By design and accident, Masterton Rotary has made a multi-generational contribution to Masterton

Tom Ward with Merv Brown QSM and the Splinter Group project 

Masterton Rotary was founded in 1925 and had made a huge impact on the Masterton landscape.  When I saw the projects Masterton Rotarians had achieved I could not help but reflect on our early pioneers who had created parks and amenities for future generations - and that is what Masterton Rotary has done.

Their flagship project is Henley Park which covers many hectares of parkland, paths, lakes and wetlands.  There are signs of Masterton Rotary everywhere - the covered barbeques, seating, bridges and the towers designed by Past Rotary International Director and PDG Neill Inkster.  Also the gates and paths created in 2005 as a Rotary Centennial project, to name a few.  And the work continues with Rotarians and other organisations, such as plantings by local schools.

DG Martin with Past Rotary International Director and
Past District Governor Neill Inkster

I was fortunate to be escorted by Rotarians Merv Brown and Tom Ward who were passionate about their projects.  For a town the size of Masterton, the park would have been enough to keep Masterton Rotary busy for many years - there are plantings, fitness stations, bridges, entry gates and fencing already built by Rotarians, and many other improvements to keep them busy.  The annual Masterton Teddy Bears' Picnic is held at Henley Park.  Many people were jogging or walking their dogs when we were there, indicating what a valuable community asset Henley Park is.   

But they also saw needs at the local hospital and at a local school.  So they refurbished an historic bell tower in a local school, extended the fencing at the local hospital to provide more open space for patients suffering from dementia and now have plans to fit out a courtyard in the hospital which will be used by patients undergoing rehabilitation.  And the architectural drawings for the courtyard have been done by architect PDG, PRID and now Honorary Masterton Rotary member Neill Inkster.  

Val Ball with the Australasian Gold Award for
Community Collaboration she accepted for
Masterton Rotary as Co-Chair of RYDA 

Neill was District Governor in 1974-75 and Denise and I were privileged to be in Masterton last year for the celebration of his 60 years as a Rotarian.  Neill is truly an inspiration.  Merv (whose son Stephen is also a member of Masterton Rotary) showed me photos of Neill, him and others working on a project in Tonga some years ago.       

Then there is the Men's Shed (which is not just for men) which is available to all sorts of organisations and a range of age groups.  The Men's Shed literally started by accident after Merv Brown was injured by a cricket ball in Armidale, NSW, Australia when touring with a Rotary Cricket team.  Through the subsequent relationship with Armidale Rotary, including a visit by Tom Ward, the concept was transferred to Masterton with Masterton Rotary clubs and other partners supporting the Henley Trust.      

There is also a "Splinter" Group who provide kindling and firewood as a community service and for fundraising. Masterton Rotary is also planning other projects such as bike tracks.  The Club also supports youth as demonstrated by Val Ball who is a Co-Chair for RYDA (Rotary Young Drivers Awareness) and accepted an Australasian award recently for Community Collaboration.  Masterton Rotary also does not forget people outside of its own community, has carried out overseas projects and is planning a water project in Vanuatu.   

The Men's Shed was adapted from Armidale Rotary, Australia, has facilities for multiple organisations, & is not just for men.

Shock Admission by District Governor and exemplary support for youth at South Wairarapa Rotary

Martinborough Fair which I will definitely be at next year. 

The iconic Martinborough Fair, with over 450 stalls, was established by, and is still run by, South Wairarapa Rotary.  On Wednesday night I had to admit to South Wairarapa Rotarians that I had never been to the Fair, although all of our six children have been.  President Pat Dette and the Board came up with a novel solution to ensure I attend and am fully engaged in the next Fair - I will be helping out with the portaloos. I'll be looking forward to helping out and hope to bring Denise across with me so we can work together on our assigned task (I haven't told her about it yet!) http://martinboroughfair.org.nz/

While the Martinborough Fair is a signature project for the Club and its main revenue earner, South Wairarapa Rotary is involved in many other activities.  The Bike Ride is another good fundraiser.  Rotarians help out at the races and at Wings over Wairarapa and are involved in many other community activities.

