Trees for Survival

Rotary Club of Auckland East is a keen supporter of the Trees For Survival project.  Club member Dennis Millard is now National Manager of the Trees for Survival Charitable Trust.
 
This picture was taken at a recent planting day, led by club member John Miller and his wife Judith.  A lot of fun was had by all and the planet just got a bit better.
Trees for Survival Paul Sargison 2021-07-09 12:00:00Z 0

The Great Debate

 Recently we were hosted by  our daughter club, Rotary Club of St. Johns at the Remuera Golf Club.
It was a great chance to cement the ties with our fellow Rotarians.
Highlight of the night however, was the annual Rotary Club of Auckland East/Rotary Club of St. Johns debate.
This year the topic was 'That vaccination for Covid 19 should be mandatory for all over 18's'. 
As you can see from the photo, our team of Derek Bond (Donald Trump), Desley Simpson (Mary Poppins) and (Doctor) Nicola Baker were opposed.
Despite their great efforts, the best team didn't quite win this year!
The Great Debate Paul Sargison 2021-04-18 12:00:00Z 0

Coast 2 Coast Expedition

 This shot shows the group from Rotary Club of Auckland East at the end of their Coast 2 Coast cycling adventure recently.
 
Commencing from Mount Cook, the group cycled their way through Benmore, Duntroon, Ohau, Tokarahi to Oamaru.  They even took a swim in the river at Tokarahi Huts.
 
Sounds like the next expedition will be based in Queenstown!
 
Coast 2 Coast Expedition Paul Sargison 2021-04-18 12:00:00Z 0

Wine Dinner a Great Night

 The picture shows the club back in celebratory mode with a wine tasting dinner.
 
Villa Maria kindly supplied the wines we tasted, led by wine expert Angela Lewis.  We had a lot of fun tasting the 6 wines with their matched courses, and enjoyed superb table service from our club volunteer sommeliers.  Afterwards some serious wine orders were placed for future enjoyment.  Picture shows Angela being introduced by Jeff Hunter
Wine Dinner a Great Night Paul Sargison 2020-10-09 11:00:00Z 0

Volunteers Expo

 Ian Willetts and Bevan Iles are pictured here at our stand for the recent Orakei Volunteers Expo.  

The object of the event was to show people living in the Orakei Board area, the wide range of volunteer groups in their community.
Over 50 groups participated on the day, and all were seeking expressions of interest from the visitors.
 
Our team are hopeful that some of these folk visiting our stand will want to join the club.
 
Volunteers Expo Paul Sargison 2020-09-21 12:00:00Z 0

Covid Food Run

Members of the Club have been pitching in to help during the Covid-19 lockdown.
A team lead by Sam Mukhtar have been assisting the Salvation Army by making food deliveries to needy families in locations as far flung as Onehunga, Mt Wellington, Penrose, Pakuranga and Panmure.

 
President Derek is pictured ready for a delivery run in one of our Rotary vests.
Covid Food Run Paul Sargison 2019-10-22 11:00:00Z 0

RYLA Awardees

President Derek and District Youth Services Representative Ian Willetts are pictured here with our sponsored Rotary Youth Leadership Awardees  at the Final RYLA  Dinner, Perzaan Mehta, Haider Janjua and Jordan Hurinui.
 
After  completing a demanding week our candidates look pretty happy.  All are certain that it has been a life-changing experience for them as they embark on their careers to become future leaders.
Well done team we look forward to seeing you at the club soon to hear your stories.
RYLA Awardees Paul Sargison 2019-07-10 12:00:00Z 0

Model United Nations Assembly

MUNA  for Districts 9910 and 9920 has been run at Auckland Girls Grammar School by our club, for the two Districts.
Nearly 300 high school pupils from 44 schools participated.  Vigorous debate on the 5 remits submitted to the model United Nations Assembly ensued, with plenty of objections and points of order along the way.  Delegates also took part in a snap Security Council debate.  The event was ably chaired by Ross Robertson QSO former member of parliament, and the awards were announced by President Bevan Iles.
 
Model United Nations Assembly Paul Sargison 2019-05-18 12:00:00Z 0

St. Heliers School Fair

Our club members were delighted to run three events at the local St. Heliers School Fair.
The Raffle Wheel (pictured) proved very popular and  the club is most grateful to those organisations and individuals who donated prizes.
Club members also ran a Wobbly Wheels fun event for children and a second hand book stall for their parents.

