A large number of guests were welcomed by President Robyn, as follows:
- Neil Fynn, General Manager of Achievement House – Guest Speaker and Judy Fynn
- Prospective Members – Gretchen Bosaker and Alan van Niekirk
- Former member – Hec Arbuthnot
- Guests of Bev Maul-Rogers and Keith Rogers – Kevin and Maggie O’Connell from Whangaparaoa, Auckland
- Sandy Wesford – Cambridge Lifeskills Manager and Clinical Leader
- Rod Millar – Rural Support Trust
Guest Speaker: Neil Fynn, Achievement House Bronwen Byers introduced Neil Fynn, General Manager of Achievement House and said he had had worked over many years in the mental health and disability sector. Neil outlined his career in sheltered workshops, local government and working with individuals who were affected by intellectual disabilities. He explained the changes that had occurred over the years in management and support. Achievement House had 40 persons under their daily care either in an employed situation or volunteering. The agency’s outgoings exceeded their income and with only limited government funding they appreciated the support of Rotary.
Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival results in grants to community organisations
President Robyn said Rotary was delighted to be able to present two grants from funds raised at the Garden Festival in 2019. The project had been lead by Carey Church and she and the team had worked tirelessly to put on a very successful event raising $37,000. This meant significant grants could be handed to Cambridge Lifeskills and the Rural Support Trust in advance of the annual grants round.
On behalf of Cambridge Lifeskills, Sandy Wesford - Manager and Clinical Leader accepted a cheque for $18,000. Sandy said that this significant amount would benefit 200 children and their families with counselling services. Each child would receive between 10 to 15 sessions. Sandy expressed the gratitude of her organisation for the generosity and acknowledgement of what was a very worthwhile and much needed cause for the Cambridge community. Also representing Lifeskills at the presentation was Chairperson John Bullick.
Rod Millar from the Rural Support Trust received a cheque for $6,000 to support the Trust’s work with the farming community. He said that particularly at this time with the drought and the effects of mycoplasma bovis more stress was put on farmers and the funds would assist in covering costs in the support the Trust offered. Rod expressed gratitude to Rotary for the acknowledgement of their work’s importance.
NOTICES
Garden Festival 2020
With the drought, Carey Church and Shirley Haycock were finding that property owners were not coming forward as eagerly as they were previously to present their gardens (and this year homes) at the Garden Festival in November. We need different gardens from previous Festivals and are seeking people to open up their homes for half a day for tours. Security and other matters are well in hand. President Robyn asked all Rotarians to see Carey or Shirley if they knew of people who would be willing to be part of the Festival. The list of homes needs to be finalised in two weeks’ time.
Waipa Funrun
Bill Robinson urged Rotarians to volunteer to help with the Waipa Funrun to be held on 15 March. Volunteering would take about 3 hours from 8am to 11am.
Weekend Away – Matakana
Don Wilson advised that there was one spare place available after a person who had registered had had to withdraw. Please see Don if you’re interested.
Informal meeting – 13 March – please bring your mobile devices
Next week there will be a ClubRunner presentation. There will be WiFi access so please bring your phone, tablet or laptop.
Materials Recovery Project – “trial run” Kim Prichard said a “trial” collection would be held involving Rotarians at the informal meeting on 26 March. Please look in your garage or workshop for unwanted items – wire cabling, batteries, appliances. A list will be provided next week.
RYLA
Bill Robinson encouraged people to contact him if they knew of a prospective RYLA participant. Cambridge does not have a young leader nominated this year and it would be great if we could have someone attend to join the 33 already going. Please contact Bill if you know of some.
IYE Inbound student – one host family required
The Club has the opportunity to host a French girl from Nimes – the expectation is that we host if we wish to send our kids on IYE exchanges. We are at this stage one host family short of taking this student. Can all members have the discussion with their partners and consider being a host. The IYE committee are waiting for our response. Please see Greg Gascoigne, International Director.
Some upcoming events - reminder
Weekend Away (Matakana) – 27-29 March
Race to Raise Funds – 23 April – with beneficiaries Cambridge Community House, Days for Girls, Lifeskills, Cricket Association and Rotary Cambridge
Bereavement Seminar – 28 April
Dementia Appeal – end of May
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (back by popular demand) – more information to come from co-ordinators David Blewden and Brian Palmer
9930 District Conference – 22 – 24 May, Rotorua
Members are encouraged to register for District Conference in Rotorua from 24 – 26 May. This is being held at the Distinction Hotel. Information and a link to the conference website where you can register and learn about the programme and speakers is shown under “District News” below. This is a great opportunity for longstanding and newer members to enjoy fellowship, get to know other Rotarians and renew old friendships, as well as to learn what Rotary is doing internationally and throughout our District and in other New Zealand districts. Saturday night is a fun night and don’t forget our own Bruised Brothers are the feature band. Get in quickly to register and also secure your accommodation (which is limited) at the Distinction Hotel.
Raffle winners – Bill Wilson and Bev Maul-Rogers
District news
Rotary D9930 Conference – 22-24 May 2020 – Rotorua
- Registrations now open. Early Bird registrations close on 20 March 11.59pm at the reduced fee of $275 - be in a draw to win a bottle of French Champagne; (first-time conference attendees also go in a draw for a bottle of French Champagne)
- After 20 March the full fee is $325. All registrations close on 15 May 2020 at 11.59pm
- Full Registration includes all conference sessions, morning teas, lunches, Friday Welcome Function and Saturday Night Dinner
- Partner Full Registration includes all conference sessions, morning teas, lunches, Friday Welcome Functions and Saturday Night Dinner
- Accommodation is at the Distinction Hotel at an excellent conference rate.
- Rates only available if your booking is made through the online Conference Registration
- Full payment must accompany bookings
- Accommodation allocated on a first come first served basis
- After 21 February 2020 there is no guarantee of availability as unallocated rooms will be released back to the hotel.
Saturday night’s theme “Rotary Connects the World” gives us plenty of costume options.
For new Rotarians or those who have not attended a conference, this is an opportunity to network with Rotarians from other clubs and build on friendships with our own club members. It also enables us to expand our learning about the internationality of Rotary through interesting speakers and what other clubs are doing - an inspiring weekend of fun, fellowship and information sharing and learning.
You will see that our own “Bruised Brothers” are the feature band for Saturday night – let’s have a great attendance from Cambridge to support them.
President-Elect Bev Maul-Rogers is our Club’s Champion for the conference and the liaison person with District.