So, the Rotary Year is half over, and a very active and productive six months it has been. Regular meetings interspersed with vocational visits and the celebration of 40 years of the Rotary Club of Wanaka. To raise funds: a Book Sale, a Duck Race, a Movie Night and an Auction Night. To spend funds: cardiac equipment purchased, Rescue Helicopter paramedics trained, a new machine to check for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for the Women's Health Bus, several elite athletes supported as they seek higher and harder goals, and two scholarships awarded - plus, plus, plus!
Tuesday night's Foundation Auction raised $9,000, a record as far as recent memory recalls - the whole club thanks the Foundation Team for putting it together: Elaine, Don, Peter, Tony, Dave, and with a quieter role this year David B. But of course, members should congratulate themselves, for their generous donations of items to be auctioned, also the spirited bidders who made the night both fun and a success. Finally on the Auction, where would we be without Dave McKenzie - a huge vote of thanks Dave for your continuing help.
Also, on Tuesday I had the pleasure of formally admitting PP Tony Brown to the status of Honorary Member - the citation notes his past service to the club, most notably his efforts to build the club's membership number at a time when it was struggling, these efforts leading to international recognition. We anticipate seeing Tony from time to time; he's only moved to Alexandra, already he's signed up to help with the delivery of the RYDA programme at Highlands Park, to MAC students, in 2025.
It was also a great pleasure to see the award, to much acclaim, of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Rotarian Ron Horner. We all know how much Ron contributes to making the club work, most visibly the fortnightly publication of The Bulletin, but also as the man responsible for the Sound and Light at our regular meetings. But less will know of the very many hours he's put into completing a task begun by others; that of digitising and making accessible the club's 40 years of records, a mission that included converting old videos of key club events into a usable and searchable digital format. Outside of Rotary, Ron is very active in the activities of and the leadership of the Mt Aspiring U3A Group - and quite regularly he buys the drinks for fellow Rotarians with whom he plays a bit of golf.
Best wishes to you all for the festive season and on into 2025. I'll be in Dunedin on Christmas Day where my 14 month old granddaughter will be the centre of attention. I hope you will all be similarly blessed by the company of friends and family.
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