This evening was a great success, showcasing the Rotary Club of Fiordland and raising over $19,000 last night for rescue services in our area, which was made up to $20,000 the next day by a local Rotarian. Thank you all, it was a great effort.

 

Special thanks go to Glenda Chalmers and Margaret Sheppard for their efforts in co-ordinating the evening. Many thanks also go to Sarah Greaney, Brian Sheppard, Jill Tauri, Don McFarlane, Mark Dowling, and other Rotarians and helpers.

 

We acknowledge a huge thanks to our sponsors whose generosity and support made the purpose of the evening possible and demonstrated what a strong and caring community we are.

 

Brian Dagg spoke really well and the Te Anau Club did a great job catering to a capacity crowd and including dessert for us at the usual price per person.

 

‘It was an inspirational evening and we worked together successfully to make a difference to our local rescue services.’

This too was a really successful few days and they all had a great time with us. They learnt a lot from Jocelyn Hodges, Madeleine Peacock, Kirsty McNicol, and Dave McCarlie who were good enough to visit and give them specialised knowledge in various areas of tourism. We thank them for their time.

 

The team gave us a great presentation at our Rotary meeting Thursday Night. On Friday they enjoyed a great trip to Milford with Fiordland Tours and a combined hosted meal. They went cycling Saturday morning, farm touring in the afternoon followed by Ata Whenua and the Corporate Dinner. We said farewell to them after morning tea today.

 

I wish to thank the following for hosting them, accompanying them or providing food or support. Keith and Monica Cullen, Ros and Russell McClean, Marg Hughes, Garth Milicich, Margaret and Brian Sheppard, Ray Horrell, MJ Moffat, Jane Grant, Sarah Greaney, Linda Matheson, Ian Rutherford, Lionel Wason, James Galland, and Kate Slee.

Conference weekend was very successful. Our club was well represented with twelve of us attending in total and we all really enjoyed some great inspirational speakers, lovely food and great company and fellowship. Our fancy dress on the Saturday Evening was outstanding thanks to the creative talents of MJ and Jane. We made impact, followed the theme of ‘Heritage” and took away, or rather regained the trophy for ‘Best Dressed’. Not only that, Sue McMurtrie did us proud by winning the Silver Plate for ‘Best Photograph” taken at the weekend.

 

Thanks for those who manned the last chip van day for the season at The Tartan Festival, plus those good people that cleaned it. A big thank you too, to Mark Dowling and to Sue Bennett, who organised it over the season. Well done!    

 

It was agreed that funds from the upcoming Corporate Dinner mostly go towards purchase and replacement of rescue equipment locally. Thank you to those working on this evening and making it another successful event.

 

The organisation and help required for hosting the PDE group from Tasmania is falling into place. We are managing to show them things they have requested and have been able to put them in touch with people in our community who are of professional interest to them. Thanks to Madelaine Peacock, Ray Horrell, Jocelyn Hodges and Kirsty McNicol as well as Rotarians who have hosted them and others who have given time and donations to help make their stay with us memorable.

 

We have donated to the Te Anau Primary School, First Aid for Mental Health, Te Anau Volunteer Fire Brigade, Fiordland Family Network, Mararoa School, Christchurch Mosque Appeal, Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, Help Sakhr become a Kiwi Campaign. He was our Peace Scholar two years ago. Finally Rotary NZWCS Kondiki Project in Tanzania – to help purchase a new truck and a Rotary Trust Nepalese Project to sponsor a teacher.

 

Margaret Sheppard thanked all those Rotarians and Friends of Rotary who helped with the Country Manor Catering for the Model Ford Rally. $2600 was donated to our club from Country Manor for these efforts.

 

Jane Grant reported that Changeover date has been approved by District 9980 for the 13^th of June. She will be acting secretary in Sarah’s absence from the 20^th May until mid July. Robynne Peacock will be taking over the Bulletin at that time too.

 

Marie Galland thanked Sarah Greaney for her work as Secretary as she will be overseas at the time of Changeover. She said she has been a great help to her all year and that Jane was lucky to be keeping her on next year! Have a great trip Sarah and John!

 

Alan Ballinger said there are still outstanding accounts and he would like to remaining overdue payees to check and pay up promptly please.

 

We have a new prospective Rotarian, Lynlee Smith, Principal of Fiordland College and we welcomed Jamie Turnbull to our meeting as he is also interested in joining. Please make him welcome if you have contact with him.