Welcome back and welcome to 2024. I decided this year I would quit all my bad habits, but then I realised no one likes a quitter.
A shout out to Mike, Kevin and Barry for a fabulous result for the annual book sale, $31,000+ fantastic. The only sobering aspect is that the long serving team are keen to stand down and hand over to a new guard, a discussion point for our next meeting.
Our first meeting started strongly with an excellent speaker in Peter Kelly, the new CEO of CODC, (don’t you love acronyms). His background was as interesting as his take on his new role. Career soldier, SAS stints in Afghanistan, and a path that took him to head of Army. Then a move into local government in Upper Hutt before shifting to Alexandra (see more information and a picture of Peter right column). The appeal of Central Otago, again, has worked in our favour, I just loved his no nonsense approach and commitment to community and team, even if his comments on future infrastructure costs were frightening. Watch this space with interest.
And we are going speed dating! There is a volunteer event organised for February 14 (Valentine’s Day) at Community House where people looking to volunteer will be able to talk to volunteer and service groups. Hopefully we will match up with people interested in Rotary.
John
Barry Hambleton
ROTARY BOOK SALE 1-4 JANUARY 2024
Report and time-line for 2023 and 2024
On 16.6.23,$640 was paid into our bank account. The Council asked us to pay the full rental on the Community Hall (Usually $320) so we applied to the Vincent Community Board for a grant and they provided the $640.
1.9.23, Brian Fitzgerald repainted our blue book boxes.
9.10.23, We received written guidelines to use the Aurora shed for sorting our books.
13.10.23, we shifted our books from Ngapara St to our sorting shed at the back of Pioneer Energy. This year we put culled books and cardboard into a bin as Waste busters had closed down.
Our sorting team of 8 regulars worked every Monday afternoon from 1 to 3 pm with help from some casuals. Our collection team picked up books 3 mornings a week We moved into Memorial Hall on Thursday 28 December and spent a day getting ready for the 4-day sale from 1-4 January (pictures below).
This year the weather was fine and we raised $31,150. We cleaned up on Friday 5 January, kept 10 half crates of books and the rest went by truck to be disposed of.
The total raised was a record and was due to having a large number of good books and great publicity. We had articles in the Otago Daily Times, Central App and Central Otago News. $5000 went to the Rescue Helicopter fund and the rest will be distributed locally.
Thanks to everyone for their help. All members are getting older, so we need to discuss the future of our annual book sale.
Recommendation
The 3 Rotarians involved have decided that another team of Rotarians need to take over the organisation of the Book Sale if the Club wants to continue this fundraiser.
Michael, Kevin and Barry have organised this fundraiser for a long period. We all feel that having made just over $31,150 record profit on this year’s sale the time is right for us to hand over to the new organisers.
Barry
Mike Rooney
Rotary Book Sale convenor
A pleasing result - $31,150 turnover – the highest to date. That as a result of a great supply of books donated by the community, plus we believe a larger than usual number of people through the doors – also due to great club support with around 75% of the club involved at some stage. Well done. Excellent articles by News reporter Julie Asher also did no harm either.
A smaller number of Rotarians are of course very involved pre-sale from around Labour Weekend on. First up a big thanks to the commitment of fellow committee members Kevin and Barry for all their efforts. Also, the book sorters Ren, Graeme, Denis, Philip, Greg, Nola Hambleton, Sue Mackenzie and others and Book collectors Don, Stu, Nev, volunteer Dave Mitchell and Richard (Omakau)
Special mention to Mark for again arranging the tables from Dunstan High – and also Nev the multi tasker overseeing the shifts from Ngapara Street lockup to the Aurora sorting depot then to the Hall and then back to Ngapara Street – plus attending to signage. Also, Andrew re design and supply of posters and arranging additional trestles from the Presbyterian Church.
Some data from the sale itself the hamper raffle made nearly $1400 another record. Thank you, Karen, and also to the gun seller Russell Grubb whose line was “How many raffle tickets would you like “rather than the polite “would you be interested in a raffle ticket”. With Russell towering down on the customer he had a great take up.
Children’s books sold really well thanks to how well Nola had them displayed. All the large collection of jigsaws sold. $10 books were nearly all taken with around 75% of the $3, $5 and collectibles out the door
Thank you letters and emails have been forwarded to Aurora, Radio Central, Central Lakes Auto, Richard Stephens and All Waste
The three-committee team of Kevin, Barry and myself have now been involved with the book sale for a number of years and have jointly decided to step down while on a high and give some new blood a chance to be involved.
Mike
Graham Quinn
Club Treasurer
A few observations from this year's book sale: -
1.The first day's EFTPOS takings were the highest ever at $10,420 and the
total day 1 takings, including cash, amounted to $16,177.
2.The final day total (just over $4,000) was also the highest final day takings on record.
3. A member of the public handed in $50 in petrol vouchers found in one of our banana boxes.
4. Most Club members reported that the recently leased EFTPOS machine was easy to use with a battery that lasted all day long.
5. The total gross takings for this year's sale amounted to $31,199.80 more than any previous sale.
6. The ratio of cash to EFTPOS transactions which had been steadily falling appears to have plateaued this year (see graph below)
Graham
A graph from Graham showing the increasing use of point of sale transactions over the years, although steady now.
