Some Light Reading from President Ross.
So Kia Ora fellow Rotarians and Partners
Another week and another Bulletin to assist you to utilise 10 minutes of your life that you will not get back. The news of the week is that, following the announcement last Monday by PM Jacinda, we now have the pleasure of being released from the chains of Alert Level 4 at midnight on Monday 27th to be free to enjoy the liberties of Alert Level 3 which is effectively no change from Level 4 other than the inclusion of takeaways.
For those who are amongst the circa 400,000 Kiwi’s, able to return to their working environment, well done and all the best and we trust that you will be able to start to recover from the impositions that Lockdown has presented on your business. We will still remain a long way from normal and the community will need to face up to an understanding of what a new normal in Central Otago will look like given that it may be many months, if not years, before we see a return of the overseas tourist markets.
I also hope that you are all tracking OK at home and that sufficient opportunities to relieve the boredom have become manifest so that you are able to fill in the day productively. Make sure you have completed all those chores though before you think about leaving home to pick up your fill of KFC or McDonalds. As my Mum used to say, “no treats until your chores are complete”.
Regretfully the move into Alert Level 3 continues to restrict the gathering together of groups of more than 10 people and it also prevents the serving of food or refreshments. Our meeting venue at Holiday Inn is therefore prohibited from accepting Rotary back yet so that informs any decisions and the Board have no option other than to extend our postponement of our weekly Rotary meetings. This is disappointing, however it is the landscape that we have to contend with. Next announcements from Government on 11 May - we await with interest.
Just for your information, I spoke with Indulla from the Holiday Inn by phone the other day. Indulla and Amar are the two young men who look after us on Tuesday nights. I can report that they are both doing OK and are looking forward to some word on a return to work. That said their concern is obviously the lack of forward tourist bookings and the impact that will have on returning the hotel to operation.
So hang in there team, we are hopefully not too far away from being able to claim back our freedom of movement, engagement and activity, and once again being able to reconnect on Tuesday night at the Holiday Inn. Presidents Shout !!
Anzac Day 25 April 2020
Despite the impositions of Lockdown, take time to reflect on all those who gave of the ultimate sacrifice.
Anzac and Gallipoli: The Gallipoli peninsula is located on the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardenelles Strait to the east. Gallipoli is the Italian form of the Greek name meaning “Beautiful City,” the original name of the modern town of Gelibolu.
Rosanna and I visited Anzac Cove at Gallipolli 10 years ago and were privileged to walk the beach and the trenches of Chanuk Bair, and to visit the Lone Pine and NZ cemeteries. We are pictured below, at the Anzac Memorial site looking out to sea on a beautiful and peaceful day, quite the contrast from the devastation of the 25 April 1915. Also pictured is the monument bearing the immortal words of Mustafa Ataturk, the war General who went onto become the Father of the Nation of Turkey.
One of my memories of an Anzac Day service was on 25 April 2017, while in the Pacific Ocean on the Coral Princess (are we allowed to mention Princess Cruises ??). We were off the coast of Nicaragua and, at 5.30am, a group of around 40 Aussies and 10 Kiwis, along with a compliment from the ship’s crew, gathered on the deck of the ship for an Anzac Day remembrance service.
I have to say it was a well presented service and the singing was a fitting representation of the collective Australasian pride that existed on that deck that morning. While a lone bugle played the last post from a mezzanine deck above our heads, he was accompanied by the sound of the ocean and the sense of a warm breeze from the Pacific Ocean blowing across the assembled populous.
Pictures of Gallipoli and Anzac Cove lit up the area from the large movie screen high above the deck. In addition, these two examples that were displayed near the end of service and prior to those in attendance adjourning to the dining room for an early breakfast and refreshments.
Directors Meeting by Zoom: Your Directors held a further weekly Zoom Audio Conference meeting last Tuesday. The purpose was simply to stay ahead of the curve with a brief catch up. The Secretary reported to the Board members on the discussion held at the AGM with regard to the District Levy payment and purpose. The Queenstown Rotary Club had proposed an amendment to the construct of the mandatory levy because District was claiming a value beyond what would be required to deliver their operational costs, and are holding funds in a reserve account well above sensible.
The club also requested that there be a review of the value and purpose of the District Committee and, hopefully, a return to the notion that the District is the servant of the clubs - not the other way around. The outcome, despite a drive to shut down discussion, was that a further Special Meeting of the Clubs will be held within the next eight weeks to discuss the needs of the Clubs, along with the financial requirements of District, the level of reserves, and hopefully a reimbursement of reserves to the owners - the Clubs.
The President also reported that he had held a Zoom call with the incoming District Governor and had shared with him a discussion on a range of the topics including of the role and purpose of District, exacerbated by the risks created by the proposed expansion of the District boundary. The opportunity for a collaborative exchange of views on this subject, by comparison with the incumbents, was encouraging and appreciated, and I believe that the incoming DGE, Dylan Murray, understands the tensions and the changing mood of the Clubs in this space.
Finally Some Good News:
Proud Grandad: You will recall we reported in the March Bulletin that Chris has a new grandson born while in Lockdown in London. Many will also remember Chris reporting on the birth of his premature twin grandsons three years ago and their tumultuous start to life. Here they are today, looking resplendent on their 3rd Birthday. We need to point out that Grandad should really purchase the twins some Air New Zealand model aircraft to replace the shameless advertising of British Airways aircraft being utilised on the Birthday cake.
Petition To Amend the National Anthem: I am so bored that I have decided to start a petition to change the New Zealand National anthem to ensure that it is more reflecting and relevant of our current life style here in New Zealand in 2020.
Please feel free to lodge your support for this proposal at your leisure. Advise your support by email to the Club Secretary. The petition is to change our National Anthem from: “God of Nations (E Ihou Atua )” written by Thomas Bracken to the more upbeat theme that is more descriptive of our lives currently, namely “I want to Break Free” by Queen. If this petition is carried with your unanimous support I will reintroduce the singing of the new national anthem with patriotic fervour to Rotary Meetings. Rock and Roll !!
Stop Press: Just in from the United States of America, news that the President has identified and launched an instant cure for Covid-19. Please add your favourite disinfectant and flavour to your next grocery run. Please do not panic buy, there will be plenty for everyone.
As per prior Bulletins, the opportunity remains should any of you require any level of support. Let me know and we will do our best to respond to that need. To date there has not been any request from Rotarians and I am pleased that family and friends are standing in the gap where needed.
Look after each other, take care, stay healthy, and keep your chins up.
Kia Kaha Kia Maia
Nga mihi mahana
Ross