This is the first bulletin for the 2025 year and I hope everyone had a relaxing break over Christmas/New Year.
Our Rotary year got underway with the working bee into Deep cove, where a good crew from the club, plus a couple of extra helpers tackled a number of tasks with a can-do attitude.
It was a physical weekend working outside, however the weather was fine and the sandflies were still in abundance.
The projects we worked on included - A memorial restoration to Captain Alan Nicholas who lost his life in a float plane accident in 1965, the positioning and unveiling of a bell tower with the original bell from the Wanganella, placement and covering of a water feature outside the hostel, re-modelling the shed structure that stored pipe and timber, clearing walking tracks and a general tidy up of the main workshop.
We used our handyman skills and become, plasterers, stone masons, carpenters and engineers for the weekend to complete some memorable features which will be in place for years to come.
Billy the Hostel manager kept us busy and amused with his many stories and we were privileged to have two other Deep Cove trustees Wayne Hunt and Bruce Smart join Mike McManus for a day's work.
A special thanks goes out to Helen McCurdy and Alice for the outstanding food they prepared over the weekend and thankyou to all members who gave their time and energy for this special community service weekend.
Lunch in the park last Tuesday was also a nice way to reconnect to start the year off and I look forward to the year ahead.
All the best.
Michael
Captain Alan's Memorial Waganella bell new home The water feature
Reminders
4th February - Formal lunch meeting at the Kelvin Hotel
15th February - Charity bike ride Invercargill to Bluff
18th February - Formal Lunch meeting at the Kelvin hotel
21st February - Our clubs' progressive dinner
22nd February - District 9999 Weekend of connection in Timaru
22nd February - YMCA Omaui open day 12pm to 2pm
25th February - The Hawthorndale Village planting day
Meeting Duties (4th February)
Front desk: Trish Lindsay
Grace: Helen McCurdy
Parting thought: Ross Wensley
Introduce Speaker: Chami Abeysinghe