Feilding Rotary - a beautiful town with rural resources for their community

Ngaire, Russell and Austrian exchange student Alexandra. 

We hear about some long-running projects in Rotary, but did you know that Feilding Rotary has been running the Christmas Cave for 49 years with about 2,800 adults and children each year taking part.  There are various displays and entertainments to attract people and to bring the community together.

As a member of a suburban Rotary Club (Tawa) it never ceases to amaze me how Rotary Clubs in rural service centres make the most of their resources.  They split and sell firewood, they sell real Christmas trees and they make barbeque tables from scratch - to name just a few activities.  

PDG Ross Murray, PP Edwina Dittmer,
Professor Swee Tan and Ngaire Leins.

When Denise and I visited, I heard about Bill's Walk where farmers provide access to their land for a 20 kilometre walk and, if you get there on time, an ice block at the clock tower when you finish.  

By the way, Feilding has won the title of most beautiful town for the 15th time.  Rotary International Youth Exchange student Alex from Austria was certainly enjoying Feilding and Feilding Rotary's hospitality, as were AG Richard Wishnowsky, Denise and I.  

As well as being great supporters of local social services and their youth, Feilding Rotary looks further afield.  As strong supporters of The Rotary Foundation they successfully applied for a District Grant which allowed them to purchase a light microscope and adjustable pipettes for the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute led by Professor Swee Tan.  Generous donations like this from Rotary Clubs like Feilding could be instrumental in alleviating suffering from diseases such as cancer. 

Denise Garcia, PDG Ross Murray, DG Martin, PDG Eric Linklater, President Kevin Darragh.