Hello again! Jeepers, there are only 5 meetings left until the end of the year and we have crammed in a fair bit since changeover on 23rd June.
Last week we had the AGM which covered off the business side of things but it also highlighted how hard the Board and Trustees have worked so far this year. You guys too. Without you, none of it would happen so once again … THANK YOU! And we have so much more to look forward to to. 😊
This week's guest speaker was Jackie St John from Dunedin Rotary Club and ‘Shelter Box’ who filled us in on what's been happening and the relief responses Shelter Box have attended to. This is such an important Rotary project and we should understand what is involved and how Rotary responds when disaster strikes, anywhere in the world. As President, I committed to supporting ShelterBox during this year and I am rapped that, as a Club, we have raised the required $1500 to purchase a full Shelter Box kit. We presented this to Jackie on Tuesday night. Thank you everyone for your help to make this happen. Jackie also makes time to attend RYLA here in Queenstown. She comes with 4 kits for a team challenge ... a race to see which team can put up a tent correctly. It's a great ice-breaker and creates an awareness of this Rotary project as well.
We also had a visit from Jack Smillie and Yasmin Kidd, the two students we helped sponsor on to the Bluelight Whitbread - Steinlager 2 Leadership Course during the last school holidays. They were the only students on the boat from the South Island. They were great, spoke very well and presented an excellent talk with photos and a video (see below) of their adventures. This is such a great thing that we do as a club - supporting these young people and giving them these opportunities. There are 2 more ready to go for another sailing in January.
Next week, at the WHS Senior Prizegiving Assembly, I will be presenting our annual scholarship to two Year 13 students for ‘Diligence and Commitment’, a value of $1250 each. This helps them prepare for their uni year.
Thank you to Huia Ackerman, Tony Robins, Cora Huitt, Alan Ward, Stuart MacLean, Chris Taylor and Fiona van Waveren Wilshire for volunteering to do the Pink Ribbon Appeal collection this past Friday (30th). You are all fabulous Rotarians.
COMING UP NEXT:
November off-site meeting - CARDRONA: This Tuesday 3rd November will be a big afternoon and heaps of fun. If you haven’t already confirmed (via the attendance sheet at meetings) make sure you confirm your attendance with me before 12pm Monday.
We kick off at 3pm with a tour of the Cardrona Distillery. Please be there by 2.50pm. Then we head to the Cardrona Tavern to watch the Melbourne Cup at 5pm, (I will endeavour to organise a wee sweepstake) and dinner is at 6pm with the Wanaka Club. $35pp
You might like to bring a little cash with you.
POLIO+ MOVIE NIGHT, Thursday, 5th NOVEMBER: There are 14 tickets left to sell. Make sure you ask your neighbours, family, and friends if they want to join us while helping support a Rotary project. Supper is booked at Winnies afterwards at $20pp or you can choose from the menu.
Please be at the Reading Theatre between 5.15-5.30pm. The bar and cafe will be open for refreshments and fellowship before the movie starts. We need to be seated at 5.50pm.
NEW MEMBERS:
We have grown! It is fantastic to have our 5 new members plus we have gained Cora and Jim, our US Rotarians. Although they wish to remain members of their US hometown club, they have committed to our Club and we extend a very warm welcome to them both.
Be sure to get to know these new Rotarians and make them feel welcome. They will have something to offer you and, with all your local Queenstown and Rotary knowledge and experience, you will most definitely have something to offer them.
Foundation Dinners are over for another year. I hope that you have all enjoyed some excellent meals and fellowship. If you still need to pay the new bank details are below. ($45pp, hosts $30pp)
The new bank account with the ANZ - 01-0867-0722903 00
(Please remember to update if you have saved it to your bank list of payees)
LAKELAND PARK:
This highly successful community project has been completed. The camp trustees and managers are thrilled with the finished product. Thank you to everyone involved. Scroll to the bottom to see some cool photos.
FENCE STAINING FUNDRAISER:
Joy Durrant has a fence to stain and she will donate $500 to the Club for our efforts. Fiona, Chris Taylor, Huia and myself have so far volunteered. If you want to help, let me know. Weather permitting, the date is 28th November, or 29th as an alternative.
CHRISTMAS SALMON RUN:
Will Salmon be on your Christmas table this year? We all remember how good the first run was, so it is back by popular demand. David and Gabrielle are organising another run before Christmas so be sure to let your neighbours, family and friends know so they can get their order in. An order sheet will be distributed soon, you don’t want to miss out. Thanks once again to David and Gabrielle for your assistance with this.
A MAJOR FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY:
Our Club has been approved to be the BBQ Kings and Queens at the new BUNNINGS store Grand Opening day, on March 29th 2021.
You can imagine, this will be a big event for our town. It looks unlikely that the NZ Golf Open will happen in February which is a big source of income for our club. This Bunnings opportunity will help fill this void and raise some necessary funds needed to continue our great work in our community. A big thanks to Fiona and Jason for their input into making this happen.
CHRISTMAS FUNCTION : SAVE THE DATE
Christmas LUNCH AT CARGO WAITIRI CREEK, GIBBSTON VALLEY
SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER, 11am - 4pm
COST IS $55pp
Plus optional pre-meal beer or wine tasting $12pp.
I will arrange transport for those who would like it with various pick up points. More info on this later.
Reminder:
Have you asked someone this week if they want to join Rotary? You are the best advocate, so don’t keep our great Club and all the good work we do a secret. Ask someone today.
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