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SHOTOVER COUNTRY MINI RAMP

On 7 May Lee-Ann attended the opening of the Shotover Country Mini Ramp. The club donated $5,500 towards this community project.

Well done to everyone involved, particularly George Carver and the Mini-Ramp Committee. It's been a long road to get it consented, find funding and getting it built to such a high standard. This is a fabulous addition for the community.

Special thanks goes to the Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country Community Association.

Here from left to right, Joseph Mooney MP, Gavin Flynn, Nick Hayne, Lee-Ann Lines and George Carver.

DISTRICT RECOGNITION OF PDG JOAN KIERNAN

At the “Sending District 9980 Out in Style” function held at Bannockburn last weekend, District Governor Nick Wood presented Queenstown Rotarian Joan Kiernan with a “Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service” for her work in leading Foundation and Grants for the District.

Joan’s Rotary story is as follows:

Joan joined Queenstown Rotary in 2002 shortly after arriving in Queenstown. Her commitment led her to becoming Club President in 2006/07 and later District 9980 Governor in 2011/12 (the lower half of the South Island). Joan then took up the District Foundation Chair role for 2 years before becoming the District Grant’s Chair from 2016 until now.

Recently Joan has been chosen as the Foundation Chair of our new District 9999 from the time that our two South Island Districts merge on 1 July. This appointment is for a term of 3 years. Leading up to the merger, Joan has been Chair of the Foundation Transition Team established to merge the two District Foundation Committees and processes.

We congratulate Joan on her recognition award, her outstanding commitment to Rotary to date including her commitment to the work of our international Foundation. We wish her well in her new role.

ADOPT-A-PLOT UPDATE 1 MAY 2022

ADOPT-A-PLOT COMMUNITY PROJECT - BEN LOMOND

On Friday 29^th April, 6 members went hunting for wilding trees on our ‘Adopt-A-Plot’ plot up on Ben Lomond. It was another glorious clear calm day which highlighted the beautiful scenery and views from our plot. This alone makes the 15 minute walk in, worth the while.

Just shy of 1000 wilding seedlings or juvenile trees were removed in 90 minutes. A great effort and thanks goes to Hamish, Lee-Ann, David Tait, Gabrielle, Ken and Richard Bowman who enjoyed a beer afterwards at The Bavarian, which by the way, is highly recommended!

(The Bavarian QT - https://tinyurl.com/42af858d)

Another working bee is planned for next month and it would be good to see a few more members come along. A fine day will determine when this will be - more info will come soon.

Good to see the new growth coming through. This won't happen is smothered and light depraived by Wilding trees.

A well earned beer!

FIORDLAND EXPLORE & ADVENTURE WEEKEND

The ‘Explore and Learn’ weekend from Te Anau started with an interesting outdoor lecture by the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Jamie McAulay about the endangered Kea and the work DOC and volunteers are doing to give them a chance of survival.

Jamie McAulay, Senior Ranger, completed his Masters in Wildlife Management at Otago Uni. His research was looking into how we can better protect alpine wildlife from that nasty invasive predator, the stoat. Jamie has worked for DOC following a degree in Radio Broadcasting from the New Zealand Broadcasting School. He had just amazingly sited, that day, a Takahe in the wild in the Murchison mountains.

Unfortunately our speaker, Kerri-Anne Edge from the Marine Guardians, postponed her talk due to Covid concerns. She has offered to come to Queenstown to one of our regular meetings to be a guest speaker - something to look forward to.

After the lecture, pleasantly held outdoors, we all set off for a shared meal at the Fat Duck for the Queenstown and Balclutha Rotarians with Jamie along as well for further insights.

Saturday we all set out to explore Fiordland by boat, hiking, helicopter and biking in the company of fellow Rotarians. The conservation of our native flora and fauna has been the overarching message when exploring and enjoying the stunning area of Fiordland - so pleased that one of Rotary ‘areas of focus’ is protecting the environment.

