(L) Guest speaker, Doug Avery. Wanda Leadbeater, Rural Support Trust area co-ordinator based in Tirau and Rotarian Fed Barrett as guest host for this evening. 

Doug Avery, Introduced to the 250 assembly by Fred Barrett, who himself has lost two brothers by their own hand. "Rural mental Health, a bigger issue than many people realise". Doug through his presentation, described his highs and lows of his life that nearly came to the tipping point of not wanting to carry on living. Even though fellow farming peers confirm his success as a good business farmer, farming challenges nearly beat him. Supportive wife, family and friends got him through those 'dark days'. He then decided to help others in his Marlborough province, devastated by droughts and significant seismic earthquakes; and they too came under enormous stress.  He fully realised  how easy it can be to "head into a dark place"."Think Better, Think Different" He asked the audience, " Where is the richest place in the world",  "The grave yard!', so many laid to rest who have not lived their lives". Remove your fear of living and do not be afraid of death. "You only become a failure if you don't learn from your mistakes". Think of a flock of Geese flying in that 'V' formation...... 71% less energy required due to aerodynamic team work, so be for the 'shit' hits the fan " bring people into your 'V'". Form a mentoring group, helps to have time to think a different way. There is capability in mentoring in every town in New Zealand. We , due to the increasing speed of modern life we tend to be a bit negative , as compared to the 1800's .sees us "walking backwards into our future", its our current social system. As if a situation presents its self , we go back in our history on how we had addressed that. We should be  going forward to the future; to  look for a solution. "Think of driving a car, looking through the windscreen to see where you are going, and only a small rear view mirror to see where you had been".  2020 at the present rate of rise in mental health issues; is going to be a significant issue for New Zealand. It is a catastrophe that we are taking our lives in such numbers. Richard Metcalfe thanked Doug for his inspiring presentation.

President Peter sent an email to members through our secretary.

                                             

 

                                  

CLUB DUTY	24th APRIL	1st MAY
CLUB HOST	TYRONE MAULLIN	DON STANLEY
RECEPTION	LACHIE DUNCAN	BRIAN HUNTER
RECEPTION	JIM BREMNER	ROBBIE PEARSON
BAR STEWARD	FRED BARRETT	RICHARD METCALFE
BAR STEWARD	GRAHAM MOTION	PETER THISSEN
SPEAKER INTRO	REXINE HAWES	JOHN FERNYHOUGH
SPEAKER THANKS	ALICE CLOTHIER	JANE BELTON
TOP TABLE	REXINE HAWES	JOHN FERNYHOUGH
TOP TABLE	TBA	TBA
PARTING THOUGHT	MIKE FARRELL	GRAEME GUILDFORD
KITCHEN	LYN DOBBE	GARRY MOORE
KITCHEN	MURRAY WILLS	KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMI

 

                                          

District Conference early bird registration offer, has now expired. Members who have not registered, who now find their circumstance position changed and could consider to attend. .www.9930conference.org for online registration.