The support South Wairarapa Rotarians provides for youth is exemplary and inspirational.  Not only do they support young people attending RYPEN (Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment), RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) and RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness), but they provide scholarships for students at Kuranui College and at Taratahi Agricultural College.  This is one of the four Wairarapa Clubs that won the Australasian Gold Award for Community Collaboration for the RYDA programme from Road Safety Education Limited.  The Club also provides books for new entrants and dictionaries in schools.  

South Wairarapa also sponsors a speech competition in local schools and we were privileged to hear from Felicity speaking about the use and abuse of power and Charlotte talking about the inspirational Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala and the rights of young women.  These were informed and powerful speeches that provide us with such hope from our next generation.  Malala's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, was a member of the Rotary Club of Swat https://www.rotary.org/en/malala-one-us
   
South Wairarapa made a special effort for the evening by holding a mid-winter Christmas complete with Christmas trees, mulled wine and presents.  Congratulations South Wairarapa Rotary for the huge contribution you make to local and international communities and young people.  
  

   

Masterton South Rotary is very visible and active in the community

The Masterton South Rotary Singers having fun and entertaining everyone at the same time.

President Rob Cameron and Marilyn Bouzaid of the Rotary Club of Masterton South showed Denise and I around several of their projects which not only provide community amenities but also bear the Rotary logo.  The Club has completed some ambitious projects.  The Kids Own Playground erected by the Club is the biggest I think I have seen and is still maintained by the Club.  The Mini Golf course is a very good earner of revenue for the Club's charitable activities, as is the weekly Car Boot Sale. The flagpoles north of the town bear a Rotary sign as part of the 2005 celebration of the centennial of Rotary.

The playground is a great example of community collaboration after David and Lesley Esau saw a playground while travelling in Texas and shared the idea with their Masterton South Rotary friends.  A key part of the design was the involvement of local children.  A great project principle - find out the needs of your community, in this case the children in particular, and work with the community to meet their needs. With the support of the Masterton District Council and after a year of planning and fundraising by Rotarians and other community-minded people, the playground was erected in one week by volunteers working in shifts.  No other playground in New Zealand had been designed and built like this.  

President Rob Cameron, Marilyn Bouzaid and DG Martin
at the Rotary Kids Own Playground in Mastertonjects

Masterton South Rotary has other projects in the planning stages - a bike park where children will learn to ride their bikes and become familar with road safety and transport rules; and they are planning to plant out an island in the middle of a lake in the local park.

The vibrancy of Masterton South Rotary also played out during the evening Club meeting when we were advised that they had four recent new members and then a large singing group of Rotarians entertained us in two sets of songs.  What a great evening!

I also ran into Freya Kerr for the third time in a week as I had met up with her at a District Club Development meeting and last week, when as RYDA Co-Chair and Masterton South Rotarian, she accepted the Australasian Gold Award from Road Safety Education Ltd for Community Collaboration.  And I also met up again with Marilyn Bouzaid whom I met at Wellington airport when their RIYE student, Laura, arrived from Switzerland.  Laura was also present last night with her new NZ father and sister.  So I think you get the picture - Masterton South Rotary is a very active Club at both Club, District and community levels.

A special thanks to President Rob Cameron who took us out to Pukaha Mount Bruce where he volunteers.  Well worth a visit to see the birdlife, forest and eels.

Carterton Rotary connecting its community

Carterton Courthouse 1884 which
is to become a community hub.

Denise and I started the first of our Wairarapa visits yesterday at the Rotary Club of Carterton.  AG Kevin Conroy has scheduled all of our visits to projects, Board meetings and Clubs. Kevin is also Carterton Rotary's Secretary and was on the attendance desk last night as well.  What would we do without people like Kevin in our Rotary Clubs?

Carterton Rotary is connected to District activities though the likes of Kevin, Pat Smith on the Matched Student Exchange Committee and PDG Alistair Orsborn and former AGs such as Nicky and Joyce and people like Barbara Durbin. These connections bring added vitality and knowledge to Clubs like Carterton.

