ALEXANDRA ROTARY BULLETIN 30th October 2020
President Kevin's comments
 
We have had a week of very welcome rain and some warm temperatures so things are moving in the garden area. I imagine quite a few members will have potatoes, tomatoes and much more in the ground and are hoping for no frosts.
 
At Rotary we have had a variety of speakers with very interesting stories to tell. Thank you, Richard, for organising these amazing people to talk to us. From the sky around us to Africa, Andy Davey and Sharon and Peter Crean have entertained and informed us with fascinating tales. It emphasises how fortunate we are to live where we do and have the lifestyle we have.
 
Our “off” nights are also full of variety thanks to Hugh. The movie night was well supported and we saw a fascinating life story with great music.
 
We needed a quick Plan B when our caterer was unwell. The format we adopted of carrying on with our regular meeting and speaker then breaking into groups to spread around local restaurants or head home proved to be a viable alternative if this situation arises again.
 
It’s great to see the Charity Dinner receiving so much support. John and his team have worked hard to make this a success – well done John and team. Make sure you have November the 28th at Orchard Garden in your diary.
 
Keep the Book Sale in mind. As announced on Tuesday night the plan is to move books in on Monday Dec 28, have the Book Sale from Jan 1 – 4 and clean up on Jan 5. Shortly we will be asking members to commit to help at the sale.
 
Last Tuesday Mark, as Sergeant, detailed all the projects members had taken part in over the past year. The list was impressive. As a Club we have assisted our community in so many areas. Thank you to all members for your dedication and commitment to making our community a better place for all. Rotary is really making a difference.
 
We are still having some hassles with late apologies and silents – it is important, for catering, to get numbers right. We indicated in the last newsletter that we will have to invoice members - please take this little responsibility seriously.
 
Kevin
 
Please remember that the Charity Dinner is set for November 28th. As one of our major fundraisers we need all members to get in behind John and his team to ensure we get sponsors, participants and auction items. Spread the word to contacts, friends (for those who have some), colleagues etc to get a table together and support our community effort.
 
A meeting reminder, that meeting apologies need to be in to Greg Hunter by midday Monday prior to the meeting. We are committed to paying our caterer for the meals ordered. Greg advises her of
numbers shortly after midday Monday – she needs this time to sort her food out. I notice from other club bulletins that midday the day prior to the meeting is common for notification.
 
I realise that illness etc. can happen but the club is out of pocket when we have fewer than expected turn up.
Please help the club by doing your bit – we need to address this issue.
 
Remember this year’s motto – Rotary Opens Opportunities
Kevin
 
Our formal Rotary meetings are held at the Bridge Club in Boundary Road on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Duties will be allocated by Gil for these meetings and published in the monthly newsletter/Bulletin.
 
The dates up until Christmas are:
 
November 10th and 24th, meetings
 
November 28th, Charity Dinner
 
December 8th will be our AGM
 
Directors will meet at the Bridge Club after Rotary on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
 
The other Tuesdays will be a mixture of events and will be notified to all members as planned. Thanks, Kevin.
 
 
Loud Shirt Day 10th of November
 
Loud Shirt Day is a national fundraising campaign by ‘The Hearing House’ and ‘The Southern Cochlear Implant Program’ that raises much-needed funds to give the gifts of sound and speech to Kiwis with hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a significant issue facing our country. Nearly 900,000 New Zealanders live with hearing loss – representing 18.9% of the population. Hearing loss can happen to anyone at any point.
Sometimes there is a genetic cause, there may be a disease process, or it may happen suddenly for no known reason.
A patient’s journey is just beginning when they receive a cochlear implant. They will need ongoing specialist support at clinics for the rest of their lives.

The money made from Loud Shirt Day will help thousands of children, teenagers, and adults learn to listen and speak. (the government pays for the cochlear implant procedure, but not the therapy to enable the recipient to communicate). We provide rehabilitation services, so they are not stuck in a silent world - helping them reconnect with school, work, family, and the community.
 

Throw on your wackiest shirt and make some noise!
 
Alexandra Rotarians are asked to again support this very worthy cause and to not only wear a dazzlingly outrageous shirt on Tuesday the 10th of November (next meeting night), but also to bring along a monetary donation on the night.
 
Charles  
 
Gordon Keys a long standing member of Alexander Rotary and an Honorary Member depicted here on the Clyde club tennis courts, a club of which  he is Patron (a ceremonial title).

Dunstan High School Ropes Course

 

The school has been without its outdoor education high ropes course since a gale destroyed the whole course in August last year.

At the official opening of the new ropes course, special thanks were made to outdoor education teacher Kerry Barnett who has been instrumental in working to design a new stand-alone course, and raise funds for the anticipated $220,000 cost.

 

Principal Reece Goldsmith said “We owe Ms Barnett a huge thank you for all her hard work and perseverance in managing the project from its infancy. She has spent the last year tirelessly liaising with the designer, builders, funders and people in the wider community to make it happen.”

 

Alexandra Rotary Club was mentioned as being a key organization in assisting with funding. The following Rotarians below (with a couple of ring-ins) were on hand to celebrate with the school.

Jim

Ropes course demise at Dunstan High School
The new Ropes course at Dunstan High School
We did it...well looked on then!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bulletin Editor
Gil Elliott
Speakers
Nov 10, 2020
Leaning (still) Rock Retirement
Nov 24, 2020
View entire list
Club Information
Alexandra
Making a world of difference
Currently meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month
Alexandra Bridge Club
52 Boundary Road
Alexandra,  9320
New Zealand
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
 
 
 
If you are unable to do a duty that you have been listed for below, then please find a replacement for yourself. If you are Sergeant, you can contact the editor for a replacement name and then contact that club member. 
Meeting Responsibilities
Pre Meeting Tasks 10th November
 
Cashier
Lepper, Bernie
 
Attendance
Lothian, Ren
 
During Meeting Tasks 10th November
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Martin, Carolyn
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Hooykaas, Arnold
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
McGregor, Suzanne
 
Introduce and Thank Speaker
McIntyre, Hugh
 
3 Minute Talk
Dawson, Bob
 
Sergeant
Grubb, Nev
 
Pre Meeting Tasks 24th November
 
Cashier
Lothian, Ren
 
Attendance
Martin, Carolyn
 
During Meeting Tasks 24th November
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Hooykaas, Arnold
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
McGregor, Suzanne
 
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
McIntyre, Hugh
 
Introduce and Thank Speaker
Dawson, Bob
 
3 Minute Talk
Murray, Wham
 
Sergeant
Taylor, John
 
 
 
 
The next Bulletin will be produced on Friday the 27th of November. Please have any content that you wish to be included, to the editor by Thursday the 26th of November at the latest thank you.
Light party this Saturday 31st of October 2020
Light Party for those Rotary member who have kindly indicated that they will assist.
 
 
 
Clutha River clearing clean up
 
As there is no official Rotary night on the 3rd November (next Tuesday) we would like to have a working bee at the clearing across the Clutha River by the carpark accessed off Earnscleugh Road to tidy up before the summer.
 
If you are available could some of you bring trailers and weed eaters. 
Hopefully we can clear the bank of some of the old wood which has been covered by weeds. 
 
Can you email me at nevgru6@gmail.com if you can make it and if you have a weed eater and/or a trailer.
 
Shouldn't take any more than an hour or so if we get sufficient numbers. 
Time: 5.30pm onwards.
 
Nev