Father Frank Bird is a Catholic Priest and belongs to the 'Marists'. The Marists' work all over the world particularly with those most in need. After a minor mid life crisis he moved to working in a project with Burmese Migrant Families and Children in Education, HIV Health and Migrant Support Programmes on the Thailand / Burma Border in Ranong.
Previously he was involved serving communities in Auckland, Whangarei and Northland in New Zealand.He has worked in youth ministry and youth leadership and development programmes in Secondary Schools.
In more recent times he has returned from 9 years on the Thailand Burma Border to begin studying a Masters in Education focussing on leadership and migrant education. At our meeting on Wednesday Father Frank will tell us about an Education project for Myanmar refugees in Thailand.
Our Duties
For meeting at the Wellington Club 17 May 2023
Desk (6.45am): Jo Introduction: Tony
Greeter: Warwick Thanking: Darryl
Opening Thought: Hadleigh Parting Thought: Rob W
Buy the Box: Bill Club Reporter: Anne
If you cannot complete your duty this week, please arrange a swap and advise Brent and Dawn.
Future duties are in the roster at the bottom of the bulletin
Join us at Prime Facie, a one woman play about a criminal defence lawyer who is at the top of her game and loving it: defending, cross-examining and playing the rules of law to win. In a personal 180, shadows of doubt are illuminated, raising the question of who our legal system is serving?
Tickets are $55, donating $10-$13 per ticket to The House of Grace. You can also join the optional (set menu) dinner at Monsoon Poon – $30-$35 with cash bar
Please remember to respect the "Smart business casual" dress code of the Wellington Club at our meetings.
Please also respect our hosts by finishing your drinks from alternative vendors before arriving at our meeting.
Quiz this week!
Join Tony and Peter on the Quiz team, supporting Rotary Hutt City in fundraising for IYM, providing a pathway for young women into STEMM careers. We need 4 more participants.
Cost is $30 per person plus any snacks or drinks on the night.
Even though they're official project partners of Rotary International, they aren’t eligible for global grants, and need all the help they can get. The Champion Club Programme is a way to support funds and get publicity for our club.
Check out the latest edition of the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) Sustainability News by clicking this link.
If you are environmentally minded and want to support this group in their work, either administrationally, or practically, you can find out more here
Sowing Seeds Dinner
Join the House of Grace for a two-course buffet dinner, live music, and a review of how living at the House of Grace has impacted young Mum's lives. There is no charge for the dinner but Guests are invited to make a donation in lieu to support the work House of Grace does.
Contact Mike with dietary requirements.
If you cannot attend but would like to donate, you can make payment to the RCPN Charitable Trust account, referencing your name & HOG
Port Nicholson Rotary’s Annual Charity Auction & Dinner
Wellington Club, Friday 6 October 2023, cost $125 pp.
Charities this year are:
Rotary’s Lifting the Lid – Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust – Life Flight Trust
Watch this space for more information…….
From the President
Interesting to hear Arne Pallentin advise on the activity of Coastguard in Wellington. Several expressed that they would like to help them in some way. Although its Street Appeal has just been held, Arne said there will be
another opportunity. More in due course on that.
A Report from Darryl on the outstanding work of the Interact Club of Port Nicholson: “ Interact is having regular weekly meetings - Club meeting one week and alternate week- Board meetings. Following a request for support from the Club for occasional assistance at Interact meetings, a number of members have offered their time.
Raymond Faulkner sponsored the entire Interact Board to the Goal Setters breakfast which they thoroughly enjoyed despite the early start and are grateful for.
Some weeks ago they again helped the Blue Dragon Book Sale in Ngaio in setting up and the following day the break down and clean up.
They have decided to join our Club’s support for the Wellington Homeless Women's Trust and are developing a woman's vanity bag to go with our Club’s linen pack. They are holding a film night in mid-June to raise funds for this project and will be seeking Club support.
Through David Shackleton, they are assisting with the Mary Potter Street day and are going to offer their services to the Mary Potter Thrift Shop in Thorndon on a regular basis.
Interact will join our Tree Planting Day in Tawa. They will require assistance with transport on the day.
They have scheduled this year’s badging event for late June - details to follow.
They will again join the Asian Student Assn. in planning and running their annual Quiz Night - usually a large event of about 200 attendees - to raise funds for Blue Dragon.
Interact have decided support the Wellington Free Ambulance Street Day later this year and arrange a visit to WFA Headquarters in advance.
They have invited Wellington Rotaract to repeat a session - held some years ago - on advice and guidance on moving onto University.
The maturity, enthusiasm, vision and commitment of this group continues to impress.”
– Special thanks to Darryl for his consistent interaction with the Interact Club and for its inspirational
commitment and set of activities. Very many thanks to Raymond and David as well.
David and I will discuss bringing the relationship of Rotoract and Port Nicholson Rotary closer at our next Board Meeting.
More thanks to Eden for organising the table at the Sunday markets to promote our Club, and to those serving on that, with a view to increasing membership.
SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival is being held over King’s Birthday Weekend, with the public performances section on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June all daytime at the St James Theatre. Volunteers from our Club are being sought to man (person?) the Rotary table at this during all the breaks, to advise about Rotary and all we do to the parents as well as the students. Free tickets are given to volunteers to watch the students selected from throughout NZ performing their 5 and 15 minute scenes.
New Directors for President Elect Tony’s year are invited to attend our next Board Meeting to gain an insight into what is discussed and required – on Monday 15 May, 5.30pm at Craig’s. Ask me or Jo Douglas for more details.
See the extensive list in the Bulletin of what we have on and pick and choose what you will. Thank you to all for providing, promoting and participating!!
Arne Pallentin is a Search and Rescue Officer for Maritime New Zealand, as well as volunteer President of Coastguard Wellington. He visited the Club on 10 May to speak to us.
BenchSpace is an inclusive and creative community dedicated to sharing the joy of working with your hands.
The BenchSpace community workshop, run by the BenschSpace Charitable Trust, is a welcoming and well-equipped space where members learn, and share their skills and knowledge. BenchSpace provides space and equipment for people at all levels to practice their craft, learn from those with more experience, or share their expertise with others.
Brent Gerrard reports on Oliver Dickie's presentation on 3 May.
19 August: Casino Evening: Wellington Bridge Club. Details & Info to follow.
6 October: Port Nicholson Rotary Club Charity Auction & Dinner, Wellington Club
A thought to take into your week...
Predator Free Waterfront Trapping Schedule
Please text Fraser Ebbett (WCC) 021 765 694 when you arrive and leave the site.
Date
Trappers
18 Mar
Jeff Lee
Ross Buxton
1 Apr
Howard Tong
Jenny Flannaghan Tong
15 Apr
Rick Hughes
Lindsay Chitty
29 Apr
Marc Rands
Dawn Sanders
13 May
Paula McKnight
Dennis Small
27 May
Steve Lawton
Eden Skipper
10 Jun
David Shackleton
Peter Whittington
As always, if the dates above do not suit you, please feel free to swap.
Thank you for your help with this important club project
If you have feedback for the Editors, or content you would like included in the club bulletin, please send it to rcpnbulletin@gmail.com by midnight on Saturday to ensure its inclusion.
Interesting to hear Arne Pallentin advise on the activity of Coastguard in Wellington. Several expressed that they would like to help them in some way. Although its Street Appeal has just been held, Arne said there will be
is being held over King’s Birthday Weekend, with the public performances section on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June all daytime at the St James Theatre. 
