The all-consuming RYLA is over for another year and things are getting back to normal in our house. Hamish claims he has missed me, but it appears he was consoled by enjoying these few days of being a bachelor, catching up on all the cricket and other sports on the tele. On a brighter note, I think the cat might have missed me, and although he usually prefers to be on the receiving end of cuddles, I did get a few!
I wish to thank all the volunteers who helped during the week and those who came along on Saturday 30th January and helped at the big Gully clean up and planting. In 2.5 hours, a major transformation occurred in the gully parallel to the camp. It was phenomenal.
See below for some pics of RYLA and the Gala Dinner. Also, click on the link below to watch the YouTube video one of the RYLArians made on the week that was … RYLA!
This week we were off-site and it started off really good. A shout out to Keith McIntosh for arranging such an informative and interesting tour of the new QT Fire Station. The volunteers there are a great group of dedicated people and it’s good to know that we are all well served by them. There is a 90 second response time from when the alarm rings out, to when they are dressed, in the fire truck and out the door.
But, many of us discovered that sometimes great things also come out amongst the chaos! After our fire station tour, many of us were running around the streets of the CBD in the rain ... which can be fun actually, but not on an empty belly, and so we were all looking forward to a hot meal and glass of beer or wine. Imagine the confusion when the first of the sprinters arrived at a locked restaurant door! Luckily we have a few influential members who know how to pull off a few strings and we found a warm and welcoming light on, just around the corner. A big shout out to Bruce and Pat Jefford, ringing ahead and getting us in at BRAZZ who took 30 of us in, and fed us delicious meals very quickly. Great stuff!
BUNNINGS STORE OPENING FUNDRAISER:
Ross has been busy and gathering his band of merry men and women to ensure this will be a successful fundraiser. If you want to help and haven’t put your name forward, please get in touch with Ross. We are exclusively running all the BBQ‘s for these 6 events –
- A Tradies Event on Thursday 25th March.
- Employee Friends & Family only event on Saturday 27th March
- A ‘Soft Opening’ event on Monday 29th March
- The Grand Opening on Tuesday 30th March
- Easter Family Night on Thursday 1 April
- The Grand Opening Weekend on Friday 2 - Sunday 4th April
See you on Tuesday. We have the students from WHS coming to present on the recent Rotary scholarships they have received - Will Kidd and Jonty Vaivars from the Whitbread Steinlager 2 leadership course and the two Science & Technology Forum students, Linus Ritchie and Hannah Battrick. Cameron Scobie who won the coveted JR McKenzie Outward Bound Scholarship can’t make it in person, but will give his video presentation to watch.
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.