Of the journeys undertaken, several of the team did the Doubtful Sound (Patea) journey out to the Tasman Sea. Some went to Milford Sound and took the boat cruise. Others set out to complete the Heli hike full day trip, taking a scenic flight via helicopter to Luxmore Hut and then hiking back to Te Anau. Of note were the Climos hiking a further 7km, either a mistaken turn off or they just liked the hiking.

Three families took the opportunity to cycle to Manapouri via the scenic cycling tracks. The Huitts were so inspired after the debriefs and, even after a day of helihiking, they too did the 65km cycling trip.

The evenings consisted of light refreshments on the lake front to catch up with everyone and their adventures. The mornings, for those that wanted, breakfast was at the Sandfly Cafe.

The last evening was an informal BBQ. This was a relaxing wind down and cemented the weekend and the new friendships.

Note: The Balclutha contingent tell us they have been inspired to organise a shared weekend adventure, as well, sometime in the near future. So watch this space.

For more photos click on 'read more'

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW - GABRIELLE SCHOU

OUR LATEST ‘PAUL HARRIS FELLOW’ (PHF) RECIPIENT – GABRIELLE SCHOU

During our club trip to Te Anau (over the weekend of the 4-6 March) a big secret was kept from the event organiser - Gabrielle Schou. A well-deserved PHF recognition was presented to Gabrielle on Saturday evening during our drinks on the lawn at our accommodation on the Te Anau lakefront. It was a perfect setting and backdrop on a perfect warm evening.

Caught by surprise, Gabrielle was quite overwhelmed. The occasion was extra special with the presence of friends from her previous club, the Balclutha Rotary Club, there to share the moment with her.

Our club wished to acknowledge Gabrielle’s substantial commitment to our Queenstown club. She has spent a huge amount of volunteered time organising the ‘Te Anau Explore & Learn’ weekend, a special event of fellowship and a lot of fun.

But it wasn’t just this. The Club wished to especially acknowledge her role as Membership Director over the past 2 years and her commitment to our club’s substantial growth as well as to the welfare of the club and its members. In addition, Gabrielle has devoted many hours to developing and keeping the club records up to date, on Clubrunner, in order to preserve our valuable Club information for years to come. She has also developed new processes and guidelines for our sponsorship and Grant giving.

Gabrielle truly is a valued and very active club member and so well deserving of this PHF honour.

ROTARY TUCKER BEACH TRAIL

‘Our’ trail is now due and ready, maintenance wise, to be handed over to QLDC for its future upkeep. This was the agreement we made when the project was first approved by Council.

Several recent working bees have ensured that the track is ready for Council inspection after which they will take responsibility for track maintenance in the future. We (Queenstown Rotary) will likely look after the trees for a period of time.

John Thompson, Grant Rees & Valma last week trimmed back hawthorn and other weeds. Then last weekend Tony Fleming used his 2-tonne digger to clear drainage areas that had slumped. David Broomfield, and his helper Roy, tidied up after the digger. At the same time Jason & Jodie, David T and Richard used weed eaters to clear both sides of the track.

Several days later Kerry Dunlop cleared away cut material with a leaf rake. This exposed still growing weeds at the sides of the track. Lastly Rotarians, and helpers, sprayed vegetation. This hard working team comprised Nigel Hawke, Alan Ward, Richard Bowman, and Roy (representing David Broomfield) as well as Bruce McLeod from Quail Rise.

The good will of these Rotarians and helpers is really appreciated given that some had to fit their time in with busy work schedules.

Jeff Bryant, from Geoconsulting Ltd, has made a Geotech inspection which showed the track to be in very good condition. Kerry then followed up by checking and clearing the culvert pipes.

The track is a great project example for Queenstown Rotary, our largest individual project for many years. It is regularly used by walkers, runners, cyclists and the exercising of dogs. Members of our community are often seen relaxing at the picnic area.

