Week 13

You meet a lot of wonderful people when you visit other clubs. This week we visited Paraparaumu, Makino, Waikanae and Kapiti clubs. We are now 85% through our club visits and we are still being wowed by the projects and the initiatives that we see and are being proudly told about and the people we meet. Here are some highlights from this week.

Paraparaumu

Paraparaumu Club have a very good relationship with the 2 colleges in their area and the students from Kapiti College are invited to the club from time- to- time to run the meeting and provide entertainment. Bob Hamilton arranged for me to do a radio interview with Nigel Hopkins at Beach FM, a private radio station located at Lindale. Thanks Bob.

George Marlow received a Paul Harris Fellow

Caroline Kinvig, spouse of PDG Hamilton Kinvig, received a Paul Harris Fellow

I meet a Japanese air hostess ( for Air NZ ) Hiromi Endo. Hiromi is a member of Aotearoa Inner Wheel in Auckland

Makino

Makino Rotary are creating a bird corridor right through the length of Feilding by planting the right plants to attract the right birds. How innovative of them.

Makino have a tradition they follow when the District Governor visits of running a bottle auction and giving the DG the honour of nominating a charity to benefit from the proceeds. This year the auction realised close to $1000 through the persuasive efforts of the auctioneer and the generosity of members. The charity I chose was Manchester House. Manchester House was started in the early 1970s and is now a multi-faceted organisation providing counselling, alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes, youth work, young dreams projects and a foodbank.

Auctioneer Mark Allan at work

New member, Shannon , introduced by Andrea MacKenzie and inducted by Rod Titcombe

Sergeant Monica Huisman

Waikanae.

Waikanae Club are passionate about the Shelterbox project and have donated 12 Shelterboxes in the last two years.

Hard hats and Hi-Viz vests were the order of the day at Waikanae. Wherever I go there are engineers who announce themselves. From left to right this group are: Dave Murton ( a charter member of the club), Neil Climo, Graham Calvert. Brent Bohanna, and Randal Heke.

President Steve Botica demonstrates a common use of a No 2 Atlas shovel.

It was my birthday the day I visited Waikanae; they were so thoughtful and very generous in recognising the occasion.

 Kapiti

Kapiti Club runs a Driver-reviver project every long weekend providing refreshments for drivers allowing them to break their trips and freshen up.

I presented a PHF to Judith Burns, the spouse of Past DG F Burns

Roger Sowry took control of our wallets and purses.

Sampler Week 12

Pahiatua
"Turn around where possible so you are facing in the opposite direction to the direction in which you are directing your vehicle now" instructed my GPS . I ignored this and continued in the direction in which I was directing my vehicle. After repeated attempts to persuade me to turn around my GPS gave up trying to take me into the Manawatu Gorge, which of course I knew was closed, and assisted me over the Pahiatua Track to Tararua College where we were greeted at the door by Past DG Bill Carthew. We spent a lovely afternoon with Bill and his wife Diana and President Glynis before the Board and Club meetings were upon us. Bill and Glynis showed us some of the projects Pahiatua Club had been involved with over the years including the Polish Children's Refugee Memorial, Rotary Park, The Tararua College farm, Marae and Manaakitangi, Scout House and the playground at the domain. At the club meeting I was delighted to present a PHF to Diana.

The Scout House, built in a day by the Pahiatua Rotary Club, then numbering about 40 members

Bill Carthew and Diana at Rotary Park donated to the former District High School, now Hillcrest School

My name should be here somewhere. Bill and Diana search for Bill's name on the Governor's chain. President Glynis assists

Dannevirke

The following day we were on the road heading again towards the Manawatu Gorge but this time we took the Saddle Road to Dannevirke. Dannevirke Club is very much focussed this year on youth at risk and disadvantaged young people which fits well with World President Kalyan's focus on families. We were joined at the club meeting by members of the former Woodville Club, Past President Glan Johansen and Jim Worboys. Dannevirke are planning a motorbike tour through remote countryside of the Wairarapa. Watch for more details of this.

