Tim and Simon Ross hosted the club in their Muscle Car Museum and adjoining heavy machinery shed. There were boys’ toys of all shapes, sizes and vintages which many of the ladies also appreciated. The heavy machinery included the largest bulldozer in the world. Built in 1994, it had worked on the South Island hydro scheme before moving to the Stockton Mine. With the collapse of coal prices and the failure of Coal Corp, it was put up for sale but with no buyers was offered to Ross Brothers for their Museum.  It cost $130k to dismantle into 5 smaller loads for transport and reassembly.

Notices:

1. Bookarama raised about $17.5k before expenses. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, sell and dismantle in the Town Hall. But especial thank you to all those who spent months sorting the books during the year, many of whom were partners of Rotarians.
2. We have had to decline the German RYE student offered to us this year due to our inability to find host families.
3. We have been advised that two out-going RYE students have been provisionally accepted to go to France next year. We need to make the most of this opportunity to have these families help us host an incoming student in future.
4. Bylaw Amendments – will be considered at our meeting on 30 May. Please read the proposed changes emailed to all members last week.
5. Correction – the students shown presenting a cheque to Don Mebus for the purchase of a Shelterbox were from Cambridge High School, not St Peter’s as stated.