5 MARCH 2020
President Jeremy welcomed a large turn out or member and partners to this, our last meeting at Seven Oaks.
He took us back to the year 1999 and reminded us of the context. Bill Clinton was acquitted by the Senate after being impeached. The Panama Canal was handed back to Panama. We all experienced the Y2K scare and the Euro was created. At the time there was a paltry 6 billion humans on the planet. One notable individual, Lance Armstrong “won” his first Tour de France. Within popular culture, Notting Hill, The Matrix, Austin Powers (The spay that shagged me) and the popular Toyota TV ads all screened. Jenny Shipley became our first female Prime Minister, followed by Helen Clark.
Locally Wynne Raymond was Mayor and in a significant move Timaru North Rotary shifted its meeting venue to Seven Oaks in Wai-iti Rd.
Since then there have been 994 meetings held and approximately 1,500 hours of fellowship including an estimated 45,000 glasses of very good and welcome cheer. Debbie and Gavin took over in 2006 and have been wonderful hosts.
Some 22 Presidents and 868 guest speakers have entertained and enlightened us and so we toasted Seven Oaks, thanked Gavin and Debbie for their “shout” tonight and sang the Rotary grace.
Under President’s time John Keenan thanked all those who participated in Hadlow to Harbour. We were blessed with great weather and an improved turnout.
John also reminded everyone of the upcoming Dictionary for schools with 9 schools to distribute to and 289 dictionaries to prepare. Help is needed to write up the dictionaries and to hand them out. Volunteers, please let John know as soon as possible.
President Jeremy entertained us with a photo montage trip down memory lane, but not before he had been told by Gordon Bower that the move to Seven Oaks was 1998 not 99! Thanks to Geoff for the photos which everyone appreciated. A few highlights included a 1998/99 shot of President Alister Rowley who commented “ The move to Seven Oaks was most satisfactory”.
Other photos included dubious ones of Roy Carter, the Dixie band in full flight (2009), the dress up as rugby players in the world cup year (2011), the 50th birthday celebrations last year with Bob and Roy cutting the cake (we think), Christmas functions, Paul Harris fellowship awards and generally members have fun and fellowship. Finally a photo of what the site might look like under St John’s ownership. All in all, thanks for the memories which will be treasured.
President Jeremy made a presentation to Gavin and Debbie and told them of the club’s gratitude for their hospitality and friendship over the last 14 years and hoped they would take time to indulge their passion for travel.
Gavin replied saying it was a sad moment for him and Debbie but life moves on. He commented they had enjoyed their time with the club and following a short break would be back as members, continuing the friendship.
Raffle – last raffle at the venue won by Colin Shaw.
Next week – the new venue of Harlau Hose Café, Beaconsfield Road. Apologies in the normal way.