Local government elections are fast approaching and a strong field of contenders have been nominated for councillor positions and the Mayoralty. Rotary is once again hosting an opportunity to meet the candidates so come to the Opera House at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start on September 17th for a chance to hear the candidates speak and the chance to ask a question from the floor. Entry is free.

District Governor Tania Lowery has put together a video address for all clubs in Rotary 9980. Tania's direction for the year is "Less hui, more doing." This will be reflected in the District Conference for 2020 at Balclutha which is going to be family friendly - right from young children through to adult children. 

Another key part of the message is the international shift in Rotary away from some traditions like attendance records which act as a barrier to membership, and a move towards other more flexible model of service club to match the modern lifestyle of potential members. 

The international reach of Rotary is second to none, and from our work locally in Oamaru we not only benefit our local causes but also international causes. Ending Polio is the obvious far-reaching example but closer to home we saw Dr Rodwell present a grim picture of the lack of progress Tonga has made in recovering from Cyclone Gita in which struck in February 2018. Disasters like this are certain to happen again and the Rotary New Zealand Community World Service is focussed on helping.

At our last meeting we had a visit from Tania Lowery, the new Rotary District Governor for 2019-20 in our District 9980. 

Tania has set the challenge for the year ahead. With Rotarians setting themselves each a personal challenge Rotary will raise $330,000 to finish the job of ending polio. This will be matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to make $1m. I'd say 200% is not a bad return!

President Blair has set himself the challenge to donate $1 for every 5km on his bike. We might have to put a GPS on it for auditing purposes!

 

 

Throughout the Pacific clubs are ever grateful for the support New Zealand Rotarians give in times of disaster and value this as a significant part of their community service. The supply of Box and Contents is in itself a project and many Rotary clubs each year pack the kits as hands on Rotary service. The Emergency Response Kit (ERK) is the only Rotary New Zealand Humanitarian service project responding to disasters in the Pacific. The ERK also supports in-country economies with many of the items being manufactured in the Pacific and over 90% of all donations are spent in New Zealand with a smaller amount in Pacific countries to cover expenses incurred by those Rotary Clubs. Rotary New Zealand does not pay any commissions or royalties. The ERK is recognised by Governments throughout the Pacific who waive import duties and taxes, with local Rotary clubs taking responsibility for distribution in consultation with Disaster Management Offices.

After a tasty Belgian banquet our Rotary Youth Exchange student Celestine gave us a farewell presentation about her year in New Zealand. She told us about the amazing things she has done, the challenges and fears she has conquered and we saw the improvement in her English and how her confidence has grown. We also heard from the host families and English teachers who all spoke very highly of Celestine who will be missed as she flies back to Belgium.

Sven Thelning was selected for the 2019 Professional Development Exchange to Tasmania alongside five other agricultural and tourism professionals from around District 9980. Click below to read his take on the diverse leading edge of agriculture in Tasmania.

People of all ages pitched in to plant a rest area on the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail through North Otago farmland last week.

After braving the cold outside the Loan and Merc building in Harbour St in Oamaru yesterday morning, more than 100 people streamed inside when the doors were finally flung open for the Rotary Club of Oamaru's Bookarama.

 

With more than 35,000 books on sale for a gold coin, the event has become something of an annual pilgrimage for many North Otago bookworms.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awared (RYLA) Oamaru 2019 was always going to take a different approach. The key thing the club understood was that RYLA awardees wanted to experience leadership, not just hear about it. So Rotary Oamaru devised a programme that would provide leadership opportunities from the outset. And according to RYLA attendees, our programme delivered.