Over the past month, I have been doing a lot of driving bikes around the Central Otago and Lakes District for people riding the various trails (picture below). I have also been involved with fire wood splitting (picture below). And squeezing in some eating, sleeping and T20 cricket World Cup watching as time allows.

 

 

Having listened to our 2 speakers on Tuesday night – Helen and Brett Sanders - talking about the tireless work they have been doing to set up Mountain Bike trail facilities on their Matangi Station property, and having worked with some of the hundreds of out of towners riding the Lake Dunstan trail, it is easy to get an appreciation of what this area we live in is able to offer locals, Kiwis, and Internationals (when they are allowed back).

 

Auckland and northern parts of the country being in lockdown is affecting the whole of New Zealand. Central Otago is part of that with The Central Otago Rail Trail and Roxburgh/Clutha Gold rides being absurdly quiet. That must be hurting accommodation, food and service providers to all those predominantly Aucklanders (and Aussies) who ride these trails, and bring all those dollars in. Thank goodness for the Lake Dunstan Trail!

 

The Lake Dunstan ride has been well advertised, and now with the opportunity to similarly push what appears to be high class international level mountain bike trails on Matangi Station, there is the opportunity for a further influx of adventure seekers – heading for Alexandra, not Queenstown. Let’s hope everyone who can, gets in behind Helen and Brett’s venture and gives them all the support possible. Alexandra will surely benefit from it.

 

That suggestion to erect some type of biking statue at either end of the town depicting Alex as the “Adventure Biking Centre” of NZ, is looking a little closer?

 

 

John and his team of 50-ish have pretty much got the Charity Dinner nailed down. 130 seats sold, good numbers of major Auction items, and a growing number of Silent auction items and it is shaping up to be a successful night. Mark Willyams is co-ordinating helpers on the night – bar persons, table waiting staff, spotters for the auction, people to help with the clean up the next day.

 

If you haven’t already, let Mark know of your availability. Black trousers, white shirts, black bowties are the order of the night.

Thanks John. Here’s hoping for some great auction items and some loose pockets. Alan McCrostie as Auctioneer should get the crowd up and moving

 

 

It has been decided that proceeds from the Charity Dinner/auction will go towards the replacement of the St John Health Shuttle (picture below).

Cromwell Rotary have indicated a strong interest in partnering us with this project. They are currently in the process of auctioning off a house that they and other service clubs in Cromwell have built, and we will hear more from them when that process is complete.

 

 

 

This year’s Xmas get-together will be at The Packing Shed in Earnscleugh (picture below).

It is set for Sunday afternoon 19 December time to be advised

Cost – approx. $50.00 per head

 

 

 

Next meeting – November 9. Vote on acceptance of Constitution for District 9999.

Charity Dinner – November 13. Get yourself on the list to assist.

Informal Meeting at Monteiths – November 16. More to come from Hugh on this.

Annual General Meeting – November 23

Last Formal Meeting of the year – Tuesday December 14.

Christmas function - Sunday afternoon December 19.