More Highlights From Week 10 In the Manawatu

Awapuni is a small club with a big heartbeat. Here I was reminded that our World President Kalyan is Indian, the Assistant Governor from this club is Indian and President Anand is Indian. I was an honorary Indian for the evening. The club has just entered into a 3-year sponsorship at the Manawatu Business awards, starting a new category,' Ethics and Integrity'. They also sponsor a trophy and prize at the Awatapu High School end-of-year prizegiving - excellent public relations strategy I would think - well done Awapuni. Another unique programme is their Plant-to-Plate programme where they coach and mentor primary school students to plant, grow, harvest, prepare cook and serve their home-grown produce. Good stuff.

Past President David Chappell received a Paul Harris Fellow. President Anand is very pleased.

Craig Ross also received a Paul Harris Fellow.

Terrace End Club meets at Wharerata Homestead at Massey University, an excellent venue which they have been using for about 7 years. They are a club which likes to work with other clubs to achieve Bigger Better Bolder results. The Terrace End Memorial Trust ( page 154 in the District Directory) was set up in the memory of Mike Hansen who was drowned in Lake Taupo and Reg Dixon who died in the Dash 8 crash in the Tararua Ranges. The club are seeking more nominations for assistance from this Trust.

Great venue, great food at Wharerata Homestead , where Terrace End Rotary meets

Assistant Governor Ashok Dahya provided wonderful support to Margaret and me

Takaro Rotary meets at the Manawatu Golf Club, another very good venue with very good food. A third of the members are women and the club will soon induct another two - way to go Takaro. This is a hands-on club of "good thinkers and go-getters". The club is well immersed in community projects ranging widely from supplying toothbrushes and toothpaste to pre-schoolers to reading assistance at Takaro School to entertaining the elderly. They also support overseas projects such as Shelterbox and Bali Eye, a project sponsoring eye operations.

Good venue, good food at Takaro

A visiting Australian from Melbourne introduces himself to the club and told me afterwards he totally agrees with sentiments regarding support for The Rotary Foundation