Eyal Schwartz is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies at the University of Otago Department of Physics. He has a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics, and currently, Dr Schwartz’s focus is quantum mechanics. He is not from New Zealand, but has walked the length of the country on Te Araroa, and moved here 3 years ago. Eyal has since been busy giving presentations all over New Zealand, his very first talk was in Balclutha and now his last for a while as our community is fortunate to have him visit again three weeks before he leaves for the USA to work at LIGO for the next year to bring back even more knowledge of physics.
Over summer, Clutha locals had been building home-constructed rafts to enter in the annual Big River Raft Race organised by Project Clutha. Contestants paddled their team 20km down the Clutha River between Clydevale and Balclutha to raise funds for Clutha District and Catlins Land Search and Rescue and Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club. The Balclutha Bridge marks the finish line where the festival is held on the riverbank. Rotary Club of Balclutha hosted our chocolate wheel while one of our members, Chris, caught the race action with his drone camera.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is a leadership development programme run worldwide by Rotary. The programme is designed to help young people develop their teamwork and communication skills and fulfil their potential as leaders and is an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and take action in their communities.
For Southern New Zealand in 2018 over Waitangi weekend, a camp for 18-26 years olds was organised by Rotary Club of Balclutha in Waihola, South Otago.
Rotary Youth Exchange students that are hosted by families in Southern New Zealand are extra fortunate to be able to experience life in some of the most beautiful areas of the country and Rotary District 9980 club members organise trips for them to really enjoy our great outdoors. In November, two Rotary Club of Balclutha members joined for five days in Stewart Island where we tramped one of NZ's Great Walks - the Rakiura Track.
Tania is our Past President for Rotary Club of Balclutha and also District Governor Nominee for Southern New Zealand in 2019-20. At our Thursday club meeting she shared a presentation about polio and Rotary's role in the hugely successful Global Eradication Initiative.