Last Saturday 6 of our Club Members attended the South Island Rotary Conference held at “Te Pae” (Christchurch Convention Centre). It was and interesting, well organized day starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm with and optional social event after that. Te Pae is new purpose-built Conference Centre in central Christchurch. We were in the Waitaki Room with color's reflecting the Waitaki River. Even the Dessert was shaped and coloured like the smooth stones of the Waitaki.

The Conference was opened by Phil Mauger, Mayor of Christchurch after a welcome from DG Phil Gully.

First speaker was Rotarian Trevor Marshall from Whakatu who spoke on the development of Mobile Community Hubs, a trailer fully equipped with everything including the Kitchen Sink to be used at events, civil defence emergencies, sporting events etc. The idea is that Rotary organises the build and hand them over to the Fire Brigade (Fenz) They cost about $130,000 and are built in Ashburton to one plan and are coloured and branded in the Rotary Colours. We all thought there is a place for one in Waimate, so further investigation will be done. I have photos so we will talk about the detail at our next Club Night hopefully.

The next speaker was Past Rotary International President Jenifer Jones, the first woman to serve in this role. She spoke of disease eradication and all of the other humanitarian activities that Rotary promotes. She is very highly qualified capable woman. During her year she had  visited many Countries to the point of burnout, but the need she saw kept her going. When asked what her future path would be after Rotary, she stated that was undecided yet.

I am sure we have not seen the last of this woman yet on the world stage and it was coup for the Conference organisers to have her visit Christchurch.

Her quote ”In order to live in the society you want you have to help build it”

Another “Don’t water the weeds”.

Another amazing speaker was Adele Keefe, founder Manu Whanau Charitable Trust – Women and Girls empowerment. Adele had a very tough upbring, her life was akin to “Once were Warrior” stuff, dysfunctional home , first child at 16, and five more after that, drugs,  alcohol, violent partners you name it, she dealt with it. She arrived in Whakatu and her life turned around, learning how to read and write. Now her life is on track and busy trying to help others.

Matt Chisholm also gave us his life story, always appeared a confident TV personality, that was far from the truth. Could also put a brave face on things but was very insecure with mental issues, relied on boose to get him through

He gave us a very amusing walk through his life with some very serious messages with it.

It was certainly entertaining

His quote on mental health  when trying to help someone

“How are you? – How are you really?”

Another “Catch it, Check it, Change It”.

The concept of having a day conference was very good, much easier to organize, less costly for everyone, and much easier to attend. Congratulations to Phil Gully and his team for a very worthwhile event.

Next year, a similar function will be held in Dunedin so mark your calendars now!

ANZAC DAY

 

Many of us can tell a family story of participation in the Two World wars, Mine is one Great Uncle killed in France in 1918 , another wounded in Gallipoli and an uncle invalided home from Egypt in WW2.

After these wars you would think that mankind would have learnt something but no, we are still hellbent on destroying one another.

Hopefully I will attend the Dawn Service in Waimate

 

 

 

 

 

Meals on wheels
 

PLEASE CHCK YOUR EMAILS

 

 

25TH APRIL

ANZAC DAY

NO ROTARY

 

2ND MAY BRIDJET TOPIC BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES

 

9TH MAY

CLUB NIGHT

 

 

NOT TILL 2 MAY THO

 

 CHAIRMAN

BRIDJET WILSON

 

FELLOWSHIP

CARA GREGAN

HARVEY WOOD

 

STEWARDS

ALISON LEAFBURG

IAN MOORE