Penultimate means next to last or second to last. The word ultimate comes from the Latin word for last, final, or farthest. The pen- part of penultimate is the Latin prefix meaning almost, so the word literally means “almost last.”

So, this is my “almost last” comments column in this (Rotary) year’s club Bulletin. A non-latin scholar could also interpret it as the almost last time I will be putting pen to paper for the Bulletin.

 

My thanks to the club for agreeing to a change in meeting dates for June. As I explained on Tuesday night, my daughter and family are returning from a 3-year teaching contract in China and will arrive at Auckland Airport on June 28. My granddaughter, Grace, had just turned 7 when they left and has now just had her 10^th birthday. There is no doubt that it was, and has been, an amazing opportunity for them to live and work in a different part of the world and in a different culture. Unfortunately, Covid meant they were not able to come home during that time and they were not able to welcome visitors. So, I have missed almost one third of seeing Grace growing up. I will be at the Airport to welcome them home, and not being able to be in two places at the same time, I had a dilemma.

 

I did not want to miss the ultimate club meeting of my year, and so to accomplish both, I suggested the June meetings come forward a week.

Therefore, the club will meet:-

June 7 and June 21 (instead of June 14 & June 28)

Special thanks to Richard for rearranging the Guest Speaker and Hugh for organizing alternative venue/caterer on June 7.

 

Welcome to two new members! Annie and Ian McArthur were formally inducted into membership of Alexandra club and Rotary International on Tuesday night – another wife and husband tag team to compliment Bernie and Michael.

Annie has enjoyed a long career, and various roles in Education; Ian in the NZ Police, with an equally varied career as Annie. They both have a huge amount of experience and talent that they can offer the community and have chosen Rotary as a channel to achieve that. I have no doubt they will do the club proud.

 

The Trust have approved the following requests for assistance

Andrew intends to run a training course at REAP

for new members, for existing members who have forgotten, and for members who may be taking Director roles on how to navigate around Clubrunner.

This will include how to get access to the District and Rotary International websites. There is so much information available – especially on the RI website – for those interested in gaining a better knowledge of what Rotary is and does around the world.

 

Poplar Grove continues to take shape and with the help of Haehaeata Trust, native plants have now been planted (see Graham's article below)

The club’s contribution to the Pumpkins for Polio has exceeded DG Nick’s request. All clubs in District 9980 contributed $15,900; Alex club’s share of this was $2191 – punching well above our weight. I have also included a final photo of “our” pumpkin heading off to the weigh in (picture below right).

 

 

POPLAR GROVE NATIVE PLANTING

Eight Rotarians plus Margaret from KACB and Rachel from the Haehaeata Trust came along to help with planting native trees and shrubs on Wednesday 18 May.  Organiser Ren Lothian arranged perfect weather on the day.

Photo 1 shows Stu Beattie demonstrating how NOT to install weed mats around the new plants.

Photo 2 shows Stu and Rachel assembling rabbit-proof cages to go around the plants.

 

 

 

The Alexandra Club recently raised a total of $2,191 as part of the District Governor's pumpkins for polio fundraising challenge. This amount was made up from: -

 

The Financial Report for the 12 Months ended 31 March 2022 has been completed. A summary of the Year is as follows.

 

INCOME

Grants                                                24,220

Other Receipts                                      2,293

TOTAL INCOME                                   26,529

 

PAYMENTS

Grants Paid out (37)                           25,985

Promotion Costs                                   3,958

Other Expenses                                       296

TOTAL                                                30,219

 

DEFICIT FOR YEAR                              3,690

 

As at 31 March the Trust held Cash at the bank of $15,771

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask either Charles or myself.

 

Hugh