President Jim's comments
Isn’t it amazing how quickly things can change in this Covid world. One minute 27 of us are enjoying dinner at the “Yummy Asian”’ the next we are heading into lockdown at midnight, and 5 minutes later Centennial Ave is almost bumper to bumper with traffic heading to the Supermarket, to the Liquor outlets and anywhere else before we are shut back up in our bubbles. Then I started thinking about all those Aucklanders that I had crossed paths with over the past couple of weeks – those people who had taken a day off skiing and decided to ride the Lake Dunstan Trail. I kept checking the “places of interest” hoping not to see any in Wanaka or Queenstown.
Here’s hoping the South can drop back a level or 2 on Friday so we can return to some sort of normality. I need a haircut !
My comments in this Bulletin are going to be an update on what has been going on and what may be in front of us over the next couple of weeks.
Director’s Meeting
Directors had a Zoom meeting on Tuesday night which started off pretty rough, until I found that I shouldn’t have turned the volume down on my desktop – it muted my sound totally.
Both the Club and Trust Accounts are looking very healthy.
The Club Current Account (as of yesterday) stands at $1264.00, and that is after payment of 6 monthly dues to Rotary International, District, and Rotary Down Under. The Club Serious Saver Account stands at $10024.00, thanks mainly to the revenue that is coming in from our grounds maintenance contract with Community House. This was the main reason for the decision to drop the annual subscription by $30.00, and at some point Directors will need to decide what, if anything, to do with the Serious Saver funds.
To date 60% of members have paid their semi-annual subscription.
The Trust Current Account stands at $20407.00, with another $43801.00, held in 2 Term Deposits. Within this total, $4000.00 is earmarked for Poplar Grove upgrades, and $7000.00 is committed (subject to other funding being sourced) for a Cycle Chariot for the Aged Focus Group.
Last night the Trust agreed to donate $500.00 to the Otago/Southland Life Education Trust – who deliver Health and Wellbeing programmes into schools, and $1000.00 annually for 3 years to the Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust – who are working to re-establish pockets of Central Otago’s native flora that has been ravaged by fire, early pastoral farming, gold mining and rabbits.
Other discussion items:
TrustPower Lend a Hand Trust. Charles has reported to Directors that TrustPower will no longer support Lend a hand Trust after June 2022. Alex and Cromwell Rotary now have to sign off on this 1 year contract that includes an agreement for both clubs to fund $3000 each. In the interim the clubs will have to meet and decide what the future of the Lend a hand Trust will be.
St John Central Otago Shuttle. You will have all read Nev Grubb’s proposal for the club to support the replacement of this vehicle – possibly in conjunction with Cromwell club. Directors have “agreed in principle” that this is a good project to be involved in, though still requires considerable investigative processes. I have contacted Cromwell’s President and he is happy to bring this up with his Board.
Vince Ashworth Charitable Trust. Robyn has supplied a copy of the Trust accounts for Year ended June2021, which show a Trust Capital Account of $174318.00 and a Trust Income Account of $31032.00
Grants made during the year amounted to $7411.00
Other Information - in no particular order
The Rotary Young Leaders Awards (RYLA) is a leadership recognition program where local Rotary Clubs and employers select young adults who currently hold leadership positions or have the potential to lead, either within the community or at work.
RYLA provides an opportunity to participate in a challenging week-long residential conference for these aspiring young people
Arnold would appreciate some assistance in locating worthy candidates in our area.
We all know from listening to past attendees the huge confidence and experience gained from attending. Please contact Arnold with names of any potential candidates you may know of.
The Daffodil Day Street Appeal, which was to be held this Friday - August 27, is the Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser bringing in about $1 million, but due to the uncertainty of when Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown will be lifted, this year’s appeal has been cancelled. Don’t let that stop you. Go on line and make a donation.
An invitation from Lodge Manuherikia Kilwinning:
A Presentaton on
“Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease” or “Successful Ageing”
By Professor Yoram Barak (Otago School of Medicine)
7.30pm, Friday September 10th
The Cellar Door
Centennial Avenue, Alexandra
Entry by a Donation towards Alzheimer’s (Otago) Research
The Rail Trail Operators Group is seeking interest from a volunteer with the skills to Chair our board. We're approaching Rotary in the hope you might have a member with the time, skills and interest to get involved in one of the regions iconic tourism attractions. If you are interested, contact Shayne O’Connor -
shayne@perspectivenz.co.nz
John Whitaker has suggested another project that is of interest - a mountain biker statue on the entrances to town - compare the big Carrot in Ohakune, the Trout in Gore, the Taihape Gumboot.
There are a number of things converging for Alexandra:
- Becoming the hub of the Rail Trail/Roxburgh Trail/Lake Dunstan Trail.
- Matangi Station - this will I believe become an iconic riding area for NZ. It is absolutely unique in geography, history and background (a working high-country station).
- Continuing development of Flattop, Boot Hill, Airport and others. Alex has the opportunity of becoming famous in NZ and ultimately internationally for mountain biking for all ages.
