President David opened the meeting.
Present: There were 18 members present, plus three guests. We welcomed back Marion who's been working away from home in the Gold Coast and Sue who's normally at work when we meet.
Apologies: None were read out but Ted wasn't there and he normally apologises, as does Colin.
Announcements:
Downtown Auckland Rotary Club are organising Battle of the Suits for a third time. The event will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Cordis Hotel, on the evening of Thursday 11 May 2023.
It truly is an evening of fun and hilarity, as the celebrity team led by David Seymour and the Legal eagles lead Simon Bridges, along with their equally high-profile team members will take debating to the next level.
AND the important announcement our next president, drum roll please, Malcolm Stapleton! YHC hopes that sartorial standards will improve under his leadership!
Sargent:
David had his normal range of quotes, eg "I smoke pot because I want to go to heaven before i die" Andy Wahol. Plus he commented that three members had had letters published in the Herald recently.
Three minute speaker
Jim Staples, "I'm nearly ninety one but I'm not yet done!' Jim claimed, to restrained boos, that all his friends in New Zealand had died however he did have relatives in Adelaide so is moving there in a little while. It seems he will be taking half his factory with him and is having difficulty moving it!
It will be a pity to see him go.
The Speakers
We had three young people from AGC Parnell briefly speak with us.
Chloe and Dillon are senior prefects at the college and Nelson is a prefect. Chloe and Dillon both plan on becoming doctors, Chole training in NZ and Dillon in Australia while Nelson plans on going to the UK to undertake an engineering degree.
All three are involved in AGC's Interact which is involved in many voluntary activities in the community.
They seemed to be capable young people. Although two are training overseas one can hope that they return to NZ as we need their skills.
