In what was described as a Centenary Moment the Club had a video link up with the Rotary Club of Suva.
The Suva Club has a special link with us as our club was the sponsoring club in 1936.
Harry Guthrie of our club was the prime mover. His Grandson John (husband of former member Jenny) joined us and spoke of the Rotary obsession that Harry had over many years. Harry was a District Governor and a Board Member of Rotary International. John thought Grandad had a travel gene and Fiji was just the start of many Rotary associated trips overseas. In fact it may have been to the detriment of the family paint business Guthrie Bowen!!
The Suva Club is part of District 9920 and is the largest maritime district in Rotary. It covers half of Auckland and seven Pacific Nations. We were told the current DG is Vineete Nand of the Suva Club. The club is hosting the next District 9920 Conference in April & would love our club to be represented.
It was interesting to learn the club has currently 44 members, the same number as us.
Unfortunately the sound system for our link was not great and difficult to pick up a lot of the comments being shared with us.
However it was an unique experience; one that could be explored further with other clubs we have had an association with over the years.