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International Guests 5 March

As an international travel destination, we are privileged at Queenstown Rotary to have regular visits from Rotarians from overseas. Last week (5 March) we had 3 visitors from 3 countries. From left above: Georg Ficke from Neuss (suburb of Dusseldorf) in Germany, Annemarie Graf-Leuppi from Arboldswil (near Basil) in Switzerland, and Davis Linden from Evergreen (near Denver) in the USA. We are able to gain insights into their countries, their communities and their clubs and even make contacts for our own trips overseas in the future.

Leah's RYE Report - February

Almost 2 months of my exchange has flown by, as we all know it tends to do this when you are having fun. Getting off the tiny 28 seater plane in Billund and being welcomed by the harsh cold temperatures feels like only yesterday. While I was shivering and trying to practice “Hygge” to stay warm, New Zealand had a heatwave. I am definitely missing the sunshine but Spring is on the way.

Since arriving in Denmark, I have learned more than any class could ever teach me. For instance, I was taught the rules of soccer and how to dance South American style on Intro Camp. I can now cook more meals than before I left, including Danish leek and potato soup with flutes (a type of bread) as well as Indian curry.

I also learned the hard way that my clothes shrink in the dryer (in NZ I am used to line drying everything). Or maybe my clothes aren’t shrinking and I’m just growing my puku. I now know that I can get supermarket vouchers in exchange for empty bottles and cans, so I collect recyclables from my classmates after lunch to help fund my growing addiction for salty liquorice. I also baked my first “successful” pavlova for Ungdomkulturhuset (Youth Culture House), I learned that cream and berries can fix a broken cake. Yesterday I went to a museum in Jelling (where Harald Bluetooth, the king who united Denmark, created a fortress). I learned a lot about Denmark’s Viking history and the continued influence and significance of Norse mythology in the country.

My host family were awesome enough to take me along on their ski holiday to the Dolomites in Italy, where I very quickly found out that New Zealand ski fields are miniscule. I also re-learnt skiing (the last time I skied was at the age of 10), when I discovered the mountain had a lot of flat areas that were designed with skiers (as opposed to snowboarders) in mind. This trip was without a doubt my favourite part of my exchange so far.

Before I left, I thought that apart from my family, the mountains would be what I missed most about Aotearoa. The other day I looked up at the night sky and saw no Southern cross and very few stars compared to what I am used to back home. I also discovered that I took the humble feijoa for granted back at home. Nobody here has even heard about the wonderful fruit.

I am looking forward to continuing on this epic adventure, thank you again to Rotary for making this trip a possibility for me. Or, as they would say på Dansk, tusind tak (a thousand thanks).

For more photos from Leah, click here.

Ella's RYE Report - February

It’s really hard to start this off without using a cliché. Like how time has gone super fast or how unbelievable it all is. Without a doubt, this past month and a half has been a whirlwind of new experiences. In my first weeks, I definitely wondered why I had willing chosen to move completely across the world from everyone and everything.

While the orientation weekends and meetings were very helpful back in New Zealand, there’s no way to actually express the emotions I got and I believe most people feel when starting their exchange year. However, just as surprising is how quickly I found myself in a routine and at a point where I am having fun everyday. I celebrated my birthday here around mid-February which is also where I’d say things really took off from. The people around me have made sure that I feel loved and involved by my new community, something I will always be grateful for.

Now, I have a group of friends at school who have a great sense of humour, super welcoming and generally interested in me. Throughout the week I have several activities including karate and scouts while Wednesdays are when I catch up with other inbounds here. Just this last weekend, Rotex organised a day in Brussels where my little group of ‘newies’ basically ate our way through the city.

There really is too much to write about so I’ll let my pictures speak for themselves. I also had to be on time with my report this month since I’m off skiing in France in two days!! Where I’m at now, I can say that I’m way too lucky to be here with these amazing opportunities and experiences. Here’s to another two months of fun!

Click here for Ella's photos

VISIT FROM WAKATIPU HIGH SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL & HEAD STUDENTS

Wakatipu High School's Head Girl Gracie Hansby, Head Boy Archie Ritchie and Principal Steve Hall attended a recent meeting.

Background on Archie:

He is the ultimate all-rounder - exceptional both academically (top of his year) and as an athlete. He is vice captain of the WHS football team, has represented Otago in football, regularly does triathlons and marathons, swimming, cycling and skiing. He coaches football in his spare time. He has attained Gold Level in the Duke of Edinburgh programme and will be going to Outward Bound later this year.

He attended the Science & Technology Forum in January and won one of the only two trips to the LIYSF (London International Youth Science Forum) on 24 July. He got a lot from the Auckland forum, but his stand out was talking with the ‘Youth Advisors’ who mentor and coach the students while on the Forum. He was inspired so much that he is going to sign up to be an advisor at future forums and also to implement a similar program into WHS as part of his Head Boy goals for the year.

He was overwhelmed and extremely grateful at the opportunity Rotary gave him to attend the forum. It has changed his life and given him new focus and ideas for his career pathway decisions that he will be making this year.

