Covid 19
Having worked hard to ensure I was doing everything possible by the “Covid Book” to guard against succumbing to this virus, I headed to Riverton – Riviera of the South – for a family reunion for Easter.
We ate a lot of good food, drank more than we should have of Speights, Glenfiddich and Laphroaig and mingled with a lot of young children.
Both Lizzie and I totally let our guard down with the result that on Easter Monday, we tested positive for Covid 19. It was a bit of a shock, but I was more annoyed with myself for letting it happen. Trying to figure out how and where it happened is a pointless exercise, and it then becomes a matter of working through it. I must admit it knocked me on my backside a little harder than I expected – mild flu symptoms which developed into quite a bit more than that, and a total lack of energy. Walking from one end of the house to the other was an effort. Others will have experienced what we have just worked through – some probably worse, some possibly not so harsh, but I would rather have gone without it. At least I am relatively safe now for 90 days.
Sapphire Pin for Paul Checketts
Paul Checketts has been awarded a Paul Harris fellow Sapphire pin for his services to Rotary District 9980 as District Treasurer. (see picture of Paul and the saphire pin below right)
A Paul Harris Fellowship recognises a significant contribution to Rotary or to the Community by a member and is a significant occasion for the member and the Club. When a member is recognised in this way on more than one occasion he/she is presented with a Paul Harris lapel pin with a sapphire mounted in it.
The Recognition is named for Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International.
Congratulations Paul, and so well deserved.
Rhys Jenkins – New Member
Rhys was inducted into the club as its newest member on Tuesday night. He was introduced by Paul Checketts and Past President Kevin carried out the official part.
Rhys was born and raised in Auckland and his family moved to Sydney towards the end of his High School days. He attended Wollongong University and graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours).
He started into a career in environmental management and that included 14 years with Rio Tinto. In that capacity he has travelled the world and worked and lived in over 20 countries. During that time he also served with the Australian Army, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant.
Rhys and his wife Tania moved from Montreal back to NZ and Alexandra and a position with DOC as a Senior Climate Control Advisor. He is on the board of the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group, and has recently joined the Cromwell & District Community Trust.
Rhys has previously been a Rotarian in Kununurra, Western Australia. The club welcomes Rhys and Tania, and we look forward to Rhys making use of the skills and experience that he has gained in his previous roles and applying that to furthering Alexandra Rotary service in the community.
Growing Pumpkins for Polio
Over the past 6 or so months various Rotarians across District 9980 have responded to District Governor Nick’s challenge (see Nick's comments below) to grow giant pumpkins to raise funds for polio Plus.
Pictured with Gordon Wilson are 3 of Alex Rotary’s pumpkins (Judy Clark’s still to be collected) on the way to the weigh in. It would be bragging to say who grew the 135.5 Kg beast on the left, suffice to say I had warned you it was doing OK. (pumpkin picture below right)
DG Nick’s goal was to raise $33.3K, which with the 2:1 matching by the Bill Gates Foundation would raise $100K for Polio Plus.
PolioPlus is the most ambitious program in Rotary's history and is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. PolioPlus began in 1985 and Rotary's network of 1.2 million members has contributed money, volunteer time, and networking expertise to the eradication effort
Rotary's financial contributions to the global polio eradication effort will reach nearly US$650 million by the time the world is certified polio-free.
When we talk about PolioPlus, we know we are eradicating polio, but do we realize how many added benefits the program brings? The “plus” is something else that is provided as a part of the polio eradication campaign. It includes funding operational costs, such as transportation, vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and training of health workers, and support surveillance activities. It might be additional medical treatments carried out at the time of vaccinations; it could be providing access to water supplies or training of nurses.
A 2010 study estimates that vitamin A drops given to children at the same time as the polio vaccine, have prevented 1.25 million deaths by decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
We get blaze when we hear so often “how close we are”, but we forget what has been achieved over that time.
Postponed Board Meeting
Normally there would have been a Board meeting following Tuesday’s club meeting. That has been postponed to next week, and consequently there is nothing to report in this Bulletin. Minutes will be circulated at a later date.
Alexandra Community House Roster
A brief reminder to members that the club is earning good revenue from our contract to maintain the lawns and gardens of ACH. This helps in keeping subs at a low level and ensure the Club Bank Account stays nicely in the red. John Whitaker continues to put out a roster for members to follow and ensure that everyone continues to do their part in keeping the grounds looking good. Occasionally we are prompted by ACH to tidy up something that has been missed. If you are rostered on and see something that requires a little bit of extra attention, please let John or Neville or Jim know so that it can be actioned.
