Just a reminder that it is planting time for Spud in a Bucket this weekend. If you don't already have a bucket, Stew will be bringing along the last few buckets on Tuesday night, so lets please support him and make sure that all of the buckets are sold and don't forget that if you don't want to grow a spud, you might like to donate a bucket to someone.
Fantastic idea!

 

 

Stew Wadey and our newest member Gary Lewis did a fantastic job this week of planting 8 buckets for the residents of Matamata Country Lodge. The residents had a wonderful time last year watching them grow, so lets hope they produce a bumper crop for them this year with some assisted TLC from Stew and Gary.  

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Just a reminder about the upcoming Regional Council Elections. President Jane has sent out all of the information by email to everyone and encourages members to take the time to read it and vote. Please feel free to contact Jane if you have any questions. 

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This week our meeting was held at Longlands Residential Village where Michelle Tanner had organized a visit to share with residents an insight into Rotary. Although not many residents attended, those who did certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. 

 

 

Michelle opened the evening by welcoming everyone and then went on to share one of her most treasured Rotary moments, when after being invited to help with polio Vaccines in Pakistan, she met a beautiful you woman in a wheelchair who was a Polio sufferer and it really hit home as to how unnecessary this was as the vaccines had been around for years. Michelle shared with those present how the fundraising works with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and how vital it is that we continue so they we can eradicate this terrible disease. 

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Merv King was the next to speak, sharing his passion for Rotary for over 50 years. Merv spoke of the friendship and fellowship within Rotary with over 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide in over 46,000 clubs. He said that no matter where you traveled, you were always made welcome at other clubs. He also spoke of how the Rotary Foundation works in raising and distributing funds through the clubs and about Shelterbox and disaster relief. 

 

Merv said that Every good idea starts with one person and with the support of Rotary, great things can happen.

If you want to make a difference, join Rotary. 

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Fred Barrett was next to speak about how the first he knew about Rotary was when as a young man he had the opportunity of working on a Rotary Youth exchange to Norway. This was the start of his intrepid travels that took him from New Zealand to Norway, then on to Syria, Iran, the West Bank, Nepal and more, before finally returning to New Zealand.  

 

 

 

Fred said that he is very interested in everything international, especially other cultures and how they live.

He is very thankful for the opportunities that Rotary has given him 

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President Jane then spoke of how her mother Gaye was the first woman inducted into the Matamata Rotary Club back in 1990 and how back then you were expected to attend every meeting and it was a great way to network. 

 

(Sorry, I lost the photo of Jane)😊

 

Jane said that her highlight in Rotary so far was the opportunity to listen to International President Jennifer Jones speak and how inspirational she was. Jane said that she loves the opportunity to participate in events and to see the club grow and improve. Jane then went on to thank those that had come along and encouraged them to join Rotary or join in a community activity that we are doing and see how much fun it can be. 

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Lots of things coming up for us to help with over the next few months, so keep an eye on the newsletter and help out where you can. Could be a good opportunity to bring along a friend who may be interested in what Rotary does. 😊