Presidents Time
President John welcomed members and John Davey, who attended with his wife, Dale.
President John welcomed members and John Davey, who attended with his wife, Dale.
Next meeting – note the change of date:
Our next meeting will be on Friday, 27 November 2026. A Rotary exchange, who stayed with Yvonne and Barry Payne in the 1990s and will be visiting them again will be the guest speaker at this meeting. This will be a partner’s evening.
Our next meeting will be on Friday, 27 November 2026. A Rotary exchange, who stayed with Yvonne and Barry Payne in the 1990s and will be visiting them again will be the guest speaker at this meeting. This will be a partner’s evening.
Club Annual General Meeting – 03 December 2026:
The club’s A.G.M. will be held on Thursday 3 December 2026. An Agenda and the financial Statements will be sent out to members prior to the meeting. We also intend to table a proposed change to the Constitution to add additional classes of membership, allowing us more flexibility in how new people can join and be involved with our Rotary Club. See lower notes from the Directors' meeting,
The club’s A.G.M. will be held on Thursday 3 December 2026. An Agenda and the financial Statements will be sent out to members prior to the meeting. We also intend to table a proposed change to the Constitution to add additional classes of membership, allowing us more flexibility in how new people can join and be involved with our Rotary Club. See lower notes from the Directors' meeting,
Meet the Candidates:
John reported that the Meet the Candidates meeting was successful, with a good turnout of voters and aspiring politicians.
John reported that the Meet the Candidates meeting was successful, with a good turnout of voters and aspiring politicians.
Combined meeting of the club’s directors and trustees:
Paul had presented annual accounts of the club and its charitable trust, which were approved. There was discussion about the club adopting different membership classifications, and a proposal on this will be brought to the A.G.M. for members’ consideration.
Paul had presented annual accounts of the club and its charitable trust, which were approved. There was discussion about the club adopting different membership classifications, and a proposal on this will be brought to the A.G.M. for members’ consideration.
Rotary District 9999 grant:
The club has had its application for a Rotary District 9999 grant of $3000 for the Aorangi Park development approved. Directors and trustees will consider matching this grant from our own funds.
The club has had its application for a Rotary District 9999 grant of $3000 for the Aorangi Park development approved. Directors and trustees will consider matching this grant from our own funds.
RYDA:
Directors agreed to again support the R.Y.D.A. course, which will be held at Fraser Park in 2027.
Directors agreed to again support the R.Y.D.A. course, which will be held at Fraser Park in 2027.
Rotary’s Youth Leadership Award:
Applications are open for a young person to attend Rotary’s Youth Leadership Award course next year. The club will sponsor a suitable candidate.
Applications are open for a young person to attend Rotary’s Youth Leadership Award course next year. The club will sponsor a suitable candidate.
Toot for Tucker collection:
Names were taken of members who will help with the Toot for Tucker collection of items for food banks on Monday 16 November. Meet at St. John's, Jackson St, at 5.30 pm.
Names were taken of members who will help with the Toot for Tucker collection of items for food banks on Monday 16 November. Meet at St. John's, Jackson St, at 5.30 pm.
Bob Austin update:
Member Bob Austin no longer holds a driver's licence. If you wish to invite him to Rotary and give him a lift, he may appreciate an offer. Bob lives at 224 Beaconsfield Road, and his phone number is 03 688 6437.
5-minute talk:
Don George rummaged through a box of memorabilia that he and Lyn found while moving to their new home in Timaru. Items of interest were a rudimentary sheep drencher, a fob watch once owned by Don’s father, a very large socket spanner, and a mug made from a melted-down shell from W.W.2.
Don George rummaged through a box of memorabilia that he and Lyn found while moving to their new home in Timaru. Items of interest were a rudimentary sheep drencher, a fob watch once owned by Don’s father, a very large socket spanner, and a mug made from a melted-down shell from W.W.2.
Sergeant session
Corporal David Roundhill collected “fines” while Sergeant David Hewson spoke about a $17 million holiday home he has visited, and about a noisy and unpleasant, but exhilarating, high-speed circuit or two he was driven around at the Highland Park raceway in Cromwell.
And the winner was…
Paul Hewitson won the raffle.
Corporal David Roundhill collected “fines” while Sergeant David Hewson spoke about a $17 million holiday home he has visited, and about a noisy and unpleasant, but exhilarating, high-speed circuit or two he was driven around at the Highland Park raceway in Cromwell.
And the winner was…
Paul Hewitson won the raffle.
Guest Speaker:
Adrian Gray introduced the guest speaker, Helen Todd of the Timaru branch of the Ministry of Primary Industries (M.P.I.). Helen has been the Timaru Quarantine Officer for seven years following twenty years in the Police, three of which were based in Timaru. She said that her position is sometimes confused with Customs, but she is only concerned with keeping bugs from entering the country.
Adrian Gray introduced the guest speaker, Helen Todd of the Timaru branch of the Ministry of Primary Industries (M.P.I.). Helen has been the Timaru Quarantine Officer for seven years following twenty years in the Police, three of which were based in Timaru. She said that her position is sometimes confused with Customs, but she is only concerned with keeping bugs from entering the country.
Although New Zealand is lucky to be isolated from the rest of the world, there is considerable risk posed by the movement of people and the importation of goods. Helen spoke about the insects and viruses she looks out for. The flighted spongy moth, which is prevalent in Europe, has been found in New Zealand, but work by M.P.I. has managed to eliminate it.
All ships entering the country must carry a current certificate confirming they are free of this pest. The brown marmorated stink bug has been found coming into Timaru but has been caught at the port. It originated in China and Japan, where a natural predator wasp keeps it in check. M.P.I. is investigating the introduction of this wasp to control any outbreak. Containers entering New Zealand carrying products such as bale wrap are checked for the bug, which is harmful in Australia. Helen said it would devastate New Zealand’s horticulture industry if it were to become established here. There has been an outbreak of the Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand, which is also a potentially serious threat to our horticulture industry.
Bird flu is taking off in Australia in poultry and migratory birds. Fortunately, an outbreak in poultry in Waikouaiti has been controlled, as this disease can spread to cattle as well as birds. Also, M.P.I. border control is constantly monitoring to prevent the devastating foot-and-mouth disease from entering the country. Helen also mentioned micro bovis and velvet leaf, which have been found in New Zealand but, fortunately, due to the work of M.P.I., have been eliminated.
Dale thanked Helen for her very important work and interesting talk.
Duties – for Friday 27 November 2026: (note the change of date)
Chairman: Barrie Payne
Scribe: Noel Crawford
3-Minute Talk: Adrian Gray
Thanks: David Hewson
Regalia: Robbie Jackson
Sergeant: Bill Weir
Corporal: David Roundhill
Scribe: Noel Crawford
3-Minute Talk: Adrian Gray
Thanks: David Hewson
Regalia: Robbie Jackson
Sergeant: Bill Weir
Corporal: David Roundhill