Well, we are now 2 weeks into the new Rotary year, having moved from the “Magic of Rotary” to “Unite for Good” Rotary theme!
First and foremost, I want to thank IPP and Secretary Lynette Wilson for her Stirling work as our club President for the last TWO years, a wonderful effort of guiding our club through changing times! Thank You Lynette, for your service to our club and going the extra mile for us all.
Our club changeover on Tuesday 8th of July was a positive and happy event with many of us donning our favourite sporting gear. The dizzy range of gear was extraordinary, outfits from trekking gear, sailing paraphernalia, to Nepalese cricket top, warrior’s scarfs and of course Harlequins, Highlanders, Crusaders and All Blacks tops. Our winner was Vicki Rushton, dressed up as a sailing offshore sailor!! Well done, Vicki! The prize was a bottle of wine!
Our treasurer Mike Parr had a Birthday on the 8th of July as well, we sang “Happy Birthday” as he got a cake, a broken candle and won the wine raffle as well!! The Fraser Park venue was bright and comfortable with the meal from the Bullock Bar hitting the spot too. Our new club Board was presented with their badges and Kowhai seedlings (curtesy of Evie Wilson’s green thumbs) along with the incoming and outgoing swap of Presidents badges, President’s chain and Eileen Howe’s Brooch and of course a bunch of flowers for 2 years hard yakka!
The highlight for me of the changeover was the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation and Honorary Membership to our club stalwart John Barton for his long-standing support for our club over many years where he has taken on most roles in our club, especially in the IT and Financial areas. John was our “GO TO” person regarding Clubrunner support, not only for our club, but to our District and generally in New Zealand as well. John’s support and troubleshooting support to clubs far and wide has been a godsend for many Rotarians across our country, thanks again John Barton for your Service.
As we steer our way through July in one of our wettest winters I can remember, our next club dinner meeting is Tuesday 22nd July, with guest speaker Christine Leggett speaking on “Is there Poverty in Timaru?” This should be an enlightening address. I will be an apology for this meeting, as I need to attend a long-awaited appointment at Christchurch hospital next Tuesday (Our meeting day). I then must self-isolate for seven days because of the medication I need to ingest.
The Charitable Trust meeting scheduled for the 22nd is now the 29th July at 7.30pm at our home.
Looking ahead, our first meeting in August will be a Club Forum to discuss our draft Action Plan and areas of need for this year.
District Governor Keith McIntosh is holding a combined meeting in Timaru at the T & C on Wednesday 6th August, where everyone is invited to attend (There is a separate notice for this meeting in this Bulletin).
Lionel
