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As we approach the last quarter of this Rotary year, I reflect on the challenges - and the OPPORTUNITIES - this year has thrown at us. It has been a year unlike any other. Although we haven’t faced the prolonged lockdown of last year, we’ve learned to live with uncertainty and, sometimes, disappointment. But on balance we are all so grateful that we live in this country with a government and public health direction that gives us a freedom envied by the rest of the world.
Rotary International have provided guidelines for the way Rotarians around the world are expected to conduct events and meetings. We in Zone 8 (Australia and New Zealand) have advised the RI Board that we plan to continue to meet according to our countries’ jurisdiction, while putting a number of risk management processes in place. There is a detailed article explaining this within this Bulletin.
I know how disappointing the necessary postponement or cancellation of several events has been. South Wairarapa’s large Martinborough fair was postponed in March, with an expectation of holding it on 10 April. I know that Wanganui Daybreak’s Kite Day was cancelled after much anticipation and planning, as was Rotary Club of Wellington’s Jumbo Tennis. There have been a number of others. We’ve learned to be resilient and accept the situation we’re in, but it does have an impact on the way we’re able to fundraise or provide much anticipated community activities – impacting our ability to give back to our communities and wave the Rotary flag. We were however very blessed to be able to have our District Conference this month. Photos of this event will be soon coming.
I’ve almost completed my Club visits now – with only two Taranaki Clubs not visited as yet, thanks to level 2 lockdown recently. Hopefully there’ll still be an opportunity to meet.
Our Centennial Baton Relay is on its way through the District! Starting in Wellington during the week, today a group of around 30 Rotarians carried it, along with a 100 Years in Rotary banner, on a three hour walk along the Hutt River bank. They attracted interest and congratulations from locals. For those who attended conference we were luck to see it there. Other networks will organise activities too. We want communities throughout the District to be involved so please contact Lionel Nunns to discuss opportunties. Lionel.nunns@gmail.com.
As part of our centennial projects I’d like to draw your attention to the Car Number Plate project run by Feilding Club and described elsewhere in this Bulletin. This is a great way for Clubs to fundraise (without threat of COVID interruption) and for us to advertise Rotary to the world. I encourage all Clubs to take part in this opportunity.
Other centennial projects – Mana Tangata, Give Every Child a Future and the Wellington Regional Children’s Hospital (newly named Te Wao Nui - The Great Forest of Tāne) continue to need our support. It’s been great to see so many fundraising activities around the District with these projects as their priority.
Despite the challenges we really are continuing to make a difference in our local communities and further afield. Let’s continue to focus on growing Rotary so we can continue, into the next century, to make an impact and change lives as proud Rotarians.
Nga mihi
DG Gillian
