Hi everyone.
On Thursday 21st March we replaced our Tuesday meeting with a Combined Service Clubs social event with Hinuera Te Poi Lions, Matamata Lions and Matamata Kiwanis. Previously an annual event, this was the first one since COVID.
The weather was kind to us and the atmosphere congenial. With lots of cheers and hand signaling across the green, there was obviously some serious competition 🤣. A great BBQ rounded off the evening.
A huge thanks to Henry de Haas from Hinuera Te Poi Lions for his organisation.
Some great style shown here by David Hulme
And maybe not so much here from Wade Linnell
We welcomed Julia Goodyear-Smyth an English Rotarian and professional Environmentalist/Adventurer/Writer/Speaker who joined us for the evening. Julia, from the RC Llanelli in South Wales, would have been a great speaker had she been there any other week! She and her Rotarian husband are in NZ for five months. They are members of the
International Travel and Hosting Fellowship and have connected with many Rotarians across Aotearoa. She is in Matamata for the Hobbiton Halfling Marathon so Rotarians may see her at the weekend!
Julia Goodyear-Smyth with a bit of international flair, showing the locals how it's done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hobbiton Halfling Marathon
The other exciting event that our club members volunteered for, was helping out with the Hobbiton Hafling Marathon on Saturday. After a week of beautiful weather, Saturday saw the heavens open and deliver a day of rain, but that did not dampen the spirits on the 1500 participants who had entered, or the spirits of our enthusiastic volunteers.
A massive thankyou to the 37 volunteers we put forward, made up of our members and some partners, 2 from Morrinsville Rotary club and other helpers that Rotarians brought along. We had helpers everywhere, from the Registration Desk, to the Green Dragon and the many drink stations. It ease very easy to spot our fluro vests and a great way to promote Rotary. A fantastic job done by all.
The Admin girls all geared up and ready to go at 8.30am
How's that for advertising?
The team at the Green Dragon
Great to see our visiting Rotarian Julia Goodyear-Smyth had time to stop on her adventure to have her photo taken with Hobbit David Hulme and Gandalf (aka Murray Wills)
Maz and David daring to get up close with the Orcs
Julie up close with Gandalf (Murray)
Job looks like he is taking his job very seriously
Ross making sure that the participants could grab a treat on their way through
Some happy Hobbits, Brian, Maz and Job
Fantastic effort by everyone involved.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
