November 2016 WSR Bulletin (Nov 15, 2016)

Waikato Sunrise Rotary

November 2016 Bulletin

President's Report

“Balloons over Waikato” is getting closer and closer. Geoff Tizard has done a wonderful job of organising members of the club and other groups to participate in this event. I would appreciate it if all club members would do as much as they can to help make this event a success. It is a major fundraising initiative and we will get a lot of exposure due to it. Hospice would be a worthy recipient.

The Hamilton Gardens playground opening is on 18 December 2016. This will be a picnic barbeque and able to be attended by all members of the public as well as Rotarians who have been involved in the playground.

Members of WSR will be notified more formally of the time etc.

We have had some spectacular speakers this year. Jo Finer, from Fonterra spoke last week on the Rotary Exchange program, and her experiences of it as a 16year old, in Mexico. Jason Dawson, CEO of Hamilton and Waikato Tourism, spoke on regional tourism within the Waikato. I am sure that many Hamiltonians do not realise how much there is to see in our region and how many tourists come to see sights such as Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves.

In the next two weeks we have Mark Flowers from Wintec speaking on the role of Wintec and the developments that are taking place in this sector. Marilyn Yeoman will be speaking on the 25^th of November on the Hamilton Gardens.

Our speakers program is “full” for December and most of January, but if you know of an interesting speaker, please contact David Natzke or one of his team, so that they can arrange for this speaker to attend one of our meetings.

Foundation

WSR was presented with a banner, in recognition of our generosity in support of the annual Foundation Fund.There are 35,399 Rotary Clubs worldwide and our club was distinguished as being one or more of the following:

One of only 1,564 clubs to achieve Top Three Highest in Per Capita Annual Giving honours in their district.

One of only 2,253 clubs worldwide to attain status as an 100% Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Club.

One of only 4,609 clubs worldwide to become 100% Foundation Giving Club.

Our club was third in the district and our support enables Rotarians tackle the world’s toughest challenges, in our own community and across the globe.

Well done and keep it up.

Social Events Calendar

Up and coming events include a Friday at Five at Cinnamon on the 2^nd of December, our Christmas Event at Windy Ridge on the 16^th of December and the Concert By the Lake, organised by the Matamata club on Sunday, February, 19, 2017.

I would like someone to organise a club marquee for this event, to support the Matamata Club and as well as having a jolly good time.

Elsa's Holidays

Just a reminder that Elsa is now on 3 months leave from school (yes, 3 months!) so it’s going to be important that we all share the responsibility of spending time with her and offering her opportunities. This will be equally as important for her, as it will be for her host family.

FYI Elsa is heading to South Island for the exchange student tour, leaving 12 November, returning 1 Dec. Otherwise, there is nothing specific planned with anyone for the two weeks leading up to that trip, or the three weeks leading up to Christmas.

After Christmas, there are some plans with her host family, however from 8 January please consider opportunities you can offer her to experience kiwi summer hospitality with you.

Tettenhall Cup

Posted on Nov 15, 2016

Indoor Bowls evening was held at the Claudelands Bowling Club, 1 Kitchener Street, Claudelands, Thursday 3rd November @ 7.30pm

An entertaining evening for the 5 clubs in attendance - unfortunately Huntly were a no show and have therefore surrendered their competition lead.

Indoor Bowls evening was held at the Claudelands Bowling Club, 1 Kitchener Street, Claudelands, Thursday 3rd November @ 7.30pm

An entertaining evening for the 5 clubs in attendance - unfortunately Huntly were a no show and have therefore surrendered their competition lead.

Sandra Buchanan, Ross Hargood, Justin Vodane and Gary Robertson represented the club.

The competition was fierce, and there was much testosterone laden tension in the air as the “ends” were played. The pungent and invigorating scent of Voltaren Emulgel, and Deep Heat wafted through the air, accompanied by a crescendo of crepitation’s and the creaking and the groaning of joints as the more arthritic of the players had to crouch down to play the bowl.

Arthritic knees and ankles were strained to the maximum, clicking and complaining in unison as tactics were discussed, pacemakers recalibrated and hernia trusses adjusted to accommodate for the physical prowess of the players, and the idiosyncratic nature of the game.

Only in the All Black changing room prior to a test would have exhibited more pressure, more stress and more intensity as there was amongst the Waikato Sunrise Players as they strolled nervously onto the green, smooth felt that had been carefully laid onto the polished wooden floors. Word came back from the management that the conditions were fast, smooth and dry.

Cries of despair and howls of delight echoed through the stark barren clubhouse as the bowlers clicked and smashed their way through the opposing ranks. It was difficult to differentiate whether the clicking came from the degenerated joints of the players or the bowls as the kissed and caressed each other as they met the kitty in the midfield of the felt.

In the end, after many a nail biting ends, we were beaten by a better team (or two). We did our best and the results were as follows:

1st Frankton 8pts
2nd Ham East 7pts
3rd Sunrise 6pts
4th Ham Cent 5pts
5th Fairfield 4pts

Points to date after 3 events

1st Sunrise 19pts
2nd= Ham East / Ham Cent 17pts
4th Huntly 16pts
5th Fairfield 13pts
6th Frankton 8pts

Next Event - Miniputt - Wednesday 7th Dec at Ulster Street Driving Range - 6pm start.