To an amazing group of people
Feel like a bit of a zombie today, but hard to wipe the smile off my face thinking of the tremendous occasion in the InterContinental Ballroom last night.
A heap of wonderful feedback already, but I would like to highlight the following :
1. 192 people had a great night and it was a really fun occasion with a bubbly atmosphere. Guests really had a party! People were keen to stay on at the end.
2. The InterContinental and their staff were a delight to work with, patient, endlessly accommodating and professional.
3. The meal was superb and again up to the hotel’s very high standards.
4. Our MC and Auctioneer, John McBeth and Marty Scott, contributed a great deal with their extrovert and fun personalities.
John McBeth, the MC for the evening
Marty Scott - the Auctioneer for the evening
5. We ran to time and the every item of the program was given the appropriate emphasis.
6. The Virtuoso Strings were stunning once again and set the tone for a memorable evening.
Virtuoso Strings who played in the foyer of the hotel while guests arrived
7. All 50 mystery balloons sold and 53x$50 raffle tickets!
8. The PR, and general press around the night regarding The Children’s Hospital, the Malaghan and our Rotary club will have very strong and positive vibes around Wellington and you can’t put a $ figure on that!
9. Our final figure which will be somewhere between $45 and $50K is realistic and we should also be very pleased with this. The difference now in the COVID-19 landscape is no overseas trips. Remember how one item, the Bali week, used to fetch $10K just by itself. So I am pleased and there some very generous bidders last night.
10. The most important and personal point for me has two parts to it. Firstly I am very proud of our Port Nicholson Rotary Club for how hard we work to make a difference in the community. The second point is that we have great pleasure doing it and really enjoy each other’s company. Many of my memories will be of the work we have done together since November 2021 and I really value our friendship. It has been a privilege to lead the Fundraising Committee over the last three years and special thanks for all the help which you have so cleverly and willingly given me.
11. Postscript.
Paula has graciously agreed to be the figurehead next year. I know that we will be keeping most of our group together, displaying our characteristic team dynamic giving her our every support.
PPS
Will be at Rotary on Wednesday and then Australia-bound for 2 months on Friday. Will look forward to keeping in touch of course!
Yours humbly
.jpg)
