Presidents Message August 2025 
Hi fellow Rotarians and friends
Our Rotary year is well underway now.
It was disappointing that Former Queenstown mayor Clive Geddes could not make our last meeting. Instead, we were treated to an inspirational talk from Amy Wilson-White and Charlie Manser from the Whakatipu Rowing Club. Amy is the club president, and Charlie is one of their young rowing champions as well as being a Lead Prefect at Whakatipu High School. Amy gave us a wonderful virtual tour of their new rowing club house at Lake Hayes and outlined the benefits it will bring to local rowing as well as to the wider community. We will look at visiting their new club rooms and facilities on a summer’s evening later in the year with perhaps a BBQ beside the lake. Meanwhile Clive has said he’d welcome another opportunity to speak to us in the near future – so watch this space.
In early August Joan K, Simon M and I are going to meet with artist Sir Grahame Sydney to discuss how to organise an art auction fundraising event which Rotary will hold in March next year. You will know him as one of New Zealand’s foremost artists whose work captures the essence of Central Otago’s dramatic landscapes. Grahame has also had a lot of involvement in fundraising art events and I’m sure will be able to give us some valuable guidance. He has also offered to be our guest speaker at the event and those of you have heard him speak before will know that we are in for a treat.
We have recently received a request to assist with a BBQ for Camp Quality in early January. Those of us who assisted at the Playground last year were all very impressed with work they do for children living with cancer and their families. Also, an enquiry from a Rotarian in the UK, Margaret Morley, who is visiting NZ over the summer and would like to connect with us. Things to look forward to.
Please remember the AGM on 5 August. You should have received the agenda, minutes from the last meeting and the Past Presidents report. Don’t forget to bring something along for the Mystery Bottle Auction afterwards. It can be anything from tap water to a 25 year old single malt concealed beneath wrapping - the successful bidders must take their chances on the contents. Should be great fun with the proceeds going into the club’s charities fund.
Meanwhile wrap up warm and keep busy – spring is now not far off.
Richard
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