Greetings, Rotary whanau! 

As we approach the end of the year and the festive season, it’s always interesting reflecting on the year past. For me it’s been my first year of not working full-time and it has been much more successful and enjoyable than I ever expected it to be. For some of you it’s been a year of sadness and change. I hope you get time to spend precious moments with family and friends over the summer creating new memories.

 

It’s been a busy few months and under Mark and Hugh’s guidance the Book Sale preparation is well under way. Remember to offer your time to help set up, take down and be part of the sales team. It’s always amazing the number of past acquaintances you meet up with at the book sale.

 

We are pleased to support the Community Christmas Dinner under the guidance of Andrew, Rosalie and their helpers again this year. This wonderful initiative brings joy and warmth to those who otherwise may be by themselves. A chance to meet new people and be together on Christmas Day.

 

As we enter the summer months, let’s look forward to new opportunities to connect, serve, and enjoy the beautiful weather. I look forward to our Rotary activities next year.

 

I hope many of you can join us at Orchard Garden on the 2nd December for our annual Christmas dinner.

 

Mark your calendars for our first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday 27^th of January.

 

Thank you for your contribution to Rotary and the Community.

 

 

A reminder that our AGM will be held on Tuesday the 9 December at our usual meeting.

 

At our recent directors’ meeting, we agreed it’s time to start thinking about succession planning, particularly for the roles of President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

The intention is not to throw anyone in the deep end — if you’re interested, please let me know and we can talk about the role and how there could be a supported transition period, especially for the Secretary and Treasurer roles.

 

If you are interested or would like to know more, please get in touch: bernicelepper@gmail.com

 

At the AGM, the new Constitution and Bylaws will also be presented. Greg has circulated these along with the agenda.

 

A reminder about the Christmas Dinner.  Please get your names to Paddy.

 

 

 

Chris "Foggie" Foggin is a prominent cycling advocate, educator, and guide in Central Otago, NZ, known for his "Play Bike" philosophy, leading bike safety programs like the Community Bike Ambassadors (COBA), and running the Up-cycles charity for bike refurbishment, leveraging his background as a former UK police officer and NZ Police trainer to promote cycling for fun, transport, and community safety. 

 

From 1981 to Jan 2007 Chris was employed as a Police Officer and in 1990 specialised as a Protective Training Instructor. In 1995 he became the senior Instructor Trainer for Merseyside Police and National Tactical Advisor.

 

As a hobby (and second job) Chris worked extensively in the fitness and cycling industry and in 2004 founded a Bike Education business in the UK. This is Nationally recognised and still operating.

 

Chris brought his expertise in cycle training to the NZ Police and later applied it to community road safety.  Chris is passionate about making cycling accessible, fun, and safe for all ages and abilities. He believes in the positive impact of cycling on wellbeing, community connection, and breaking down barriers. 

 

 

Central Otago District Council: Works as a Road Safety Advisor, developing initiatives like the "Wheels Up" campaign and the COBA program.

Bike Ambassador Program (COBA): Trains local volunteers to assist cyclists, offer first aid, and teach bike skills on trails.

Up-cycles: Runs a charity refurbishing donated bikes for those in need, promoting cycling as transport and fitness.

Guide & Educator: Offers bike tours, promotes trail etiquette, and teaches cycling skills, emphasizing fun ("Play Bike").

Cycling New Zealand: Previously held roles in coach education at a national level. 

 

 

 

 

 

A great night at the charity quiz. 34 teams and some great questions thanks to Kevin. 

 

Many thanks to those who sold tickets, provided prizes and helped on the night.

A great selection of prizes for the raffles, thanks to everyone who provided some excellent stuff.

 

The silent auction went well and it looks like from early indications that it will be a record profit, a magic result that couldn't be done without your help. 

 

Special thanks to Andrew for his work with the IT setup, Paddy for organising the raffles, Kevin for the questions and being the quiz master (a great job) and all those who helped on the night.

 

Once again thanks to all who contributed, and next year thanks to Bidi for putting her hand up to organise the quiz night, I'm sure we will all get behind her to make it work well.

 

 

 

A big thank you to you all. It was a great night. Very well organised and so good to see so many Rotary members supporting it. Great Leadership Nev.

 

A thought for next year, which Barry just suggested, and I agree. We all wear our Rotary T-shirts to the Book sale, so I think we should definitely consider doing the same for the Quiz. 

Another easy way to promote Rotary and also help the participants see who is selling raffles and collecting answers. 

 

Well done, everyone. I really enjoyed the questions and the visuals; with the photos, were excellent. Thanks again to all involved. 

 

 

 

 

A full house of members, family and friends turned out to watch the movie, Pike River. 

 

A very thought-provoking story as the movie focussed on the relationships and challenges that two key people experienced, Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne. One losing a husband the other a young son.

 

At the time of the mine disaster our wider community received the story in bits and pieces, this movie presented the story as a continuous narrative and connected dots as the miners sought to get the 29 bodies of the deceased miners back for burial and accountability for the safety shortcuts that contributed to the explosion.

 

The movie was a slow burn set in the moody bush and ranges of the "coast", a bit like the pace of life on the coast and the pace of getting justice and accountability. It was a story of a community united and the challenges faced by ordinary people in face of tragedy.

 

One outcome was the legal precedent achieved in that on charges of health and safety (leading to death) that those responsible can no longer pay compensation to avoid prosecution.

Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm were excellent and Lucy Lawless a surprise role as Helen Kelly union organiser.

 

A thoughtful night out.

 

 

 

Three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey (YELLOW JACKETS, THE LAST OF US) and acclaimed NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (TOP OF THE LAKE, AFTER THE PARTY) star as Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse; two ordinary women who together stand up and take on the government, justice system and a company that will stop at nothing to protect itself, after the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion takes the lives of 29 men underground.

 

The mine exploded at 3.44 p.m. on Friday 19 November 2010. Twenty-nine of the 31 men underground died immediately or soon afterwards from the blast or because of the toxic atmosphere this generated.

 

 

 

Skevingtons have given us space to sort books again. Next, we needed to get underway and move our boxes and books into the sheds at Ngapara street (see pictures, now accomplished).

 

The plan as now executed was to move in Sunday morning, the 12th of October at 9.00am. 

 

Required for the job was a trailer and access to a forklift, we intend to move some books in during the following week (see pictures here).

 

Last year, sorting seemed to work well on a Monday afternoon, 1-3, so will run that again. (If on another day, this will be communicated)

 

Mark and Hugh.