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Every year on the last day of June, Rotary International changes their President and this is where that president’s ideas are morphed into that of the new Rotary International President.At the same time, we leave behind the principles and ideals of our own District Governor Keith Owens from the 2016/17 year and replace these with those of our District Governor for 2017/18 Leonie Tisch.
Rotary District 9930 Changing of the Guard
So .....
One of Keith’s key Performance Indicators for clubs during this past year has been increasing membership and eight clubs; Ahuriri Sunrise, Kihikihi, Matamata, Paeroa, Hamilton Central, Havelock North, Katikati and Te Kuiti accepted the District Governor’s membership challenge introducing a total of 44 new members between them. Yes, other clubs did too but not as part of the challenge.
Naturally, the award for greatest percentage increase in membership went to one of these clubs Kihikihi with seven new members.
This year saw another milestone with the first Global Grant being successfully completed by Tauranga Rotary with their project involving Marine Reach.
The Rotary Foundation while always the main component of our charitable works took on a greater meaning this year with it being one hundred years since the Foundation commenced. Taking out the award for most giving was Otumoetai Club with an average in excess of US $700 per member.
The significant achievement award was taken away by Lake Taupo Rotary for the completion of yet another of the huge Cycle Challenge projects they have become renown for.
Two club bulletins were recognised as worthy of note this year; Mt Maunganui and Taradale.
The Public Image award went to Matamata Rotary again this year although it is a few years since they last snaffled it. A remarkable entry from this club.
The highest contributor to Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children this year was Tauranga Sunrise.
Keith awarded three Paul Harris Fellows to Abi Buckell, Les Creswell and Jock McIntyre and made special thanks to both Max Patmoy and Gavin Petrie for their work with the website and electronic communications throughout the district.
Earlier in the day, our guest speaker Lisette Hulme introduced one of District Governor Leonie’s major programmes for the year - Days for Girls.
Lisette has been championing this in Matamata ever since coming across the project on a visit to Washington State some years ago and it is Leonie’s and Lisette’s wish that this project is expanded out to the rest of the district.
Elsewhere in the District 9930 news of the day is a short resume of what this is all about and clubs are encouraged to contact Lisette should they wish to be part of the program.
Leonie took over the chains of office and introduced husband Lindsay Tisch who is retiring from his current position as Member of Parliament for Waikato to be that very necessary helping hand for Leonie during her year. Leonie made her first presentations of a Paul Harris Fellow to Past District 
Leonie introduced two VIP guests that were with her today being the new District Governor of District 9920 Malini Raghwan and the new District Governor for District 9970 Sarita McLean.
Governors Keith and Elaine Owens.
Leonie introduced two VIP guests that were with her today being the new District Governor of District 9920 Malini Raghwan and the new District Governor for District 9970 Sarita McLean.Leonie has a special hate which is shared with me – the writer. I appointed myself the Chair of District 9930 RARA committee some years ago and it appears it is now time for me to pass this on and up to someone with a lot more influence than I can muster. Therefore, Leonie, it is my pleasure to relinquish the role of Chair of District 9930 RARA – Rotarians against Rotary Acronyms! I wish you all the best in your task of ridding the world of these unpleasant additions to our vocabulary and was pleased to note as you did on taking office, that every time a
Rotary Acronym is used, it’s yet another occasion where the word Rotary is missing from our conversation.
Thank you Matamata Rotary for a great Changeover. Most enjoyable, right on time and fabulous food.
Jock McIntyre (with Pina Colada and rocking chair in the sun in Hawaii).