Interclub Volume 23 Issue 2 2017

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INTERCLUB • VOLUME 23, ISSUE 2 - 2017 C L U B L I F E : s o u t h i s l a n d
Most clubs have a sense of needing to serve their
wider community. Some find ways to do this in an
exemplary way. The Motueka Memorial RSA is a
relatively small club – the town has around 7000
citizens, and the club has just over 1000 members.
After the Christchurch earthquakes, many people
from that city were forced or chose to move away,
some permanently, others until their houses were
repaired. Motueka received a number of these.
Not only were their lives disrupted, but they found
themselves in unfamiliar surroundings.
Recognising an emotional need, the club created
a ‘newcomers’ adjunct’.
“These people didn’t know anyone,” says club
manager Kevin Gray. “They can come down here
on a Wednesday and Friday and have a coffee and
a chat. They meet other people, not necessarily
locals.”
Some of the newcomers have become members,
but that was not the point. The club recognised a
community need, and did what it could to meet it.
Nearly seven years on, the ‘newcomers’ group
continues as a social focus.
Kevin says the club is in good health, and believes
it is meeting members’ needs. Some renovation and
tidying has improved the environment. While the club
is an RSA, more than twice as many members are
Provincial towns usually lack the variety of facilities
or entertainment available to people in cities. But
chartered clubs in such places can become the
social centres that bring folk together and provide
spaces or occasions for important events such as
weddings, funerals, 21sts or cultural events.
The South Otago Town and Country Club, in
Balclutha, takes its role in the community pretty
seriously, but leavens that with a strong sense of fun.
In a town of 4000, it has a membership of over
1000. As well as its bar and restaurant, it has a
function centre (the Matau Room) which holds
200. This is the venue for family events, and the
entertainment, which is a regular feature of club life.
When Interclub spoke to club manager Jen
McDonald, she was looking forward to Eddie Low,
Kevin Groves and Paul Costa in their “Country and
Classics” show.
Other events have included Bathurst Day for
petrolheads, Melbourne Cup Day, and “One Wedding
and a Funeral”, a dinner/theatre event presented
by Doug Kamo in which several hapless members
of the audience discover whether or not they have
acting talent.
“What could possibly go wrong?” Jen asks.
A couple of shared Christmas functions for local
SOUTH OTAGO
Strong sense of
community, fun
company staffs or families lead up to the New Year’s
Eve do. The annual Great Potato Growing competition
began in October. Members pick up a seed potato
from the club and plant it in their gardens. On
Spud Digging Day in March,contestants go to each
garden, are treated to refreshments by the gardener,
and the spuds see the light of day. Prizes go to the
provider of the best refreshments, the biggest spud,
the ugliest spud etc.
February sees the hunting and fishing competition.
More than 250 men, women and children from
around Otago took part in the 2017 version.
The club gets involved in community fund-raising
events, often making its facilities available free,
donating prizes, or running quiz nights. This year,
with donated food, more than $2000 was raised for
Pink Ribbon Day. A volunteer group of club women
give time and expertise making sandwiches and so
on for funerals on site.
“We have the usual adjuncts,” Jen says, “darts,
snooker, euchre indoor and outdoor bowls. We have
our own bowling green. Some groups are involved
in competitions with other clubs. A wine club meets
two-monthly, showcasing up to seven wines. We
sometimes have winemakers present. These are
popular events.”
Motorhome travellers, especially those doing a
Catlins trip, can park their self-contained vehicles in
the carpark. Many of them are pleased to use the
restaurant in exchange.
More than 250 men, women and children from around Otago took part in the South Otago Club’s annual
fishing competition in February.
RSA welcome to ‘newcomers’ quake refugees still a social focus
MOTUEKA MEMORIAL RSA
non-service people, again recognising a local need.
About 100 members belong to the walking group.
They are mainly over-50s who keep active, but also
meet to listen to speakers and socialise over coffee
and biscuits. Other adjuncts are the typical darts,
euchre and pool groups, and the fishing adjunct,
which is very pro-active, Kevin says.
“We hold a major fishing tournament each year
with prizes like $1000 for the heaviest snapper. Last
year we had more than 150 fishers, and expect more
this year if we get good weather.”
Profits from the contest go to Nelson Marine
Radio. The contest was held in February this year,
and Kevin says the date for 2018 will appear on the
club website or Facebook page soon, or he can be
contacted at the club.
The Kaikoura earthquake also had an effect
on Motueka, with an increase in campervan and
other holiday traffic. Six or seven self-contained
campervans can use the club’s parking area
overnight, and many do this when exploring
the region rather than trying to get a space in
overcrowded places like Kaiteriteri. The club often
benefits by serving these visitors meals and a beer or
two. Once a month, there is entertainment in the bar,
and at Christmas there is a lunch. Many diners are
visitors as locals tend to go away for their holidays.
“At New Year’s Eve we shut at 7.30-8pm to let
our staff go to their own parties or barbecues,” says
Kevin. “The local hotel has a big night. The town’s
not very big, after all, so we let them cater for all
that.”
The marlin on the
Motueka Memorial RSA
hints at the thriving
fishing adjunct at the
club. Profits from
the annual fishing
competition go to the
Nelson Marine Radio.
Agreat venue for your next function, or just come
alongandenjoy some Southernhospitality
Restaurant openThur-Sun; Bar openMon-Sun
Car park area available for self contained campervans to stay
1 Yarmouth St, Balclutha 03 418 1522
Motueka Memorial RSA Inc.
49 High Street, Motueka. Ph. 03 528 9777
— Courtesy Van
Open 7 days a week
Restaurant closed
on Wednesdays
Pool, Snooker, Darts
Indoor Bowls, Fishing,
Euchre, Wine Club
9 Gaming Machines
Motor Home Parking
All members, their guests
and affiliated club
members welcome
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Join the
Cashmere Club today!
50 Colombo St, Cashmere
Ph: (03) 332 0092 Fax: (03) 337 3772
Membership valid until 31/03/18
Join now for
Discounted Member Prices
- Food & Beverages
Pool Lounge
- 9 Pool & 3 Snooker tables
Sports Bar
- Live Sport & TAB facilites
Gaming Lounge
- Choice of 18 Machines
Riverview Restaurant
- Open Tues-Sun - Family Friendly
Beer Garden
- With Childrens Play area
Multiple Function Rooms
- Catered Menu Options
Member Activity Clubs
- Pool, Snooker, Cards, Fitness, Squash,
- Darts, Badminton, Gardening, Indoor Bowls
$20
C CThe
Cashmere
Inc. Club