Hugh and Greg first day
Good number of people looking for books
Alexandra Rotary Christmas Lunch
Mark Willyams
Social Convenor
Members, Honorary members and partners gathered at the Packing Shed for our Rotary Christmas Lunch on Sunday 10th December.
The day was perfect as was the lovely setting and the food was delicious (pictures below).
Mark
Rotary weekend Mt Aspiring, Tititea Lodge
Hugh McIntyre
A reminder
(Reprinted from Hugh's recent clubrunner email)
I mentioned before Xmas that I had booked the lodge for Feb 9/10/11. Arrive Friday night return Sunday around midday.
I can now confirm this and am looking to find out how many wish to come up. Usual story. meet at Alex 5pm for departure, Wanaka 6.15pm for fish and ships, Cameron Flat 7.30-8pm to cross river on tractor. I expect food cost will be between$20 and $30 per person, depending on numbers.
I have some jobs in mind, nothing to strenuous and plenty of time for socialising and perhaps a walk up the valley, or up to the waterfall at the back, for those interested. Some wood splitting, an old tree to cut into "slices" for splitting, a gravel "pad" to put down over a diesel spill, dead tree (small) and some foliage to remove, lawns to mow (need your licence).
The focus is on enjoying ourselves so if all you want to do is come and "blob", that's fine just bring a book! Tools down at 5pm sharp so we can enjoy a fine summers evening in the wonderful surroundings.
I will be coordinating the catering, the standard of which will be subject to numbers and if there are some competent assistants!! Owen has promised some venison so that will be the core of the Saturday night meal.
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.
Peter Kelly speaker on Tuesday 23/1/24
Mr Kelly (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Koata) the new CEO of the Central Otago District Council has moved to the district from Upper Hutt, where he has been chief executive of the Upper Hutt city council for five years.
Mr Kelly says he is “humbled by his selection as the new CEO in Central Otago and is looking forward to working with the mayor, councillors and team in Central and supporting their kaupapa of enhancing the wellbeing in the community”.
Prior to working with the Upper Hutt City Council, Mr Kelly had completed a three-year term as Major General and Chief of the New Zealand Army.
He has been named an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the New Zealand Defence Force, after serving in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait and East Timor, and being Military Attaché in Washington DC, among other roles.
Meeting Responsibilities
Pre Meeting Tasks 13th February 2024
Cashier
Beattie, Stuart
Attendance
Bowman, Robyn
During Meeting Tasks 13th February 2024
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Sumser, Phil
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Clark, Judy
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Dawson, Bob
3 Minute Talk
Flynn, Denis
Sergeant
Willyams, Mark
Meet & Greet and Last Word
Grubb, Russell
Pre Meeting Tasks 27th February 2024
Cashier
Bowman, Robyn
Attendance
Sumser, Phil
During Meeting Tasks 27th February 2024
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Clark, Judy
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Dawson, Bob
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Flynn, Denis
3 Minute Talk
Grubb, Russell
Sergeant
Grubb, Nev
Meet & Greet and Last Word
Hambleton, Barry
Book sale cleanup.
Book sale cleanup.
In Memorium
Ken Cook
Remembering our dear friend and fellow Rotarian Ken Cook who died recently in Christchurch.
Sadly we heard the news of Ken’s passing on December 12th 2023. Ken had not kept good health over the past year and after residing at Castlewood Rest Home had relocated to Bupa Retirement Village at Prebbleton. Christchurch to be closer to family.
Ken was a very dedicated member of Alexandra Rotary – was club President in 2007-08, was a club treasurer, convenor of the annual book sale, Trustee of the Vince Ashworth Trust, where he was instrumental in obtaining a large contribution from the Glad McArthur Book fund when that was wound down, assisted with the annual elderly citizens bus outing, plus many other roles. Ken received the Geoffrey Taylor Award in 2009 for outstanding service and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship also in 2009
On retiring from Rotary Ken was made an Honorary member of our club and continued to keep a keen interest on all the club’s activities. RIP Ken.
Steve Robertson
Firewood splitting
Keep Thursday the 8th of February2024 free for our fire wood splitting morning starting at 9am. Community garden, Dunstan Road (next to the Fulton Hogan yard).
Steve to confirm this!
Steve
Okay who goes first?
This seems pretty easy!
Another lot almost ready to deliver.
What a nice break after the hard work. But more to do yet.
Phil and Arnold packing up.
Tititea Lodge latest information from Hugh
Further to my email last week and this week’s meeting I have got some starters for our weekend. This is a final chance to register as I would like to finalise my list by the 31st which is next Wednesday.
So, if you want to book a place, or confirm where I have you marked as ‘to be contacted’ below, please let me know by then.
My Current list is.
Hugh McIntyre
Mark Willyams
John Whitaker
Gordon Wilson
Owen & Sue Phillip
Andrew Howley
Lynette Rolston
Paul Checketts
Richard & Louise McKenzie
To Be Confirmed
Don & Lesly Forbes
Chris (Swiss friend of Paul)
I look forward to hearing from you.
The next Bulletin will be produced on Friday the 1st of March 2024. Please send articles and any photographs to the Editor (gil.elliott42@gmail.com) by Thursday the 29th of February 2024 at the latest, thank you.
