Bulletin notes - Club meeting 23/05/19
Welcome
President Ray welcomed everyone to the meeting particularly guest speaker for the evening Cambridge Brass Band Music Director – Rob Hocking. In addition he welcomed visitors Silvio Ribeiro and Jono Gibson.
Speaker – Rob Hocking, Music Director, Cambridge Brass Band – Concert tour to Le Quesnoy
Rotary Cambridge had donated $5,000 to the Cambridge Brass Band to assist with funding the Band’s trip to Le Quesnoy last year. The funds raised allowed the children in the band to travel free of charge and the amount also helped with other costs associated with the tour. As well as performing at various venues throughout France they enjoyed many French and Belgian experiences. The children’s band played at schools and retirement villages.
Band members were taken on a guided tour of the battle fields and learnt about what the soldiers had to endure. Among significant points of interest was a visit to Menin Gate Memorial where they observed the ceremony at 6.00pm and the playing of the Last Post. They also visited Passchendaele in Belgium and undertook a guided tour through Le Quesnoy and saw the cliff that the New Zealand soldiers scaled by ladder to liberate the town without the loss of any local lives.
On the last night they performed a grand concert with music from the uttermost ends of the earth with soprano Rebecca Nelson joining them. Rebecca is the soloist for the Royal New Zealand Navy Band and has sung the New Zealand National Anthem at Anzac Cove and the Passchendaele Memorial Services with the RNZN Band.
Notices
Support for Meyer Cheese
Meyer cheeses were included in the Taste Waikato cookbook. The company has just achieved an award for New Zealand’s best cheese. Members were encouraged to support the Meyer Cheese company. Taste Waikato books would be available for sale at Fieldays.
Cambridge Findit Directory
President Ray advised that the Board had met on Tuesday and received a report from the Cambridge Findit Directory Committee. It was noted that there had been a couple of years where the revenue had declined. The project was up against competition from online directories and new apps that had been developed. On the recommendation of the Committee the Board agreed to abandon the Findit project.
Rotary Exchange Students
President Ray advised that the Club had been unable to come up with sufficient home hosts for an overseas exchange student this year. This meant Cambridge had lost an opportunity and it was disappointing for the student. Ray stressed the need to find families to host students in the future to allow our outgoing students the chance to experience a different culture and a year away and for an overseas student to learn about Cambridge and New Zealand. Currently there are two outgoing students provisionally accepted to the exchange programme departing in January 2020. We need to try and find home hosts for at least one incoming student. The youth exchange programme is a vital part of Rotary’s objectives of world peace and understanding.
Bylaws Amendments:
President Ray has circulated the draft amended Bylaws which will be voted on at the Club Forum on 30 May as advised.
Proposed Fireworks Project – November
Two presentations will be received at the Club Forum on 30 May. There will then be an opportunity to vote on whether the Club takes this event on as a project.
Matching Grants
Opportunities for matching grants available. Members are encouraged to see Doug Lang if they have ideas for a community project for which the club could apply. Every idea will be considered. The Rotary Foundation will match the money contributed by our club. At this stage we just want ideas.
Rotary Club of Cambridge – changeover - will be held on Thursday, 27 June.
District Changeover – 30 June, Morrinsville
Content for Bulletin
