Tomato production, that was a reasonably financially placed direct selling 4000/5000 TONNES a week. Got really involved with his Church, got the call to ordination. Gave up his lucrative tomato business. Sought his and married his de facto partner, now 18 years strong with four children.Graduated after an intense scrutiny and learning process, to now be the Reverend Minister of All Saints Anglican Church, Matamata. His dedicated work for his parishioners, social counselling endeavours have not gone un noticed. which was well voiced by appreciative members.

                                  

CLUB DUTY	15th August	22nd August
CLUB HOST	BRYCE SCOTT
RECEPTION	KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMI	No Meeting
RECEPTION	MIKE STEINER
BAR STEWARD	LYN DOBBE
BAR STEWARD	KEVIN SING	Lincoln Students
SPEAKER INTRO	ALICE CLOTHIER
SPEAKER THANKS	DAVID WHEADON
TOP TABLE	ALICE CLOTHIER
TOP TABLE	GLENDA MILLIGAN	No Meeting
PARTING THOUGHT	GRAEME GUILDFORD
DANIELLA HOST	LEO KINGSTON

                                     

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• Sergeant Eric's fine of the week, credited to Kevin Sing. A good authority 'dob in', was that Kevin giving his volunteer time to driving the Health Shuttle to Waikato Hospital; with his shirt on 'back to front'!!!! maybe a new fashion statement !!!
• 'Sammy the Seal' elevated Rexine Hawes to 'Front Page Status' of the Waikato Times. Not bad for our Matamata Chronicle member, to be a Waikato printed media starr!!! with her covering story of 'Sammy the Seal' having some R & R in our district waterways. We got the impression Rexine was 'stoked' about that. Nice one.
• Thank you to members who have confirmed unavailability dates , for club night duties.
• Games night confirmed for 12th September. Venue RSA. Rotary v Lions. Darts. pool and indoor bowls. No mention of a gender neutral knobbly knees contest . $5 (five dollars) per club member on arrival on the night please.
• Leonie all smiles in the District 9930 Newsletter. That newsletter very informative, and clearly shows what leonie wishes to achieve as District Governor. Don't forget to contact leonie if you wish to accompany our DG to her Club visits.  Last weeks Bulletin was your reference was August.  September dates and venues will be posted in the Bulletin week of 29th August. Leonie hm 888 6780 m 027227 2493 tischd9930@outlook.com
• At the rate we are going , our club may become a Hippie commune opps! Hippy club. John Fernyhough is recovering from his hip replacement "like a buck rat, on a wet night" unquote. Owen Westlake will be joining the hippy sect this week, as well.

At a previous Rotary world convention in Bangkok, there were many opportunities to view humanitarian support groups. One being Leprosy rehabilitation. With jean Muckle in tow, took an interest in that good work. Especially a small wooden cross given to people afflicted with this disease. Barry intrigued with these crosses bought a couple to give to folk. From these few at the start led a significant demand, that had Barry import nearly four hundred to NZ in boxes of fifty.We should also smile I suggest, at Barry's compassion.

 

"If you want to go fast – go alone. If you want to go far – go together".

Robert Stuart-- Rotarian