The Dannevirke gong

Mayor Roly Ellis, Dannevirke President Glynis

Foxton

Foxton Club's focus this year is to bring more young people into their club but to bring in, not new members,but new Rotarians. As Past president Charlie Petersen puts it : (We want members who will) " Be a Rotarian and live the life of a Rotarian", a sentiment I totally agree with.

The members dressed the tables appropriately

Otaki

Otaki Club told me they are keen to participate in a Pacific Island project. Martin Garcia, this your cue. Otaki Club meets at Rotary House, a former Church Hall which they bought.

Sergeant for the night Wilf Geerling ran an entertaining quiz on the Rugby World Cup

Once again Margaret meets up with an old school mate. Rochelle (nee Swan). On the right is AG Christine Osborne, who, we found out, was also at school with Robyn.

Week 11 Sampler

Our Rotary clubs really are fabulous. Here is a taste of some of the wonderful projects we do from our Week 11 visits.

Johnsonville Johnsonville Rotary club, hereafter called JVille R. C. provides vital support to The House of Grace, a home for pregnant teens providing support and education up to and after the birth of their baby. The Home was set up by Marcus and Treena van Rijssel in 1999 who had a vision of a maternity home for teens and young women. Why do they do it? " We have a passion and heart for pregnant teens - to see their lives changed for good and to have a purpose and direction in life". Humanity is in a Rotarian's DNA.

I meet up with a former Ministry of Works employee Doug Inch. Doug was District Training Officer at one time, responsible among other things, for training transfers. " Where did I send you? " he wanted to know with a hint of a smile.

We were shown around the House of Grace by Jaci, the Manager

Tawa

Tawa Club is a keen supporter of projects in the Pacific Islands, have participated in projects in Tonga, and wish to continue the relationship already established by assisting Ma'ufanga school in Tonga to carry out a water-harvesting project.

Frances and Doug Burrus received PHFs at Tawa. President Richard Hutchinson joined us for a photo opportunity.

 Porirua Sundown

Porirua are strong supporters of all Youth programmes and have excellent relationships with Primary and Secondary schools in the district. They displayed a Emergency Response Kit at the last Mayoral Showcase in Porirua with collection boxes at the ready achieving great results in terms of both interest and donations. An innovative approach to fundraising for ERKs involved skyping with beauty queen Miss Samoa ,Jolivette Ete, ) who has now been inducted as a member of the Rotary of Apia. Jolivette is passionate about developing children's literacy. ( see August issue of RDU)

Board meeting at the Crow's Nest, Whitby. At right President Kylie Wihapi, just back on duty after maternity leave. Acting President Wendy Creurer is next to her.

Eve Casagranda and IYE student Bianca Lombardi from Argentina

My Whanau were present to support me at Porirua, Sister Pat, nephew Michael and brother-in-law Rob, a former member of the club

Plimmerton

Our visit to Plimmeron corresponded to the funeral service of PDG Graeme Press. What a wonderful tribute was paid by a number of speakers to a wonderful man and Rotarian, and an engineer to boot. I didn't know Graeme very well but his contribution to Rotary and society has been enormous.

At their Board meeting which followed the service I was informed about a very impressive list of projects Plimmerton undertakes. Among these are the supply of defribulators to suitable locations in the city - 2 in medical centres, 1 in a supermarket, 1 in a Porirua City Council library/event centre and 1 in the Lighthouse Cinema.

I presented a Centurion Club Certificate to president Nick Walmsley

 

International Exchange student Peter Kongsbak is a keen golfer and plays off an 8 handicap.

International Youth Exchange

At International Assembly in January Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee talked about the International Youth Exchange ( IYE ) Programme and described it as a stellar programme of Rotary. On Saturday 24th September I dropped in to the Tatum Park Conference Centre to our Youth Exchange Orientation weekend. There were 10 Inwards and 11 Outwards students present and what a great bunch of talented young people they are. I urge you all to take the opportunity to invite them to speak at our clubs. Our vocational programmes set us apart from other service clubs. I want to pay tribute to John O'Connell and his committees for the magnificent work they do in arranging these exchanges, and to the parents and the counsellors who contribute so much of their time to make these events so worthwhile. I am very ,very proud of them all. This programme is building friendships throughout the world and in doing so contributing to our goal of better understanding of our divergent cultures and world peace.

