I attended Rotary D9980 Conference in Dunedin this last weekend, along with Lionel & Jess Hewitson from our NRG club. For those of you who couldn't make it, we can assure you this was definitely one you would have enjoyed, the Rotary Club of Dunedin, along with DG Bruce Cowan, did a superb job of getting just the right mix of venues, speakers, caterers, band, etc, with just enough formality to make sure the fun & Rotary communication aspect was not lost.

Congratulations – Our club were the joint winners of the District Website trophy, with Queenstown club.

There was a common Rotary Alumini theme that became apparent as the weekend unfolded, maybe in some cases co-incidental, but shows how the Rotary giving keeps giving, many years later in some cases.

Matty Maclean (TV One Weather man) did a great job as Master of Ceremonies. Matty comes from Queenstown and is a former RYE student to Austria – 2004. (Lionel & I remember the 16yr old we helped on his journey when we were involved in the RYE committee).

Jess Hewitson was one of the chaperones for RYE students during the weekend – former RYE student herself in 2002. Jess was also in the winning impromptu Battle of the Sexes Female Karaoke team on Saturday night.

Rotaract presentation – 60 members currently, at the University of Otago, Bridget Rollinson is the current President, (ex Waimate Rotary club student rep) her presentation team of four, included an ex RYLA participant, and Jack – former Interact member of TBHS club. They outlined the projects Rotaract is involved with in the community.

Bridget’s sister, Clare Rollinson, was also at conference as an RYE rebound – returning in January this year after completing her last year away.

 

Inspirational speakers were definitely motivational;

Robbie Francis spoke to us about The Lucy Foundation which she founded, – Pluma Coffee- Co Able - first sustainable coffee made by disabled workers/owners. Robbie is a previous Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, currently working on her PhD at the University of Otago National Centre for Peace and Conflict studies in Dunedin. Robbie has an artificial leg which she calls LUCY leg –

Learn to live with Lucy

Understand the problem

Care enough to do something about it,

You are the difference.

 

Dr Lance O’Sullivan – The MOKO Foundation – Navilluso Medical – Innovative Healthcare pathways of the future – 6-12 mths away from implementation. – previous Rotary Group Study Exchange team Leader, D9910, Paul Harris recipient, ardent supporter of Rotary programmes. Did you know he was expelled after 6 weeks attendance at TBHS?

Kevin Biggar – inspirational transatlantic rower & part of the first unsupported manhaul to the South Pole by New Zealanders.

Cam Calkoen – dreams of a world where everyone is inspired to embrace opportunity. “Dream big – achieve more”

Nicola Atwool – Assoc Prof in the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work at the University of Otago, A passion for teaching in the social work programme and childrens issues centre post-grad programme, making a difference for those suffering poverty.

Martin Snedden former international cricketer, CEO of Rugby NZ 2011, CEO Tourism NZ, CEO of Duco Promotions, CEO of cricket NZ and former ICC director, a lawyer – previous Rotary Group Study Exchange alumni.

Speech Contest – three students competed for $1,000 prize Won by Hannah Heyward, Dunstan High School – topic – Social Media. Other participants were Alice Houston-Page – Logan Park High, topic - Chronic fatigue and Grace Prendergast – Verdon High – topic -Climate change

We were given updates on Invercargill Dream House project – ($200,000 profit made at auction) This project gained the five Invercargill clubs recognition with the awarding of the Club Collaboration cup. RYLA, RYE (a splendid presentation by the current & returned students) and the Inaugural presentation of the Lindsay Thorburn Memorial Trophy for Shelterbox – awarded to Fraser Ellis of the Mosgiel club.

Great food - & venues, Forsyth Barr stadium Friday evening & Town Hall the rest of the weekend, even the Haggis ceremony was well done. I couldn’t fault this Conference, and we have been to a few now.

Make a date for next year, 26th-28th April – Oamaru will be the destination, Dunedin Central club will be the Organising club.

Lynette Wilson