Welcome to the 2020 Rotary year. The Club has started the year off with a bang holding the Book Sale in week one. Thank you to all members for your efforts in organising and running the Book Sale. I know many of you put in significant time and energy in making the Book Sale such a success. The amount of money raised was just under $24,000 after expenses were taken into account.

 

Our first club night for the year was held on Tuesday 21 January at Monteiths. Hugh was in charge of the night as President Justine was away this particular week. The night was pleasant thanks to Hugh for ‘chairing’ the meeting and although the meeting was informal our speaker for the night Hamish McKenzie entertained us with his interesting work in San Francisco and a brief account of Elon Musk’s activities as well.

 

Our first club meeting night will be held at the Stadium Tavern on Tuesday 28 January 2020. Please pay for your meal at the bar on arrival. The cost will be $23 for a main meal, tea and coffee. The Stadium will offer two meal options. Anyone with special dietary requirements will need to advise the Stadium direct (or on the night).

 

Following a recent survey of club members (admittedly only 23 took part), it has been decided to drop both the saying of Grace or thanks and the raffle from future club meetings

 

On a happy note, the club offers Andrew and Rosalie Howley congratulations on the birth of their son; Theodore Nyall Howley, born on the 11^th of January in Dunedin. See pictures below.

 

Regards.

So, 2020 is underway and I think we all enjoyed our informal start to the year at Monteiths earlier in the week. It is always good to hear about local people who have made good, so it was great to hear from Hamish McKenzie and what he is pursuing these days.

I have set out below the plan to early March.  I have not gone any further at this stage as the directors have not had a chance to consider my suggestions for the rest of this Rotary year through to 30 June. I can divulge that the plan is for fortnightly formal meetings, an informal “away meal” once a month where possible and there will be likely one Tuesday a month that remains “vacant” where members can possibly promote an activity of some sort. This may be a project, a meeting to discuss some particular issue or even just a gathering to have a drink together and may or may not involve a meal of some sort. Let me know if you have any ideas.

To start the ball ruling the proposal for the next 8 weeks is as follows.

 

Note that the session to discuss the proposed Club rules amendment has changed from the initial date I mentioned of 4 February to 3^rd of March. This has happened due to my being unavailable on the 4^th of February. If someone else is happy to convene it on the 4^th I would have no issue.

Como Villa has confirmed for the 18^th of February. This will be a barbeque meal being provided by the club. Owen Phillip has generously provided venison which I am hoping that he will be able to be in attendance to supervise the cooking , and there will also be some sausages, quite possibly venison as well. We will be providing at least three salads (from caterer) and plastic cutlery and paper plates will be the order of the day. If you have difficulty in dealing with the “substitute utensils” you are welcome to bring your own. Meal cost will be minimum $15 max $20, will advise once I have some costs finalised. Beer and Wine will be available from John and Pam Chapman. The last outing here went well even if it was in April. It will be a bit warmer this time around.

What may occur in this period is an opportunity to do some work with converting pine trees being felled to facilitate the building of the Curling rink between Iceinline and Molyneux Estate. It is probable that these will begin to be felled in February and I have a project in mind to assist by providing the labour to slice the logs and split for firewood. A bit of work to be done to finalise this and it may or may not be suitable for an evening exercise. In present temperatures perhaps not! Watch this space, I will keep you updated of any additions or changes at our meetings.

 

Regards,