Net proceeds from the day are shared with the school.
St. Heliers School Fair Paul Sargison 2018-11-10 11:00:00Z 0

Firewood Project

The picture shows some club members at a recent project, harvesting windblown trees for a firewood project.
 
After a bit of effort with a chainsaw and a load up, there was plenty of time for refreshments and a chat with property owners Tony and Christine Morgan.
 
All proceeds from the sale of this firewood will go towards Rotary charities.
 
If you would like to order a load for your fireplace, please phone club member Murray Willis mobile 027 473 4043
Firewood Project Paul Sargison 2018-08-24 12:00:00Z 0

Tamaki Driver Training Car

After a concerted effort, and donations from a Give a Little page, the Club is proud to have become the major sponsor for the new Driver Training Vehicle at Tamaki College.
 
The car, a brand new Suzuki Swift, was presented to School Principal Soana Pamaka by  President Bevan Iles.
 
The school's driver training programme has been developed to prepare school leavers with drivers licences, so that they can enter the job market with confidence, after completing their studies.
Tamaki Driver Training Car Paul Sargison 2018-08-23 12:00:00Z 0

Another Winner off to Ohio

After achieving 3rd place at our Eastern Suburbs heat, Kaythi Finn of St. Kentigern Girls School swept the field to become New Zealand Super Stock Soap Box Champion.
 
Kaythi travelled to Ohio to compete in the All-American Soap Box World Championships! This was the second year in a row that a St. Kentigern Girls’ School student has travelled to the States to represent New Zealand, after Ocean Scott took the honour last year. 
 
We salute your grit and determination Kaythi!
Another Winner off to Ohio Paul Sargison 2017-04-18 12:00:00Z 0

Emergency Response Kits to Go!

Auckland East Rotary has an active commitment to the Rotary New Zealand Emergency Response Kits programme.  The Emergency Response Kits contain essential items to enable Pacific Island families to get re-established after a severe weather event which has damaged homes.  Included in the kits are such key items as tarpaulins, digging tools, cooking items and much more.  

 
Kits are stored in New Zealand and Fiji for fast despatch to Islanders in need.  Rotary New Zealand actively work with MFAT and the New Zealand Airforce to ensure there are enough kits and in the right place at the right time.
 
As well as contributing funds to the programme, our club members are enthusiastic volunteers when called upon to assist in packing a new consignment of Emergency Response Kits.
Emergency Response Kits to Go! Paul Sargison 2016-07-09 12:00:00Z 0

RYDA Teaches Driving Skills

Rotary Club of Auckland East has been actively involved with the local Rotary Road Safety Education Programme through funding and on site manpower support.

The  programme aims to provide essential road safety skills training to young drivers to help ensure that when they commence driving, they have had the best road safety preparation possible.  It targets Year 11 students and consists of lectures by highly qualified road safety experts.

The Program has been developed and updated in consultation with Government authorities having responsibility for Roads and Education, Health and the Police. Councils, the business and philanthropic community support the Program.

Students contribute to the costs, but Rotary assistance is available in cases of hardship so that no student is denied the opportunity of attending the course.

RYDA Teaches Driving Skills Paul Sargison 2016-07-09 12:00:00Z 0

Top Schools a Winner

Top Schools is a fun sports day run by Rotary Club of Auckland East for primary school students in the Eastern Suburbs of Auckland. It is open in two grades for teams comprising years 3 and 4 students, or years 5 and 6 students.

The event is normally run at Churchill Park School St. Heliers in  March each year.

The teams must compete in a number of fun events including a slippery slide, gumboot throw, mine field, ski run, sponge fun, newspaper delivery complete with sleds, and the wobbly wheels waggons (shown).  The day starts with a grand parade led by Harold the Giraffe, and teams compete in the timed events to obtain the highest score for their grade.

Mums and dads are all in attendance to cheer the teams on and at the end of the day all participants gain a certificate of attainment.

A great day out and real team work opportunity for the children participating.   

Top Schools a Winner Paul Sargison 2016-07-09 12:00:00Z 0