President John Skene and other Rotarians demonstrated visually their connection with their local community when they showed us the work they are doing to restore the historic 1884 Carterton Courthouse.  The Courthouse will become a community hub, complete with commercial kitchen, to host all sorts of community activities.  This project struck a chord with me as I have been speaking about Rotary providing for social cohesion in our communities.

Carterton Rotarians also reminded us that they picked up 96 boxes of books from our own Club of Tawa for their book fair in Carterton in July - a great example of cooperation between Clubs.  And Karori Rotarians come across each year to help them with the Carterton Christmas parade.

Rod O'Leary and President John Skene  with the RYDA
Gold Award for Community Collaboration
presented to Carterton Rotary.

Carterton Rotary is busy throughout the year with many other projects, such as the foodbank collection, landscaping, dictionaries in schools, a school garden project, and a speech competition.  One way in which they fundraise is by assisting with parking at the Harvest Festival, Wings over Wairarapa, A & P Shoe and the Stonehenge concerts - as well as raffles.

Carterton Rotary supports the Rotary Foundation as a Centurion Club with an average donation of NZ$100 per member, while also supporting Emergency Response Kits, ShelterBoxes and other worthy causes.

With a population of only 8,000 people, Carterton is fortunate indeed to be served by such an active and generous Rotary Club.    

Rotary brings France, Belgium and Switzerland to Wellington and the Wairarapa

Plimmerton Rotary ready to welcome Laurie outside Customs  

Europe is coming to us in New Zealand this month with Rotary International Youth Exchange (RIYE) students arriving  at Wellington Airport and next week at Palmerston North Airport.

This week I'll report on the arrivals I witnessed into Wellington Airport and next week on our Palmerston North arrivals.

Bienvenue Laurie.  The smiles say it all. 

First was Laurie from France on Wednesday afternoon being greeted by her Plimmerton Rotary hosts, complete with French flag and multi-lingual welcome.  Plimmerton Rotary has a strong involvement in Rotary youth exchanges hosting many students over the years.  They also have the experience of people like District Youth Protection Chair John O'Connell, who chaired the District RIYE Committee for several years, and Donna Reed.    

Tawa Rotary after midnight, but still all smiles. 

Then at 1 am the next morning a hardy group of Tawa Rotarians welcomed Gaelle from Belgium.  Tawa also has a history of hosting Rotary exchange students and Denise and I were very pleased that our own Tawa Club is again hosting a student.  Hosting really does add to the vibrancy of a Club and widens perspectives.  It really is Rotary increasing world understanding.

Gaelle arrives in New Zealand
home after a long journey. 

This afternoon, I was again waiting at the International Arrivals area at Wellington airport, this time for the arrival of Laura from Switzerland - the same arrivals area where Laurie and Gaelle arrived.  But I couldn't see any of Laura's host Masterton and Masterton South Rotarians.  Finally I realised that Laura had flown in via Auckland and I caught up with Laura and our Wairarapa people, including her first host family at the baggage carousel.

Marilyn Bouzaid (Masterton South), Laura and her new family. 

I recommend to all Clubs that they actively consider hosting an incoming RIYE student next year and look for opportunities for outgoing New Zealand students.  I know DGE Mitch is a keen supporter of RIYE.

Now while I have your attention ( I do have your attention don't I?) there has been a change in the District RIYE Committee.

Lynne Phillips (Takaro) is taking on the role of Chair, succeeding Mark Chamberlain (Marton).  I would like to thank Mark for the contribution he has made to this invaluable programme and I thank Lynne for following Mark in to what is a very busy but rewarding position.  We are also grateful for the commitment of other RIYE District Committee members who are passionate about making a difference for young people and improving understanding in our world - Andrea Mackenzie (Makino), Secretary/Treasurer), Karen Hird (Feilding), Inbound Coordinator, Mandi Bates (Milson), Outbound Coordinator, Russell Cameron (Feilding), Donna Reed (Plimmerton) and Norma McFadzean.  

 

Past District Governor's grand-daughter joins Rotary

Hayley Burns and Past-President Linda Wellington 

How many of us have parents or grandparents who were Rotarians?  I know I was inspired by my father's Rotary experiences at Fitzroy Rotary and that is why I joined Rotary.

