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.
Goodness we are now into February with the start of the Chinese New Year 2024 on 10 February with the Year of the Dragon. It is lovely to see the celebration of the Chinese culture throughout the Wanaka region.
Thank you to John, Nicole & their team of helpers at the Gibbston Summer concert on Saturday 3rd February. I hear it was a chilly day and the funds raised are likely to be just under $7,000. All funds raised go back into the local community, supporting individuals and groups in need of financial assistance. The last act Simple Minds was a crowd favourite.
We still need a few volunteers for the Heart Foundation Appeal on Saturday 24 February. If you can help, please Sign Up to view available slots and book yourself directly online. The purpose of the foundation is to stop all people in NZ dying prematurely from heart disease and enable people with heart disease to live full lives.
The bike ride this morning out to Hawea was amazing with a trip around the Devon Link Track to arrive at the Hawea Store for a cup of coffee, Sanga pies, Jimmy's pies, muffins & scones! There were 14 of us who enjoyed this biking experience. Chris was 'the legend', completing the ride on a 'real bike' while the rest of us had some extra power. The next ride will be on Sunday 25 February 0930 hours starting at the dinosaur park, everyone welcome.
This coming week we have our committee evenings so directors please can you send your reports to Jenny as soon as possible so she can prepare the agenda for our directors' meeting on Monday 19 February at the AMP offices. Thank you, Mike, for booking the AMP room. It is my intention to visit as many of the committees as I can during the next five months.
For those involved in Wheels to Dunstan don't forget the social event at the Rugby club rooms starting at 4.30pm on Tuesday 13 February.
Don't forget that it is your responsibility as a Rotarian to enter your apologies, leave and guest notifications to attend or not our Rotary meetings at the Albie by 12.00pm on the Monday before our meetings. This assists in ensuring that we are not charged for meals when people do not attend.
Have a wonderful time at your committee meetings enjoying the fellowship, building friendships, and creating hope in Wanaka.
See you all back at the Albie on Tuesday 20 February.
Kindest Regards
Marie
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
13th February
20th February
27th February
5th March 2024
Attendance
Committee Meetings
M.J Moffat
Ian Shore
Rob Wilton
Meet, Greet and Photography
Committee meetings
Tony O'Regan
Chris Tempest
Chris Wright
Introduce Speaker
Committee Meetings
Rod Pemberton
Geoff Tomkins
Sally Angus
Thank Speaker
Committee Meetings
Noelene Pullar
Anne Timpany
Malcolm Baker
3 Minute Speaker
Committee Meetings
Alan Richardson
Hannah Walker
Peter Borrie
Raffle
Committee Meetings
Eion Rutherford
Richard Wallace
Duncan Boswell
Parting Thought
Committee Meetings
George Scott
Julian Warren
David Brewer
Meeting Host
Committee Meetings
Chris Tempest
Chris Tempest
Chris Tempest
Audio Visual Support
Committee Meetings
Ron Horner
Ron Horner
Ron Horner
From Pat Heffernan: Club Membership/ Director/Chair. New Members to be inducted in February.
Fundraising Events coming up
2024 Wanaka A@P Show - March 8-9th: Reminder from Mike Elliot
I hope you have received the Volunteer list for the 2024 Wanaka A&P Show by now.
The Rotary Club of Wanaka have been asked to sell tickets and scan tickets at Gates 1 and 3 for the two days of the Show, for which we will be paid $25/person/hour, so a good fundraiser for the Club.
The Sign-up lists have Scanner/Seller 1 or 3 signifying the gates to which you will be volunteering. Instruction will be given as to the duties involved, but all relatively simple.
There are also two slightly different jobs on Gate 3 on both days - helping to get traffic on and off Brownston Street at the end of the day.
I would like to get as many volunteers in place as soon as possible so that the A&P Society can make up any shortfall, so please get your names down soonest!!
Thank you in anticipation for your help in making some more funds for the Club - and hopefully having a bit of fun too!!
Any questions or queries, please get back to me.
Warbirds over Wanaka- Reminder from Richard Wallace
WOW Easter 2024 Merchandise Sales. 28th March till 31st March 2024.
At our meeting on Tuesday, 30th January Dr. Norm Davis, PhD, spoke on the topic of Schistosomiasis of waterfowl (more commonly known as Duck Itch) which comes from the same family as Schistosomiasis of humans (more commonly known as Bilharzia). Ruby Island Swim Event Organiser, Eddie Spearing, as well as some of the event’s entrants, were also present to hear Dr. Davis speak.
Dr. Davis began by briefly summarising his varied and interesting career: a US Navy attack pilot flying in The Cold War and Vietnam, Chief Flight Instructor at
Waimate Aero Club, teaching at Menzies College , Blue Mountain College and Waimate High School, farming in Waimate and academic researcher.
If you would like to read more about Dr. Davis’ background and career please follow this link. https://www.odt.co.nz/business/farming/farmer-who-flew-wars
Dr. Davis’ interest in Duck Itch and his long journey studying parasitology began when he and his family became infected by it, over 40 years ago, whilst
holidaying in Wanaka. He explained the association between the primary host (the protected NZ scaup) the secondary host (a Lymnaeid snail) and their attraction to humans and other mammals.
