GUEST SPEAKER - SIMON MARK-BROWN On Monday we once again we had a most interesting Speaker, this time Film Director Simon Mark-Brown. A fascinating glimpse of the film industry and his own background being the son of a leading architect. His father, Peter, mistaken at times for a very different architect - Auckland University's Vernon Brown which has culminated in Simon's internationally acclaimed film Brown v Brown which is currently showing here.
Simon, very happily, answered a number of question and included his own views on the devastating results of bottom trawling which has grossly diminished fish stocks in the Hauraki Gulf.
Simon ended with a plea to us to attend a showing of Brown vs Brown before it is too late - it is on this week at the Rialto!
ROTARY REGIONALISATION I have delegated this ongoing issue to Leigh Marshall who spoke in some detail to the Club. We are being peppered with details of the proposed changes - quite radical and the role of the District Governor will be reduced but not removed. Three webinars - Zoom Meetings - were scheduled for this week. I watched one on Monday with Leigh with the other two on Wednesday and Thursday. Today another message - for those who missed the earlier webinars, another is to be held on Monday, 4th October 6.30-7.30pm which, of course, coincides with our own Dinner Meeting.
CLUB ACCOUNTS As Past President Wayne and I have explained over recent months, we have been hit by two price rises. First, Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club raised it's fee - initially from $150 to $300 per meeting which, fortunately, we were able to renegotiate to $250. Then Let's Eat, on account of inflation of food prices, had to increase their charge. Both understandable given current circumstances but very noticeable to members receiving their Accounts - a problem exacerbated by our diminishing membership. Sorry about this but unavoidable!
School holidays now and I will be away next Monday as I will be joining my family at our bach at Kakahi in the King Country. Past President Wayne will be standing in for me - thanks indeed Wayne!
Bryan 27 September 2023
