To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, we’ve teamed up with UNICEF to give life-saving vaccines to 100,000 children across the Pacific.
St Patrick's Day, which means the year is nearly a quarter over! But the work of the club has been progressing well. Last week we helped at the A&P Show, and at Easter we'll be out again directing traffic during Wheels at Wanaka. Between them, earning enough to fund the two scholarships that were awarded late last year - the MAC one and what I think of as the Kahu Youth Second Chance one. Beyond that there's the Wānaka A&P Winter Crop Competition (Awards night: May 16th), the annual Book Sale in July (sorting starts w/c May 11th, Sundays and Tuesdays) and now that it's not quite so hot, we've got some wood to split sometime soon.
Directors meet tonight with a focus on improving the process for receiving and considering grant applications, with new guidelines etc. being developed. We'll also spend some time on the allocation of duties in our roster - that's been a bit of a shambles recently, largely because of tardiness about reading, or at least absorbing, the content of the Bulletin. It is every member's responsibility to find a substitute if you can't do a rostered duty, and it is more than a little helpful to let the President and the Bulletin Editor (Ron Horner) know of changes. (And yes, I do see the irony of me having a moan in this Bulletin column, about those who don't read the Bulletin.)
And while I'm at it, it seems quite a few of us are still in dream/holiday mode when it comes to apologies - as above, it's mid March and we can and must do better.
Tomorrow night we will meet a past incoming Rotary Youth Exchange student, and we will learn more about the effectiveness of the Rotary Youth Driving Academy programme; being run again at Highlands Park on Thursday with help from several club volunteers - we also fund transport there for a large group of MAC students. The following week Di Sinclair, President Elect of the Retirement Villages Residents Association will join us - the meeting will be led by our President Elect, Marie Fitchett, as I am once again 'on-tour' with two Singaporean couples.
And the week after that, April 1st, in the evening , the club will be hosted by the people at Hawea Station, who by the way, have been great supporters of our Winter Crop Competition. There will be a snack and light refreshments, and it has been suggested some may choose to stop in at the Hawea Hotel on the way back to Wanaka for a chance to debrief and contemplate the information delivered at the Station, the kitchen will be open. I will still be on tour, and I'm looking for someone to help coordinate and thank the Station staff for their hospitality, please.
Hoping to see you tomorrow night.
Alan
Club Duties
Duty roster notes.
1. All active members (not honorary members) are eligible for duties.
2. Rostered members are responsibile for doing the duty, or finding a substitute.
3. Please advise Chris Tempest of substitutions by txt on 027 27 17 862
4. Duties are for 1 week only.
5. Duties are notified in the bulletin 4 weeks ahead.
CLUB DUTIES ROSTER
18th March
25th March
1st April
8th April
Attendance
Deans Hudson
John Mclean
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Meet, Greet and Photography
Don Irvine
John Milburn
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Introduce Speaker
Paco Janca
Rod Pemberton
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Thank Speaker
Ken Johnston
Noelene Pullar
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
3 Minute Speaker
Isabelle Jacobs
Elaine Kelly
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Raffle
Anne Lindsay
Eion Rutherford
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Parting Thought
Doug Lovell
George Scott
Hawea Station
Committee Meetings
Meeting Host
Chris Tempest
President Elect
Chris Tempest
Chris Tempest
Audio Visual Support
Ron Horner
Geoff Tomkins
Geoff Tomkins
Ron Horner
Coming up - Club Night Activities
March 18th - Liona Stanicich.
My name is Liona Stanicich and I am the RYDA Program Coordinator for the South Island. RYDA stands for Rotary Youth Driver Awareness and I will be running 34 RYDA workshops through the South Island in Term 1 and Term 2.
March 25th, - Di Sinclair: Retirement Villages Residents Association (Pres Elect).
So you’re thinking about Retirement Village Living
I’m a tribrid of the King Country, Bay of Plenty, and Auckland, and I now live at Bert Sutcliffe Village in Birkenhead, Auckland. When I first settled into village life, I made the mistake of volunteering to help RVResidents, thinking I’d just be popping pamphlets into letterboxes like anyone else. But membership grew rapidly—now over 13,000 members across the country—and one morning I woke up and found myself National Vice President and Complaints Coordinator of the Association!
These days, I work six hours a day, six days a week, grinding through the Review of the Retirement Villages Act. I know some of you are probably thinking, she needs to get a life!—and I couldn’t agree more! So, if anyone is keen to take over my job, please see me after my talk—we’re always on the lookout for volunteers.
I’m looking forward to speaking with you about life in a retirement village—the pros, the cons, as well as what you need to know before you make the move.