An allergic reaction some people have when parasitic flatworms penetrate the skin, more recent research has revealed the scaup parasites do penetrate further but don’t reach maturity. Rather, they are recognised by the immune system and become encysted, however, their cysts may become problematic. Children do not have patent immune systems until the age of 8 so it is important that the parasites are stopped at the skin. Global warming, together with the proliferation and migration of waterfowl will increase the number of parasites.
Dr. Davis cautioned against allowing small children to spend long periods of time in shallow, warm lake waters. The “Duck Itch Season” runs from Spring to
mid-Autumn and he advised swimmers to use deep water on the west side of the lake in offshore winds during this time. Exposure trials conducted at Bremner Bay over a two year period have established that regularly reapplied off-the-shelf sunscreens containing DEET or Phenoxyethanol can be used to repel the parasites. DEET, however, is not recommended for children.
To learn more about Duck Itch and how to prevent it please follow these links. Brochure Side1 PDF Brochure Side2 PDF
Dr. Davis continued by discussing possible similarities between Schistosomiasis of waterfowl and Schistosomiasis of humans. In humans there are schistosomes which invade both blood vessels and the nervous system, they can cause serious and debilitating illness. To learn more about this aspect of schistosomes, what Dr. Davis’ has discovered and his international research collaborations please follow this link. Dr. Davis Emailed Notes
Dr. Davis concluded by saying his time researching this topic is diminishing whilst further and costly research is still needed. He greatly hopes someone else will pick up the challenge. His study and research on parasitology has allowed him access to a wealth of research resource and information. Dr. Davis very kindly offered to answer any emailed questions.
Dr Norm Davis addressing members on Duck Itch
Coming up -Club Night Activities
February 20th: Dr Justine Cormack Freelance Violinist.
At this point in her career, Justine Cormack is deriving great artistic fulfilment performing as soloist, chamber musician and guest-concertmaster with a broad variety of her favourite musicians and ensembles.
In October 2021, she launched At the World’s Edge Festival (AWE Festival) with London- based kiwi violinist Benjamin Baker, fulfilling a long-held dream to create a chamber music festival within the stunning landscapes of New Zealand’s Queenstown Lakes.
Performing with leading international chamber musicians from around the globe is now an annual performing highlight for her each October.
In February 2020 they performed their first cycle in her gorgeous Central Otago neighbourhood, performing all ten sonatas over just three days. Three years passed before they were able to repeat the cycle in the Northern Hemisphere as originally planned, delayed due to covid disruptions.
Their second performance of the cycle took place at Butler University, Indianapolis in January 2023.
From 2002 to mid-2017, Justine was a founding member and violinist of NZTrio, performing throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South America, the USA, Europe and Scandinavia.
Justine is hugely proud of the legacy NZTrio built during her15 years with the ensemble.
They commissioned and performed close to 40 works from NZ composers and showcased these compositions within diverse programmes on the world stage.
At their final performance with NZTrio, they were awarded the Lilburn Trust Citation for Outstanding Services to New Zealand Music.
Justine performed recently at the Mt Aspiring U3A monthly meeting.
Sunday 11th Bike ride.
A great turnout of 14 Rotarians on a glorious Sunday morning toured from Albertown to Hawea via the Devon Track / Hawea Flat and return. Ably directed by Peter (Eddy Merckx) Borrie and led by Leigh (Hurry-up) Heffernan the party paused at Hawea for a coffee /bun and for some A PIE ( President Marie??). An event not to be missed. Details of the next ride are below.
Social Events Coming up
Sunday Bike Rides - 25th February 9.30am Dinosaur Park. We go out of town via Ballantyne Road then Mt Barker Road; Boundary Road; Halliday Road to Albert Town for a coffee (and a pastry) at Pembroke Patisserie before going our separate ways.
Annual Rotary Golf Open… to be played at Royal Tarras on Sunday 18th (allow 30 minutes to get there)
assemble about 3:30pm and join others for an Ambrose type game over the 9 holes at Tarras (many will have full sets of clubs , so beginners can borrow if needed)
Simple rules … Teams of 4, each team hits off with the best ball played, the owner of the ball selected each time rests, the ball is hit again by the remaining 3, with all putting on the green. All players to have one tee off.
Winning team being the lowest score on the day. Prizes for “most entertaining shot or course experience")
Green fees $20 plus $5 for drink (beer gin etc) & prizes, please pay cash to Derek who will direct credit the Club
afterwards … Pub meal at The Luggate Pub , about 7:00pm … non players very welcome to “walk the course” or join in the meal afterwards
note … this appeals to all levels of expertise
Bike Ride … Thursday March 21st, initially - Old Cromwell to Clyde, start time approximately 11:00am
optional stop off at Carrick for Pizza Lunch (25 minutes by Bike)… then Enjoy the newly-opened 55km Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail, ending in Clyde Township for a few sundowners then meal at Olivers. (2 - 3 hours ride)
Peter Borrie has booked for 17 units in Clyde for Rotarians … please contact him directly @ peterborrie@hotmail.com to confirm accommodation /meal
Friday 22nd optional drive, then bike Omakau to Oturehua (30 kms)
Note …non bikers more than welcome, as a few cars without cyclists will need to be shipped from Carrick to Clyde, these non bikers will also enjoy the accommodation meals and banter.
St Patrick's Day Celebration- Sunday 17th March.
Rod and Paddy-Ann are planning to add a touch of Blarney at their place on Sunday 17th. Keep your diaries open - more information to follow.
From Past President John. Our Rotary Club helped fund these Litta Traps.
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