The new Rotary theme for the 2024-25 year is 'The Magic of Rotary', with the catch phrase 'Make Rotary Irresistable'
Our MC Bruce Cowan was a great host who brought laughter from the crowd in his own 'irresistable' way!
Our Inkredible President Katie was sincerely thanked for her management of the club this year by 2025-26 President Elect Neil Lyons. Katie went on to tell us how incredibly proud she is of our club, our members and our many achievements. She particularly acknowledged the integrity and reliability of members who 'get stuff done' often before you even ask for it to be done, it's already happened. So, while we thanked Katie, she thanked us!
It was a 'magic moment' when Katie announced that Gordon Tucker would be acknowledged for his service to Rotary and our club with a Paul Harris Fellowship. Gordon has been a member since 2010 and has participated in many projects, he has served on the Youth Committee as director, he has led us as President in 2021-22 during which he introduced new initiatives such as beach planting and clean up days at Smail's beach and the multi club supermarket food collections for distribution to food banks via KiwiHarvest. Most recently, Gordon has been at the helm of the team planning the new Rotary Park upgrade project, he has helped by creating a short term and longer-term vision for the park upgrades and works tirelessly to ensure the project is well managed and manageable. As Katie said, Rotary Park will be a legacy project for our club and one that we are looking forward to over the next several years as the initial phases of the project get underway this winter with native planting and construction of the shared pedestrian / cycle pathway around the park.
When it came time to pass on the chains to 'Amazing' Anna, Katie shared her emotions and pride for the club, and as we thanked Katie, we welcomed Anna Thomas to the role for 2024-25 year. Anna told us that while she has never been a Rotarian President before, she had been nominated for the role twice previously when she was a member of the Rotary Club of Invercargill, but that circumstances didn't allow her to take up the role there. Now in her third President Elect position, Anna gracefully accepted the Dunedin Rotary club's shiny and beautiful President's Chains as we cheered her on. We will be hearing more from Anna and her goals as president at our next lunch meeting.
To end the evening, we were entertained by magician "Mr How". Mr How runs the 'Magic Moments' restaurant in Dunedin and is currently touring NZ bringing magic experiences to many people of all age groups. He will also be hosting a performance of rarely seen Chinese magicians at the Regent in September. Mr How gave us a 'close up' magic show using very clever disappearing scarf tricks, unbelievable card tricks and multiplying ball tricks (if President Anna could multiply members like she did with Mr How's magic balls, we'd be onto a good thing!). He engaged the audience with enthusiastic and clever chat and tricks, Mr How keep us not only amused but amazed with his illusions and magician's skill.
On closing the event we were reminded that the 'Magic of Rotary' is up to us, we have work to do, we are in 'good heart' and we are very excited to be collaborating more closely with other clubs on our Rotary Park and other projects. Have fun this year, and all the best President Anna.