April 1st - Visit to Lake Hawea Station.
April 15th - Kate Murray - Manager of the Wanaka Community Link.
Kate Murray has been the manager of Community Link since 2013. Before taking on this role, she worked for many years as a dietitian in the health sector. Originally growing up rurally in Lake Tekapo, Kate is passionate about the community in the Upper Clutha and loves working with people. She enjoys connecting with others and is proud of helping create projects that support the local area. In her free time, Kate enjoys spending time outdoors with friends, whether it’s relaxing around a bonfire or staying active.
About Community Link
Community LINK is Upper Clutha's one-stop community support and connection centre, operating across the full welfare spectrum. We operate a foodbank, provide social worker support and are the communities link with government and community support services.
We work alongside community organizations to deliver community development programmes that support families, championing seniors, or connecting parents, whānau and caregivers through Path Wānaka.
Our vision is that everyone in the Upper Clutha can thrive. Our Kaupapa is to be kind in our approach; innovative and adaptive in our thinking; inclusive in our relationships; embracing diversity; and honoring community voice.
New member nominations from Pat Heffernan: Membership Director
Minutes of the Rotary Club of Wanaka Directors Meeting – March 5, 2025
1. Treasurer’s Report
● Women’s Health Bus Funds: $300 under budget, available for reallocation.
● Reimbursements & Expenses Approved
2. Fundraising Report ● Upcoming Events: Winter Feed Competition, Wheels at Wanaka, Annual Book Sale.
● Temporary Role Changes:
● John Huddleston will serve as Acting Fundraising Director.
● Mike Elliot will lead Rotary’s involvement in Wheels at Wanaka.
● Winter Crop Competition:
● Agreement signed with Upper Clutha A&P Society, renaming the event to “Wanaka A&P Winter Crop Competition – organized by The Rotary
Club of Wanaka.”
● 50% of proceeds to Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, 50% to local fire brigades (Tarras, Luggate, Hawea) for sustainability
improvements.
● Use of Upper Clutha Rugby Football Club clubrooms for the awards ceremony (rent-free; bar proceeds to UCRFC).
● Aspiring Rotary Club to handle catering.
● Crop entry fees increased from $40 to $60 per crop.
● Permission approved to purchase items to enhance donated prizes (costs to be covered from event proceeds, not Club reserves).
3. Administration Report
● Duty Roster Concerns:
● Honorary members and directors assigned duties despite other responsibilities.
● Administration Committee to review and report back.
● Partner Membership Discount:
● Proposal for a reduced partner fee to encourage couples to join.
● Approved at $20 discount (vote: 5 in favour, 4 against).
● Volunteer Email Lists:
● Club emails currently go to members and honorary members.
● Proposal to include external volunteer groups (e.g., Heat Wave, Mary Lee’s group).
● Directors may approve additional volunteer groups in Club Runner.
● Grant Application Process Updated:
● Nicola Brown revised the process and guiding principles.
● Directors to review before ratification.
4. Foundation Committee:
● Directors asked this committee to make a recommendation regarding Rotary District 9999’s Vanuatu Appeal following a devastating
earthquake in December 2024
● Also, having considered the Vanuatu Appeal, a recommendation regarding the possible purchase of ERK’s and Shelterboxes.
● Directors noted the committee has only four members. They further noted that no major activities involving the committee are planned in the
RY24/25, and agreed to leave it to the President Elect to consider the RY25/26 committee makeup.
5. Service Committee Report
● Grant Approvals:
● $700 for Rio Hanson to attend Kapa Haka trip (April 4–12, 2025). Approved pending reconfirmation of need.
● Jazz Allison’s request $600 (Spirit of Adventure trip) under urgent review.
● Pending Grant Applications:
● $2,500 for Wanaka Petanque Group to build a sun shelter.
● $3,331 for Youth Search & Rescue Trust (3 students attending a course).
● Community LINK funding request
● John Huddleston to assess needs via contacts.
● Kate Murray may be invited to speak to Rotary about LINK services. 6. Social & Events Report
● Christmas Function: Successful with a $243 profit.
● Upcoming Events:
● Arrowtown Festival (April 26–27) – accommodation available; biking planned.
● Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner (May 10).
● Changeover Dinner (tentative Friday June 25th) – Marie to confirm with Alan.
● Home Hosting events – proposed monthly, or on the 5th Tuesday of a month.
7. Youth & Vocation Report
● MAC Speech Competition (April 29):
● 4 participants confirmed.
● Prizes limited to 1st and 2nd place only.
● Club to cover meal costs for participants.