I was invited to give a 'View From The Top' to the group and received a bouquet for my efforts . I love carnations.

The 10 incoming students. Note the gender imbalance

The full group of 21 students - 10 inwards, 11 outwards

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

More Highlights from Week 9

Breakfast at Hutt Valley, lunch at Hutt City.

At Hutt Valley I was delighted to be introduced by Wanganui man Bernie Rush, their President Elect, and to present Paul Harris Fellows to Kevin Stratton, Dominic Hayden and Paul Newsom. Congratulations.

A project that captured my attention was the leadership course run by the club for year 11 secondary school students. About 20-22 students attend the course which includes talks by motivational speakers and business leaders and culminates in an evening meeting of the Hutt Valley Club which is run by the participants. What a good initiative.

It was a pleasure to meet Ambassadorial Scholar Justin Zuniga and wife Angela and IYE student Winona Ruard (centre). Justin is studying History and Maori culture at Victoria University.

President Christine Oldham proudly showed us some club projects  including a beautification project at Epuni School which had input from Ruud Kleinpaste.

Our guides at Epuni School were Najmi Khairul and Anton Weitzel

Epuni school vegetable garden.

No-one home at the Weta House

 

On to Hutt City where we found they were celebrating their 68^th birthday and I was asked to present a Paul Harris Fellow to Charlie Peterson.

Charlie Peterson receives his Paul Harris Fellowship

It was a special moment when I was introduced to Hutt Valley icon Billy Graham who runs a remarkable program for troubled youth at the Naenae Boxing Academy.

Hutt Valley Icon Billy Graham: “ What we are doing here should be done in every city in New Zealand.

Hutt City, like Hutt Valley, are involved in a long list of impressive projects and all members are actively engaged in club activities.

Notable among them is their sponsorship of 2 students to the Otago Medical School Summer School and their pending involvement in the Technological Valley project in the Hutt Valley, a programme to assist young people who will become quality citizens of tomorrow.   Hutt City, of course, initiated the Rugby World Cup Home-hosting programme. This project became not only a national project but  also an international project with 1000 recorded interactions between New Zealand and overseas.

Another really impressive initiative is the ambitious Great Harbour way. The Petone to Ngauranga Gap section is estimated to cost $14.5 million and Hutt City Club will assume an advocacy role.

Thanks President Simon for your hospitality and to Brad for entertaining Margaret. She will long quote his now famous comment “It is not for sale” when she tried to convince him to purchase a silver rose in a glass case..

Week 9 concluded at Fielding which was named after British Army General William Feilding.

It was in Feilding I bought my first car a 1949 Mark VII Jaguar.

David Stroud and David Young took great pride in showing us Feilding’s best keep secret, the Coach House Museum. This award-winning museum brings the stories of self-reliance determination and innovation from a bygone era.

Horse drawn farm machinery and early vehicles have been lovingly restored to their former glory and is a must-see attraction.

Another programme which I am enormously supportive of is the Young Dreams Education programme. This is a programme equipping teenage mums with life skills.

Margaret reminiscing over a seed drill

Outgoing IYE Student Vicky Stevens and mother Susan

Patricia Linklater received a Paul Harris fellowship

Outgoing IYE student to Belgium, Sarah Elmers and her mother

From South Wairarapa Rotary Club, thanks

Many thanks to the many clubs that took part in project COOL. I appreciate that it did not suit all clubs but for all those that took part the South Wairarapa Rotary Club is very appreciative.

We had great support from Keep New Zealand Beautiful with the supply of litter bags and from the merchandise firms for stocking the litter bags, namely PGG Wrightson, RDI, Farmlands and CRT. We appreciate that the project was a lot to ask for new Presidents about to start their term. Also, it was a very busy time on the farming calendar. However, with the timing of the World Cup we had little option if we wished to present our country well for all our visitors.

The amount of litter on our roads was noted by the media, both radio and television. It appears that we have a "throw-away" mindset for part of our population and our roadways are one of the targets. However, it is very rewarding to see clear verges after a clean-up.

Thank you once again.

Tony Didsbury South Wairarapa Rotary Club.