Stories

We have recently donated two vital defibrillators to be installed at Half Moon Bay Marina, which were funded through its fun Bangers to Bluff charity car rally fundraiser.

A defibrillator is a medical device that delivers an electric shock to a person’s heart to restore a normal heartbeat during cardiac arrest or a dangerous arrhythmia.

Club president Marie Raos and past-president Martin Duffy recently met at the location of one of the newly-installed defibrillators to celebrate the vital contribution to public safety.

“These defibrillators could make all the difference in an emergency,” Raos says.

“Thanks to the success of Bangers to Bluff, we can invest in projects that directly benefit the community.”

Duffy, who’s long championed the club’s service initiatives, emphasises the importance of the fundraiser’s impact.

“Bangers to Bluff is not just about the journey. It’s about giving back.

“This donation ensures boaties, marina visitors, and locals have access to life-saving equipment when it matters most.”

The club says while there are several defibrillators already installed at the marina, they’re available only during business hours.

“These two new units are accessible 24/7, providing crucial emergency support at any time of day or night.

• The Route: Every effort is made to avoid the roads you will have probably travelled before and is varied every year. 
• Camaraderie: Join an eclectic mixed group of like-minded individuals, looking for a chance to have a fun trip in an older vehicle, but with the back up of a Sponsor’s Support Vehicle ( NES Hire) and as a last resort coverage by AA Roadside Assist. 
• Accommodation: Booking of accommodation is the responsibility of the entrants but recommendations are provided for Motel and/or Motor Camp cabins which is where the Support Team will stay and host “Happy Hours” 
• Scenic Delights: Immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand's diverse scenery, explore previously unvisited scenic parts of New Zealand and so discover hidden gems along the way. 
• Unforgettable Memories: Create lifelong memories with fellow participants
• Philanthropy: Recognise that your trip will benefit the fund raising to support Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand plus several worthy Rotary Charities which target Youth and Families in need.

• Arrive no later than 6.30 am
• Equipment is stored under the stairs in the foyer. The combination lock number is C138. You will need the podium, wooden sign for outside, power point projector, laptop (white plastic box), microphone (in kitchen cupboard between food prep area and pub)
• Place the Rotary wooden sandwich outside the front entrance of the Club building visible to all passers by
• Set up Members’ badge board on the table immediately through the double doors and open, place the stand for the self service attendance roster next to it and the attendance sheet in the clip board. (Stewart will have emailed the attendance sheet)
• Wheel the podium to the front of our meeting area, open the front doors, hang the "Year Slogan" banner on front 
• Remove the bell and gavel from the cupboard and place on the table next to the podium
• Remove the speaker gift from the bottom of the cupboard and place on the top of the podium ready for presentation to speaker
• Retrieve the microphone from the cupboard in the kitchen (between kitchen and bar), ensure amp is switched on, switch on the repeater outside in the meeting area (between kitchen and bar) and place in holder on the podium
• If you feel comfortable set up lap top and projector, if not coralle Martin, Andrew Laing or Charles
• At meetings end put equipment away in reverse order to the above, and return all tables and chairs to their original positions. Hall take down is part of the duty

• The Meet & Greet duty will bring the meat.
• Obtain cash box, ball bucket and yellow ticket dispenser from under the podium.
• Load tickets into the yellow dispenser and sell to members as they enter.
• On completion, count cash and hand to the treasurer indicating the amount collected for raffles and visitor meals (ex- attendance desk).
• A float of $20 is to remain in the cash box. Return the cash box, yellow ticket dispenser and ball bucket to the podium.
• On the call of the President, have the bucket of balls ready for the speaker to draw.

At times like now when the polar blasts move across the country, when there is ice on the windscreen nearly every morning and power is a limited resource, staying warm and healthy is a real challenge for far too many families. Cold homes can lead to many debilitating conditions including high blood pressure, pneumonia, and bronchitis. People already suffering from health issues, the elderly and children are especially vulnerable to the cold.

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay, which meets weekly at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club on Wednesdays, has teamed up with the Anglican Trust for Women & Children and the Warehouse in Pakuranga to bring some warmth into homes that are desperately cold and for whom, some respite from the shivers is welcome indeed.

Dipping into their resources Rotary purchased a load of blankets for local families, and the Warehouse generously topped the quantity up as part of their support to the local community. Together with volunteers from the Anglican Trust for Women & Children the blankets have been distributed to many families in South and East Auckland, making a huge difference to folk who normally dread the onset of winter. This was a great team effort from three organisations, charitable and commercial, working together to deliver good outcomes to their community.