Profile: A vine ideaHeidi KühnRotary Club of San FranciscoHeidi Kühn arrived in Utsunomiya, Japan, in 1975, a few months after the end of the Vietnam War. She was a Rotary Youth Exchange
International President for 2018-2019 is Barry Rassin from the Bahamas.
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Russell McGrouther
Russell's Ramblings
Well what a great night on Tuesday last week and special thanks must go to Darren, Debbie and their team for providing for many of us our ‘first hangi’. Even the Atua’s (The Maori Gods) saw that the all day rain dissipated which allowed us all to partake very comfortably outdoors. Comments that have followed have been in praise for Darren and Debbie’s effort and at the same time we as a club should, with the assistance of Darren and others, become more informed of Maori history and traditions. Those who attended would have seen that there was a lot of cooked food left over this was packed up into meal size portions and left with the Salvation Army to distribute around the community.
This activity brought back the attendance notification. During the day Ross and I were banding around the figures of 35 – 40. There were, I think, three who came with their partners that we were not expecting and of course a few, that whilst expected, did not arrive. We have some members who have noted on a weekly basis at Wild Thyme that they are 'Non-Diners' but when we come to an activity, such as the hangi, we need their apology also rather than us assuming that they may be attending or, in this case, for them assuming that they don’t need to apologise as they don’t normally have a meal at Wild Thyme.
This matter has been raised earlier but we still need to have better clarification in advising if you are bringing a guest, or if you are not attending such activities, or thirdly, if you are partaking in the meal on that occasion.
Being President certainly has its time of enjoyment, companionship and occasionally a low point. I experienced that ‘low point’ a week ago when I received the following email from one of our members.
Subject: Some Bad News
To all fellow Rotarians
I have something very sad to report to you tonight. I have known for some years now that I have had Prostate Cancer. Firstly, I was treated with radiation and then secondly with chemo therapy. All these seemed to work at the time but since returning from our 6 week trip to the top of the North Island the cancer has gone rampant in my spine and rib cages.
While you were having your Hangi on Tuesday night, I was in an ambulance heading down to the Dunedin Hospital for an MRI Scan. It showed it all too clearly. I have probably between 2 to 3 weeks and a maximum of 3 months before my time is up.
I am so glad that I am here in New Zealand with such a great support base around me and am even more pleased that Liz has joined Inner Wheel with such lovely ladies.
Thank you so much for all your kindnesses. I am so thankful to have been born in this wonderful country. Keep up the grand work that you are doing here at the Rotary Club of Queenstown.
Request from Tony Fleming - could we please have a good turnout at Feehly Hill this Saturday, 6 April, at 9 am, to carry out some new plantings and a bit of a tidy up.
On Tuesday 2 April, Lee-Ann Lines attended the Rotary Area Speech Competition hosted by the Wanaka Rotary Club with Gracie Hansby representing our Club.There were 4 entrants - students from Cromwell College, Mt Aspiring College, Dunstan High School and our student, Gracie Hansby from Wakatipu High School.
We are pleased to advise Gracie won the competition and will represent the Central Otago Area, and our Club, at the finals to be held at District Conference in Oamaru at the end of the month.Gracie’s speech was on “The Effects of Photo Shopped Images on Social Media”.
We are very proud of Gracie, she has been a guest speaker at our Club earlier this year where she outlined her role and goals as Head Girl at WHS. A very articulate, intelligent and personable young woman, we are thrilled to be associated and a supporter of Gracie who has a big future ahead of her.
Last Tuesday (25 March) Queenstown Rotarians were treated to a 'hangi' put down for us by Rotarian and local Kaumatua, Darren Rewi and his wife Debbie at their home. Photos show the sequence from heating the irons to the beautiful cooked 'kai' on the table ready for serving. Thank you Darren and Debbie for hosting and providing such a wonderful cultural experience that was enjoyed and appreciated by all.
This email has been sent to all Rotarians and Honorary members in the Rotary District
As we reflect on the horrific and tragic events in Christchurch yesterday, it is difficult to believe such violence could happen in peaceful New Zealand.
If any individual or Club would like to offer financial support to the victims and their families of this devastating attack, the Riccarton, Linwood-Woolston and Ferrymead Rotary Clubs have set up a fund.
The account number for the fund which is being managed by the Riccarton Club is:
03-0823-0350538-00.
Please put your name and “Mosque Appeal” as the reference.
The thoughts of District 9980 are with the people of Christchurch, the victims and their families.
Rotarians in the District are trying to raise funds to help support Sakhr Munassar to stay in New Zealand. It would be greatly appreciated if your Club was able to include the attached article in your next Club Newsletter.
If you have any queries, please let myself or Claire Ramsey know. Claire’s email is milocatclaire@outlook.com
The McGrouther's and McIntosh's are attending the District Conference in Oamaru next month. Will any of you join us? This is an opportunity to be involved in the historic part of Oamaru town and to meet friends as well as listen to top inspirational speakers. There is space available. See or contact President Russell or Keith Mc as soon as possible.
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.
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