President Iain Valentine and his grandsons on Ohinerau
Last Meeting - 25th November at Sotheby's
Judi Johnson, Grief Coach, spoke to us about the far reaching effects of grief and how the holiday season can be a painful reminder of those we have lost. Judi shared her tips on coping mechanisms, and how to offer compassionate support to those that have lost a loved one.
offer our time to be with someone who is grieving, without offering advice or solutions.
give practical and specific help, perhaps with chores such as mowing a lawn or offering to cook a specific meal to be delivered on a set day of the week as chosen by the grief stricken person
understand that they may not feel like participating fully in holiday festivities and celebrations.
Importantly, she said we can still find joy despite our grief.
Judi’s contact details are on her website and in her useful handout linked here.
Next Meeting, Monday 2nd December at Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club
Our AGM will be held (as required by our rules). A separate notice of this meeting has been sent to all members.
Following the AGM there will be feedback for members on the “Fit for Purpose” programme from our Club representative Annabel – our board member with responsibility for public image, promotion, and membership. She will describe the process that has been followed, and present an expression of the commitments the Club needs to adopt for real change to occur.
Newmarket Rotary Club - Garden Design Festival
Here is a photo of the garden at the Garden Design Festival that Janet Austin and Leigh Marshall kindly helped with on Sunday 24th November.
Saturday 7th December 9:00am - 6:00pm Annual Collection by Remuera Rotary Club for Auckland City Mission Food Bank
See separate emails showing the 90 minute time slots as assembled by Secretary Kay and the project champion Niel Ewart (newart@xtra.co.nz).
Club Christmas Party - Monday 9th Decemberat Bowling Club with Auckland East Inner Wheel Club: 6pm for 6.30pm $65 per person. Christmas basket Raffle $5 one ticket, $10 three tickets (Cash only). Rotarians to bring an unwrapped book or toy suitable for children up to 12 years please which will be delivered to a church mission.
Mark the date, and invite your partner. Names will be recorded at the Meeting on Monday 25th otherwise please advise Secretary Kay - hkb@xtra.co.nz - no later than 7pm Monday December 2nd if you will be attending and also advise the name of any guest you are bringing.
The Meal cost will be charged in the normal way to your account.
First Meeting in 2025 will be on 20th January - a casual BBQ style gathering at the Bowling Club – a time to catch up after the Christmas & New Year holidays. That very day is our Exchange student Melanie’s 16th birthday, and we are hoping that members will be present to celebrate with her – we will work hard to make it a truly happy day
ROMAC
Due to babies requiring urgent surgery Damien has been put back up to two weeks. Because it was decided Dr AJ was the right surgeon for his complicated case he has been consulting with Kirsten Furnicane who was Starship’s top paediatric cardiac surgeon but now in retirement.
Beach outing possibilities. Damien is missing the beach so an outing to Mission Bay, Okahu Bay or wherever to run around, this could be an easy one for someone.
Ina is available on Whats App +678 711 0562, or phone Wayne 0274 707 108.
RYE Exchange Student Melanie
At our last meeting Melanie told us about the 2 weeks on the South Island Tour with a group of other visiting Exchange Students by bus around the whole of the Island. There were plenty of highlights that she shared with members, - the best (swimming with Dolphins), the worst (the rain on the West Coast), and the ugly (the illness bug that travelled with them all the way).
Melanie's Corner - "Danish Sayings"
“Tidsoptimist” This is another great Danish word, that doesn’t exist in the English vocabulary. It can be directly translated to “time optimist”, and is used to describe a person who always thinks they have plenty of time, when in reality they do not. So the next time your friend is late to something, call them a tidsoptimist!
