Rod was in the chair for the meeting. We had a total of 33 diners (plus Catherine). We welcomed Rotarian Bruce Markham from the Nelson Club.
It was good to welcome Neville back from his US trip before he heads back there in a few weeks. OK for some!!
Taieri College had 3 speakers entered for the annual Speech Competition, and their Teacher Jarod was with them and 2 parents, and they all decided to stay for our whole meeting.
Tayla Henderson - Musicals and their influence on society- hindrance versus help
Even Reburiano - Ōtepoti music scene.
Interesting topics for the Club's older audience---certainly good for broadening one's outlook on life:
Austen, has supplied the following report:
Adjudicators report
Well done ladies , an interesting array of topics presented with authority and enthusiasm .All were relevant to New Zealand and had a moral backbone to their subject matter.
You employed vocal variety in your delivery in emphasising appropriate topic language .
Presentation was as if we were being spoken to rather than being read to .
All speeches were of a high calibre with the winner being chosen by a slim margin .
Jarod you are to be commended on the quality of these speeches.
Final report on the Planting along the Silverstream
On Tuesday Sept 15th, finally Colin had established a good connection with Hughie, the weather man upstairs, who provided THE most perfect morning for the final day of planting on the Silver Stream bank. With Colin as chief overseer we had Merv, Kevin, David, myself, Neville and Peter Williams busy digging the holes. and generally helping. Taieri College provided approximately 24 students who did the actual planting. Peter did a great job standing in for Brian Peat , who is in Western Oz currently. He organised the layout of the plants and demonstrated the planting method to the students. Once again Merv did the strenuous job, "boring" the holes and fighting bits of wire, bottles and other junk in the holes. He was backed up by Kevin. Colin picked up the 210 red tussock, silver tussock and wind grass from the Milton Corrections facility and delivered them to the site, along with weed mats, guards and bamboo stakes.
And to top it all off we had some steady rain the next day to help give the plants a great start.
Another Club project completed for the year. Good work by all concerned, and obviously really appreciated by many walkers who frequently walk along the Silver Stream banks.
During Donald’s presidential year, we have changed our approach to fines for members’ misdemeanours, replacing them with “Happy Thoughts.” We encourage everyone to participate by sharing a positive thought, something good that has happened, or an uplifting message with the club. And if you can’t think of a positive thought, a good old “Dad” joke is always acceptable! Remember, though, to put a few dollars into the jar for the Club.
Once again this year, members will have the opportunity to support our Lily Bulb fundraising project. Bulbs will be available from August, with more information to follow.
At the last meeting the club trialled a new initiative to reduce food waste by offering members the opportunity to box up leftover food from the meal to take home. Once everyone had finished eating, boxed meals were made available, and members were invited to fill a container for $10 per box. The containers are a generous size, allowing a good amount of food to be packed in, making it well worth it for those who would enjoy the leftovers later. The system was self-service, giving members the freedom to choose what they would like, while also helping ensure that less food goes to waste.
Merv Clearwater has taken over the role of Attendance and the Duty Roster from Brian Shanks.
If you are unable to attend a meeting it is your responsibility to let me know well in advance of the day of the meeting if you are unable to attend. If you DONT we will be charged for the meal from Paul the caterer and you will be liable.
Don't just TELL me as I am very forgetful; Text me on 0274 339689 or email me at merv@mcinsure.co.nz
As for Duties they will be advised in the bulletin so if you aren't able to attend it is up to you to find someone to take your place.
Fraser addressed the Club about this massive up and coming project.