This week at Port Nicholson Rotary's Changeover, I met the parents of outgoing President Linda Wellington.  Linda's father, Bryan Tucker, is a Rotarian of 40 years from the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa.

Linda's last act as President was to induct Hayley Burns as a Rotarian and Linda will be her mentor.  Hayley went to school with some of my children, demonstrating again how small our world is particularly when we are able to connect through Rotary.

PP Linda Wellington and her father long-serving
South Wairarapa Rotarian Bryan Tucker

It is so encouraging to see a younger generation, with the talents and skills of people like Hayley, becoming involved in Rotary.

Hayley's late grandfather was our District Governor in 1986-87 when the RI theme was "Rotary brings Hope".  PDG Fred Burns was a member of the former Wellington Central Rotary Club.  PDG Dexter Bambery (1994-95) told me last night that PDG Fred Burns had been a mentor for him as District Governor.

These stories indicate to me how we can all have a powerful influence through encouragement, mentorship and example on others who will join us to serve our communities.  We should encourage others and put them forward for leadership opportunities - which is another example of Service above Self.

I would welcome your comments in this blog if your parents, grandparents or others inspired you to join Rotary.  

Wairarapa Rotary RYDA wins Australasian Award for keeping our young people safe on the roads

Last night In Masterton I witnessed in one room how Rotarians, partners and sponsors come together to make a huge difference in our community.  Rotarians in the Wairarapa are working with their District Councils, the Police, schools, and local businesses to sponsor year 12 students through RYDA - Rotary Youth Driver Awareness - managed by Road Safety Education Ltd (RSE).  RYDA uses sound evidence, best practice and community involvement to reduce the number of young people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

Freya Kerr, Masterton South Rotary

Wairarapa RYDA won the prestigious Gold Award for Community Collaboration - for the whole of Australasia - with presentations being accepted by community people and Rotary Clubs, including Val Ball (Masterton Rotary), Freya Kerr (Masterton South Rotary), Rod O'Leary (Carterton Rotary), Pat Dette (South Wairarapa Rotary).  Congratulations to all of the Rotary Clubs in the Wairarapa. 

Val Ball, Masterton Rotary

Presidents of local Rotary Clubs, Rotarians, the District Mayors of Masterton and Carterton, police representatives and many more were present as was the CEO of Road Safety Education Ltd and the New Zealand Coordinator who had flown in from Sydney and Auckland respectively for the evening. 

Pat Dette, South Wairarapa Rotary

At RYDA, students attend six interactive sessions at a dedicated venue over the course of a school day.  In small peer groups, they are challenged to change the way they think about road safety; participating in a stopping distance demonstration, devising personalised strategies, gaining an understanding of their individual risk profile and getting tips from road safety experts on how to protect themselves, their friends and family. 

Rod O'Leary, Carterton Rotary

Our District Co-Chairs are Freya Kerr and Val Ball.  I encourage all of our Rotary Clubs to sponsor this programme in our communities.  So please look at the  information at http://www.rse.org.au/category/ryda/rotarian-resources/ and get in touch with Freya or Val whose details are in the District Directory

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Art, golf, water wells and youth sponsorship drive Paraparaumu Rotary

PP Reg Barlow passes the chain to President Marion Patchett

As I visit more Clubs around the District, I am getting a sense of the huge cumulative impact Rotarians in our District are having on our communities here and overseas.  Last night Assistant Governor Chris Garrett and I visited Paraparaumu Rotary where Marion Patchett is the new President. 
Paraparaumu Rotary organises an annual Art Show showcasing the talents of local artists, hosts a a golf tournament, and has provided 96 wells to poor rural communities in Andhra Pradesh, India since 2010.  These are only a few of their service and fundraising activities.  Marion provided me with a whole schedule of projects they intend to be involved in during the year. 
Paraparaumu Rotary is currently sponsoring a Youth Exchange student in Germany, intends sponsoring young people to RYPEN, RYLA, the National Science and Technology Forum and in August will support 200 students from Paraparaumu Rotary through the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) programme.
Even before I had mentioned it, Paraparaumu Rotarians told me they are already planning to celebrate 100 years of The Rotary Foundation doing good in the world, as they have been doing. It is heartening to see so many people in our Rotary Clubs spending their time and talents serving others in our communities.  

