EDITORIAL

Well I am surprised that it’s time to do another newsletter already. Surely I only did the March one last week.

Time is flying by for me, I have got a job and am also driving again. My job is Accounts Assistant at the

Princes Gate Hotel (9am to 3pm, Mon to Fri) so that’s keeping me really busy and a little tired. Pretty sure my

brain has shrunk after two years inactivity. My car has been altered so that I can drive with my left foot and

after some lesson I have graduated to solo driving. So watch out for the Silver Ford Fiesta zipping past.

(Actually my driving is a bit grandma at the moment but it will improve). This morning Stuart & I, and my

whole family, went to the 9.30am ANZAC Day service. My 12yo niece Lauren opened the service with a song

so we all wanted to be there. I have to say that the whole service was very moving and lots of “group/clubs”

laid wreaths near the end of the service. I wondered if it might be something we could consider doing next year.

Anyway enough about me, let’s see what Ulysses “stuff” I’ve got for you all this month.

Andrea

ad.thompson@xtra.co.nz

ROTORUA

RAMBLINGS

APRIL 2018

AGENDA

ROTORUA BRANCH OF ULYSSES AGM

29th APRIL, 2018 PRESENT

APOLOGIES

PREVIOUS AGM MINUTES (ATTACHED BELOW)

MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

FINANCIAL REPORT

COORDINATOR’S REPORT

RUNS REPORT

GENERAL BUSINESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

FLASHPOINT

So, double-banger meeting this Sunday – no, not two sausages, a monthly Branch meeting and our own

AGM. I haven’t been party to any information about nominations for any committee positions, but I

sincerely hope that a number of us are keen to steer our ship for the next year. I guess that this could be

my last Presidential article for our magazine! Let me say now it has been a pleasure, I hope it has been a

pleasure to you all to read my ramblings.

We seem to have decided that Aroma is our Saturday morning venue of choice, good food, good service,

convivial atmosphere, all one could ask for. It seems a fitting replacement for the Lakefront Café, well

the best we can do with what we have got.

I am still working with the Rotorua Lakes Council to organise a static bike display at maybe one or two

market venues, will keep you informed.

I have personally had three approaches from regular stalwarts of our Okataina Rally, but our decision to

can it again this year is the right one, we still would not have enough numbers, and would lose money for

all the work that would still be necessary to run the function. One of the regulars who contacted me sent

me a fitting tribute to the years that our rally has been enjoyed, I will read it out at the meeting, brought a

tear to my eye – almost.

We have a run coming up to Hot Water Beach next month, but it would still be a good plan to have

something of a celebration of types on the 23rd – 24th June to celebrate our Okataina weekend that isn’t to

be – ideas please !

Now is the time to make sure our bikes are safe for winter – tyres, batteries, heated grips, etc., and put the

padded linings back into your riding gear. Winter is no respecter of unprepared riders. As a winter action,

I have just purchased a large container of “Muck Off”, so I can perhaps keep GSX a bit cleaner than

normal.

See you all at St John’s on Sunday for both meetings, please all of you make a super attempt to attend,

and bring your supper too. Cheers and stay safe out there,

FLASH 1272

COPY OF THE 2017 AGM MINUTES

Ulysses Club of NZ Rotorua Branch

P.O. Box 103, Rotorua 3040

Minutes of Annual General Meeting, Sunday 30 April 2017

at 7.00 pm, held at St Johns Ambulance Rooms, Pererika Street, Rotorua.

Present: Tony Baker, Graeme and Sandy van Praagh, Stuart Burns, Hartley Gray, Keith Butterworth,

Rodney Runciman, Jack & Shelley Butterworth, Bruce & Annette Quedley, Gordon & Pam White,

Darrell Kante, Bruce Roe (apology for late arrival)

Apologies: Lynda and Mal Bain, Greg and Bernie Warner, Christine Roe, Pauline van Wijk, Neil

Lithgow

Minutes: The minutes of the 2016 AGM had been previously circulated. Jack/Annette

Matters Arising: Nil

Finance: Hartley presented 31 March 2017 yearly statements. Total club funds $14,740.00 which

include $8,500.00 in Bonus Bonds, Cheque Account $3,742.00 and Savings Account $2,498.00. Funds

held includes 7 Registrations for Okataina Rally so far.

