As the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approached, a firsthand account shows how Rotary members are responding to this humanitarian crisis.
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President's Message
Grant Rees
It is good to be back into the Rotary year and to share in the fellowship of our members.
Congratulations to Lee-Ann on another very successful RYLA. Once again, the RYLArians were a great and enthusiastic group of young leaders. Thank you to the Rotarians and RYLA group for their efforts in further planting out the gully at Lakeland Park. Tim, the Manager, is absolutely thrilled with the amount of work that has been completed. Thanks also to James Fleming - volunteered by Tony. His expertise on the end of a chainsaw was great.
It was good to have Ross and Rosanna back from Uganda and for Ross to share with us the great work that they are doing over there through the Fountain of Peace organisation. With the money raised at the Christmas function, and a top up from the club, we have recently donated $1500 to their work.
This coming Tuesday we will gather for a picnic dinner on the Village Green at Arrowtown and then onto a visit to ‘Astor Bristed’ Art Gallery which will kindly be open especially for us.
The organisation of the barbecues and parking for the NZ Golf Open is proceeding well under the capable guidance of Ashley Adams. Volunteers will be needed for the rosters shortly. I am looking forward to this major fundraiser for the club.
Finally thank you to all the willing volunteers for all of our activities - it makes the job of President so much easier.
The meeting will be held in Arrowtown at The Village Green, 58 Buckingham Street (on the corner of Wiltshire Street and Buckingham Street)
5.30pm – Drinks
Unfortunately, Villa Maria, Auckland, cancelled at short notice (too busy swimming), so please bring your own drinks and a glass.
6.00pm – Dinner
Unfortunately, Josh Emmett also cancelled at short notice so please bring your own picnic dinner. I will whip up a dessert for you all so you must come along and see what my skills involve.
If you are happy standing all evening, then don’t bother bringing a chair.
Ross spoke to Rotary last November just prior to Rosanna and his return journey to their FoP community in Uganda (refer Bulletin 27 Nov 22). At that time Ross provided a snapshot of the work FoP is doing in Uganda with the 70 children directly in their care, the school with around 400 children along with some of the activity they have completed in that community. He provided the story/circumstances of a few of the children that had arrived into their care.
In his 24 Jan presentation, Ross updated Rotarians on some of the development, since their last 'pre-COVID' visit in 2019, and the growth and development of some of the children including an account of the growth of each child referred to in November. Their welcome was ‘outstanding’, the children being so pleased to welcome them back. We recall that many of these children would not have survived if not for the availability and intervention of FoP.
The 4 classroom school building, at foundation stage in 2019, is now complete and in use with the next block under construction. A team of brickies manufacture the blocks on site. Thoughts around vocational and community education are now being considered as some of the children will seek education beyond high school level. There is also the potential to upskill parents in the local community who may wish to catch up with their own children.
Ross also updated Rotarians on some of the work completed within their local community. He earlier spoke of the construction of the 33,000 volt line into the FoP site and his working with the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company. In an on-site meeting, Ross reached agreement, including with safety issues, and signed off the project including labour and power costs. O interest, the labour costs in Uganda equated to approx NZ$1.10 per hour.
Water - FoP have been constructing community wells. Prior to this locals would endeavour to fill their water containers by placing them in a water hole or stream area where there was some flow. They are now able to fill their containers with clean water. This work has enabled FoP to connect and build trust with the local community and are aware that there has been a significant decline in water borne disease.
Ross & Rosanna visited the nearby Fort Portal Rotary Club, a very friendly small club of around 20 members where Ross became their guest speaker. The Club President presented Ross with a club banner and letter which Ross presented to our President Grant.
Ross also related their 2 nights in Johannesburg including their visit to Soweto, the epicenter of the anti-apartheid struggle. He related the living conditions of a family they visited in Fliptown, Soweto. From ‘Joburg’ they flew to Skukuza, the gateway to their Kruger Park experience, followed by a trip into Sabi Sands. In all they completed 7 game drives - 3 at ‘Rhino Post’ in Kruger Park and 4 at ‘Inyati’ in Sabi Sands.
Great to be a part of, and supporting, Ross and Rosanna's incredible journey and experiences.
Last Sunday, 29 January, 31 young people from across the South Island and Wellington met as strangers at Lakeland Park Camp, Kelvin Heights and left as friends.
They had endured a very hot week of relentless speakers and activities, from 6am through till 9.30pm, some nights till 10pm. They capped it off and let their hair down at the Gala awards night on Thursday before, for some, a tearful farewell on Friday.
Exhausted but with a deep sense of personal and collective satisfaction, they went their separate ways knowing they had made life-long new friends, new vocational contacts and that they also have left their legacy at the camp. The Gully Project working bee and the Camp Project (a GPS Geo-caching project) proves the value of this leadership programme on the community and for themselves.
If you haven’t yet been involved in some way, or haven’t visited the camp, you are missing out. They really are inspirational young people as the visitors to the Rotary BBQ Dinner on Tuesday witnessed as well as at the Gala Awards Dinner evening. I really do hope you can come along next year to see what the ‘RYLA magic’ is.
AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MEETING APOLOGIES AS OF 24 JANUARY 2023
From now on, we must have apologies in by 5pm on Sundays. If no apology is received by then, members will be invoiced for the meal as Holiday Inn will invoice us for it. We will be strictly enforcing this from the first meeting back in 2023.
You can put in an extended apology and just inform us when you WILL attend a meeting.
If you have already put in an extended apology or LOA, can you please email queenstownrotary@gmail.com to update and confirm this is still required.
Kerry Dunlop will be asking for volunteers closer to the time.
Friday 24February
NZ Heart Foundation Annual Street Appeal Collection
Sunday 26 February - Sunday 5 March
FUNDRAISER - The NZ Golf Open – Millbrook
BBQ at the Arrowtown Village Green Fun Day event – Sunday 26 February
Caddy’s BBQ – Tuesday 28 February
Volunteers BBQ – Monday 6 March
Parking: Thursday 2 - 5 March. Shift roster times will run from 6.30am to 2pm
More information and roster sign-up sheets will be passed around at the next meeting. If you can’t be at the meeting, but want to help, please email the details of what you can do to - queenstownrotary@gmail.com
All volunteers who sign up will be invited to attend a volunteers thank you function and will go in the draw to be invited to play at the next NZ Gold Open in 2024!! For real!
Meals on Wheels:Very soon
There are still a few spaces to be filled. Please contact Tony Robins asap if you can help. robinsqt@xtra.co.nz or phone 0274 326 733
Registrations are now open for the first District 9999 Rotary Conference, hosted by DG Jan's Lincoln Rotary Club, to be held in OAMARU at the Opera House from 24 – 26 MARCH 2023.
It is rare that Rotarians 'down under' have the opportunity to attend Rotary's Annual International Conference, with world class presenters, so close to home.
All prices are shown in US dollars and include any applicable taxes. Depending on your country, online payment in your local currency may be available. Non-members may attend at the age-based rates.
PP 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 the President.
Apologies - Must be received to queenstownrotary@gmail.com5 pm the Sunday before the meeting. 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
7 February
14 February
21 February
Setup 5.20 pm Meet & Greet
Off-site NA
TBA
TBA
Cashier
NA
TBA
TBA
Introduce Speaker & Parting Thought
NA
TBA
TBA
Sergeant
NA
TBA
TBA
Toast to Rotary Project OR
3 min Talk
NA
TBA
TBA
Thank Speaker
NA
TBA
TBA
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.