We have very talented support in our District to help strengthen Clubs and communication

Freya Kerr, Tony Heyward, Martin, Christina Brenton, Marilyn Stevens,
Leole Malama-Prasad

The District's Club Development Committee has a huge amount of energy and plenty of ideas that they wish to share with Clubs.  August is Rotary's month for New Club Development and Membership so you can expect to see and hear more about the initiatives they have in mind to help strengthen Clubs, retain members and attract members.  The Committee is chaired by Deb Gimblett and we were kindly hosted in Otaki by Marilyn Stevens.

There are a whole lot of people working to support our Clubs in the District, Although many work largely behind the scenes we see the outcomes such as the establishment of the new District website which will make Club management so much easier for our Clubs and help improve our internal and external communication.  I met with Website Manager Richard Stephen and Public Relations and Communications Chair Jo Newlove on Friday in Lower Hutt.
54 of our 55 Rotary Clubs are now engaged with the process of integrating Club data through the new District website to MyRotary and 34 have completed the process.  Richard has been liaising with many Clubs and is keen to hear from those who have yet to complete the process.  We owe a huge amount of thanks to Richard and Jo for their work establishing the new site which can be found at www.rotary9940.org and which will serve us for many years into the future.

Kapiti Rotary is Vibrant and Growing

Denise and I were at Kapiti Rotary's Changeover a couple of weeks ago and you could sense the energy and friendliness of Kapiti Rotarians.  It was no different last night when we made our official visit at their Paraparaumu club rooms.  They are a very fit Club in more ways than one - with many members involved in a cycling group which I hope will be able to organise a "round the mountain" cycling event at the Taranaki Conference in April next year.
Kapiti Rotary benefits from being connected with District activities.  John Granville is the District's Youth Service Committee Chair and he is also Secretary of Kapiti Rotary.  Liz Koh is our new District Vocational Service Director and we will be discussing some exciting new initiatives in an avenue of service that in my view needs to be more prominent in some Rotary Clubs in our District.  Our integrity and the 4-way Test are important values for Rotarians and our different occupations or vocations are what allow Rotarians to be so ambitious in our plans to improve the lives of others in our local and overseas communities.
There are many Kapiti Rotary projects overseas and in the local community.  The recently refurbished multi-purpose caravan, which will be used for community events and emergencies, was showcased to us especially for the evening - and we really appreciated that.  There are so may contributions this Club is making to communities, including locally the planting of the Otaihanga Domain, the provision of a community caravan and supporting local youth to RYPEN (Rotary Youth Enrichment Programme), RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and Rotary International Youth Exchange - to name but a few.  Overseas the Club is involved in Bangladesh supporting healthcare, Botswana and in Fiji where club members and associates provide dentistry services.

Kapiti Rotary's Community and Emergency Caravan

Kapiti Rotary lets its community know what it is doing through weekly articles in the community newspaper, the Kapiti News, and monthly appearances on the local Beach FM radio, not to mention being seen out in the community.
Is it any surprise then that by involving members in meaningful activities, having fun and letting their community know about Rotary and what they are doing that Kapiti Rotary is growing in membership, engagement and fun?  Well done Kapiti Rotary!                  

Connecting Young Professionals with Our Community

A new organisation named SCOPE was launched this evening in Wellington, supported by the Rotary Club of Wellington.  This is a new initiative aimed at bringing young professionals together to enjoy each other's company and work on meaningful community activities.  Pretty much in the same way that Rotary initially started out in 1905.
Already SCOPE members have provided Kakapo nesting boxes for Zealandia and a 3D printer for Linden School in Tawa, with support from Sir Richard Taylor of Weta Workshops.
It is amazing what a group of energetic people from different occupations and from different educational disciplines are able to do when they join forces, benefiting not only the community but also providing a sense of satisfaction that is somewhat different to what they may achieve in their day jobs.
We will watch this initiative with interest and look for the possibilities that Rotary connections and resources can provide.  