Income highlights: Bonus Bonds realised $140.00, Swap Meet $523.00, Okataina surplus $326.00,

Fines $100, Interest $57.73

The Okataina Rally has been the main source of income in years past but with only 32 paying visitors

the sum is well down on past events. Expenses were kept to a minimum and the generosity of

Rotorua members was the main reason for this. The viability of future Okataina Rallies needs to be

determined.

Expenses: PO Box Rental $175.00, Website $143.00, Club Function $260

Hartley’s Report was received. Hartley/Stuart

Coordinators Report: Gordon had already distributed his report prior to the meeting which outlined:

-the limited rides due to weather.

-the funds are in a healthy position but some of that is held for the St John Ambulance Kitchen. New

fund raising initiatives need to be looked into.

-the effort for costumes at the Masterton National Rally unfortunately didn’t win the prize and

efforts for next year’s Gold Digger theme needs to be organised.

-thanks expressed to Pam for her support, Bruce R for Sheriff, Tony for newsletter editor, Bruce Q &

Hartley at the top table.

Election of officers and Committee.

There being no formal nominations, nominations from the floor were requested:

Coordinator-Gordon White, proposed by Stuart/Tony agreed

Secretary-Bruce Quedley, proposed Tony/Andrea, Bruce advised his membership finished in

December and he was prepared to stay in the role until then, agreed

Treasurer-Hartley Gray, proposed Andrea/Bruce R, agreed

Committee: Graeme & Darrell proposed Annette/Jack, agreed

Sherriff-Bruce Roe, proposed Stuart/Bruce Q, agreed

Newsletter Editor- Andrea proposed Sandy/Tony agreed, in the knowledge that members must

supply Run Reports and Mal has offered to continue providing photos.

Runs Co-ordinator: Hartley with help

Vote of Thanks:

Stuart proposed a vote of thanks be recorded for Tony’s work as Newsletter editor, agreed

unanimously

Meeting Closed at 7.30pm

RUNS UPDATE

COFFEE Join us for a coffee and chat each Saturday at the Aroma Café, 1126 Fenton

Street, at 10.00 am.

Wow that’s some brunch Sean. It was so good Norm ordered “same as” from the

girls at Aroma Café.

RUNS Runs now leave from the Z Petrol Station on Fenton Street at 10:00 am.

Please read each ride with care as the times and leaving place may be different. If you are not sure if the run

may be cancelled because of inclement weather, phone Hartley on 021 91645.

Sunday 29 April - Ngatea Water Gardens. Departure 10am. Rider in charge Hartley.

Don't forget our AGM meeting this same Sunday evening at St Johns rooms 7am

Saturday 12 May to Sunday 13 May – Overnight Ride

Destination: Hot Water Beach, Whitianga, staying at Hot Water Beach Top Ten Holiday Park ph. 07 8663116.

There is plenty of affordable accommodation available for that weekend.

Family cabins; shared kitchen & bathroom. Sleeps 6 adults $160 in total.

Motel unit; 2 double beds, 2 singles, own kitchen & bathroom, 6 people $240 in total.

Ensuite; own kitchen & shower, 3 adults $145, sounds like us. Single rooms are available.

Plus heaps of other options. Remember its Mother’s Day on the 13th.

I suggest everyone makes their own booking.

Distance from Rotorua: 212.8km, 3 hours ride.

We will travel via Katikati, Waihi up to destination and return via Coromandel Thames. Rider in charge to be

confirmed.

Sunday 3rd June - Queens Birthday weekend a ride in support of The Mental Health Foundation Hamilton to

Raglan. More detail to come. (More information later on in newsletter)

We are working on another overnight ride the weekend of 23/24 June.

At this stage this is all we have planned. More will come later.

If the weather is not the best I will get an email out by 9am on the day to advise if ride is going ahead.

Thanks Hartley

RIDE STORIES & PHOTOS

Thursday Lunch Ride to Okere Falls Store. It was a very sunny day so enjoyed our lunch outside.

