... we pick up from Andy's tales he presented on 29th April [see bulletin of 6th May - it is still on the website].  He had just sorted out a anarchist mob who wanted to cause serious havoc at an upcoming Springbok tour.  The tour was stopped...

 

"I was posted back to Auckland to do standard street work, to get me back to some normality of life" Andy started off. (With "street work" he didn't refer to directing traffic - he meant "standard" detective duties, catching "normal" crims, if there is such a thing...).  But it didn't last all that long before he was posted to Wellington with the aim of infiltrating a major drug ring who were importing Hash valued in the Millions of dollars. He selected the name 'Adrian McKellar' for himself. "Always use a name which starts with the same letter as your real name.  If you need to sign something and forget that you are undercover, by the time your brain has caught up, you can complete the signature with the false name." [I'll try to remember that next time I need to use a false name... Ed.] He landed a job as a barman at the Lion Tavern, where it was suspected that a lot of the action happened.  The place was heavily frequented by Japanese sailors, and their excessive "tips" (voluntary and involuntary) were shared with the girls.  This immediately put Andy (sorry, I mean Adrian...) on the right foot with the girls who would be a very likely source of information.

 

"What you have to have is luck!" Andy declared.  He did: he got into an altercation with the bar manager (who was also heavily involved in drug imports) and consequently not only got sacked but also banned from the pub.  Yet, Andy managed to become deeply involved in the inner circle of a Hashish importing organization.  He was offered a deal to buy some $400,000 worth of the stuff.  This caused some consternation back at Police Headquarters, since $400,000 (roughly NZ$ 5 Million in today's money) in a brown paper bag was not exactly straight forward to organize, even at the top echelons of Police. [Terry Lewis or Jack Herbert in Queensland at the time may have been able to assist... ☺ Ed.] But the money was raised.  Andy was going to meet with the king pin of the syndicate at the local Cenotaph.  Upon the goods being handed over, he was to press a beeper which was to alert his colleagues who then would swoop in and arrest "everyone".  But the guy didn't want to do the hand-over at the Cenotaph.  He wanted to move to a small alley next to the hotel.  OK, so they went there - Andy pressed the beeper.  And nothing happened.  Pressed it again - still nothing. So, what does a good cop do in such a situation?  He confesses: "I'm a cop" Andy declared, "and I'm going to arrest you!".  Amazingly, the guy didn't resist or flee! But Andy needed to phone in, so they went into the pub where there was a Public Phone.  "But you are banned!" the bar manager declared.  So Andy - sorry, Adrian - arrested him as well into the bargain...

 

But the next segment was the most outrageous one of the lot.  Move over James Bond! Andy was sent to Christchurch to infiltrate a syndicate there which was suspected of importing large quantities of heroin.  And what did Andy chose as his professional cover?  To be a Gigolo...! He inveigled himself with the syndicate bosses' wife Theresa, who then invited him to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle. "Ok, but you'll have to pay me!" Andy retorted. That obviously was no deterrent.  "We had lots and lots to drink" Andy recounted, "and then some more.  When it came to 'do the deed', .... [in view of this bulletin possibly being read by some people who may suffer from heart complications, the rest of the story has been redacted by the Editor.]  But it seems that this did not cause any long-term damage - via the boss' wife, Andy was able to work himself into the syndicate and ultimately sprung the trap, bringing a wide circle of criminals from various backgrounds including University lecturers before the courts. 

 

There is no doubt about it: there is plenty of material there still for a 3rd segment!

 

This Wednesday, 27th May, Michael Irwing will give us an insight on what is is like living on an Antarctic Research Station. He joined Southport Rotary in 1992 when he was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University. He subsequently accepted Vice-Chancellorial appointments in New Zealand and in the Sultanate of Oman. Michael spent some time at the Scott Research Station in the Ross Sea region in Antarctica. This was the region where Scott and Shackleton commenced their expeditions to the South Pole, and their original huts are still there. Michael will talk about Antarctica, climate change, Antarctic research and the early Antarctic explorers.

the "Des La Rance for Pope" campaign has reached new heights: a letter received from a lady named Camille said "...you have humbled me with your love and kindness to humanity..."  No doubt about it: Francis, look out! Tania Laird: Now, THAT is sartorial elegance! Those leggings are giving serious competition: sort of Darrell Brown's socks on a lady's legs! [Sorry, no picture, you should have been there! Ed.] Doug Lipp explained to Andy what Crazy Whist is all about.  Andy's perception: "People randomly throw cards around, mostly into the middle of the table, and suddenly somebody yells out I've won!!" Gerald East was at the door today, and never have I heard anyone whinging so much: everybody is coming in with 50 dollar bills...! Simon Brook's latest escapade: running the Gold Coast Marathon! 

Over the years, your Editor has attended quite a few District Training Assemblies, many left lots of room for improvement, some were excellent.  Sunday's assembly, held at Skennar's Head, I would, without hesitation, put into the latter category.  With District Trainer PDG Tony Heading and District Governor Elect Anne Eagan in charge, I have no doubt that enormous effort was put into making it very much worthwhile for the incoming officers of the 54 clubs in the District to sacrifice their Sunday.  Our club was well represented, with DGEN Darrell Brown and District Treasurer Doug Lipp both running training sessions, and President Elect Paul Seymour being joined by our inaugural lady member Tania Laird, Secretary Peter Morgan, Vice President Ian Mayberry, Club Service Director Graeme Isaacson, Youth Service Director Chris Thurtell, Fred Hamblen, Simon Brook and your Editor.

 

I attended one stream each in the morning and afternoon: firstly Darrell Brown's 'Putting Fun into Rotary Meetings', and, together with Paul Seymour, in the afternoon DGE Michael Irving's 'How to develop a Club Strategic Plan'. Both sessions were highly interactive, with lots of good ideas coming up from participants of what has worked in their clubs.  This article is not to steal our President Elect's thunder, so I'll refrain from being specific....  However, I warmly commend any member who wants to make a difference in our club to attend future District Training Assemblies.  What's the old adage? "The more I put into it, the more I get out of it." Or was that the other way round? I'm never quite sure...  The engines have been warmed up.  Prepare for take-off! [That doesn't mean sitting back and staring out of the window.  That means start flapping your wings!]

 

Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week

 

 

This year's Changeover Luncheonwill be held on