Tawa Rotary is connected and generous

Tony Heyward, DG Martin, IPDG Simon, President Andrew Watson

It was a real pleasure for Denise and I to visit our home Club of Tawa.  We decided to visit Tawa Rotary early in our Club visit schedule so our fellow members could hear the messaging we are giving this year - about our challenges and opportunities and what we have achieved and are capable of achieving as Rotarians.
Tawa Rotary has several members who serve on various District Committees and this allows the Club to remain up-to-date with new initiatives, changes and opportunities.  It is a real privilege to be the second District Governor from Tawa Rotary.  PDG Pat Waite is still heavily involved in District matters, providing specialist advice to Clubs and of course chairing the District Conference in April 2017 in New Plymouth.
There was still a definite Taranaki flavour to our visit as both Pat and Melva Waite and Wellington 3 Cluster's Assistant Governor Lee Wilkinson are, like me, all originally from Taranaki.
Tawa Rotary is one of 16 Clubs in our District who have given more than NZ$100 per member to The Rotary Foundation and were awarded a Centurion Club certificate.  It would be great if DGE Mitchell Brown is able to award many more than 16 certificates next year as a result of Club's celebrating 100 years of The Rotary Foundation doing good in the world through Rotarians like you.

AG Lee Wilkinson, Helena Sader, DG Martin

On a sad note, this was the last meeting for Rotary International Youth Exchange student Helena Sader from Brazil.  Helena returns home this weekend and we are sure she has a great future ahead of her.  Our RIYE students really add vitality to our Clubs and Tawa Rotary has decided to accept another RIYE student for the 2016-17 year.              
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a District PHF Sapphire pin by Immediate Past District Governor Simon Manning to Tony Heyward.  Tony was recognised for the visioning sessions he has carried out for numerous Clubs over the years helping them to develop a strategic focus and vision that increases their vibrancy, membership and service to their communities.  

Increasing Membership and Fun at New Plymouth North Rotary

Dr Joanne and President Jeremy Hucker

New Plymouth North Rotary is growing its membership significantly.  So much so, that outgoing President Jill Fearn was able to advise incoming President Jeremy Hucker that his ambitious goal for 2016-17 had already almost been met, so President Jeremy is aiming for an even higher membership number.
This Club takes on ambitious and bold projects.  Naki Run Amuck for example is a 5 or 10 km muddy fun race held at Urenui that raises thousands of dollars for community organisations.  The Club became aware of the need for an ultrasound biopsy machine to decrease the amount of time men in Taranaki had to wait for prostate cancer detection and put their mind to it and raised $40,000 for the purchase of the machine, with the help of a Rotary Foundation District Grant.
The Club makes many other donations throughout the year to various organisations and young people and particpates in many other community activities.


Past-President Jill Fearn, PDG Rob Crabtree,
PP Dr Ian Smiley and DG Martin Garcia

Club members are also having fun and many of their newer members are women, helping achieve a better gender balance in the Club.
Denise and I had a very enjoyable night with Club members at the Ngamotu Cafe at the New Plymouth Golf Club.  Addressing the Club in front of three Club members who are Past District Governors (Nigel Hayton, Brian Chong and Rob Crabtree (District 9920)) was not as nerve wracking as singing out the current President Jill Fearn with her own words written to the tune of "I Did It My Way" while also welcoming President Jeremy.  Fortunately I was assisted by PDG Rob Crabtree and Past-President of New Plymouth West Rotary Dr Ian Smiley.                 

Pukekura Breakfast Rotary recognised for giving to The Rotary Foundation

President Matthew receives the Centurion Club certificate. 

