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President's Opinion
Ross Beal
It is common practice to expect new Rotarians to give a talk at Rotary about themselves, their early life, their training or the job that they do. The speaker is also free to select a hobby such as stamp collecting, or under water origami, or ice sculpting for example.
For my blog this week I will be using familiar names and may deny that any of what follows happened.
My blog recounts the time when a Rotarian, who happened to be called Derek, arrived at his Rotary club meeting to be reminded that he was the speaker for the evening. He had not read his Bulletin or opened his duties email and, as a consequence, was not prepared. He sat at the top table beside the President, who happened at that time to be called Pres Lee-Ann, and mused about a topic he could speak on while he tried to consume his Holiday Inn meal.
When he was introduced by Rotarian Darren, he rose and managed to speak eloquently for more than the allotted time on the subject of Sex.
The members listened to every word and as is customary there were many questions asked. The Club Treasurer, let’s say his name was David, wanted to know how much it costs, and Rotarian Ralph wanted to understand what the impact would be on the global economy. A couple of former farmers, possibly called Rotarian’s Colin and Kerry wanted to know whether it had any value in the agricultural space, while Rotarian Stuart, as always, just asked lots of questions. It was a complete success.
When Derek arrived home, his lovely wife (lets imagine her name was Margaret) asked "How was Rotary dear?".
"It was a good meeting" Derek replied.
"What was for dinner?" she asked.
"Beef, and it was very good" he answered.
"Who was the speaker?" she continued.
"I was" he replied.
"Really, you didn’t tell me you were the speaker, what did you speak about?"
Now Derek at this point could see trouble looming!! so he pondered for a moment, "Sailing" he lied.
The next morning Margaret was shopping in the town and she met President Lee-Ann.
“Derek gave a wonderful talk last night" President Lee-Ann announced.
"Yes" said Margaret, he told me, "but I don't understand why he chose the subject, in all the years I have known him he has only done it twice. The first time he did it he was sick and the second time he nearly fell overboard when his hat blew off".
This week’s Quote. “If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what it is”
Changeover Night:
This will be partners night, so make sure your partners are aware of the open invitation to attend. So we look forward to a full house at the Holiday Inn on Tuesday 23 June. Two course menu and complimentary wine or juice along with tea and coffee. Cost will be $45.00 per person.
Board Meeting / Incoming and Outgoing Directors.
On Monday 8 June the outgoing Board of Directors held their final Board meeting for the current Rotary year. Final reports were tabled by your President and the current Directors, before a vote of thanks was passed by President Ross to his team who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of the club during the year.
Particular thanks to Keith, Ashley, and Russell who have served the Club well and whose roles as Directors are complete.
In attendance was the Incoming Team under the Leadership of President Lee-Ann. Ross handed the meeting over to Lee-Ann who spoke briefly to her plans for the Rotary Year ahead.
So all the best to Lee-Ann and her team and we wish them the best for the Rotary year ahead.
Last Week’s Club Meeting:
We heard from Angus Forrest who is a Wakatipu High School year 13 student who the Club had sponsored to the Science Forum. Angus spoke about his experiences at this Forum and detailed the purpose of the Forum along with the curriculum and topics that were shared. He also demonstrated the personal development and confidence that he had gained from being granted the privilege to attend.
Like many of the students that our Club has supported from the High School, Angus further lifted our confidence about the future in the hands of our young people, and demonstrated a maturity beyond his years.
Vi säger farväl till Hanna
We say Farewell to Hanna:
Talking about confident young people we also heard from our RYE student Hanna as she gave an emotional final speech to the club, detailing the activities and experience of her year with us. Hanna has made an impression on this club and it has been a privilege and an honour to have hosted her this year. I would suggest that we are all the richer for her presence, we wished her well for her journey home and the best for the future in whatever endeavour she undertakes.
Farväl Hanna vi kommer att sakna dig, håll dig säker tills vi träffas igen
Hanna departed for Sweden on Friday, and probably will be home by the time you read this Bulletin.
As President can I reiterate my comments from Rotary last week and note that the success of these international exchanges are contingent on a few other items being ticked off and working well. We acknowledge the support for Hanna of three sets of Host Parents, and so pass on our thanks to Annabelle and Gen, Tracy and Steve, Lee-Ann and Hamish, who have opened their homes and supported Hanna by empowering her to just be a part of the family. Thank you very much your contributions of time, and I suspect money are very much appreciated. We also acknowledge the role of Darren as Counsellor and thank you also for your support and sage advice that assists to ensure that Hanna is in a good space. Thank you Darren.
“Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.”
An Email from Ralph from Washington DC:
Being unable to connect to the Time Machine in my house (Lake Hayes), my computer is telling me today that I haven’t backed up for 100 days. Thus we’ve been in the US for 100 days! We are still under shelter-at-home orders from the County Executive of Montgomery County (State of Maryland). The decision to relax the order is up to each county, based on each county's continuing declining numbers of nine incidence criteria over 14 days. We’re not there yet. So all retail shops remain closed; supermarkets and pharmacies have remained open throughout (masks required).
Betty continues to work long hours on coronavirus. Two weeks ago, on behalf of the Human Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank, she managed to get in touch with Ashley Bloomfield. She arranged for him to give a world-wide webinar presentation (via WebEx) to ministers of health and senior officials in several developing countries and health staff of the World Bank on June 3 (NZ time). Over 125 people logged on. Ashley gave a more global perspective than just a NZ one, and where NZ fitted into it, which was quite interesting. Here are two links to the presentation, should you be interested. Ashley was introduced by Annette Dixon, vice president at the World Bank, a NZer. We considered the event a big success.
The first computer dates back to Adam and Eve. It was an Apple with limited memory, just one byte. And then everything crashed.
So moving forward:
I look forward to seeing you all again on Tuesday night. Don’t forget to advise your apology if possible by midday Monday to queenstownrotary@gmail.com, thanks.
We are very fortunate to have Josie Spillane, CEO of Highlands Park Raceway, Cromwell as our guest speaker on Tuesday. I am looking forward to hearing what Josie has to say, and I commend her to you , she will be fantastic.
So until then, look after yourselves take care, and as always let me know if there is any support required during the week, we are as always only too willing to assist.
Kia kaha.
nga mihi mahana
Ross
I changed my computer password to "incorrect". So whenever I forget what it is the computer will say "Your password is incorrect".
Angus Forest - Year 13 Wakatipu High School student
Angus attended the Rotary Science and Technology Forum this past January 2020. This was a 2 week course and, along with about 100 other young people, he lived on campus at Auckland University.
He said that he wasn’t sure what to expect but was so glad he attended as it has made him realise the possibilities available to him and it has opened opportunities. As a result, the Forum has given him focus and a clear direction for his course selection for next year when he goes to Canterbury University. It even gave him courage to take on 2 university papers during this year whilst still at school!
Angus is a very intelligent and considered young man and he impressed us with his presentation. It was interesting to hear about his experiences and about the friends he made from all over NZ. He is another very deserving recipient for this Rotary opportunity.
Hanna Bergea Nygren - RYE student from Sweden
A very emotional Hanna was farewelled by the Club on 7 June. She spoke of her time while in NZ, how close she has become to her host families and how happy and grateful she is to the members of our Club for looking after her wellbeing and making sure that she got to experience as much as possible - which she did! Hanna never said ‘no’ to anything. She was always up to any challenge including throwing herself out of aeroplanes and off bridges! Learning kiwi slang and eating new foods were also some of the new experiences that she embraced willingly. Her hunger to try new things, learn new things and to just do EVERYTHING she could was just part of what made her such a delight. The thing we loved Hanna for the most was her big open heart and her beautiful and kind personality.
Hanna has made a memorable impression on club members during the past 12 months. She has also left a massive hole in the lives of her host parents. Thanks went out to Gen and Annabelle Numaguchi, Steve and Tracy McLean and Hamish and Lee-Ann Lines who gladly took Hanna under their wings and in to their homes and made her part of their family. Thanks also to Darren Rewi, her counsellor, who gave her an understanding of NZ culture and history. It certainly was a wrap-around and loving whanau experience for her.
We have been assured by Hanna and her parents that they intend to visit Queenstown again within 3 years or so. We will be holding them to that.
So until then, we wish her safe travels and that she keeps well and safe in this crazy COVID-19 world.
3 min Talk OR Toast to Rotary Project & Parting Thought
Brian MacPherson
NA
Alan Ward
Thank Speaker
Huia Ackerman
If you will be away, or for some other reason you cannot do your duty on the nominated day, it is your responsibility as soon as possible, and certainly no later than the Monday night before the meeting, to arrange a substitute. A swap with the person who has the duty the next week is suggested.
Please be there by 5.25 pm if you are on Reception or Meet & Greet.
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