Last weekend Paul and I attended the Rotary Conference in Waimate. The local club hosted a very well-run conference with a good array of speakers and activities. It was an all-female speaking line up with Dame Therese Walsh (Chair of Air NZ), Captain Carol Abraham (Chief Defence Strategy Manager), Kirsten Patterson (CEO Institute of Directors) – all of whom have a personal connection with Waimate – and Stephanie Woollard who spoke via a zoom connection from Melbourne. Their overall theme was “The Power of Moments.” The speakers were both entertaining and thought provoking.

 

One of the highlights for me was the Secondary School Speech Contest – based around the 4 Way Test – where 4 very talented year 13 students from around the District pitted their speech skills against each other. We definitely have some talented young people. This week’s speakers at our Club meeting reinforced this – Hanna Scarlet and Jazlyn Edmonds from Dunstan High School who attended the Auckland University Summer Science School in January and Fahim Uddin our RYLA candidate in Queenstown in January, spoke to us about their experience and how they have benefitted and developed as a result. I believe these programmes we support are some of the best activities that Rotary gets behind.

 

The Rotary supported programme of Polio Plus has proven very effective in eradicating polio around the world. Apart from some remote areas in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan polio has been eliminated.  At conference we had a short talk from Christine Hurley about the “Rotary Give Every Child a Future” international centenary project. This is aimed at vaccinating children – particularly in the Pacific region – against what most would consider common ailments.

 

One statistic that really struck me was that 1 in 8 children in Kiribati die by the age of 5 simply because of the lack of immunisations. While some of this is from ignorance – both on a personal and political level – much is to do with a lack of finance and resources in some Pacific countries. The aim is, between Australia and NZ to raise $4.5m to vaccinate about 100,000 children. There will be more information about this soon.

 

In April we are hosting a group of Rotarians from Hamilton (4 couples and 3 singles) through the Rotary Friendship Exchange Programme. John Whitaker is organising this and arranging a programme on behalf of our Club. The visitors are here for 3 nights – April 21 – 24.  We are still looking for hosts to accommodate all the visitors. If you can help please contact John.

 

At this week’s Directors meeting we discussed the dates for our major fundraisers. We are looking at the Quiz being in winter, the Charity Dinner in November and the Book Sale as usual from Jan 1 -4.

We also approved a grant of $1200 for Riding for the Disabled.

Saturday night was all about the Green! Rotarians who missed conference will be green with envy looking through these photos of a super fab night out with awesome band Double Talk, great food, and even better company! Mid way through dinner a quick fire 7 item auction was held which netted over $10,000 for our Centenary project “Give Every Child a Future” (vaccinations in the Pacific Islands). Massive thanks to local artist Maree White who’s extremely kind donations of painting profits hauled in $5600 of the fundraising total! Amazing! Thanks also to local Rotarians and supporters who donated the other items.

The outstanding 4 peas in a pod from Invercargill South took out the highly sought after best dressed club trophy - congrats

 

From a social perspective, our visit to the Como Villa seemed to go off well. A good attendance of 27. Many thanks to Owen Phillip whose efforts in sourcing, supplying and cooking up the venison steaks, together with the processing of the sausages as well ensured the success.

 

Some assistance on the barbeque was provided by Nev Grubb, while plenty of advice (not necessarily asked for) was provided by Stu Beattie. Salads and desert provided by Jean Bonsor. Johnny and Pam Chapman updated us on the progress of their researching the site and a number of our members had a look at the recent work that has been done on the buildings. Should all be finished by next year perhaps.

 

I am looking at the next event on our calendar to be held in April. I am just waiting on details of the plans for our visiting Rotarians from Tauranga to be finalised so we can try and work something in with them. Hopefully sorted out very soon. My thoughts are for a pizza night at Ferris Road Brewery, but we will see how we go. After that another Asian meal is on the horizon.

 

Watch this Space!

 

 

 

 

 

Various Focus groups made up of interested Rotarians from 9970 and 9980 have been meeting via zoom to consider how the new South Island wide District could operate. Focus group chairs will all meet for the day on 10 April in Dunedin to discuss recommendations from the various focus groups. As 9980 Treasurer I co-chair the finance focus group and will attend the 10 April meeting. Recommendations are made to the Transition Management Team (TMT) who oversee the re-districting project and they will report to Clubs about the recommendations. Watch this space!