
Angus Langbein’s fifty years’ service to the Rotary
The undoubted highlight of last night’s Christmas party was the celebration of Angus Langbein’s fifty years’ service to the Rotary movement.
Angus was a foundation member of our club in 1973. (He and Les Austing are the only surviving foundation members.) He was club president in 1985/6 when the average age of members was less than 50. He has been Youth Director, exchange student host, organiser of the inlet clean-ups, and tireless worker on Te Ara Piko. He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 1995. Phillip noted that Angus would always ask “what can I do to help?”
There followed tributes from old friend Bevan Smith, himself approaching 50 years in Rotary, Adrienne Murray on behalf of the DG, Graeme and Christine Blick, and the President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin.
Angus then spoke in reply. Angus joined the Awapuni Rotary Club in November 1968, and shortly after that moved to this area and joined Porirua Rotary. The Porirua Club sponsored two new clubs: Tawa and then Plimmerton, so Angus has been a member of three clubs, Awapuni, Porirua, and Plimmerton.
He recalled the ups and downs of club venues and catering, and the fraught issue of women’s membership, fundraising, and major projects, especially Te Ara Piko.
Angus then moved on to how Rotary has affected his life. He mentioned the four-way test, which he has tried to follow in his dealings with others. He values the contacts and fellowship he has made. Overall, he considers he is a better and more motivated person and is immensely grateful to Rotary for it.
The club gave Angus a standing ovation and President Donna presented him with a fine engraved mantle clock.
To be a Rotarian for fifty years means you were admitted at a young age and therefore seen as a person to be reckoned with. Besides Angus’ professional achievements, he is a gentleman of the old school who manages, without any effort, to be both dignified and amiable. Congratulations, Angus, from all of us.


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Caution around driveways
Police are asking people to pay extra attention to driveway safety, after a number of incidents recently involving children being harmed.
Driveways can be extremely dangerous, and people need to do everything they can to ensure they keep themselves and others safe, especially where children are present.
Children move around quickly, and often won’t be seen as you are reversing down your driveway.
Always check your driveway before driving in or out, and make sure you know the whereabouts of any children.
Please use your reversing camera if your vehicle has one installed.
Alternatively, ensure all children not in the vehicle with you are accounted for.
If another adult is at the property, make them responsible for ensuring children are well clear of any moving vehicles.
If there are no other adults present, have a ‘safe spot’ for children to stand and wait for the vehicle to stop moving.
This should be somewhere in view of the driver.
Check your blind spots often, and if you can no longer see a child, stop your vehicle and move them somewhere safe before you continue driving.
If your driveway is close to the children’s play area, consider a fence or gates to separate the play area from the driveway.
You should also take the time to speak to your children about the dangers of moving vehicles and remind them that just because they can see the driver, doesn’t mean the driver can always see them.
Taking those extra few seconds to make sure our tamariki are in a safe space when you drive in and out of your driveway can help prevent so much heartache and trauma.
Remember they don’t understand the potential consequences.
