"In the game of life, what’s important isn’t winning or losing - It’s how you play the game.”

Notes from the Pres

As with any meeting, when I arrived to set up (just after 5 for this event), there were already several members present, including Helen, Rob, John B and George as well as Pat and Karin. Thank you to all the people who every week work behind the scenes to make ‘the Magic of Rotary’ happen.

It was to be a games night at the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre and the members and guests were enthusiastic to begin. There were several guests, who it was reported to me were made very welcome by members. They were Robyn McNair, Patrick Cunniffe, Pat Little, Karin Simpson and Leonie Taylor.

Before the games began we shared a delicious meal of Dahl with rice, pappadams, yoghurt and chutney made by Karin Simpson, and my green salad. Thank you, Karin and Rob the muscle, for all the work involved in preparing, transporting and serving the meal (and the yummy ice-creams for dessert). It was much tastier and healthier, as well as much more effort, than the pizza that I had planned for. Thanks also go to the many helpers who set up the tables and chairs, set the tables including the salad and condiments per table and those who lined up to deliver meals to each person at their table.

Then the games began and were very fiercely contested. Some contestants had mighty shots at Skittles and they flew everywhere. Darts seemed to be a favourite for others. Clearly some people had darts experience, especially with the importance of the thin sections which give double or triple scores! It required a different technique (and some judicious calling of the scores of whether the magnetic dart was in a double or treble or out - hence leading to some high score from some teams! - the Ed.), though, to get these magnetic ones to stick to the board. I didn’t see a huge improvement in the score for the Bean Bag Toss, despite us having a go at our Christmas in July event. While people enjoyed their ice-creams , I tallied the scores so far. Then while I had mine, everyone at the tables tried to work out what dish originated in what country, the Quiz also prepared by Karin!

The overall winning table was Table 3, and they were presented with a prize each of a jar of marmalade or a book. Thank you, Jill for donating the prizes.

Huge thanks to all those who helped wash up and dry the wine glasses, pack and run the dishwasher and put away the tables. This was greatly appreciated as it meant our Board meeting could begin, and while long, finished well before midnight!

The Christmas Party is next week at Tesoro Gastronomie.! It’s a night not to be missed. See the flyer in this edition.

Time to get in and book please!

Matters in the Interest of Rotary

• Tony L commended Steve C on the work he is doing with our social media posts on our home page - he asked all those with a social media presence to save to their own pages so that others outside Rotary might see the good work we are doing
• Cathie thanked the volunteers for the BCO hamper collections and John P for accepting last minute changes
• Nora gave feedback on the last FORaMEAL packing for the year. She also mentioned that from July to date we have packed over 200,000 meals - another fantastic achievement

NB  Our first meeting back next year will be on January 20th with a New Year catch up at Riversdale Park - a picnic in the park. More details to follow. We are back at Bass Care on February 3rd for the normal meeting schedule

See you all at the party next Monday and Happy Christmas!