8. General Business
● Insurance Representation:
● Geoff McLeay formally appointed as Club Insurance Representative.
● District Vanuatu Appeal:
● No donation made yet; cash donation preferred.
● D9999 Rotarian Jenny Wong to provide bank details.
● District 9999 Board Positions:
● Nominations open until March 26, 2025.
● Nicola Brown thanked for involvement in District Grant group.
● Youth Exchange Program:
● Being revitalized for 2026 student placements - inwards and outwards.
● Blennerhasset Memorial Plinth:
● Construction completed with Rotary coordination.
● A plaque recognizing Rotary’s role will be installed.
Visit to Grow Wanaka.
Rotarians were welcomed into the Gardens by Emberly (Em) Wetherall who is the current Chair and Garden Project Coordinator, and Toni Foxton Events Coordinator and Project Advisor. It was evident to those of us who visited 2 years ago that the size of the Gardens has doubled with a new Gourd patch and Pumpkin patch.
Particular interest was shown in the worm gardens and one pumpkin growing outside a fence but untouched by rabbits. The bountiful vegetables are testament to the hard work put in by the volunteers of these gardens.
Wanaka Rotarian Volunteers at the A&P Show.
Wānaka A & P Show
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Wānaka a huge THANK YOU for your hard work at the Wānaka A&P Show over the 4 days of 5-8 March. We were outstanding with 100% roster attendance - although in the pitch darkness of 6 am one of our volunteers couldn’t find Gate 3. We agree it wasn’t easy to find at that hour.
Feedback from the Volunteer Manager was “As always Rotary did a fabulous job manning one of our more challenging gates for the Show this year, as well as the renowned equestrian parking”. We have received some feedback and ideas for the future but it would be great to get further comments. You the volunteers were the eyes on the ground seeing what’s really happening and great feedback is fundamental to helping the A&P Show achieve best practice. If you want to provide comments for the organisers please send an email to Mike Elliot or myself.
The total funds raised is likely to be $3,600. As with all of our events these funds will go back into the local community, supporting individuals and groups in need of financial assistance.
Up Coming Events – Put in Your Diary
Event
Dates Volunteers Required
Wheels at Wānaka
17-20 April
Wānaka A&P Winter Crop Competition
16 May
Book & Jigsaw Sale
3-7 July
Geoff McLeay
For Fundraising Committee
The Saturday morning team looking sharp
President Alan directing late day traffic The Saturday afternoon team looking a bit blunt
Rotarians around the town
Sunday 9th Bike ride around Mt Barker and down Boundary Road to Albert Town for a coffee. A great team and Paco’s last ride for this season
Pictured. Our South African Rotary guests eating at the Stoaker Room. From left to right: June Oosthuizen, George in S.A; Pariya Williams – Taieri Rotary; The Chef and Mick Stone, Rotary Club of George and married to June. Thanks to Bernadette Frost for hosting and Sally Angus for the photograph.
The Tireless J.M. looking a bit tired
Winter Crop Competition – Friday 16 May 2025
In early December a sub-committee was formed to meet with The Upper Clutha A&P Society (A&P) and to make recommendations. Members of the sub-committee are Deans Hudson, John Milburn, Rod Pemberton, Geoff McLeay, Eion Rutherford, Mike Elliot, Elaine Kelly and Geoff Tomkins.
It has been since been agreed that Rotary will remain as the owners and organizers of the competition but will grant The Upper Clutha A&P Society naming rights for a term of 1 year for the payment of $5,000. The period of the agreement will end on 30 November 2025.
Both parties have a collaborative approach which reflects the Upper Clutha rural community and we see this a positive move in providing our farmers with an event which will engage the farming community. In accepting the offer, A&P have kindly offered to help with the promotion of the competition and provide their support with an end goal of raising funds for the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust and the local Fire Brigades of Tarras, Luggate and Hawea, this years recommended beneficiaries.
The event will be held at Upper Clutha Rugby Football Club on Friday 16 May.
Should you have any questions, contact Deans Hudson deans@alpinebiz.co.nz or any other member of the sub-committee who are planning to send out a communication to farmers over the next few days. This will announce the new branding of the competition, the date of the award ceremony, the
venue and most importantly who we are supporting.
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, the club will be hosted by the people at Hawea Station, who by the way, have been great supporters of our Winter Crop Competition. There will be a snack and light refreshments, and it has been suggested some may choose to stop in at the Hawea Hotel on the way back to Wanaka for a chance to debrief and contemplate the information delivered at the Station, the kitchen will be open. I will still be on tour, and I'm looking for someone to help coordinate and thank the Station staff for their hospitality, please.
