6th July 2020
Changeover at Platter, Devonport.
Before President Paul (2nd time president) handed over the chains to Ian Cunliffe (3rd time president) he ran through an impressive list of what the club achieved over the last year:
Despite the cancellation of 3 meetings during lockdown of COVID 19 we managed 39 meetings including some successful lockdown Zoom meetings for the more tech-savvy members and off-site meetings at our local restaurants.
Paul acknowledged membership fundraising efforts and thanks to the successful Devonport Fine Homes Tour, a film night at The Vic, Business on Toast, Member Donations and grants from the Rotary Foundation a good sum of money was raised which meant the club was able to provide support for the following organisations:
Dementia Auckland, Tanna Water project (Vanuatu), Shipping the old Windsor reserve playground to Vanuatu, a new community marquee for Devonport Peninsula Trust, new furniture for the Devonport Community Centre, Humanity NZ, Vanuatu Cyclone Appeal, Age Concern, Flagstaff Magazine – cash flow advance for club advertising during COVID lockdown, UN Youth North American Leadership Tour, Rotary Science Summer School, UN Youth NZ Development Tour, TGS Robotics Club, Model UN Assembly, Rotary International Foundation and the very popular annual Seniors’ Xmas Party
In keeping with that list it was fitting that three Paul Harris awards were made to people who worked intensively behind the scenes to make the Fine Homes Tour the success it was as our main fundraising event.
It was also a great pleasure to award a Paul Harris to past member Owen Lyttleton in recognition of the great job he did as treasurer.