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.
So we’re into May already, just two months to go and I must say I’ve very much enjoyed the last ten months.
Thank you to PP/PE Mike for stepping up last week, very much appreciated.
We are having trouble with people not taking on the monthly meeting duties. These are posted in the Bulletin every fortnight a couple of months in advance. If you are unable to fulfil your duty, please arrange a replacement and advise me of the change. This only works if we all step up.
And while I’m having a whinge some people are still not putting in an apology if unable to attend a meeting. This is vital as we are paying for your meal. If you need help with this, just ask.
And so on a better note a huge congrates to Tony B & Nicols B for the winning pumpkin last weekend. Also, to all who helped with the tree planting. I’ve been told it was a great weekend, only sorry I missed it.
There’s a busy couple of months coming up so keep and eye out for the emails and put your name down to help.
As always stay safe
Cheers Rich
Guest Speaker-Tuesday 26th April: Margaret McHugh
Margaret McHugh and Bill Brown are currently visiting selected Libraries and retail outlets around our area promoting Margaret's book "The Real McHugh" -an irrepressible recipe for life detailing her biography and cookbook.
The 60,000-word biography traces a life well-lived, from Winton farm life in the 1950s to Margaret’s adventures in London in the early 70s cooking in fashionable pubs like the Hansom Cab and Turk’s Head, the haunt of film stars and celebrities of the time including Mandy-Rice Davies and Christine Keeler of the infamous Profumo political scandal.
In 1985 Margaret returned to New Zealand and became the head of catering on the Earnslaw and became a councellor with the QLDC for 15 years after being challenged to stand and succeeding by scraping in by 11 votes.
In 2006 she moved to Auckland running a high class Deli and Catering Company and also meeting Bill.
Then in 2016 they moved to Picton to continue a busy retirement running the luxury Kippilaw homestay and selling wares at the Marlborough Farmers market.
This was a very interesting presentation and Margaret gave no indication of slowing down. She insists she can be a very black and white person but came across as a typical friendly Central Southland born identity.
Margaret McHugh and Husband Bill Brown
ROTARY SPEECH COMPETITION
Congratulations to the two very talented young ladies from MAC for their wonderful and confident presentations on Tuesday night . Both were well supported by family members .
ELLA PARKER
Ella spoke about the many benefits of laughter ; particularly deep belly laughter , in promoting good health , a feeling of bliss and a positive attitude . There is truth in the adage that laughter is the best medicine . It connects cultures and breaks down age barriers and in so doing promotes friendship and goodwill . Ella highlighted that laughter has been shown to increase the level of feel good hormones - endorphins and dopamines and its benefits in overcoming disease and promoting heart health . Laughter increases positivity by 35% - a laugh a day keeps the doctor away .
LUCY LAWS
Real men don't cry . Lucy spoke passionately about the toxic masculinity culture that is prevalent in society in which males are not encouraged to talk about their problems , insecurities and emotions - this is unfortunately seen to be a sign of weakness . She asked how can this be beneficial to society ? Whilst 1 in 5 women experience sexual abuse the hidden statistic is that this occurs to 1 in 6 men - some 261,000 men a year . This has a disastrous effect on society not only from the shame , mental illness and suicide of victims but in alcohol and substance abuse , relationship issues and family violence . Lucy's hope is that in her generation boys/ men will start to reach out and get the help and support they so desparately need .
The judges : Sally Angus , Nicola Brown and Don Irvine had a difficult task deciding between these 2 excellent contestants and determined Lucy first ($100) and Ella second ( $75) . There was to be a third contestant who unfortunately couldn't attend so the third prize ($50) has been allocated to a MAC student who was seriously injured and is under treatment at Burwood Hospital . A video of Lucy's presentation goes to Area for further judging prior to the District competition.
Thanks to John Millburn for the writeup
The two contestants, Ella Parker and Lucy Laws
Wanaka Rotarians photographed at Rotary Park Cromwell during District 9980 Planting
Thanks to Nicola Brown for the Photographs
Pumpkin Competition Results
The ‘weight’ is over!
On Saturday an enthusiastic group of Wanaka Rotarians joined in with the Cromwell Rotary District 9980 celebrations to finish the rotary year and District Governor Nick Woods reign. The morning consisted of planting at Rotary Park, a beautiful spot along the river track at Richards Beach. It is about halfway from Old Cromwell Town to the Bannockburn Bridge.
The afternoon was very exciting with the formal weigh in of the pumpkins. There was fierce competition and many stories of highs and lows. Unfortunately, the scaffolding had collapsed on Nick Woods Pumpkin, Invercargill it turns out is not a good place to grow pumpkins and a diary farm from Dunedin was in close competition. Our first pumpkin had turned to mush, the second was not so great and the third, the neglected one that was up against the fence out showed them all. We all ‘weighted’ with anticipation to see our pumpkin grown by Tony Brown sitting in the middle with ‘gold’ written on it. It weighed in at a whooping 162kg, second was 135kg and third 109kg. Least to say Wanaka Rotarians were super excited!!
Congratulations and Well done to the Browns, Tony and Nicola (not related...) for bringing home the Bacon/Pumpkin and thanks to Nicola for the writeup and photos below.
A note from Peter Harridge
Rotary Winter Bowls
Each year our club is invited to enter a team in the winter Thursday evening Wanaka Indoor Bowls Social Competition.
The team consists of 3 players each night, both male and female on a rostered basis.
Play on Thursday evenings begins at 7pm sharp and is over by 10pm.
It is social but has an element of competitiveness, with prizes for the winning team on the night.
The cost is $8 per player each night, payable to the Bowling Club for the use of their facilities, which includes the use of Wanaka Club bowls. A light supper is provided.
The 2022 Season will commence on Thursday 19th May
If you are interested in being rostered to play, please contact Peter Harridge , pthnph@xtra.co.nz. by 8th May.
As the draw is made up for the whole season, you must include any dates you are not available to play up to 31 August.
District Bulletin May-June 2022
WOOD WOOD WOOD
Would you believe it?? We have wood to burn!!
Orders for semi-dry eucalyptus firewood being taken now, for immediate pick up or delivery, but not stacked – you have to get your exercise somehow!
Where would you get an offer like this? No inflation, no higher interest rates, no GST, no squirrels!!
And all this for $100 per cubic metre!!! Only five weeks of the increase in your pension and it is paid for!!!
This is a Rotary fundraiser, and the result of hours of unpaid slave labour during the hottest days of summer, so come on, get ordering!!! Support your Club – and ultimately your community.
First in, best dressed, so get your order in to me at:
Check if you have a duty to do, and if you are unable to do your duty it is your duty to find someone else to do it for you and to inform the President of any changes.
Please when going to get your meal please be aware that there are people behind you and if you take a very large helping others may miss out. It may be you who misses out next week.
At the end of meeting please help the staff at the Wanaka District Club by returning glasses to the bar and plates to the kitchen. Please stand when being fined or addressing the speaker
Please stand when being fined or addressing the speaker
Inform the President prior to the meeting if you wish to address the meeting or if you wish to leave early.