Kia ora, hello, everyone,
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone could predict the weather! The sun is currently shining and lake Wānaka is extremely fill with more bad weather expected later today and tomorrow. Keep warm and stay dry.
The decision to postpone the Duck race on Saturday was the correct one and we await the lowering of the lake and Bullock creek to reschedule this wonderful event. The judging of the corporate ducks was held on Friday 24 th October with the Fund-Raising Committee achieving an outstanding result of 77 corporate entries.
Congratulations to you all on all your hard work.
Thank you to Fran Tate for sharing her knowledge and travel photos of her adventures in Patagonia last Tuesday night. This is a beautiful part of the world with amazing glaciers, wildlife and mountains similar to NZ.
The Directors meet on Monday 20 October and there was discussion about the new Rotary constitution and literacy project. The Constitution for the Rotary Club of Wanaka is nearly finalised, and once approved by the Directors, the plan is to have this new constitution document approved by the membership at the AGM on Tuesday 2 December 2025. The club is required to reregister by the 5 April 2026 with the Incorporated Societies due to legislative changes.
The literacy project has increased in cost significantly due to the numbers of five-year-old children planning to start school in the Upper Clutha region (initially thought to be 150 now up to 243) and the cost of the literacy pack increasing from $35 each to about $45. The Wanaka Rotary Club Trustees have approved the support of this initiative for the next twelve months. Literacy is one of the basic foundations for all educational learning. If the Rotary Club of Wanaka can support our youngest members of society to become passionate about books and learning, we will be supporting our future citizens of the world. The Rotary Club of Aspiring have been approached to partnership with this initiative. The local primary schools are all very excited about being involved
in this project which will start with the first cohort of new entrants at the end of January/February 2026.
On Monday 27 October together with Deans and some other Rotary club members and representatives from the A & P Society, The Otago Helicopter Trust, and Fire Brigades from Tarras, Hawea and Luggate we will be presenting the donations from the Crop Competition 2025 to these outstanding service organisations.
Next Tuesday 28 October we have Professor Russell Bishop, Professor of Māori Education speaking to us. The Māori language, stories, land, people and culture are unique to our nation, and I look forward to learning more about our heritage.
On Sunday 2nd November Aspiring Rotary are holding 5 km run or walk to raise funds for Pinc & Steel. This is an organisation that provides people with cancer rehabilitation. Join Aspiring Rotary from 0930 hours at Rotary Park near the Water sports facility for 1000 hours start.
There are several special events happening between now and Christmas. If you are not attending, please ensure that lodge your absence in the normal manner, ie Melbourne Cup night, Highland Park visit.
Have a great fortnight ahead.
Hei konā mai,
Goodbye for now
Marie