In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 44
Planning for the Wanaka-based extravaganza began
in earnest nearly two years ago , at a time when the
venue, the new Wanaka Recreation Centre, was still
under construction.
of speakers the conference has attracted, or to have
added the special touches that promise to make this
conference one to remember.
“We have loved having Avalon waterways as a
sponsor from previous 9980
conferences, in Mt Cook and
The Rotary Club of Wanaka is also
Invercargill, and we are excited
offering a billet-style “bed and
to have them on board again
breakfast”, so visitors can stay at the
this year.
home of a fellow Rotarian instead of
“Firstly, Rotary will be the first
“Harraway & Sons, of Dunedin,
booking accommodation.
organisation to stage a major
has also come to the party.
Anyone interested can email
event at the new centre. It’s
Harraways source oats from
[email protected]
new territory for Wanaka,
Otago and Southland where
including information such as age and
because, although there are
conditions are excellent for
interests, and conference organisers
many high-profile weddings
growing quality oats, so it’s a
will do their best to match out-of-
and sporting events, the
nice fit for District 9980.”
towners with a like-minded Rotarian.
number of people attending
Locals are getting right into
has traditionally been restricted
the spirit of the conference,
to 250 for a seated dinner,
she says, with many small
whereas the new centre can seat 600.”
businesses having already put up prizes for the likes of
With the support of the club, the community, speakers
the early-bird registrations.
and sponsors, 2017’s conference, which runs from May
“There are many Rotarians who are supporting the
12 to 14, is shaping up to be one of the best yet, she
conference through their own business, too, and we
says.
shouldn’t underestimate the hours they donate to
For partners not wishing to attend the main conference
make the conference great.”
programme, the organising committee has carefully
“And, we’re also involving the groups we’ve helped over
crafted an entertaining and interesting day in and
the years – students from Mt Aspiring College in the
around Wanaka, taking in some of the town’s most
welcome, and the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade will
popular attractions.
be staffing the bar.”
“They’re going to join the “fun bus” and be taken to visit
Aiming to attract between 350 and 450 Rotarians to
the new Cardrona Whiskey Distillery; be inspired by
the conference, Deb’s great wish is that all who attend
some award-winning Wanaka homes – including one
leave invigorated.
that’s not normally open to the public – be intrigued
by the Illusion Room at Puzzling World, and, finish with
“Simply put, I would love to see everyone depart
wine and canapés at the spectacular Rippon Vineyard.”
conference truly inspired to go out and make our world
a better place … and, maybe, to have made a new
Deb has paid tribute to the sponsors, without whom
it would not have been possible to put up the calibre
friend or two along the way.”
As well as being a big deal for
the Rotary Club of Wanaka – it’s
the first conference the club
has hosted – it’s significant for
the whole community.
LOSE
S C
REGISTRATION
FRIDAY, MAY 5
We’re ready for you! Deb Budden, conference manager,
Rosie Burridge, programme manager, Shirley Armstrong,
registration manager, Don Irvine, Rotary International
guests and speech competition co-ordinator, and Peter
Harridge, of the speaker sub-committee.