As the year winds down it is a fitting time to reflect on just what a year it has been. There is no doubt Covid has changed the way we live. Maybe not so dramatically here but around the world and in Auckland it has been a tough year. I hope you get a chance to take a break over the holiday period even though many of us won’t be getting our extended families together this year.

I have heard that recently retired member Alan Smith who moved to Nelson is having a tough time with his health. We have sent a Christmas message to Alan and Jan from the club wishing them well.

Now to brighter news…..Lot 47 sold spectacularly under the hammer last Friday. Although we are still waiting confirmation of all costs and some clarity around GST the proceeds will be more than budgeted or anticipated. Progress is being made around the plan for the surplus but I can confirm your directors and the Lions directors have agreed to pay St John $243,000 to square off the cost of their new building. They have also agreed to set up a new trust with representatives from St John, the community, Rotary and Lions and that trust will administer extra funds. Recommendations to that trust from the house build organizing team and endorsed by the Lions and Rotary directors include replacing the health shuttle next year ($75k) purchasing a generator for the station ($15k) and $150k being put aside for future training and scholarships. This fund will be named the Topping Education Scholarship Fund in recognition of the work done by project manager Les Topping and St John liaison Vicky Topping. The one common theme from all involved is to ensure any cash raised stays here in our community. This project has been enormously successful. I know it was a team effort but the leadership and vision shown by Doreen and Craig was awesome and this community is so lucky to have people like you living here. From us all, a huge thank you.

We have 2 meetings left this year. Monday December 6 will be a club night at the Town and Country. This will be an opportunity to ensure our plans for projects over the summer are clarified and explained. We have a book sale, 4 wheel drive rally and tree planting preparations amongst other things coming up. PP Pam will also hold the AGM for our past Rotary year. Finally we will have a bit of a party on December 13. We are hoping to have a festive flavour to the evening and I am hoping partners will be part of our night along with as many friends of Rotary and honorary members as we can get along. There is entertainment organized and the T&C are putting on a ham,dessert and special wine prices for us. There will be a couple of boxes for the Foodbank and the suggestion is we all bring along a packet. Suggestions include pasta, coffee, biscuits , tea bags, toothpaste and soap as these are always great items to include for families in need.

Guess who is coming to dinner was well supported and what a beautiful day and evening to host people for a meal. It really is a nice way to get to know people better and at the same time raise some money for our Rotary friends in Westport. Even if you didn’t participate in the dinner please consider making a donation to our club trust fund tagging it to Westport.

Take care and I look forward to us getting together for our last 2 meetings of 2021.

Stuart