An Update from our Foundation & International Director
 
 
Stuart Batty was part of inaugural New Zealand PolioPlus meeting in 1985. Of the initial completion budget worth US$ 1 million, Rotary’s contribution was US $250,000.
 
The Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (formerly Rotary Overseas Aid Project) was established 35 years ago on the 28th October 1985.  The first committee member for 9970 was Rotarian Keith Rollo from Nelson.
 
That same year the first Emergency Response Kit ERK (formerly called the Emergency Box EMBOX) was packed in New Zealand for distribution following cyclones in Pacific.
 
EMBOX was first established in England in 1975. In the early days, Rotary Clubs bought a kitset box and members brought items (usually second hand) to be placed in the box. Today all items are purchased and packed by Rotary volunteers.
 
Rotary leased a warehouse in Auckland until recently for $1 for four months. 1,000 kits have been packed and now on the way to Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. Forecast for this cyclone season which starts in November.
 
8 to 10 tropical cyclones are predicted across the SW Pacific, which is near or slightly below normal. Specific risk factors are:
 
·       Elevated risk: New Caledonia and northern New Zealand
·       Normal risk: Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tokelau
·       Normal or reduced risk: Tonga, Wallis & Futuna, and Samoa
·       Reduced risk: Tuvalu, Tutuila/ American Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands
 
Three tropical cyclones are expected to reach severe strength.
 
A container is to be packed in Christchurch for Fiji in coming weeks. Included in items requested is linen. Euan and Stuart are also approaching schools for desks and chairs.
 
Covid is affecting Pacific countries. Whilst Fiji is the only country to have had cases, it is estimated 150,000 Fijians are now unemployed due to collapse of the tourist industry. Rotary is supporting Pacific communities particular around food security.
 
Rotary continues to actively support these efforts to support our Pacific neighbours.
 
 
 
We are still looking for a few more people to join the Wednesday Lotto. All profits will go to Usa River Rotary Club, our Sister club in Tanzania, to be used for Development and Training for disadvantaged youth.
 
This runs for 20 weeks, and costs just $3 per week, a total of $60. $50 goes to the holder of the Wednesday Lotto Bonus Number and $10 each to the holders of the numbers either side of the winning number.
 
Take a punt, you might win all of your money back, and if not, you will be contributing to a worthwhile project.

We have twenty-two numbers taken already, but need a few more before we can begin again. Any number not taken will be allotted to Usa River, as we did last time, but we need to raise the prize money first, before we can give away any profits.
 
Please call Deryn on (021) 161 5861 or email her at datregurtha@gmail.com to join this fun fundraiser.
 
Many thanks:

Deryn
 
 
The President’s Blurb
 
Seven of us attended the charter event of the new Rolleston Rotary Club last Thursday night. It was an excellent night where we were able to catch up with other Rotarians who were involved with Rolleston in the past year, celebrate with the Rolleston group and enjoy the evening.
 
Grant was able to lead the Club meeting back in town with the emphasis being on Polio. Thank you to Grant and also to Stuart and Jim for their presentations.
 
The BBQ Hut at Mitre 10 was very busy on Sunday. The weather was good and the store was very busy. Thank you to Gary Denhard and his team of volunteers for making this happen. We will do it again on 13 December.
 
This week we have a number of events on. The District Shooting Tournament is on tomorrow night with 13 teams participating, there is the District Polio movie night on Wednesday and on Thursday many of us are visiting the Christchurch Rotary Breastmilk bank. 
 
Liz still needs volunteers at the Ray White/Rotary Halloween night at St James Park on Friday night. If you can spare some time please contact her.
 
Arie has his team of volunteers for the Halloween event at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp on Saturday night. 
 
There will be plenty to report back on when we next meet at the Club.
 
Cheers 
 
Janice
 
 
Food for Thought
 
” I woke up this morning and forgot which side the sun rises from, then it dawned on me.”