Keeping the community safe

Hello fellow Rotarians,

It was an absolute privilege having Daniel Erickson and John Taylor present to us at our last Rotary meeting about Wandersearch and Land, Search and Rescue initiatives in our region.

Wandersearch supports people living in the community who are at risk of going missing to live healthy active lifestyles.

These could be people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADHD, autism, Down Syndrome and other such conditions.

Wandersearch provides a small radio frequency device that gives out a small and unique radio signal, that enables the Police or trained volunteers using specialised equipment to track a person should they go missing.

From the presentation I learnt that in 2012, when Southland Wandersearch started, they had 14 devices given out, which has now grown to 49 units. There are currently 32 people living with the devices and they have had 84 past users.

The devices come as pendants on necklaces and key rings.  

The pendants have a range of around 2kms and directional antennas are used to pinpoint the location of the missing person. What is unique about this system is that the user does not need to activate the devise in case they are lost or in an emergency. The device continues to give out a signal no matter what, so it’s a simple and effective method.

I was proud to learn that the Rotary Club of Invercargill funded the first two devices given out by Wandersearch in Invercargill.

We have continued to support this amazing initiative and to show their appreciation, our club received a Certificate of Appreciation at the meeting. That was indeed a lovely surprise!

Reminders

• The Club Forum is on October 10 at Great South. There will be some updates from the director’s meeting that will be held on October 9.
• Please sign up for the Pink Ribbon appeal on October 28. I have received one volunteer to date.
• Those who can support Tough Kids on November 29, please let Alice know. Again, we have one volunteer to date and we need about 8 in total.
• There is NO meeting on October 17.
• The next Formal Lunch Meeting is on October 24.