Read on to find out what happened at our meeting, what’s
coming up, and who will be doing what at the next meeting.
Guest Speaker
Fleur McDermott
Historical Maritime Park & Museum
Rotary Paeroa was recently treated to an inspiring presentation from Fleur McDermott, the first paid employee of the Historical Maritime Park and Museum. Fleur described the park as a "stunning place to visit" and a largely undiscovered treasure that tells an important part of Paeroa's history.
The park has grown into a remarkable community asset, offering far more than its maritime museum. Visitors can enjoy beautiful gardens, picnic areas, special events, weddings and functions, self-contained campervan facilities and river cruises on the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers.
Fleur spoke passionately about the park's future and the many opportunities still to be explored. Ideas include expanding activities on the water, including jet boat rides and kayaking, developing themed events, music in the park and children's Christmas celebrations. The park's evolving 3D light-mapping displays are another exciting attraction.
She also highlighted the importance of the park's volunteers, with around 60 people helping to make it what it is today. More volunteers are needed to ensure the park's future, particularly in areas such as gardening, creative projects and the light show.
The park has also demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following flooding, the boardwalk remained structurally sound, while insurance funding is allowing improvements to raise the lighting infrastructure and make it more resilient to future flooding.
Fleur's connection with the park is deeply personal. After her daughter was born with cancer and her grandson was receiving treatment in Thames, she brought her granddaughter to the park and saw its potential as a special place for families and the wider community. That experience ultimately led to her being offered a role there.
With possible plans for a café, improved access, additional river activities and better use of the land, Fleur believes there are "a million ideas" for the park. Her message was clear: the Historical Maritime Park is a place for everyone, and by working together, the community can unlock its enormous potential.
🗣️ TWO MINUTE SPEAKER
Welcome to Rotary Paeroa, Dot!
Our newest member, transferring Rotarian Dorothy "Dot" Harris, was certainly thrown in at the deep end when, with no two-minute speaker available, she was asked to introduce herself to the Club!
Dot arrived in New Zealand from the UK in 2005 and has certainly packed a lot into her life since then. She is a registered mental health nurse with Pathways, covering the whole of the Hauraki area, so she is kept very busy supporting people in our community.
Dot's other great passion is cats—specifically Tonkinese cats. She and Craig breed world champion Tonkinese cats, with their prize-winning felines now spread around the world.
The story of how Dot and Craig met is also a good one. While shopping at New World Morrinsville, Dot was loading her groceries into the car when a "hunk of a man" struck up a conversation. His name was Craig—and the rest, as they say, is history!
Today, Dot and Craig live on 12 acres at Puriri, where they share their home with alpacas and llamas, as well as their champion Tonkinese cats.
When she's not nursing or caring for animals, Dot is also an actress, having appeared in numerous television advertisements and even taking on roles in Shortland Street as a nurse, doctor and patient.
With her wide range of interests, obvious energy and commitment to helping others, we're sure Dot will be a fantastic addition to the Rotary Paeroa team. Welcome aboard, Dot!
🗣️ TWO MINUTE SPEAKER #2
A New Chapter for Ngatea's Library
Marion, our Club Programme Organiser and Team Leader of Library Services at Hauraki District Council, recently took the opportunity to give members an overview of the exciting new He Pātaka Kōrero – Hauraki Plains Library and Community Centre in Ngatea.
Marion's hard work and commitment were rewarded with an impressive opening day. Marion with tired eyes and a croak to her voice advised that today 220 people visiting the new facility, including more than 80 tamariki. For many of the younger visitors, the day was also an opportunity to begin learning the finer points of library etiquette!
President Kelvin, who attended the 6:00 am whakatūwhera (opening) of the new facility, commented that there was one thing noticeably missing from the library—a clock!
Rotary Paeroa is pleased to rectify this and will be donating a clock to the library. We hope it will be a small but useful addition to what is already a wonderful new facility and a fantastic asset for the Ngatea community.
The new library and community centre is a welcome addition to the township and a place that will undoubtedly become an important hub for learning, connection and community activities for years to come.
Bits & Pieces of Interest And importance
11 August our guest speaker will DG Janine Branson confirmation of attendance by 7 August. this is a "Bring a Guest" meeting, and we would be delighted for you to bring along friends, partners, colleagues, or associates
Thursday 20 August we will be the "hosting" organisation at the Paeroa Business Association BA5, 5:30pm at The Refinery. We hope that this prove to be an opportunity to get new members
📅 events, socials, and Vocational Visits
SWAPMEET - 12 September
Golf Day - Sunday 4 October:
Start spreading the word! This isn't just a golfers' tournament—it's a community event. We need businesses, non-golfers, men, women, friends, colleagues and supporters. You don't need a perfect swing, just a willingness to support a great cause.
Kids at play - baby goats - Goat Farm Bush Road, early/mid-August
Flat Tac capsicums visit - deferred until Spring.
Thai dinner and Cinema probably early September.
Quiz Night date and venue to be confirmed
BREAKING NEWS!! A “Barn Dance" to happen at the Maritime Park in March
🙋 Volunteers Needed
🛞 SWAP MEET Reach out to Viv
🏫 Central School Support
Mona School Principal will advise as volunteers are required
⛳ Golf Day – Sunday 4 October 🗣️ Voices from the Floor
No calls from the floor
🗂️ Meeting Duties – 11 August
Sergeant: Eugene
2-Minute Talk: Rich
Hospitality Includes Hall Set-Up: John E
Dinner Thanks: Lloyd
Intro Speaker: Kelvin
Speaker:DG Janine Branson
Thank Speaker: Margarete
Stewards: Marion & Veda
Parting Thought: Viv
Raffle: Dot
Lenny Torrens a recent Rotary Paeroa grant recipient, who received support towards his Spirit of Adventure course, recently competed at the Australian IRB Nationals.
LAUGH TIME
I want to be 18 again and ruin my life differently. I have new ideas
I'm on two simultaneous diets. I wasn't getting enough food on one.
I put my scale in the bathroom corner and that's where the little liar will stay until it apologizes.
My mind is like an internet browser. At least 18 open tabs, 3 of them are frozen, and I have no clue where the music is coming from.
Hard to believe I once had a phone attached to a wall, and when it rang, I picked it up without knowing who was calling.
