WELCOME NEW MEMBER - STUART DUNCAN. Stuart was nominated by Edward Fletcher, inducted by Martyn Jensen, and will be mentored by Pauline Dore. We wish Stuart every success on his Rotary journey and welcome him to our Rotary family.
Rotary enters Relay for Life - we are entering a Rotary team in the Relay on Saturday 14th March 10am-10pm. The other clubs in our area (Timaru, Timaru North, Oamaru, and Temuka/Geraldine) have been asked if any of their members wish to join our team. A link to register to walk in the team (or support) has been emailed out to all Rotarians and you can just click on the link and pay your $15 etc to enter our Rotary team or you can bring cash to Rotary this week and we will sign you up. It will be a super fun day raising money and awareness for the South Canterbury Cancer Society.
Heads Up - we also have another Sausage Sizzle to do on Sunday March 22nd for the Sport Waimate Duathlon/Triathlon. Helpers will be required for this too please.
Waimate Town and Country Club subs are due for the year - $25
David Chamberlain reminded us about the time we ran the special olympics and he is keen to see this happen again. great idea and something to think about.
Carolyn, our rep, reminded us to spread the word on the grant below
WAIMATE DISTRICT CIVIC AWARDS - Congratulations to all the recipients of this years annual awards. I would like to particularly acknowledge Campbell Sheddan, who was our High School Honorary Member last year, on winning the Youth Award; Waimate St John, including Station Manager Bridget and Committee members Chub, Grant and Sharyn, for receiving the group/organisation award; and past Rotarian Dougall McLachlan on winning an individual award. Fantastic effort by them all on behalf of our community.
THIS WEEKS SPEAKER - Maddi Rogers, supported by her mother Paula Rogers.Maddi spoke on her experiences in Nepal as a trainee midwife. After originally travelling to Nepal at school, when she had a chance to do a placement over there and revisit it was an opportunity she relished. Maddi showed a range of photos and described conditions that made most of us shudder at the thought, even in quite modernised parts of Kathmandu. There is no prenatal care, expectant mothers and their families have to pay for and/or bring everything required including pain relief, and post natal care consists of a brief talk before you leave the hospital and then you are on your own. Birthing wards may only get cleaned up once a day, after 15-16 births with the only option being to lie on your back with feet up on plastic bag covered leg holds to deliver. Maddi quickly recognised the need to try and get some supplies for these mothers and the units so Mum Paula helped collect a lot of things and headed over with them. Our Club supported the funding of a hospital grade doppler ultrasound machine. People were incredibly grateful for everything, even the smallest gift. Maddi currently woks based in Timaru but provides care to mostly Waimate Clients. She hopes to travel back over to Nepal at some time and we hope we can help support her in that endeavour.
PARTING THOUGHT - "Does it hurt? Can I get you a beer or something?" Why nobody uses midhusbands
ROTARIANS OUT AND ABOUT
Inner Wheel President and Rotarian Pauline, Rotary President Sharyn, and May Murphy headed up to Timaru last Saturday to help the Timaru Altrusa Club with another sewing bee for 'Days for Girls' - reusable feminine hygiene products for underprivileged girls/young women. Around 20 ladies were there to help out, including us and 3 from Geraldine, and many items were completed or started. Our 2 Waimate clubs, and the embroiderers guild also took up a good stash of disposable itmes that are to be donated to Women's refuge. A very enjoyable day doing a worthwhile project. Anyone keen to come on the next outing please make contact with Pauline, and of course there will be the opportunity to help make these at District Conference in April as one of the community projects on offer.
Bushtown Steam Up Day last Sunday was a busy time for Rotarians. Officially we were doing the car parking and running a sausage sizzle to raise funds for Relay for Life, but as we are all such a community minded bunch there were also Rotarians MCing, dressed in Edwardian costume, taking the official photographs, on the organising committee, supplying machinery... 20+ Rotarians around the site! Good effort team!
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Presidents Message
BE PROUD, BE SEEN...
Another full on week, with plenty of opportunities to be helping out with Rotary. Bushtown Steam Up Day was once again a well organised and fascinating event. Unfortunately the rain came in around lunchtime and deterred a lot of people, but on the plus side our gardens etc were happy to get a wee soaking.
What did really stand out on Sunday (to everyone) was the amount of Rotarians that were helping in different roles around the site. Wearing our t shirts, caps, and high vis vests really does create an amazing display - pair that with our super vibrant gazebo, and everyone knew who and where we were. Online we also featured in a lot of the publics photos, which is bonus free advertising.
Thanks Rotarians for being proud of our organisation, and realising what effect these simple Public Image tools can have. Be proud, Be seen!!
This doesn't only have to be at Rotary events either - I am often surprised that Rotarians are happy to wear a t shirt or shirt with a beer logo, a farming logo, a brand logo on (which gives that company free advertising) but seem a bit sheepish about wearing our rotary tops for everyday wear. I certainly know I get a lot of questions, and have met Rotarians from elsewhere when I have been out and about in my clobber. Just a thought to keep in mind :)
THE TIME HAS COME - Our team are off to Kenya this week. We wish them a safe and successful trip and look forward to all the photos and stories on their return.
Relay for Life this Saturday and our super supportive DG Tania and husband Phil are coming up to join the team. This will be a fabulous family friendly day and everyone is welcome.
Calix has been keeping busy as ever and we really appreciate his dedication to helping at Rotary fundraisers and events. He certainly keeps us and members of the public entertained, and sausages "cooked by a french chef" seem to be extra appealing. The students at St Pats school are really enjoying their french lessons and it is a super experience for Calix also. This week sees him spending time at the Waimate Veterinary Centre and Whites engineering which will provide valuable learning opportunities. Keep being fabulous Calix!
