Thank you to all of the recipients of this bulletin for your support and encouragement over the last month. Rotary Alexandra is an amazing organisation. There is the local content, the regional content, the national content and the international content. For September I will focus on the local content. 

 

We are still working on the database update because like the last meeting that had 18 apologies and we are faced with the question of getting the appropriate and relevant information to you.

 

It obviously works because 'off the cuff' Phil asked for members to support the clearance of weeds and spraying at Alexandra Community House and when I arrived there this morning it had all been done. You are amazing!!

 

 

Recently the directors (who keep me informed and in line) approved funding for Dunstan Rowing Club, interviewed and approved Science Forum candidates, and acknowledged the grant to Wool On presented by member Kevin, they approved the donation to the Dunstan High School Dux, approved the funding of $1000 for the Meals for Mums programme (Combined Churches initiative), approved $500 to Sean Crawford from Dunstan high School to attend the Police Youth camp in Sydney (very interesting concept developing leaders). Always a very interesting discussion on what we do.

 

Coming up is a great social initiative from Nev Grubb about a potato growing competition. Watch this space. Nev is trying to make a comeback from 2024 when he was soundly embarrassed with his poor agricultural skills.

 

I asked in the last bulletin for speaker or entertainment suggestions for 2027 Rotary dinner. No suggestions yet so I am eagerly awaiting your suggestions.

 

Coming up is the Rotary Quiz night on the 10 November-again watch this space.

 

 

 

Once again, Rotary worked with the CODC’s Parks Officer and Delta to deliver Trees for Babies plantings in September.   

The program was initiated by Karin Bowen in 2006 and has recognised the birth of many children since.   Rotary subsidises the tree cost which this year was $40.   The families paid the remaining $45 per tree. 

Delta digs the holes, stakes the trees and ensures water to each tree.   Gordon Wilson kindly transported the trees from Mackies to site and helped with the plantings.

This year, 11 children were honoured with Flowering Cherry trees planted at the entrance to Alexandra along SH8.  They will provide a great show of blossom, each spring, over the coming years.

 

 

 

(commentary thanks to Denis Flynn) 

 

 

Overlanding through Namibia and Botswana is one of the world's premier self-drive adventures, combining Namibia's vast desert expanses with Botswana's raw, untamed wetlands and game reserves. Because these regions feature highly remote environments, distinct driving conditions, and cross-border logistics, thorough preparation is vital.

 Driving Rules & Logistics

 

Rotary Youth Drivers Awareness Programme
 

Liona came from Christchurch to thank us for supporting the programme and to tell us about it. Forty people are killed or injured each day on our roads. This programme introduced in 2007 is to help teens improve their driving skills. The 1-day course helps Year 12 and up to look at behaviour change with 6 interactive sessions, to date 69,631 teens, 219 schools and 221 workshops have taken place.

 

It costs $75 per person but sponsorship especially from Rotary and Toyota has lowered the cost. It is the only road safety programme in NZ. Liona nominated Rhys Jenkins for all his help with this programme for the Supporting Excellence Award for NZ and Rhys won it. The trophy was presented by Mark from Toyota.

Barry Hambleton

 

Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program (RYDA) [from the internet]

 

Liona Stanicich is the South Island Programme Coordinator for the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) road safety education program, where she organizes and leads workshops teaching high school students how to make low-risk decisions on the road.

 

 

South Island Coordinator: Liona manages and runs dozens of RYDA workshops across regions like Otago, Canterbury, and Southland during the school terms.

 

Core Message: The program focuses on empowering teenagers to develop low-risk driving strategies, manage driver distractions, and recognize hazards.

 

Community Engagement: Liona regularly speaks at local groups, such as the Rotary Club of Alexandra (on Tuesday the 8^th of September 2026), to discuss youth road safety initiatives and the impact of driver awareness training.

RYDA is designed specifically for 16–18-year-olds as many begin learning to drive.

 

The programme focuses not just on vehicle control, but on decision-making, risk awareness and the cognitive distractions that contribute to crashes. Across the event, students rotate through six interactive 30‑minute sessions, covering topics such as peer pressure, cognitive awareness, speed and stopping distances, and live driving demonstrations.

 

 

Teens learn by repetition, so exposing them to a programme like this creates awareness around cognitive distractions, Liona said. “That message then gets reinforced again later when they’re learning to drive and sitting their licences.”

 

The programme is intentionally hands-on. Students work through booklets, quizzes and group activities, with prizes adding an extra layer of engagement. The interactive format encourages discussion, reflection and participation, ensuring the messages stay with students long after the sessions have finished.

 

‘My Life, My Choices’, is woven through every session, reinforcing the idea that everyday decisions can have lifelong consequences. Strong community involvement as well is the key to the success of the programme.

 

A driver instructor programme is also held for parents, offering practical guidance and confidence to those teaching their teenagers to drive and reinforcing safer habits at home.