OUR RYLARIANS, on Monday evening, all spoke incredibly positively of their experiences on RYLA. From varied occupations, present were:
Zahra Shahtahmasebi - Journalist with the Cancer Society
Paddy Dolan - Aircraft technician with RNZAF
Ben Starr - Mortgage Broker with Lateral Partners
Liam Wick - ditto
Vinnie O’Connor - Teacher at Sacred Heart & hockey coach
Johnson Liu - with Heartland Bank/Downtown Rotary standing in for Sam Bicker (solicitor with WRMK Law) who, like our Brian Cooper, is down with Covid.
The Club sponsored – ie paid for – 3, Zahra, Paddy and Vinnie. The other 3 were sponsored by their firms – all 6 applied for RYLA encouraged by, or at the behest of, past Rylarians/Awardees.
Zahra led the way, of Iranian parents, she is extremely articulate and well spoken. A graduate of Otago University, she ran briefly over the whole week from the arrival at Willow Park, the motivational speakers, the Island experience, the Dinner and final pick up.
Paddy spoke of the Island – the surprise of being reallocated to new teams, the rain that caught them unexpectedly that first night – at his instigation they slept on the road without cover, got soaked and the great camaraderie that developed despite that setback. The motivational speakers made quite an impression – one who had rowed the Atlantic had made the point, NEVER BE NEGATIVE IN A GROUP SITUATION, an attitude that would have helped hugely for Paddy’s team in the wet!
The others spoke very much along the same lines and also thanked the District Team – following the realisation of the enormous logistic effort to set up RYLA especially on the Island and that all gear, equipment and food had to be brought across to Rangitoto. And returned to the mainland afterwards!
Liam spoke of his wish to now join Toastmasters and, possibly Rotoract, and Johnson mentioned that he and Sam, together in the same team, had considered joining the Army Territorials. Vinnie, who had done an excellent job as MC at the Dinner and then Zahra, summing up, thanked Remuera Rotary for sponsoring them.
CHARLIE URRY followed as a Speaker – we sponsored Charlie to RYLA in 2011. He was then Club Captain of Parnell Cricket Club and was able to arrange for the Club the most generous sponsorship of Ascot Radiology. That sponsorship continues 12 years later – hugely important to the Club. Following RYLA and having completed his building apprenticeship, Charlie, and a mate, then worked on super yachts in the Mediterranean. Eventually they returned and then set up their own construction firm Urry & Burgess. Six years on this firm now co-sponsors Parnell CC to the tune of $10,000 p.a. – truly inspirational!
To speak to us on Monday, Charlie had had to return early from his current work site on Rakino Island. Just tonight I see that, nominated for the Board of Parnell CC, is Matt Willacy – also a past Awardee, Matt followed Charlie as the Club’s Captain for the 2011/12 Season. Matt has just begun a new role as Investment Director at Kakapo Fund, a new private equity fund.
Other past Awardees are also doing amazingly well – this year I will include news of them.
Following our Meeting, whilst our members dispersed, the Rylarians gathered, the camaraderie obvious. Team reunions discussed – I mentioned that Remuera Rotary should invite them back, perhaps in the New Year, to which Ben commented – “yes, and how about running a bowls tournament!” So watch this space ………………..!!!!!!!
The Rylarians themselves, eventually, went homeward – perhaps good that the bar wasn’t open, we may not have got home before 10pm.
Bryan – 25 July 2023
