Thank you to those who supported this community fund-raiser by buying our chicken manure. We were pretty much sold out by lunch time on Saturday 29th August. Perhaps that suggests that we needed more product. Watch this space for next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 Incoming Christchurch South Rotary President Mike Bruce receiving the chain of office from the previous President Kim Tanner at our Changeover Dinner on Wednesday 26th June.

 

 

 

 

 

At the same event,  the club celebrated the huge contribution made by Harold Garlick  over many years with the award of a Paul Harris Sapphire pin. Shown is Mike presenting the pin to Harold the night before changeover, because Harold was unable to be present at the actual Changeover dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At our 1 November meeting we were delighted to have Past District Governor present to give a Young Totora Award to St Margaret's College student Lucy Adams for inspiring work as a young leader. She is shown here with sponsor Gill Blackler (click to enlarge). Also at the same meeting we had some delightful children from the Banford School basketball team  present to show off the uniforms that Christchurch South Rotary had funded. 

 

 

 

 

 

To cap it off we made a Pride of Workmanship Award to Roy Kenneally, shown on the right with wife Fiona and children Kahu and Maia along with President Keith. Roy works for the Cross Over Trust which builds resilience among primary age children in the south west Christchurch area. Finally, our speaker for the night was Peter Cottrell, former Head of the Physics and Astronomy Dept at the University of Canterbury. Peter spoke to us on the topic "Astronomy is for Everyone".

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn Dalziel chaired the annual forum run by the Southern Environmental Trust  held at Knox Church on Wednesday 18th of October. The forum was entitled "Pathways to Swimmable Rivers". With excellent presentations from  John Quinn (NIWA), Tim Davie (Ecan), Doug Rankin (Whitewater NZ) and Melissa Robson (Landcare Research) the audience of about 100 people was guided through the complexities of what is meant by "swimmable", the extent to which Canterbury rivers measure up, the impact on recreational use of our waterways and what is being done to improve them. Click here to see the forum poster.

 

 

Representatives of the St Thomas of Canterbury College Rowing Group (shown here with our Youth Committee Chair Liz Bermingham) were presented with $3,000 at our meeting on 11th October. The St Thomas' Rowing Group helped by bagging the chicken manure for our recent major fund-raiser.

 

 

 

 

Sophie Tatterson was inducted as a new member of the club at the 9th August meeting. Sophie was a participant in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Programme run by Christchurch South Rotary  in January 2017. She is shown here with her sponsor, Tony Blackler (click to enlarge).

 

 

 

 

At our meeting on 2nd August, we were delighted to see Letitia Hay inducted as a new member. Letitia was a participant in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award programme in 2015 and has been a consistent supporter of our club since then. Letitia is shown here with Club President Keith Gunasekara (click to enlarge).

 

 

 

 

Here we see our own Sarita McLean just after she took over the mantel of District Governor from outgoing Governor Arie Geerlofs (click to enlarge). The ceremony was part of the Rotary District Changeover held in the Showgate Lounge at Riccarton Raceway, on Thursday 6th of July, 2017.  It was gratifying to see Christchurch South Member Tony Blackler awarded a Paul Harris sapphire for his work for the Rotary District, particularly in relation to the Rotary Youth Leadership award Programme.

For a fuller report refer to the Club Bulletin and to see more pictures  link to the Papanui Rotary Club gallery.

 

 

 

 

After a very successful year, our "bow tie" President, Mel Opie, hands over the chains of office to new President Keith Gunasekara at the Club's changeover meeting on Wednesday 28th of June (click to enlarge photo). Club members and partners enjoyed a night of good food and fellowship at College House. Click here for more photos or view the Club Bulletin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was also wonderful to celebrate the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Lew Brown  for his significant contribution to Rotary over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We marked 60 years since Christchurch South Rotary was formed, and it was very special that three of our foundation members were presented with letters of commendation from Rotary International President Ian Riseley. Here we see Bernie Lawrence (left - click to enlarge images) and Jack McKessar (centre) being presented with their letters by incoming District Governor, Sarita McLean.

Ray Newton (right) is shown being presented with his certificate by outgoing District Governor Arie Geerlofs at a separate ceremony at Wesley Care Rest Home. Bernie, Jack and Ray were also presented with Pride of Workmanship Awards, in recognition of their many years of service to Rotary.

We were also delighted that Chris Ayray was admitted to the Club as a new member.

 

 

 

Not only is 97 year old Jack McKessar a foundation member of Christchurch South Rotary, but he is still very active within the club. Here he is shown (click to enlarge) with the birthday cake we all shared at our meeting on 19th April, 2017 which was the actual day of his birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

It was also great to have fellow foundation member Bernie Lawrence, shown here with our soon-to-be District Governor Sarita McLean, present for the occasion.