Post its construction, the project has also involved the regular support of Queenstown Rotary members in maintenance working bees over the last 3 years. Note the plant growth over just 3 years.

Of interest, our trail begins adjacent to the Rotary bridge, the old bridge over the Shotover River. The project, completed in 2005, was undertaken for Rotary’s centennial year and involved its refurbishment post the construction of the modern Shotover bridge in 1975. See below the Queenstown Rotary team that managed that project. Substantial fundraising was involved. Information about his project is located on a display on the Lake Hayes end of the old bridge.

RYLA 2022

Yet another successful RYLA camp was held from 6 – 11 February at the Lakeland Park Christian Camp.

Covid didn’t have too much effect on attendance with 2022 having more participants than ever. RYLA has grown over the past 3 years since it has been held in Queenstown growing from 28 in 2020 to 35 in 2021 and 36 in 2022 (down from 39 due to 3 late withdrawals because of the growing COVID risks).

Over the course of the six days, RYLArians listened to 14 guest speakers, put up Shelter Box tents, rock climbed, trampolined, did the ropes course, human foosball and archery at ‘The Playground’ under Coronet Peak, completed 2 community projects, swam, learnt to knit and how public speak, and still wanted more! So they got it with the top secret 4.30am ‘Sunrise Hike’ up Ben Lomond to the Basket of Blessings. Although I was definitely not their favourite person at that time of the morning, the feedback was that it was one of the highlights of their week! They each also made 35 new friends and contacts for life.

A big part of the programme is to complete a community project. The Queenstown RYLArians completed 2 fantastic projects in the gully area adjacent to the Camp. The first was a working bee with planting, weeding, mulch spreading and even a bridge built over the creek floor that links the two sides. Good use was made of 4 Civil Engineers corporate sponsored by their employer, BECA.

A big thanks to Rotarians John Thompson, Kerry Dunlop and Grant Rees who turned up with chainsaws and worked tirelessly cutting up fallen trees and cutting down others. Thanks also to Hamish for trimming the steep sides of the gully, not an easy job with all the obstacles including broken trees and branches. Amazing work by these amazing Rotarians.

The second project was the design and construction of a ‘rest areas’. There were 2, one at the top end of the gully at the Oregon Drive cul-de-sac end (see map marked 1) and one on the campgrounds (marked 2). They started with a bare, tree-root ridden piece of ground and made it into a beautiful place for camp users and members of the public to use and enjoy. Many thanks goes to Queenstown MEGA Mitre10 (CEO Paul Jackson and Toni Boatwright, Marketing and Promotions Manager) for their support and donations of materials to make this project possible. Please show your support back to them. Be sure to go and check these projects out some time.

Another BIG thank you goes to Rotarian and now, Honorary RYLArian Ken Fox. Ken has, without fail, turned up and been a multi-day volunteer at every RYLA. He helps keep the programme moving and on time and ensures the dining room is set up and ready for all the hungry young people. He also supervised a large working-group at the top end of the gully during the working bee.

The local RYLArians will visit the club, hopefully this week, at the Bay View marina/reserve meeting or in a week or two to follow.

I have already started planning RYLA 2023. If anyone would like to help and come on the 2023 committee, please see me.

Lee-Ann

D9980/D9999 RYLA Chair

To see more photos from RYLA 2022 click on 'read more'

END OF YEAR 2021

Our final get together for 2021 was held at Canyon Brewery, Arthurs Point last Tuesday 7 December. Here are some informal shots of the gathering taken by our Treasurer, Hamish Murray.

QUEENSTOWN ROTARY WHS SCHOLARSHIP 2021

The Queenstown Rotary Club Wakatipu High School Scholarship for Diligence and Commitment

Every year our Club offers a $2,500 scholarship to a Year 13 student who has been recognised by their teachers for being consistently committed to their learning. This year Millie Jamieson-Gough has proven to be a worthy recipient.

