The 2019 Christchurch Rotary Regional Conference is now concluded and a massive thanks go to organisers Ross Skinner and Liz Courtney and their team for an outstanding [outstanding] conference. It was incredibly good. All conference participants had a high energy and value time that has reinvigorated their commitment to Rotary. We have been Rejuvenated!
Under the "Read More" tab there are some very brief insights into the essence of the Conference ... after all (for example), how can one convey the deeply felt and emotional reaction to the final Key Note speaker Cam Calkoen on "Developing an Awesome Winning Attitude"? ... you can't, you have to be there to experience. Such is the value of these conferences and it is hoped you, the reader, will seriously consider attending the next one.
The next AUS/NZ Rotary Regional Conference is "Spring into Alice", Alice Springs, 18-20 September 2020
At the 'Cardboard' Cathedral Gala Peace Dinner on Thursday 19 September there was a full to capacity dinner at the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch in the week of the regional Rotary 'Regeneration ' Conference. Rotarians and partners from throughout the region and indeed, the world. An incredible atmosphere!Dr Robbie Francis spoke on the topic of people working together - a prerequisite for peace. She talked about her experiences, peace and being a Peace Builder that all started with her Ambassadorial Scholarship to Tel Aviv University to study peace and conflict resolution. She was followed by Per Hoyen from The Rotary Foundation who provided an update on the 6 Rotary Peace Centers (there have been 1258 Peace Scholars to date)
The Conference started on Friday 20 September but was preceded by all sorts of training and meetings as you would expect given there are people from all over there. Here the Train-the-Trainers are hard at work and next door there was , the training on good Governance practices being just two of the workshops that day. 
The District Governor "trains" are not all hard work. They were bused a 10 minute walk away (so they didn't get lost) to the Rotary Community Kitchen pizza oven in Kahikatea Common for a pizza making and BBQ cooking "competition" ... lots of fun and some real talent shown in a crisp sunny Christchurch day. Some defaulted to an icecream instead of risking burning a pizza (they had to eat their creations).
150 yellow ducks and 1 decoy duck (pictured center - named "RI President Mark") were released by RI President Mark into the Avon from the Bridge of Remembrance for a race to Punt Landing.
These were sold during the Conference with the winning Duck Number a carefully guarded secret until all tickets were snapped up. Funds raised will go to a local project.
Friday morning of Christchurch Regional Conference was devoted to AGMs of various Rotary organizations and before you groan "boring" the two attended by this writer were very interesting. Pictured is the ROMAC one where all the usual financials, officer elections etc took place but the reports were fascinating. RDU was likewise but the best tip here is to read the mag over the next month or two in particular.
The Showcase at Christchurch Regional Conference is extensive and certainly a place to get all the in depth and latest information on Rotary programmes to take back to the club. Shown is Ken Haines (9930) in very deep discussion with Barbara from Rotary International.A selection of images below from Friday afternoon at Christchurch Regional Conference... after the traditional welcome the "Earthquake Governor" Margaret Reeve provided a overview of what it was like to be in Rotary at that time and since and all that Rotary has done in Christchurch to help the community in their ongoing recovery.
Entertainment from The Lunatics band set the fun aspect in place and there were immensely interesting and informative presentations such a one on "If Rotary was a technology startup staying current in a changing world" ...
To round off the afternoon session in suitable Christchurch style there was a 3.1 earthquake (that most didn't even feel).The day ended with all going out in prearranged groups to restaurants all over the city .. Fellowship to complete a quite stimulating day! Over seven countries are represented at the Conference with over 456 present.
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Saturday morning saw speakers with amazing inspiration and ideas coupled with clear call-to-actions with the programme choc full. One was Simone McKenzie who joined Rotary after RYLA where she learned skills that enabled her to lead projects in her club. Simone is grateful for this chance to grow into new roles and believes that what Rotary offers young adults like her is immense.
It is just amazing the generosity and talents the younger members of our community bring to helping those in need in their own way. Take Ruby Seeto (left) who has now contributed over $500,000 to the Starship Foundation from her teatowel sales. This started after Koru Care included her in a trip to Disneyland during her flight to overcome cancer. She liked drawing so drew a picture that was printed onto a cotton tea towel to sell to family and friends. 100 became 600 due to demand and raised $4,000 for Koru Care. From this start began her fundraising journey with her designing a new tea towel annually.
What can be said ... lunch in the sun.
There were a number of workshop options at the Christchurch Conference during the Saturday afternoon depending on individual interests. Here is a session on 'How to inform and attract - regenerating your club marketing plan'. Just fantastic!
Imagine this (because no picture was taken as too busy having fun) ... Saturday evening saw melt-in-your-mouth veal-mushroom dish, spicy meat-lovers pizza, fragrant pasta, garlic bread. The the excited chatter of 28 Rotarians seated around a table in a small, typically Italian restaurant with red and white wines to hand. THAT is how to end a stimulating day at the Christchurch Regional Conference as did similar gatherings for the Saturday District Dinners at different locations around the city center.
In addition to more amazing speakers, Sunday morning saw Past Rotary International President Ian Riseley presented Prime Minister Arden with the inaugural Making a Difference Award (a specially made glass plate) for her response on behalf of all New Zealand to the Christchurch tragedy of last March (received by Duncan Webb MP)
Sam Lucas presenting on ONJA. Sam talked of taking an opportunity and turning this into a lifetime mission to open up education and employment for young adults in Madagascar. A member of St John's Rotary in Auckland, Onja has been well supported by Rotary across the Districts of NZ including a Global Grant.So now back to the beginning of this story: The 2019 Christchurch Rotary Regional Conference is now concluded. It was incredibly good. All conference participants had a high energy and value time that has reinvigorated their commitment to Rotary. We have been Rejuvenated!
The above gives very brief insights into the essence of the Conference ... after all (for example), how can one convey the deeply felt and emotional reaction to the final Key Note speaker Cam Calkoen on "Developing an Awesome Winning Attitude"? ... you can't, you have to be there to experience. Such is the value of these conferences and it is hoped you, the reader, will seriously consider attending the next one.
The full programme and other information is at: https://www.rotaryoceania.zone/page/rotaryzone8conference
The next AUS/NZ Rotary Regional Conference is "Spring into Alice", Alice Springs, 18-20 September 2020