President: 021 077 4325. Secretary: 027 321 9713 Treasurer: 021 958 975
ASB Account: 12 3084 0029743 00
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"Motto -
"Steering a safe course through our retirement years".
This is an invitation to retired – or about to be retired, active men and women of good character, living on the Hibiscus Coast, to become members of this popular local Senior's Club. Here you will be meeting up with others at future monthly gatherings - to enjoy conviviality and listen to excellent guest speakers.
Successful applicants will be invited to participate in low-cost outings to interesting places and events. For those who have an enthusiasm for keeping fit, our Rebus Ramblers of Gulf Harbour, meet weekly on a Monday morning for a 1-2 hour stroll to places near and far, followed by a refreshing coffee at a nearby Cafe.
Other "Interest Groups" already established include dining out, Mah Jong, Classic Cars, 500 Cards, visits to the Auckland CBD and an annual BBQ. We have two quality luncheons during the year, one mid-year and the other pre-Christmas for members and partners.
Meetings are held at the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, 1299 Laurie Southwick Parade, Gulf Harbour at 9.30am until noon on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (excluding January) After a short business session, one of our own members is a Club speaker (10-15 mins) followed by morning tea and then an external Guest Speaker. Meetings conclude by midday. The annual Subscription is $25 plus a “one off” $25 joining fee.
Our Club is the 50th Rebus Club in New Zealand and the 7th to be established in the Rodney District. Rebus is an organization which has its origins in the world-wide Probus movement which was a Rotary sponsored community service program.
However, unlike Rotary, we have no service obligations such as fund-raising or amenity establishment. Many of us have “been there, done that".
Now is the time of life to simply indulge ourselves with new friendships and leisure activities.
To learn more about Rebus Clubs in other parts of NZ, visit the NZ website by
clicking on this link Rebus.nz or call 09 424 7115 - Mob 0274 739 787.
© Rebus Club of Gulf Harbour 2024 Web design - G McIntosh
Our Committee 2024 -2025. From L-R, Jean McIntosh, Verneice Kilsby, Verna Harford, (IPP)
Ken Daniels, (President), David Kilsby, (Treasurer), Lynette Philips (Secretary), Nancy Hewertson,
and Gill Wild, (insert).
At our April meeting, President Ken had the pleasure of inducting three new members. From left to right they are: Dorte Witoszka, Rita Wilkes and Sarah Bretherton. Welcome , Ladies.
Our guest speaker at the April meeting was Tasman Dowling, a beekeeper/apiarist. He started business in 2008 with 5 hives. He is currently selling 2 tons of live bees to Canada and specializes in raising Queens. Main honey production is from Manuka, Pennyroyal and clover types with some hives on the Whangaparaoa Golf Course. Orchardists rent beehives which are moved at night. There are 80,000 bees per hive which scout the area visiting every flower with mathematical precision working out the distances between pollen sites. Most productive time is November - January when an average of 69 tons of honey is harvested. Varoa bee mite arrived in 2001 from China and costs about $40,000 to treat and control. Tasman noted that Queens live about 8 years and can lay 2000 eggs per day. Worker bees are also female. Drones are males and used only for breeding.
Judi Lee was the Club speaker and talked about growing up in the King Country, graduating as a Veterinarian in 1976 and then having an existing varied veterinary career over the next 44 years. Highlights included air transport of horses from the UK, and working with deer farmers to establish domestic deer herds. Judi also represented NZ at international meetings associated with the primary industry trade - (animal products).
Our March Guest Speaker was Greg Moyle and his topic, was The NZ War Memorial Museum at Le Quesnoy in France. He outlined the successful reclamation of the village by NZ soldiers, many of whom gave their lives whilst fighting the soon to be defeated Germans. The Museum is a tribute to those Kiwis who fell. Decades later, the locals still revere the sacrifice our country made and many street names reflect their love of our country.
New President - Ken Daniels after receiving the Chain of Office from Verna Harford at the Club's Annual General Meeting, held on 13 March 2024
At our first meeting for 2024, we had the pleasure of inducting Barbara Wyber who has returned to NZ after many years in Australia. She resides in the Gulf Harbour village and enjoys being a kiwi again.
Our Club speaker was Colin Hewertson who gave an entertaining account of the first 25 years of his life. Born in Lancaster, UK, he came to NZ working for Fletcher Building and subsequently met wife Nancy - now a member of our committee.
Our Guest Speaker for the February meeting was Pauline Bascik who had the distinction of being the first female long-haul truck driver in NZ. She and her husband started business in Christchurch in 1971 and now have several depots across the length and breadth of this country. Pauline became a JP when in her 30s and also leant to fly after receiving an aeroplane for her birthday. Her son is now running the business following the earlier death of her husband. She related many interesting and challenging experiences associated with a woman breaking into what was essentially a male dominated business.
In spite of ominous weather forecasts earlier in the week, Wednesday 17 January 2024 proved to be just perfect for our annual BBQ. This was the 5th since the Club was established in 2019. Some 40 members rolled up complete with chairs, tables and all the necessary utensils to enjoy a fine menu with food prepared by Chefs, Keith Handley, Garth Duttton, Peter Brignall and Graeme McIntosh. Neil Wild was the BBQ convenor and together with wife Gill, orchestrated the event to every one's entire satisfaction.
Our December meeting saw President Verna induct two new members, Gill Raynor and Alister Fookes. A warm welcome was extended to them both and we look forward to their participation in future Club activities. A membership drive will be commenced in early 2024 to ensure we maintain and increase membership of our Club.
Pieter Hopkins was our Club speaker and gave us Pt 1 of his most interesting life story. Very entertaining with many identifying with his account of rural childhood life.
Our Club's last activity for 2023 was the Christmas luncheon held at The Archer Restaurant in Stanmore Bay. Fine food, great company and the end of a vey active year for the Club.
Seventeen members visited the Auckland Zoo on the 23 November 2023 to complete their tour of this outstanding facility. A trip earlier in the year was rained out halfway through. This time, perfect conditions.
At our September meeting, President Verna awards Past President Peter Odendaal a Life Membership acknowledging his pivotal role in the establishment of the Club in 2019. On the right, Peter cuts the Birthday Cake at a morning tea celebrating the Club's 4th Anniversary.
An historic occasion - President Peter Odendaal inducts 21 Foundation members on the 9th October 2019
