Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine
We are finally back at the Holiday Inn! Our last meeting was 22nd February, so 9 long weeks have been lost from our Rotary year. But we tried our hardest to keep engaged with the COVID ‘outdoor meetings’. The walking group got out regularly and other coffee and private get-togethers were enjoyed by a few.
The next meeting is off-site for the Polio+ Movie Night fundraiser with dinner next door at Winnies Pizza afterwards. If you haven’t got a ticket yet, there are still a few left. See below for more info.
Now that we are back to normal, please check the Bulletin for any duties you are down for. If you are an Apology, remember that you are responsible to find someone to do your duty. Apologies must be received no later than 12pm on the day of the meeting. If no apology is received, you will be invoiced for your unclaimed meal. If you wish to put in an apology, or an extended apology, please email queenstownrotary@gmail.com to do this. Thanks.
The first ‘in person’ Club meeting, back at the Holiday Inn, finally happened on the 26th and was attended by 27 members and 2 guests.
It was great to see Ralph Hanan back from the US and also former club member Angus Welsh who popped in to say hello and gave us an update on what he’s been up to. Neil Dempsey, now back from Australia, brought his partner Nook along to meet us. There was no guest speaker but there was a whip around with an open floor for members to tell us what they have been up to, some with a few lock down tales thrown in. A good night of fellowship and a catch up. At this stage, there have been 5 members known to have contracted COVID19. All are now well.
The week before last, i.e. 19th April, we had 19 members meet at The Crown, 5 Mile for dinner. Some brought partners and we enjoyed a great meal and service by the wonderful staff.
At the “Sending District 9980 Out in Style” function held at Bannockburn last weekend, District Governor Nick Wood presented Queenstown Rotarian Joan Kiernan with a “Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service” for her work in leading Foundation and Grants for the District.
Joan’s Rotary story is as follows:
Joan joined Queenstown Rotary in 2002 shortly after arriving in Queenstown. Her commitment led her to becoming Club President in 2006/07 and later District 9980 Governor in 2011/12 (the lower half of the South Island). Joan then took up the District Foundation Chair role for 2 years before becoming the District Grant’s Chair from 2016 until now.
Recently Joan has been chosen as the Foundation Chair of our new District 9999 from the time that our two South Island Districts merge on 1 July. This appointment is for a term of 3 years. Leading up to the merger, Joan has been Chair of the Foundation Transition Team established to merge the two District Foundation Committees and processes.
We congratulate Joan on her recognition award, her outstanding commitment to Rotary to date including her commitment to the work of our international Foundation. We wish her well in her new role.
Tony Robins is still looking for 4 people to fill various time slots for the community collection day. Please call or email Tony robinsqt@xtra.co.nz if you can help.
On Friday 29th April, 6 members went hunting for wilding trees on our ‘Adopt-A-Plot’ plot up on Ben Lomond. It was another glorious clear calm day which highlighted the beautiful scenery and views from our plot. This alone makes the 15 minute walk in, worth the while.
Just shy of 1000 wilding seedlings or juvenile trees were removed in 90 minutes. A great effort and thanks goes to Hamish, Lee-Ann, David Tait, Gabrielle, Ken and Richard Bowman who enjoyed a beer afterwards at The Bavarian, which by the way, is highly recommended!
Another working bee is planned for next month and it would be good to see a few more members come along. A fine day will determine when this will be - more info will come soon.
Good to see the new growth coming through. This won't happen is smothered and light depraived by Wilding trees.
Rotarians from all over the District planted 250 native trees at Richards Beach, Cromwell followed by a long lunch at the Bannockburn Hall to celebrate DG Nick Wood's 9980 Rotary year with a few awards handed out and some well-deserved Paul Harris fellowships.
DG Nick's Pumpkins for Polo ($ per kg) was a great success with over $33,000 in pledges. This will be matched 2:1 by the Bill Gates Foundation and with 9 weeks of fundraising left, $100,000 might be raised.
Rotary Point, Cromwell
On Saturday 23rd April, Rotarians from across the lower South Island came together to complete a project that should have taken place during our annual conference which had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
Some 50+ Rotarians got to work, planting 220 natives in an area at Richards Beach alongside the cycle trail. Cromwell Rotary has adopted this section of the Mōkihi Reforestation Trust’s wider plantings at Richards Beach.
After many weekends getting the site ready for the plantings, it was great to see this project take place. A wide variety of natives were planted in a few short hours on Saturday, proving many hands make light work. Cromwell Rotary looks forward to seeing how this area will develop as the trees grow in the years ahead.
Who is interested to join Lee-Ann & Incoming President Grant at this awards night?
Please see Lee-Ann for more details and tickets.
We have been the lucky recipients of YPNZ grants in the past and have an application in for another one. The club matches whatever grant $$ we receive, and these funds go towards supporting WHS students on such courses as Bluelight programmes such as The Spirit of Adventure or Life Skills as well as other opportunities like Outward Bound.
The Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals, organisations, groups and corporate entities who put their hand up and contribute in a philanthropic way to the Wakatipu community and who hold true to the values that collectively define what is unique about the place we call home.
‘Know How’ is an opportunity for club officers and directors, along with all interested Rotarians and Rotaractors, to attend virtual workshops on a range of topics designed to motivate, inspire and deliver Rotary information. The 50-minute sessions will give all participants valuable new ideas to take back to their clubs.
Come along and meet our District 9999 team leads and office holders. This is a valuable opportunity to:
Find out more about the youth programmes that will run in our district
Learn more about our charity of choice ‘The Rotary Foundation’ and how to apply for district grants
Find out what you need to know about club financial matters
Discover ideas and resources for running successful club projects
If you are the secretary of your Rotary club, learn what essential club administration information is required and about any changes to policies that may impact on your club
Learn where to find resources to support growing your membership
Share ideas with your peers from clubs across the district
Diary 14th May 2022 now. The programme and the time will be advised in the next Bulletin. You can then select the sessions which best meet your needs.
IPP Lee-Ann is looking after the programme, duties, meetings and attendance. If you have any suggestions/ideas for the programme please let her know. If you have a duty and can’t attend, please make sure you find a replacement.
The 3 Minute Talk - to make sure we run to time, please keep to between 3-5 minutes, unless pre-arranged with President Jason.
Apologies - Must be received to queenstownrotary@gmail.com before 12pm Tuesday at the latest. Please be aware that you will be invoiced for your meal if no apology is received. If you are unsure if you can make it each week, you can put in a permanent apology and let us know when you do come. It is easier to inform the restaurant of an extra meal than the Club having to pay for meals not claimed.
DUTIES ROSTER
3 May
10 May
17 May
Setup 5.20 pm Meet & Greet
Movie Night
Lee-Ann
Neil Dempsey
Cashier
Hamish Murray
Chris Taylor
Hamish Murray
Introduce Speaker & Parting Thought
Geoff Dalziel
Gabriel Schou
Sergeant
Richard Bowman
Stuart McLean
Toast to Rotary Project OR
3 min Talk
Ron Mackersy
Grant Rees
Thank Speaker
Monica
Keith McIntosh
PLEASE NOTE: Person rostered to Introduce Speaker please forward notes of their presentation to Keith McIntosh, Bulletin Editor, for inclusion in the Bulletin.
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.
The Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals, organisations, groups and corporate entities who put their hand up and contribute in a philanthropic way to the Wakatipu community and who hold true to the values that collectively define what is unique about the place we call home.
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