GUEST SPEAKER ARCHIE RITCHIE - 23 NOVEMBER 2021

Archie, who we have sponsored, came back to speak to us on 23 November and to update us on his studies and Rotary enabled experiences. He is currently in his second year at Otago University. Archie has been assisting Lee-Ann at RYLA as a mentor.

Archie spoke about the Aspiring Leaders’ Forum that he attended, sponsored by our club. Aspects of the forum included values-based leadership, high profile speakers, a visit to Parliament and a panel involving serving MP’s and time spend with MP’s including Michael Woodhouse. He was particularly impressed with former Prime Minister Jim Bolger’s address at the dinner who challenged attendees to reconsider their values.

Archie also spoke about the Rotary National Science Forum in Auckland that led to his selection to attend the International Forum in London in 2019.

Archie was to have been a Senior Advisor at the most recent Aspiring Leaders’ Forum which had to be cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

KAPOW - GUEST SPEAKERS 23 NOVEMBER 2021

KAPOW – ‘Keeping Arthurs Point Original Wildlife’ (Sararose Brown & Jeannie Galavazi)

KAPOW is a conservation group working with the Arthurs Point Community Association that is actively involved in the Arthur’s Point Ecological Restoration Project. They have partnered with DOC and the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust and seek Rotary’s support in their endeavors.

Currently restoring the Morningstar Reserve, KAPOW have planted 2500+ native plants in the last 2 years. In addition, over the last 3 years, they have established 200 predator traps to eradicate predators and encourage birdlife back, in particular our native birds. The Kereru (native wood pigeon), Morepork and the NZ native Falcon have been seen recently in the area for the first time in many years. The group is seeking help to create a corridor down to the beach on the Shotover River and the protection of a stand of existing Totara and Beech located there.

We learned that a group of Tucker Beach residents are also getting to work in the Tucker’s Beach Wildlife Reserve to restore their part of the world.

BEN BAKER - BLUELIGHT LIFE SKILLS GRADUATE

Ben was born in Invercargill and is aged 15. He is currently in Year 10 at Wakatipu High School and he is studying English, Maths, Science, Maori studies, Hard Technology and Digital Technology.

During his interview to attend ‘Life Skills’, Ben struggled to make eye contact, was quite shy and didn't really know what he wanted to do when he left school, but vaguely spoke about being a Pilot. Now Ben presents as a completely different person. He's a much more confident young man with clear goals to be an Aviation Engineer or Pilot, and is keen to get his Pilot’s Licence asap. Outside of school he plays football, and is in Cadets. It is evident that attending this camp has had a significant impact on Ben with a big attitude shift, a new appreciation for self-discipline and being a team player and the responsibility and respect for others that comes with this.

Each day Ben practices the drills he learnt and exercises every day. It took a day or so for the major adjustment to what he was doing to sink in but he is glad he stuck at it and graduated.

Ben was the first of the 4 students selected to head off to the Bluelight Life Skills Camp at Burnham in September. A second student, Mason Bonn, has just returned last Friday but unfortunately couldn't attend the meeting last night, but wrote us a letter of thanks for the opportunity which was read out to the members. There are another 2 students lined up to go at the end of October. The cost for this camp is just $500pp with the students' families paying for the flights.

The Bluelight Life Skills Camp has been running for many years but is a new youth initiative for our club. Last year the Board agreed that it is important to provide opportunities for students who might not usually put themselves forward. The Life Skills Program is 2 tiered, designed for young people who are considering a career in the Armed Forces or the Police as well as for young people who may have behavioural or attitude problems but show potential. ‘Life Skills’ helps participants to improve and focus on their attitude, gain self-confidence and respect for themselves and others, and teaches how to positively align their future social and career pathways. For any Youth Programme that can do this, it is money well spent.

BOULDER WALL AT LAKELAND CAMP - COMPLETED