Lloyd Matheson,

All members of Fiordland Rotary Club were proud and excited as outgoing president Craig McMurtrie awarded  Lloyd Matheson with a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Although Lloyd is now mostly retired he can reflect on an interesting career. Lloyd and Linda were married in 1972 and his first career spanned 34 years in the New Zealand Police Force. Lloyd transferred from the Dunedin Branch to the Te Anau Branch in the late 70’s. He has remained in Te Anau ever since.

Lloyd was a Charge Constable here in Te Anau along with being a dog handler with his ever loving dog Kent. If you’ve never noticed, Kent is buried at the police station and there is a plaque there in his honour

As a pioneering town, venison recovery, lobster fishing and shearing gangs provided for an interesting mix of workers along with the rest of local humanity, all of which Lloyd took in his stride.

Lloyd were awarded the QSM in 1986 recognising his support for the community.

And we cannot forget the incredible marriage and teamwork that Lloyd and Linda have shared together. Linda recalls the people coming and going from their home as certain police investigations took place, juggling Lloyd’s night shifts, small children and a police dog that needed exercising. In those days, these things were all just taken in their stride. Later on, both Lloyd and Linda worked for the Police Welfare Association taking care of the holiday homes here on Lakefront Drive. And as we know there has been so much more.

Lloyd was instrumental in building and growing the Search & Rescue team here in Te Anau. His work with Richard Hayes saw the integration of police, fire brigade and helicopters in responding to emergency situations. These guys were part of a unique team.

When Lloyd retired from the police he joined Southern Lake helicopters. This kept the connection with the Search and Rescue fraternity and Lloyd still retains his certification as a winch man to this day keeping up with his dive tank training amongst other requirements – all in the name of compliance. Lloyd played an instrumental role as operations manager when the Southern Lakes helicopter ditched into the sub-Antarctic near the Auckland Islands in April 2019. As we all know this incident had a happy outcome as all 3 on board survived. The loss of key equipment which Rotary was able to contribute to replacing at a Corporate dinner was just a small contribution as we all appreciated this valuable service to our community.

In our most recent event, Lloyd managed the evacuation of those stranded in the February 2020 flooding where hundreds were evacuated from the Milford Road, tracks and Milford Sound. Helicopter flying conditions were marginal on those days but the team brought everyone out successfully and managed to get them to where they needed to be. Again, there were no casualties.

During his tenure with Southern Lakes, Lloyd was elected to the Aviation Council NZ – initially chairperson of the group committee followed by election to vice president and then president in 2016, a role which was extended by Covid and which he still holds now.

He’s been to Antarctica, Grand Canyon and Fiji with Bear Grylis but there’s no place like home for recognising all Lloyd’s achievements.

Changeover Night 10th June 2021 was an absolute ripper!!

 

A big thank you to District Governor Nick Wood for attending and speaking for us on the night.

 

The main race with our local horses was brilliant and the commentary top notch. The race was not without it's controversary with 'Our John Dee' called for a drug test.

Smooth as always Our John Dee past the drug test with flying colours to claim the victory. Congratulations JD.

 

The highlight of the night must go to Lloyd Matheson. Lloyd was awarded a Paul Harris medal for the reasons attached within this bulletin.

Well done Lloyd and well deserved!

 

A number of thank you messages must go out to the following:

Mark and Dawn Dowling for organising the theme.

The number of Rotarians that help organise and set up for the night.

Judy Mathews for the table centre pieces, outstanding!

Our members Jill, John, Ray, Merv, Margaret, Jane, Bill, Richard and Chris for your support regarding the horse race and helping add to the enjoyment of the night.

To all members for coming along and anybody I may have missed.

 

An awesome night and thanks to all!

 

Please check out some of the photos below.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

MINI TALK
Ladies and Gentlemen, I must be bold.
For there is an incredible and humorous story to be told.
This story has suffering, pain and a little heartache.
It is a story about a man whose arms he did break.

Our story starts with a young lawyer, handsome and semi-fit.
Who on reaching December 2020 said THAT’S IT!!!
He’d had enough, he had to go.
So along with his family he went to Central Otago.

Caravan waiting………..where, I better tell ya.
He went to the sun soaked town of Alexandra.
Their he planned to drink beers and listen to sport.
Not realising that over a week later his holiday would be cut short.

Let us fast forward to January the 4th.
The Davis family headed to Cromwell, a town to the North.
Went to Highlands, did hot laps, go carts, had lots of fun.
Then headed back to Alexandra to make the most of the sun.

Once back at camp the hero of the hour.
Grabbed his bike and some mates and rode towards the clock tower.
They biked past trees, the river and rock walls.
Our hero avoiding danger by the skin of his…………thinly clad Lycra that while surprisingly comfortable offers very little protection.

On arriving back at camp he was confronted by some kids and pre-teens.
Who wanted to go to the 4 Square to buy some ice creams.
The kids riding in front got cut off by a truck.
Travelling behind them, Gareth said oh……….bother!
l
With nowhere to go he attempted to stop.
All he managed to do was go over the top.
In an attempt to avoid injury he threw out his hands.
Great idea at the time but it didn’t go as planned.

Our hero leapt up and said everything was all right.
So confident was he, he picked up his bike.
At that moment searing pain shot up both arms.
It was at this point he had used up all his charms.

Off to Dunstan hospital in a car he then went.
On arrival due to a que, several hours he spent.
X-Rays, cat scans and medication thereafter.
Resulted one arm in a sling and the other in plaster.

7 weeks immobilised, our hero stayed this way.
Finally getting the all clear on April Fool’s day.
No drinking with straws or getting driven by Driving Miss Daisy.
It’s a good thing to, any longer he’d go crazy.

Thanks has to go to all the medical staff.
And all the kind wishes and those who had a good laugh.
But the most thanks must go to Vicki my wife.
Who said that if I did it again she was going to end my life !!!!

 

Hi Everyone

 

Alan and I are in the process of transitioning our accounting information from his computer to mine so once he has finished his end of year accounts, I will then take over and one of the first tasks is to send you all an invoice

 

The next round of invoicing will be for the changeover dinner, the next lot of subs as well as the upcoming trip to Les Miserable this weekend for those attending  - we hope to have these out to you next week.

 

 

Thanks

Jane Grant

Treasurer 2021-22

                         

Do you know where the money raised at Rotary ends up? Do you know what goes in behind the scenes? Craig is looking for people to give back to Rotary by giving one of our Director roles a go or if approached by Craig please consider giving something a go. This is a great way to find the answer to these questions and others. If interested please contact Craig McMurtrie and make a difference. A reminder that the Rotary Club of Fiordland is a service club. The club helps us as Rotarians as we provide service. Rotary helps us with organisation, personal development and public speaking to name a few.

If anyone has a service project they think may suit Rotary could they please get in contact Craig McMurtrie 021 249 7775. It will be great to hear some ideas!

This note is being sent to all members as a reminder of their obligations when unable to attend a meeting.

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: As the roster has been drawn up so as everybody gets an equal share, if you arrange a substitute, try and swap with another person with the same duty perhaps the following week.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important that you let President Craig know who that substitute is.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend to your Duty please arrange a substitute, many don't check the roster and miss their obligation and this puts pressure on other members and creates confusion. . 

 

Your assistance to this simple process will assist us and The Club to operate effectively.