At Café Voca, Nathan Kim and three other autistic youths have been learning to handle the responsibilities and developing the social skills that they’ll need for other jobs.
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President's Message
Jason Climo
Pumpkins for Polio - sadly I was dealt a poor hand on the pumpkin growing challenge for Polio. Likely my inability to grow garden varieties is the main contributor. However, to despite that, I managed to raise $300 towards the cause to date. I know Kerry Dunlop is also taking part - we hope he is still going well!
The fortnightly off-site meetings, which a few members are attending, have been a good way of keeping members involved. I have missed most of them due to being super busy at work and having my head down as we enter ‘3 Waters’ reforms.
Covid 19 infections have been a real issue in the district and hampering businesses all over. Hopefully we soon see a decline in infections and we can soon start to welcome overseas travellers back to Queenstown in the next couple of months.
And we may return to some Rotary normality in coming weeks, a determination that the Board will make soon. Stay safe and enjoy the amazing weather! (Trust me, it’s certainly not great weather up north!)
The Club is proud to have partnered with the Queenstown Lions Club, and 3 other generous local donors, to enable Year 13 WHS student Jessica Dredge to attend Outward Bound. She is doing the 21 day ‘Mind, Body & Soul’ course.
Jess heads to Anakiwa on Saturday 9 April and will speak to us about her experience after her return on 30 April.
This meeting was held at the 12 Mile Delta carpark. Just 12 people turned up, slightly down on previous meetings.
The guest speaker and topic was informative and insightful for E-Bike riders, or riders to be. Finn O’Connor, and his partner Liz, demonstrated and explained everything you need to know as an E-Bike rider and, in particular, should you wish to take an E-Bike out on the many trails and tracks the Queenstown Lakes region safely. Finn has generously offered to give Rotarians a 20% discount on his services and advice.
This Tuesday 5th April we answer the call for our Arrowtown members and will meet at O’Callaghan Park reserve area - access off Ford Street (see map attached). It’s at the bridge junction on the track leading to Tobins Track. There is a carpark area with an easy walk to access a picnic area near the river, a lovely spot to meet. You will see the gazebo set up across the grassy area.
The weather forecast is for showers but let’s not let this stop us. The Club Gazebo will be up and we have a very special guest speaker, coming in via Facetime. Brooke Hart is an incredible young woman doing even more incredible awareness for mental health. You won’t want to miss this. It would be great to have as many members there as possible. Brooke is kayaking the Wakatipu in April to raise awareness and funds for mental health.
Meet at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Bring a picnic dinner, if you like, and refreshments.
Whakatipu Reforestation Trusthave community nursery days every Tuesday and Wednesday in April from 9am to 12pm at the Jean Malpas Community Nursery, Poplar Drive (Jardine Park) and planting days every Saturday in April at the locations below:
Sat 2nd April - Whitechapel Reserve, Arrow Junction (followed by Community BBQ)
Sat 9th April – Bush Creek, behind The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
Sat 23rd April – Lake Hayes South (followed by infill planting at Feehly Hill)
Sat 30th April – Mill Creek Tributary, Slope Hill Road (off Speargrass Flat Road) (followed by Community BBQ)
Friends of Tucker Beach Community Planting Day - Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve
Saturday 2nd April - 9am to 12.30pm Forum and Forum Extension areas. Morning tea provided by ‘Taste and Savour’. Bring a spade if you have one, gloves, sturdy footwear, hat sunscreen and drink bottle. No experience necessary.
Arrowtown Choppers "Beech Party" at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
Sunday 10th April - 10am see poster below.Sat 23rd April – Lake Hayes South (followed by infill planting at Feehly Hill)
Brooke will be a guest speaker at our Arrowtown COVID Outdoor Meeting on 5 th April, via Facetime. If this is weather effected, this meeting will be carried over to the 12 th April. Brooke has been introduced to us by Invercargill South Rotary Club. Brooke spoke to this club and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Brookes personal journey has been tough. She’s getting better now. Going through this struggle has made her realise how hard it is to get help, and she is passionate about creating awareness of the acute lack or support and services for people who struggle with their mental health in the Southland area. Brooke has set up a Give-A-Little page and is accepting donations. Brook will be in Queenstown the week of April 18-22 nd to attempt her challenge of kayaking the length of Lake Wakatipu. That the 80km, from Glenorchy to Kingston.
Hi everyone, I am Brooke, I'm 20 and I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I have had many rough days and multiple hospital admissions, but I am finally on my way to improving my mental state. On my journey, I have become very passionate about Mental Health and Suicide. I now have my heart set on becoming an advocate for these topics and what is the best way to start doing this than fundraising. The 4 charities I’m fundraising for are: - The Mental Health Foundation NZ - I Am Hope - Lifeline - Voices of hope
My fundraiser involves just me, myself and I (along with a support boat for health & safety reasons) kayaking the length of Lake Wakatipu. That's 80km, Glenorchy to Kingston. The reason I am doing this is to raise money for Mental Health. It will be physically and mentally demanding, which is what it like to struggle with mental health. I am hoping to complete this challenge around Easter time in 2022. It would be greatly appreciated if I could have your support and if possible I would love if you could donate. It will be going to such an important cause that is close to my heart and many others in NZ.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created a channel for members to contribute funds to support relief efforts
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
5 April
12 April
19 April
Setup 5.20 pm Meet & Greet
Off-site
Arrowtown
Indoors - TBC
TBC
Cashier
Introduce Speaker & Parting Thought
Sergeant
Toast to Rotary Project OR
3 min Talk
Thank Speaker
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.