Ha

MOSGIEL NATIONAL AGM – More photos have come to light from Brucie, all that excitement seems to have made Jack & Christine a wee bit tired.

Have a bit of sympathy for Gordie, not only was he half naked, (trying to keep his shirt clean) but was trying to eat a very hot & fatty Mutton Pie.

LAST MONTHS MINUTES

Ulysses Club of NZ Rotorua Branch P.O. Box 103, Rotorua 3040

Minutes of the Club Meeting, Sunday 8 April 2018 at 7.00 pm, held at St Johns Ambulance Rooms,

Pererika Street, Rotorua.

Present:, Hartley Gray, Bruce Roe, Tony Baker, Lynda Bain, Gordon White, Pam Shanks-White, Norm Martin

with guest Mark Anderson

Apologies: Graeme & Sandy, Mal Bain, Stuart & Andrea Darrell, Pauline, Christine, Shelley & Jack

Minutes: The minutes had been circulated by email.

Matters Arising: Nil

Finance: Income: $150.00 from another 2x Okataina registration, Fines $5.00 Interest $4.68

Expenses: $59.60 AGM costumes

Runs: Runs List should have now been distributed by Hartley

AGM 2019 Hastings theme ‘Last of the Summer Wine’

Discussed, maybe having an overnighter.

General Business: National AGM was relatively small

Stuart Burns received the Odyssey Medal which is for work @ club level.

Tony Baker wanted to discuss on why the club has less members now & why we are not recruiting more

members a couple of suggestions put forward as follows.

1. A suggestion was made to have a stall @ the Lakefront Market, have a couple of bikes & trikes on display &

hand out pamphlets & talk to people.

2. Find out from Natcom if we are allowed to run our own Rotorua Facebook page as many of the other

organisations e.g.: NZ Social Rides are successful because of social media.

Saturday coffee morning is to be at Terrace Kitchen then we would decide, most members there enjoyed Aroma

the most so far. (no punch ups there)

Okataina only has 4 entries so after some discussion it was decided to cancel it and maybe replace it with an

overnighter.

Gordon suggested as we no longer have the Lake Front Café that we go back to leaving from the

‘Z’ service station on Fenton Road behind Cobb & Co

Fines: There were a couple of fines (Not everybody was quite as well behaved this month)

Meeting Closed 8.25pm. Next Meeting is the AGM. 7.00 pm Sunday 29 April 2018

JOKERS CONTRIBUTIONS

TRAVELLING LIGHT

OTHER ITEMS

An email message from our National Club President:

Hi team, I think this would be a good event to support. (See below). If you agree we could show the event on

our Facebook page and if branches wish to organise a run then they can contact Ross.

Mike

From: IPT New Zealand

Ride Sunday 3rd June 2018

Thank you so much for your time today, as discussed I have been asked to promote Ride Sunday in support of

the Mental Health Foundation. I need help to get the message to your members that this ride is on. If you have

members that want to help organise the ride, I could really use the help. I would also like to display the Ulysses

logo on the NZ Riderz site which would link back to your National Site as my way of saying thanks. Kind

Regards

Ross

NZ Riderz have been requested to join Ride Sunday in support of the Mental Health

Foundation and we need your help. The trip is planned to ride from Hamilton to Raglan.

How can you Help?

NEXT BRANCH MEETING SUNDAY

29th APRIL 2018 AT 7PM

(St John's Ambulance Hall, 31 Pererika St, Rotorua)

2017-2018 Rotorua Branch

Co-ordinator: Gordon (Flash) White 027 345 8634 poppagordie@gmail.com

Secretary: Lynda Bain 021 580 770 sharpshotz@xtra.co.nz

Treasurer: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

Newsletter: Andrea Thompson 021 137 1808 ad.thompson@xtra.co.nz

Sheriff: Bruce Roe 027 675 7469 roeswood@xtra.co.nz

Runs Coordinator: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

Webmaster: Tony Baker 022 345 7607 tbaker@nowmail.co.nz

Committee: Graeme van Praagh, Darrell Klante

Branch address: P.O. Box 103, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand

Branch website address: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz