The club meeting on March 5th was by way of a “working bee’ on a project first suggested by Ren Lothian, who saw an opportunity to develop a recreational area on the south bank of the Clutha across the river from Rotary Park. Quite a number of smaller trees have been felled by club members and now sawn up for firewood. Other debris has been gathered up and made ready for mulching by CODC. Relatively speaking this area has only recently been accessible to the public as the start of the Roxburgh Gorge track. It’s a project with a lot of potential I believe. Ren is now waiting to hear from the Council who have got to come to the party as well. We all enjoyed a cold beer at Monteith’s once the work was done.
Last Tuesday our guest speaker was Helen Bond who is in charge of the Central Otago “buddy” programme. This initiative aims to provide adult mentors as positive role models for children with vulnerabilities. Designed to be a pro-active and early intervention scheme, the “buddy” programme has been very successful now for some years. Any Rotarian interested in becoming involved should contact Presbyterian Support.
Next week speakers are Kim Dodds and Terry Davies who are going to tell us about running events at the Forsyth Barr Stadium and other Dunedin venues.
In other news……
We have the Tasmanian Professional Development Exchange young people with us for a couple of days from April 20th. Jim Carroll has done a great job in arranging a number of varied and interesting activities for our guests. He is still looking for host families. Anyone who is available to help out should contact Jim.
Wood splitting was on again Thursday March 13th. Greg’s injury has alerted us all to the need for a health and safety briefing before work begins.
The directors/trustees have approved a grant of $2,000.00 to the Millers Flat school to help with the cost, totalling approximately $14,000.00, of sending 14 students and 4 accompanying adults on a Wellington student educational visit and camp in October. This is a magnificent opportunity for these students and deserves our support. Our grant is subject to the rest of the funds required being raised and the trip proceeding.
Our club’s Rotary 4 Way Test Speech competition is set for March 19th. Baz Bemrose jumped at the chance to be a judge at the Area Final of this competition at Wanaka on 2nd April. Thanks to Baz for also organising our club’s involvement in this event. The club has put $200 towards prizes for the student competitors.
Justine has expressed interest in organising something special for our meeting on April 2nd to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the historic 1989 Rotary Council on Legislation’s vote to admit females to Rotary membership. Could be interesting!
Neville Grubb has a number of club volunteers helping with the St John’s Ambulance street appeal on 5th April.
The Senior Citizens Outing usually happens in April. Mike Rooney and team are doing the organising again this year. Thanks Mike. Hopefully the bus won’t break down this year!
District Conference at Oamaru is on 26th April. Anyone interested in going please let know. I can provide transport.
30th April is our trip to Roxburgh. Dennis Kirkpatrick is taking us on a tour around the restored old bakery at Millers Flat, and then it’s dinner at Faigan’s Café next door. This will a social night rather than a club meeting.
And finally, the Charity Dinner on May 18th. Well-known international yachtsman and broadcaster Peter Lester is our celebrity speaker on the night.