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Club Update
Hi Rotarians,
April Fools day 2025 passed without too much distinction, however “Liberation” Day has and is having significant impact on the world and so maybe the April Fool day was just late this year.
I hope the global impact on you the readers is minimal.
It has been a busy Rotary month with lots happening under the bonnet. Great attendances at our last few meetings which is pleasing to see.
The quality of our guest speakers has been outstanding and I know that the members enjoyed the insights from the presentations of Ed Cruickshank (furniture designer to the stars) and Brian Boyle (protector of the stars). Next Tuesday will also be an interesting night with our speaker, Paul Moodie, Chair of the Wings over Wanaka Airshow.
We have also received and hosted a number of visitors, including a group from America.
One of this group Dr Dan Perlman presented briefly on the Rotary Malaria initiative. An extract from his email to me below:
Ross:
It was wonderful to be part of your club meeting on Tuesday.
Thank you.
As you know, RI has been fighting Polio since the 1980’s when Smallpox was wiped out with immunization permanently. We know that Polio will be eradicated in the next several years, so we are beginning the process of making Malaria the next target. There’s good vaccine and about 600,000 kids die annually: so its a good idea!
I am certain we will hear more on this vitally important International topic in the future.
On Tuesday last we bade farewell to Stanley Paris who is heading back to America for a few months, and Neil Dempsey who is again heading back to Australia. We will reconnect with them both on their return later in the year.
Our speaker for the 1st of April was Ed's Cruickshank, a furniture designer and maker from the United Kingdom, who moved to Queenstown with his wife Tanya and three children.
Ed's passion is creating furniture that combines traditional techniques with modern designs. His interest and driving force in life is to bring people together through his work, using materials like braille and morse code to spark conversations and connections.
In his professional career, he has worked on various projects including designing furniture for a global art collector, creating unique pieces and using his designs to promote communication, understanding, and peace.
The techniques use a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design using dovetail joints and incorporating modern elements and materials into his pieces. Other examples include, designing for diverse audiences by creating pieces that appeal to a wide range of people, from those who appreciate traditional craftsmanship to those who are drawn to modern design.
Some of the personal messages and stories that have been incorporated into his clients furniture:
Braille messages on a table: Inspired by a greeting that reflected his desire to promote peace and understanding.
Morse code in a cabinet: A cabinet for a family in Moscow, incorporating their children's names in Morse code into the joints of the piece. This ensures the names will be "there forever" and adds a personal touch to the family heirloom.
Core values table: A table for an American couple who wanted to express their core values. The table is supported by a series of bolts that represent their core values, ensuring they always have those values at the forefront of their lives.
AMP boardroom table: He designed a boardroom table for AMP, a financial company. The family ethos was incorporated into the center of the table (companies core principles).
In essence, Ed's furniture is a tool for building bridges between people and fostering a sense of shared humanity. His commitment to creating furniture goes beyond mere functionality. Each piece of furniture tells a story, expresses emotion, and celebrate the unique aspects of his clients' lives.
On the 8th of April, we welcomed Brian Boyle back to the Club, an astronomer who currently resides in Queenstown district.
Brian's presentation explored the detrimental effects of light pollution, astronomy, and the unique opportunity for asto-tourism in Queenstown due to its geographical location.
In 2024, the Gibbston Valley was officially recognised as a dark sky park. This unique area showcases stunning images of the Milky Way and Aurora Australis.
A concern now and in the future to preserving this area is light pollution. Currently, there are specific regulations in place to minimise light pollution in the Gibbston Valley under QLDC policy 23.1.11.12. This helps ensure lighting will not affect your neighbor's visibility of the Milky Way. This policy is a key part of the efforts to maintain the Gibbston Valley's dark sky status. It emphasises the importance of responsible lighting practices and encourages residents and businesses to consider the impact of their lighting on the surrounding environment.
The main challenges in enforcing the dark sky regulations in Gibbston Valley are:
1. Developers Prioritising Cost over Compliance.
The types of lighting used.
2. Lack of Enforcement and Awareness.
There's a lack of awareness among developers and residents about the importance of dark skies and the specific regulations in place.
3. Rapid Development and Growth.
The Gibbston Valley is experiencing rapid development, particularly with projects like the Gibbston Valley Station proposal for 900 homes. This growth puts immense pressure on the dark sky environment, making it even more challenging to maintain the area's dark sky status.
4. Impact on Policy Effectiveness.
Reduced Effectiveness: The lack of compliance and enforcement weakens the effectiveness of the dark sky regulations.
Loss of Dark Sky Heritage: If the situation continues, the Gibbston Valley could lose its dark sky park status, impacting tourism, wildlife, and the overall quality of life in the region.
Increased Light Pollution: The continued use of non-compliant lighting exacerbates light pollution, harming wildlife, astronomy, and human health.
Bryan emphasised the need for a collaborative approach involving developers, residents, and local authorities to address these challenges and ensure the long-term protection of the Gibbston Valley's dark sky heritage.
He encourages all individuals and businesses to adopt practices that minimise light pollution, such as using low-level, warm-colored lights, and motion sensors.
For more information, please click the link below.
The Club bank account with the ANZ - 01-0867-0722903-00 - always put your name and what it’s for as the reference.
Trivia Answers
1. Tosca, Italy. 2. Germany 3. Purple and Yellow 4. True The cuckoo is Switzerland's symbol of growth and rebirth, so it often replaces the bunny at Easter time!
