Greetings Fellow Rotarians,
Sally has asked me to convey her best wishes to you all at this difficult time and didn't mind me relating the following:
She has had a bad fall in her unit, low blood pressure was the probable cause. When falling she hit her head on a draw handle resulting in a deep cut behind her ear and fractured ribs requiring hospitalisation, stitches and painkillers. She is back in her unit now but on morphine to relieve the pain which is obviously causing a great deal of discomfort, particularly when trying to sleep.
Our thoughts are with you Sally, maybe some time to recuperate and lockdown will help your recovery (likely 6-8 weeks) as we all know you've been very active taking on a big workload, putting your feet up is deserved.
Bulletin Editor
Guest Speaker: Michael Lawley (via Zoom)
We were privileged to have Michael (Director and Engineer of Ecoinnovations) our guest speaker via Zoom
My apologies for overlooking recording the meeting and not taking photos of Michael.
Harry Duynhoven in his introduction, commented that he had heard of Michael 20 years ago.when he started his company using Fisher and Paykel Smart Drive washing machine parts to generate hydroelectricity for micro power off the grid systems. He's a New Plymouth Resident who graduated from the University of Bradford with a Batchelor of Engineering.
His company specialises in off the grid Micro Hydro/Solar solutions both in New Zealand and Īnternationally. He showed slides of projects in remote locations such as in Nepal, Alaska, Romania, Myanmar where his company had designed and supplied all the equipment enabling micro power generation. One example he quoted in Nepal provides power to a village of 100 people for $100,000. This included the supply and installation of the generator, wiring to and in houses, storage batteries, solar panels and necessary pipe work.
This project was undertaken through Volunteer Aid agency sponsorship. Interestingly the village was able to meter and charge for usage to ensure that there was sufficient money available to maintain the system.
His is the largest of any company doing the same thing world wide.
He's also developed a Micro Water Pumping system that's doing very well in New Zealand for stock water requirements in remote locations particularly in dry conditions.
This was a very interesting and inspirational talk and a great example of Kiwi innovation at its best.
For further information about Michael's company go to
www.powerspot.co.nz