Enough of craft beer (actually that’s an oxymoron as you can’t ever get enough of craft beer!). It's now on the bar.
Wasn’t it a worthwhile presentation from Paula Stephenson (speaker last Tuesday) about where Central Stories is going, she is doing a great job and it makes you feel good about the role it plays in Alexandra.
We have completed our application for Regionalisation with a desire for a geographic tie to the other Central Otago clubs, time will tell if the other clubs have done something similar but that was the early indication.
We have financially supported to the tune of $500 the establishment of a new Rotaract Club out of Queenstown with the hope that its spread of youth will have some reach into our area, as we know new younger members are critical to the growth / survival of Rotary.
We have also increased our financial contribution to the Dux Prize at Dunstan, despite pressure on our finances we have increased it to $2,000 from $1,000 to better reflect its status and the reality of educational costs. And we are supporting two Science Forum attendees from Dustan this year, this is one of my favourite projects as it is so rewarding to see the enthusiasm and excitement from the attendees, as one attendee said to me, it's so great to embrace the nerds.
We also have a RYLA attendee through Breen, fully funded by them which is even better. I am sure that will be a worthwhile investment for Breen and I would like to think the start of an ongoing involvement.
One of our key fundraisers is about to happen with the Quiz Night on November 7th, Nev needs more prizes and tables, so make it happen please team.
The Alexandra Rotary AGM will be on Tuesday the 12th of December.
John
Rob Roy
Vince Ashworth Trust
Rotary Club of Alexandra (Vince Ashworth) Education Charitable Trust
Brief report for the year ended 30 June 2023
Investment income received 2023, $7,332. 2022, $4,100.
The increase for 2023 represents a higher interest rate.
Grants paid: 2023, $6,536. 2022, $3,857.
Cheque a/c balance: 2023, $13,338. 2022, $12,451.
Investments: 2023, $193,000. 2022 $193,091.
The Capital Account balance is $174,318. This represents funds contributed from Darma Trust (Dunedin) $70,091, McArthur Book Committee $25,000 and balance from the Rotary Club $79,227
Just a reminder that the main purpose of the Trust is to provide financial assistance, clothing, books, equipment, and other appropriate assistance to such NZ residents to enable them to further their education. Only the interest on the capital is able under the trust deed to be used for these purposes.
Rob
Rosemary Riddell speaker for the 14th of November
Rosemary's forthcoming Rotary Talk is entitled ‘Life as a District Court Judge; the good, the bad and the ugly.’
Rosemary (picture below)was appointed as a Judge at the Hamilton District Court in 2006. Before that, she was a lawyer in Dunedin, becoming a partner at Gallaway Haggit Sinclair and the firm it merged with to become Gallaway Cook Allan.
Rosemary’s path to law was rather unusual as she graduated at the somewhat older age of 40 when her and her husband Mike’s three children, Matthew, Polly and Katherine were at primary school.
Her love of theatre and film saw her involved in Dunedin’s Fortune Theatre and directing a short film ‘Cake Tin’, which won an award at Hollywood’s Moondance. Later, while a judge, she directed the full length film, ‘The Insatiable Moon’, written by husband Mike and starring Rawiri Paratene, of Whale Rider fame.
When Rosemary retired from the Bench in 2020, she wrote a book ‘To Be Fair:Confessions of a District Court Judge', a very successful book published in 2021 and featured on TV3’s News hub, Nine to Noon, the Australian Women’s Weekly and other print and radio media.
There will be an opportunity to purchase Rosemary’s book, which retails for $39.95, but the book will be available at the reduced rate of $30, signed by the author. If people don’t have cash with them, Rosemary can provide her bank account details, so they can deposit money later.”
Rosemary will be accompanied by her 95-year-old mother, Lorna Scott for the evening. Lorna lives next door to Rosemary in Oturehua.
Rosemary Riddell
Gerrard Eckhoff Speaker at the Alexandra Rotary meeting 10th of October
Gerrard Eckhoff is a retired Central Otago farmer and former Otago regional councillor and Act New Zealand MP. The following includes information from his talk and further general information that has been previously published by Gerry in regard to the Manuherikia. (editor’s note).
Gerry spoke about the ongoing situation within the Manuherikia river catchment, and the forever debate about water flows in the Manuherikia highlights the need for a proper debate between urban and rural New Zealand.
The river is the source of life in this area he said. It has been the cultural, social, historical and economic foundation of the valley for over 100 years.
Most would argue that the right balance of the river use has been found over many years and is untroubled by competing interests, who to this day have enjoyed shared use.
Much has been made of the so-called deteriorating state of the river during periods of high demand in summer. The low flow of a river can certainly highlight the presence of unwanted organisms. Fresh water is the vital element in sustaining all life, but especially in this area of Otago.
It is now highly likely that water allocation will soon be reduced to uneconomic levels, despite vast sums being invested by land managers at the ORC’s behest. No farmer investment in more storage will now occur, as most have learnt they can no longer trust officialdom from local and central government.
The Falls dam and lake that it maintains has been repeatedly examined to see if the cost of raising the dam to increase the size of the lake is justified in environmental and monetary terms and who would pay for it.
Gerry contrasted the river flows in summer and winter and obviously the winter river flow is greater and yet no one seems to agree to what amount of water flow is needed year-round to both satisfy the farmers in the catchment and the environmentalists.
The only real certainty is the entrenchment of the division between rural and urban New Zealand. The battle lines are drawn as to whether the area has a future, as there are those who would see an end to farming to protect the environment.
Gerald Eckhoff
Nev Grubb
A reminder
Rotary Quiz Night 7th November 2023.
The Rotary Quiz is coming up on the 7th of November at the District Club.
What we need between now and then are the following: -
Prizes suitable for raffles and placing
Members to approach potential sponsors
Members available on the night to help with selling raffles and marking
Members to make up teams
If anyone has access to a photocopier and could do some photocopying for me, please let me know.
Any prizes can be passed onto me on Rotary nights or dropped off to me at 2 Thyme Cresent.
The District Club has advised that wine as raffle prizes is not allowed under their licence.
Therefore, if you can think of something outside of alcohol that would be good as prizes that would help. Meat prizes for instance are well received.
We can however use wine as winner prizes so if you plan to give this, please let me know, so I can make sure that we don’t end up with too much.
Many thanks in anticipation and I will keep in touch along the way to update everyone on progress.
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 14th November 2023
Cashier
Wham, Murray
Attendance
Whitham, Bernard
During Meeting Tasks 14th November 2023
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Young, Les
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Bathurst, Logan
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up after
Beattie, Stuart
Introduce and Thank Speaker
Bowman, Robyn
3 Minute Talk
Sumser, Phil
Sergeant
Lothian, Ren
Meet & Greet and Last Word
Clark, Bob
Pre Meeting Tasks 28th November 2023
Cashier
Whitham, Bernard
Attendance
Young, Les
During Meeting Tasks 28th November 2023
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Bathurst, Logan
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Beattie, Stuart
Set up/bar/kitchen duties/tidy up ...
Bowman, Robyn
Introduce and Thank Speaker
Sumser, Phil
3 Minute Talk
Clark, Bob
Sergeant
Roy, Rob
Meet & Greet and Last Word
Clark, Judy
Steve Robertson
Firewood splitting
Keep Thursday the 9th of November2023 free for our fire wood splitting morning starting at 9am. Community garden, Dunstan Road (next to the Fulton Hogan yard).
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.
The next Bulletin will be produced on Friday the 1st of December. Please send articles and any photographs to the Editor (gil.elliott42@gmail.com) by Thursday the 30th of November at the latest, thank you.
