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Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

OUTBOUND RYE STUDENTS

On 18 December we farewelled Leah Kissock and Ella Mataguchi, our 2019 Rotary Youth Exchange students as they depart for their 12 months in Europe.

Leah is off to Denmark and Ella to Belgium where they will live with Rotary families, attend local schools and have experiences with other RYE students. Also, Exchange students often experience European holidays with their host families.

Leah and Ella were presented with their Rotary blazers and spoke to the Rotary membership.

Ella and Leah after being presented with their Rotary blazers

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

DIVERSITY & SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

Queenstown Rotary - Tuesday 29 May

addresses ‘Diversity in the Workplace and Sexual Harassment’

Hear Kate Wilkinson (solicitor) and Anna Kirkwood (social worker) from Invercargill, co-founders of ‘The Awareness Project’ - an organisation that provides workshops for business relating to diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

Their vision: “A community where discrimination no longer exists”

Notable clients of theirs include Radio Southland, SBS Bank and the Southland Chamber of Commerce.

Kate and Anna will speak about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and their role in optimising employee engagement and building progressive management teams.

Olivia Wensley will be our President’s guest. She will add her insights into sexual harassment in law firms and her current work to help address this issue.

Note:

Venue: Wild Thyme Restaurant, Beach Street (Sky City Casino) arrive 5:45pm for 6:00 pm start

Numbers will be limited

Cost is $20 - this includes a meal

Advise of numbers attending to info@rilean.co.nz by Monday 28^th evening please.

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.

ART AUCTION NIGHT

Tuesday 17 April involved our Art Auction and Dinner held at the Queenstown Golf Club which attracted a large audience from within our club and community. The event netted over $8,000 for our Rotary Foundation. We recognise the considerable efforts of Brian McPherson (himself a painter) and Joan Kiernan in organising and managing this event. A special thanks goes to our auctioneer Brendan Quill for his valuable contribution (and entertainment) and to the corporate organisations that supported the event.

ROTARY INFORMATION NIGHT

On Monday 23 April we held a 'Rotary Information Night' at Franks Cafe, Remarkables Park to inform and encourage potential members and "friends" about Rotary and our club. Led by Steve McLean and Derek Bulman, the key speakers were John Prendergast (a Past District Governor) and Nick Wood (Past President Cromwell Club) who told their unique Rotary stories. We are hopeful of inducting several new members shortly. Photos show current members in discussions with potential Rotarians.

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.

A RYE STUDENT RETURNS

Rotary sponsors selected young people each year to spend 12 months in another country living with Rotary families - "Rotary Youth Exchange". Our club has actively supported both outbound and inbound students over many years. One of our 2 recently returned students (in January) students, Alex Forsyth, gave an account of her 12 month stay in the French town of Lille at a recent meeting. Alex highlighted her experiences including trips into Europe and over the channel into England. Our other 2017 student, Jasmine Sowerby spoke earlier. Alex is also pictured above with her proud parents Helen and Duncan who accompanied her to Rotary.