RECENT CHARITABLE TRUST PAYMENTS

Payments made by our Charitable Trust in the last six months

Finn Duffy snowboarder	$1,000.00
69 year old - for half marathon	$690.00
'Hospice Southland' for car expenses of the Palliative Care Nurse serving the Wakatipu	$5,000.00
Rotary Foundation	$4,400.00
'Life Education Trust' - donation	$500.00
'Happiness House' for meeting computer and telecommunications costs	$2,500.00
'Wakatipu Reforestation Trust' - trees for Tuckers Beach Trail	$500.00
'Sustainable Queenstown' - proceeds from Duck Race	$11,150.00
Rotary Youth Exchange - Ella Numaguchi	$750.00
Rotary Youth Exchange - Leah Kissick	$750.00
Rotary Summer Science School - sponsorship Abie Kerr	$1,795.00
'Queenstown Lakes Family Centre' ex Henry Garden Tour	$4,136.00
'Wakatipu Search And Rescue' - wet weather protective clothing	$2,173.50
Total	$35,344.50

ROTARY TUCKER BEACH TRAIL OPENING

Queenstown Rotary’s long awaited Tucker Beach Trail was opened on Sunday 28 October, by Queenstown-Lakes Mayor Jim Boult, after 3 years of planning and community consultation and fundraising of some $250,000. In addition Rotarian Tony Fleming contributed a substantial amount by way of trees removal by his company Tree Care Southern Lakes.

The trail is a walk and cycle trail that extends 3.2 km along Tucker Beach Rd from the Rotary bridge across the Shotover River. The restoration of the old suspension bridge was earlier Queenstown Rotary’s project to celebrate Rotary International’s centenary year for which our club received a Rotary International Citation. The trail, in turn, is our club’s gift to the Wakatipu community to celebrate 75 years of Rotary in Queenstown.

Plantings of native trees and shrubs along the trail will follow through our partnership with the Wakatipu Afforestation Society.

Credit goes to project leader PDG Kerry Dunlop and his team of Rotarians John Thompson and David Broomfield who have seen this project to fruition.

QUEENSTOWN COMMUNITY PATROL VEHICLE

In 2017 Queenstown Rotary contributed $5,000 to the Queenstown Community Patrol group that enabled the purchase of the original Community Patrol vehicle and enabled the group to establish here. That original Daihatsu Terios vehicle has now been ‘traded in’ on a new 2019 model Mitsubishi Outlander pictured here displaying the Rotary logo, together with other sponsors. Funds for the new vehicle were raised through local charitable trusts as well as the sale of the older Rotary funded vehicle.

Rotarians Bruce Jefford (chair), Stuart Maclean and Ashley Adams are members of the rostered Community Patrol team which patrols Queenstown and surrounds mostly on Friday and Saturday nights when they are most needed informing the Police. The Queenstown Community Patrol is the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Police in contributing to keep the our community of residents, businesses and worldwide visitors safer.

THE 'DUCK' RACE 2018

Sunday 24 June, at the end of Winter Festival, saw our 2018 Rotary Duck Race held on Horne Creek. 44 ducks were entered from Queenstown companies to raise just under $16,000 for 'Sustainable Queenstown' to purchase a vehicle to collect food from hotels and supermarkets to distribute to the needy in our community. In addition there were prize sponsors including Countdown ($5,000).

The winning duck was from 'Provisions' Arrowtown and 2nd place went to 'Public Kitchen with Gay Pride'. Best dressed duck was from Rilean Construction.

A big thank you to all who assisted, including on the day. A special thanks to the organiser - new Rotarian Gemma Zust. What a fantastic effort - well done Gemma!

1st Place Provisions Arrowtown, 2nd place Public Kitchen Gay Pride and Best Dressed Rilean Construction

UNSUNG HERO'S AWARDS

Tuesday 24 April was our inaugural "Unsung Heroes" Awards function. We have introduced these awards to recognise members of our community who have selflessly given much of their time with passion to make our community a better place. The awards were presented by Mayor Jim Boult, also an Honorary Member of our club.

President Monica and Kerry Dunlop, Chair of our Recognition and Awards Committee, welcoming Jim and Karen Boult.

Marty Black recognised for his service to St. John and water safety.

Lyall McGregor recognised for his service to the RSA, Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade (retired) and music.

Stu Ide recognised for his service to fire safety education, particularly youth, and to the Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

LGBT NIGHT HELD ON 10 APRIL

An unprecedented Rotary event - a LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Information Night. 17 LGBT people from the Wakatipu attended. This was an opportunity to showcase our Rotary Club and offer the hand of friendship - especially those who feel marginalised due to their sexuality.

Rotary International President Ian Riseley in a letter supported the event and encouraged all clubs to welcome people of all diverse backgrounds. A similar letter of encouragement was received from our own District Governor Bruce Cowan.

Key speaker Jacqui Moir, counsellor to Wakatipu youth dealing with their sexuality, spoke of the numbers of attempted suicides and self-harm etc due to abuse and bullying. Programmes such as ‘Rainbow Youth’ and ‘Inside Out’ assist affected youth to better understand their situations.

Rotarian Steve McLean concluded by relating to personal family situations.

A very successful evening for both Queenstown Rotary and our LGBT guests indicating our openness to, and support of, sexual diversity within our community.

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP VISIT

Sunday 15 April saw the Dunlop’s, McIntosh’s, Robins and Chris Taylor’s host and entertain 10 Rotarian guests from the USA and Australia (and their tour guide) for dinner.

Their trip through NZ is an annual event organised by the Pakuranga Club in Auckland and their visit to Queenstown affords our club the opportunity to increase our contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

A very pleasant night was had by all - thanks to Kerry Dunlop for again organising this event.

Greg and Lorraine Bevan, from the Kurri Kurri and Cessnock clubs in the Hunter Valley (New South Wales) at the McIntosh dinner table with other guests Russell McGrouther and Natalie Morgan.