President Dylan Murray
1. Tell me about your involvement in Rotary...
I was inducted on 1 October 2011 after Tony Mursell invited me along to a meal with Rotary. I had attended the It’s Not Ok seminar run by Rotary featuring Vic Tamati. I was new to town, had in the back of my mind an inkling to join a service club but have always been a bit shy to make the first move! I was ready, but back then Rotary seemed to be an invitation only type of club. Like many I probably wouldn’t have bothered, or in my case been hesitant. Thanks to Tony, and Rotary, my overall existence has been positively enhanced by my involvement with Rotary.
2. Explain your goals/aims for this year as director…
My ambition to build a wall is failing miserably, but on the plus side, I think the club is progressing nicely. My principal aim is to carry on the positive and productive ethos of the Waimate Club. I’m not crazy enough to tinker with too much, although I’ve placed more emphasis on Public Relations and the use of our website, social media and technology than in previous years. Using a quote from Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams” - “if you build it, they will come!”. If our club continues to have a good time whilst clearly operating in the 21st Century; continuing to achieve incredible projects that enrich our own community (and the larger national and world communities) and indirectly our own wellbeing, then we will attract members. It becomes easier to sell Rotary to prospective members when our Club is busy, productive and positive. It starts with a shoulder tap or an invitation and the confidence that the club fellowship and activity will sell itself! Who wouldn’t want to be part of Rotary?
3. Tell me about your most memorable Rotary experience...
Most definitely being Team Leader of the Australasian Peace Initiative Team to Turkey in 2016. We were very well looked after, learned a great deal about the Turkish culture; their economic and political challenges; met some amazingly hospitable Turkish Rotarians and capped it off with a very emotionally stirring visit to Gallipoli on Anzac Day. I was exposed to a lot of experiences in Turkey, some subtle, others mind-blowing. Along the way I got to live with and share the experience with Ian Beker, Sarah and John Greaney and Drew Carruthers, all equally motivated 9980 Rotarians and fantastic people. I am very grateful for the opportunity Rotary provided and the friendships I made.
4. If you could have any three people to dinner (alive or passed) who would you invite?
A politician: Mustafa Ataturk, the founder of Modern Turkey. I would like to see for myself why his people revere him still.
A sportsman: a young Muhammad Ali. I’ve seen his bouts, watched the interviews, documentaries, read his biographies. I think he would add some fun to dinner.
A musician: Beck. He helped me through some dark times. Least I can do is feed him and load him up with a few Abandoned Husband Brew Club brewskis.
5. What is your current/favourite book?
I love anything by James Ellroy, all that dark LA crime noir stirs the Detective in me. I’ve binge read a few series lately: Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and The Dark Tower by Stephen King. But now I’ve discovered Audible, I’m listening to books rather than reading them. It makes the journey to work and back more bearable. Just finished American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
6. What country would you most like to visit and why?
I’d love to go on an intrepid road trip in a camper van around USA. I’ve been to USA a couple of times and really loved it, but it was principally to big cities like LA, Chicago and New York. The country is so massive with diverse landscapes to experience. Rebecca…start saving...
7. If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you want with you?
A seed potato….I am 1/8 Irish and I cannot imagine life without a diet of delicious Agrias or Jersey Bennies.
A beer brewing kit….see above.
A fishing rod and tackle…to catch fish to accompany the chips!!
8. Favourite music/song/band?
Much to many peoples dismay I am a huge Indie and Alternative Music fan. Radiohead, Beck, or pretty much anything out of the Flying Nun label. The latter takes me back to my University days in Dunedin.
9. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
Superman is too much of a goody-two-shoes although his ability to fly is tempting. Batman’s detective talent could come in handy, but he never seems overly happy about life. Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth could likewise have proven useful in my career. So I choose Martian Manhunters telekinesis ability. I can then fundamentally violate the laws of physics and singularly create and manipulate a force that stands apart from the four fundamental forces in the universe (gravity, electromagneticsm, and the weak and strong nuclear forces) and is stronger than all of them. It invents and puts completely at my disposal a fifth fundamental force of the universe - me…….(maniacal laughter)...
1. Tell me about your involvement in Rotary...
Sergeant, Director, President, Programme Coordinator x2, “It’s not ok” committee Chair, programme & stage manager for 2006 – 9980 District Conference, RYE host parent x3, GSE host x2
2. Explain your goals/aims for this year as director...
Just to give guidance where possible based on what I have learnt along the way without being to opinionated, to have fun and enjoy the year
3. Tell me about your most memorable Rotary experience... So many to choose from – Hosting a “Its not ok” public meeting at the Regent Theatre is certainly up there
4. If you could have any three people to dinner (alive or passed) who would you invite?
My cousin Graham who died at age 16
My Great Great Grandfather Daniel Buckingham (arrived in Waimate in the 1860’s)
Chief Huruhuru (Waimate Chief that peacefully welcomed Michael Studholme)
5. What is your current/favourite book?
Seldom read books, read news online plus newspapers & farming newspapers
6. What country would you most like to visit and why?
NZ, so much I haven’t seen yet, I know what risks we can take without putting ourselves at real risk of harm, don’t need to spend lots of time researching where to go as I have fair idea what I want to see, don’t lose a lot of time being in transit, body doesn’t have to adjust to new time zone or different foods, I know the language, less stress, not to many people, many tourists say NZ is one of the best places in the world and I believe them
7. If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you want with you?
My wife, a genie in a bottle that can grant me 3 more wishes and a satellite phone for back up
8. Favourite music/song/band?
Rock and Pop. In my 6 CD player in the car at the moment is David Bowie, The Cars, Lorde, Pink, 21 Pilots and a home-made mix. Pink is the only artist I’ve travelled overseas to see
9. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
To be able to get visions of back in time and in the future, would be so fascinating to see where we have come from and whats ahead of us