Presidents Time
President John opened the meeting by welcoming our guest James Meager and a good turnout of members.
Members were thanked for their contribution to Bookarama. There was a good turnout over the week before and during the event. A special thanks was extended to Gavin for organising Bookarama. Gavin mentioned in his thanks that we should clear $10,000 after expenses. Thanks to Rob Rhodes and Trevor Johnson for dealing with the rubbish.
John commented on the folk who volunteer every year to help with Bookarama but are not Rotary members and indicated they would be invited to join us for a meal in due course (as a thank you)
On a sad note, Des Kearns passed away earlier in the week. Des had been a member of South Club and was very active in the community. The funeral was private.
Directors are to meet on Monday 20 June and discuss the distribution of funds.
A concert to raise funds for the Red Cross in Ukraine – has been organised at St Mary’s Church (Church St) on 1 July, 12.30-1.30 pm. The concert features six hands for the piano.
Change Over
The changeover will be on Thursday 30 June 2022. This is a celebration evening and partners are most welcome. Please remember it is very important to add any partners or family attending to the system - you do this here, so we can accommodate them.
5 Minute talk
Colin Shaw reflected on his life in Timaru. Attending Timaru South School, his first job at 11 was in a local bakehouse. Worked lunch times and after school and recalls receiving two and sixpence for the week! At that time a pie was thruppence. Colin had several jobs at an F&C shop and cleaned rental cars. At 16, he became an apprentice builder. Training took five years, and at age 24 went into business on his own account and worked in that until age 75. His son now runs the business. Colin reflected on the changes in paid hourly rates and the way the cost of building has increased.
Fines:
David Hewson and President John conspired together to lighten everyone’s pockets.
Jeremy Hogan won the raffle.
Speaker:
Chairman Harley introduced James Meager to members. James is a local, having been born in Timaru and attended TBHS before Otago University. A practising lawyer, he shifted to Ashburton two years ago to start up his own business (Oath Advisory)
James remarked that he lived his first two years in St Andrews before his family moved to Timaru. He attended Hanan Kindy, South School, Watlington Intermediate and then TBHS. He was eventually head boy and Dux, having fond memories of a specific TBHS DP.
He started Health Science at Otago Uni before seeing the light and studying for a law degree. Health Science gave him insight into equity and disparity. After Uni, he worked for MP Chris Bishop, Paula Bennett (MP and Deputy PM) and briefly for Bill English and Simon Bridges. It was a privileged role giving me plenty of opportunities to travel around NZ.
James is interested in Public Law and commented on the issues of Courts interpreting the law and judicial activism. He expressed some concern that the courts were heading more towards the American model, where instead of Parliament being sovereign, courts tended to interfere more. James provided some interesting examples to illustrate this.
He discussed some issues with Electoral reform, including discussions on the threshold to enter Parliament and the term. A problem with such discussions is that MPs tended to have a degree of self-interest, and was the public that interested? James also considered the number of MPs should be increased but realised that was not likely to be a popular move.
There was an excellent discussion afterwards with plenty of food for thought.
Terry Stag gave the thanks, and President John closed the meeting with a “this day in history.”