Our newest member, Geoff Young, has just been inducted into our club. Geoff is originally from Te Puke, before moving with his family to farm at Kereone. He has also farmed at Okauia, and after doing his CMP, bought the family farm at Kereone before moving to a small property near Matamata. Geoff is a keen sportsman (golf, tennis, badminton) and with his wife Phyliis, is actively involved in croquet. Welcome to the club Geoff, we hope you will find your time richly rewarding.
Mike Powell has reached a milestone by attaining 30 years service in Kiwanis. Mike recently joined the Matamata Kiwanis Club after the Mt Maunganui Kiwanis Club was disbanded, and has become immediately involved by joining the Board of Directors and chairing the membership committee. Congratulations Mike! Mike now joins a select group of Legion of Honour members in our club.... (left to right) - Jim Kyle, Ken Smith, Brent Chappell, Merv Josephs, Mike Powell, Ron Moles, Tom Troughton.
Ken Smith has become our latest Legion of Honor recipient for 25 years service to the club and our community. Ken, a Past President, has served as a board member for many many years and is currently Chairman of the Community Services committee which oversees all community projects and includes our main fundraising activities - woodchopping and battery recycling. Well done Ken - an honour richly deserved!
Special guests in attendance were Kiwanis Governor Ewan Beck and his wife Isabella, District Treasuer Michael Hill and his wife Patsy, Lt Governor Alec McGowan and his wife Rosalie. Also in attendance were Past Governors Bette Eavestaff, Ian Calder, Barbara Kelly, Tony Popplewell and Robert Lynds. Other visitors of note were Bruce Entwisle and Lt Governor Bryan Saunders and his wife Beverley from the Doncaster /Templestowe Kiwanis Club in Melbourne, and Past Kiwanis Youth Exchangee Rachel Parnes from the Nunawading Club in Melbourne. The Matamata Rotary Club was represented by Past President Peter Thissen and his wife Ineke, and Jim and Joyce Wheadon. After the Roll Call of Clubs and a minutes silence in memory of those members who had passed on, all those present enjoyed a magnificent meal at which time they had a chance to reminisce with other members they had not seen for some time. Lt Governor Alec McGowan then undertook the Installation of Officers for the 05/06 year, and President Dianne presented Kiwanian of the Year Awards to Arthur Wade and Jim Kyle. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Ken Smith and Sally Jenkins.
Jim Kyle has become our club's latest recipient of the Kiwanis Legion of Honor Award, which recognises 25 years membership and service in Kiwanis. Jim was a charter member of the Matamata Kiwanis Club in 1975, had a break for a few years and then rejoining the club to ultimately hold every office in the club. He has also served as Lieutenant Governor for Division 2. Currently Jim is in charge of Education and Publicity, and Membership. He has been very closely involved in the Gateway Games since their inception (sadly they were held for the last time in 2004), and is now focusing his efforts on the "Books for Vanuatu" project which is now expanding into furniture and other equipment. Jim has also re-activated the Past-Lieutenants Governor's Association.
The Griffen Fellowship Award is named after the late John F D Griffen, who was President of the first Kiwanis Club in New Zealand (the Kiwanis Club of Auckland) when the Kiwanis organisation was introduced to New Zealand in 1967. John was also instrumental in helping with the setting up of Kiwanis clubs in Melbourne and Noumea. John became the first District Governor and during his years as President and District Governor, the number of clubs grew from one to fourteen. This prestigious award was introduced in 1998 and recognises service and commitment above and beyond that normally expected of a Kiwanis member. |
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