The Rotary Club of Pukekura Breakfast is a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation in our District with a per capita donation last year of over $100 per member earning recognition as a Centurion Club member.  We are aiming for all Clubs to achieve this per member level of contribution, particularly in this year when we celebrate the centennial of The Rotary Foundation helping Rotarians do good in the world.
The Club is active both locally and internationally.  They provide reading in schools across eight schools, have bought two water pumps for Nepal and a disaster kit, support organisations such as Women's Refuge, the Little Fighters Trust and the Taranaki Retreat.  Last year alone, working with the Karl Ripen Trust, they distributed about $60,000 to sick children in need and are planning to give through their Education Trust up to $6,000 to students undertaking education outside of the area. This is just some of the good Pukekura Breakfast Rotary is doing in local and overseas communities and they are planning to do even more.
It was a privilege for Denise and I to join Club members for breakfast at The Plymouth Hotel, which is the venue for the District Conference in April 2017.
Again we found a family connection, meeting charter and Honorary member Liz Shaw who taught many of our nieces and nephews in New Plymouth.     

Fitzroy Rotary - A Visit Home

DG Martin, Mum Bernadette and Dad Denis Garcia. 

It was great to be back home in the Fitzroy area where I grew up and where my parents still live. 

Fitzroy Rotary is involved in a wide range of projects ranging from reading in schools to walkway buggy rides for rest home residents and fundraising barbeques.  They are flexible in their meeting styles with a committee night in the first week of the month and an associates night on the third week of every month. 



President Barry Styles

It was again a special night for Denise and I as my parents were both at the meeting - Bernadette and Denis, who is a Past-President of Fitzroy Rotary, PHF and Honorary Member.  Assistant Governor Colin Jackson accompanied us to a meeting with the Board and then the subsequent Club meeting. 

When I was last at the Fitzroy Beach St Hall, I had the honour of presenting Barry Styles with a PHF Sapphire pin on behalf of his Club.  Barry has taken up the Presidency again and he and members gave us all a very friendly welcome.

 

Inglewood Rotary Visit

Our first official visit was this evening to the Rotary Club of Inglewood.  It was a special visit as Inglewood was also the first place my Garcia family arrived in Taranaki - in 1902 when my grandfather came here from Thames.

Rotary in Inglewood is very visible with a centennial project electronic sign on the main road and Rotary House decorated with the Rotary logo and available for community use.  We were impressed with the range of projects Inglewood Rotary is involved in both locally and overseas - from printing a local telephone directory to a classic car show and many more.  We sensed a really strong community spirit and sense of friendship which made our evening very enjoyable.

It was a real pleasure to present a Paul Harris Fellow Award pin and certificate to their Secretary Lux Fonseka when he was recognised by the Club this evening for his dedicated service over many years.  Congratulations Lux and Inglewood Rotary for your service to the community.

      

Family is really important to Rotarians.  Family members offer us so much support when we are helping out in our communities.  They are also often the inspiration for us to become involved in Rotary.  Our young people have often had the opportunities that we would like to offer to others. Many of us recognise that we have been somewhat fortunate in life in the main and would like to help others who have been in circumstances that are not so fortunate.
At the same time many of us have experienced difficult and sad times with close family members and often others are unaware of the difficulties we have been going through.  Nonetheless, as Rotarians we still help youth out of poverty, provide them with literacy, give them opportunities to make our world a better place and support research institutes that are searching for treatments for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancer and multiple sclerosis.
I would like to introduce you to Denise and our family of six children and their partners (see the photo above) - and there is now one grandchild as well.
Enjoy your families and make sure they benefit from the friendship and satisfaction we get in Rotary serving our communities with like-minded people.

           

District Governors Past, Present and Future at District 9940 Changeover

The beginning of the Rotary year is full of both challenges and opportunities.  It is an exciting time when new energy, ideas and connections are brought into our leadership teams and when we thank those who have led our Clubs and District with such enthusiasm over the past year. 

Because leadership changes every year in Rotary, one of our challenges is continuity to ensure we achieve our long term goals.  This means not just doing those things we have always done, but ensuring the new initiatives, ideas and aspirations of our District and Clubs are worked through to completion.  Many initiatives take much longer than one year and one leadership team to achieve, whether it is re-energising our Clubs, increasing membership or developing new community projects. We should all be grateful to have a team around us of experienced, innovative and enthusiastic Rotarians who will drive initiatives over several years. Denise and I wish all Rotarians a fulfilling, satisfying and enjoyable year in the service of your communities and we look forward to visiting your Clubs.