Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors worked together in a nationwide project that promoted behavior change and initiated safety standards for businesses.
International President for 2019-2010 is Mark Daniel Maloney from Alabama, USA.
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"A few Lines from Lee-Ann'"
Lee-Ann Lines
I haven’t been to Waimate for years so it was good to have a bit of a nosey around again while attending the District conference last weekend. Its a nice wee town with loads of history and friendly locals. DG Dylan and the Waimate Rotary Club put on a very relaxed and well organised event with an interesting line up of guest speakers. The theme was ‘Green’ and ‘The Power of Moments’. There were a few of these moments during the weekend with many inspirational stories shared. Our Club was well represented with David Tait, Gabrielle, Jim and Cora Huitt, Joan and Monica, Hamish & myself attending, as well as Honorary Members Martin & Jan Chappell.
Next week, on April 6th at our off-site meeting, we will be planting the native trees I brought back from conference. Due to the ‘Green’ theme, these trees were offered as a gift by DG Dylan to be planted in remembrance of the Rotarians who are no longer with us since the last conference 2 years ago (last year was cancelled due to COVID19). These natives will be planted at 6pm on April 6th on our portion of the Tucker Beach Track to acknowledge Russell McGrouther, Lex Perkins, Geoff Smith and Colin Jack. Please meet from 5.30pm to set up and, after the planting weather permitting, we will have a BYO picnic dinner, drinks, a blanket or chairs, at the picnic area just past the first carpark area. You can park either in the first carpark and walk the short part of the track to the picnic area or park in the lay way at the picnic spot if there is room. Its looking ok but, if the weather is not favourable, we will head to a local restaurant at 5 Mile. I will send out an email on Monday night (the 5th) to confirm the plan.
At Conference, our Wakatipu High School speech competition participant James Scoles was 2nd equal with his speech. He did very well speaking with no cue-cards, was the only one who had a slideshow as a prop and he walked the floor like a pro! James has won $950 over the 3 rounds of competition. I will try and get him along to deliver his speech to us.
After conference, the District AGM was held. Our Club put forward a motion, in line with our concerns we raised last year, into how the District levies are calculated, the high level they are set at and the absurd reserves that are held in the District coffers. In our motion we also proposed some changes that need to happen around when and who should be involved in approving the District Levy. Unfortunately we didn’t have a seconder so the motion didn’t proceed but there was some discussion afterwards which may have been reasonably constructive. Frustratingly though, the blinkers are back on and the final outcome is that the 2021/2022 levies have been raised back to the same levels they were, pre COVID19, in 2019/2020. They were lowered $10 to $70 for this current year however we are now back up to $80.50 per member for 2021/2022. This is not sending a particularly good message, especially for clubs in struggling towns like Te Anau and for all the Clubs struggling to attract new members. We are still living in a restricted COVID19 world with a lot of recovery to do, so this is really disappointing. If you require any more info about this, please contact Secretary Chris Taylor, Past President Ross Beal or myself.
Last week we enjoyed hearing from guest speaker Fleur Casey, the sales manager for OXBOW Adventures out at Gibbston. She gave away 2 caps as well as a voucher for a jet boat or off-road experience, won by David Tait. Please spread the word about this funtastic venue to your contacts and friends. It’s also the perfect venue for groups and corporate functions. Let’s support innovative and brave new business like this in Queenstown. We need it! www.oxbow.co.nz
And also, let’s not forget about member Riki Hunter and wife Nell’s new wellbeing business ‘City Cave’. Use this link to book a massage, infrared sauna or floating spa - www.citycave.co.nz We will be visiting City Cave as an off-site meeting on June 1st. Also, for those who don’t know, Nell is just days (or a week or so) away from having their 2nd child (Riki’s 3rd). Good luck guys!
Speaking of Riki, he has been instrumental in the dramatic transformation at Happiness House. The final stage of our latest community service project was last Thursday, supported by Stuart McLean, David Tait and myself. Riki, of www.hunterconstructionqueenstown.co.nz turned up with all the tools and his almost qualified apprentice Jack. We built a big shed in a day and boy, it is quite an impressive shed as its name might suggest ... “The Bentley”. Robyn and her expanding team were extremely excited as they will now be able to spread out and enjoy more office space within the house. This project was in conjunction with Bunnings, their first community service project, so it was a special day all round. Bunnings have a generous community service policy and will be very proactive in our community.
Our Bunnings BBQ events start in 10 days, on 8th April. If you haven’t yet offered a few hours of your time, please let Ross Beal know - ross.beal@slingshot.co.nz
Things are looking pretty good though, so my thanks to everyone for getting in behind this club fundraiser. The dates again are –
BUNNINGS STORE OPENING FUNDRAISER:
A Tradies BBQ Night Event - Thursday 8th April - 3pm - 7pm
The ‘Official Opening’ - Thursday 15 April 7am - 10am (food serving only)
Grand Opening BBQ - Saturday 17th April - 8.30am - 12.15pm & 12.15 - 4pm
The polo’s are now ready for collection. I will bring them with me over the next few weeks. If you haven’t paid yet, please do so asap - 01-0867-0722903-00 REF POLO and your name.
Coming up this week: RYLArian Joanne Skuse will come along to speak about her RYLA experiences. She is one of 6 endorsed by our Club.
Have you asked someone this week if they want to join Rotary? You are the best advocate, so don’t keep our great Club and all the good work we do a secret. Ask someone today.
Days for Girls is an international project to help combat period poverty by providing reusable menstrual pads. Click on the link to be taken to the website for more info - https://www.daysforgirls.org/
Last week Fleur Casey, Sales Manager for the OXBOW Adventure Co, spoke to Rotary. Originating in Wanaka, now also located out in the Gibbston Valley, the 'Ultimate Off-Roader', 'Jet Sprint Boat' and 'Clay Bird Shooting' feature at Gibbston (see photos below). Refer to Lee-Ann's blog. More information available at www.oxbow.co.nz
Lisa Leftley spoke to us on 16 March about her family's charitable organisation "Pivotal Point' and its origins. For Lisa and her husband, their 'pivotal point' began almost 9 years ago with a baby son born with meningitis and its consequent challenges for them. During COVID-19 lock down the concept of 'Pivotal Point' emerged to assist children struggling with neurodiversity and processing disorders and their consequent learning challenges. Their mission is to "empower whanau to access the help required to holistically support all our tamariki" by helping, including financially, people to navigate the services available to access help for their affected children and, also, to accommodate their learning within our school system. Lisa's presentation was very heartfelt - the happy outcome, due to appropriate interventions, is that their son is now reading above his age level.
Rotary will assist Lisa establish a governance structure and the charitable trust.
Information is available at info@pivotalpoint.org.nz
PDG Derek Bulman works hard to ensure you enjoy a varied and interesting programme each week. He also is the one who allocates the Duties. If you have a duty and can’t attend, please make sure you find a replacement.
Meet & Greet - also includes ‘meeting set-up’. Please try and be at the venue by 5.20pm to ensure enough time to set up the meeting area.
The 3 Minute Talk - Unless pre organised with Derek or Lee-Ann, please keep to between 3-5 minutes.
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
30 March
6 April
13 April
Setup 5.20 pm Meet & Greet
Tim Wiltshire
Off site
Fiona van Waveren
Cashier
Alan Dunbar
Brian MacPherson
Introduce Speaker & Parting Thought
Jason Climo
Alan Dunbar
Sergeant
Darren Rewi
Neil Boniface
Toast to Rotary Project OR 3 min Talk
Fiona van Waveren
Bruce Boivin
Thank Speaker
Richard Bowman
Ralph Hanan
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.
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