More than twenty years of tradition

On a rainy afternoon in early October, District Governor of Disrtict 9930 – Raewyn Kirkman, found herself and her partner Geoff riding a “Skyline” Gondola up Rotorua’s Mt Ngongotaha, through the misty drizzle, to The “Rotary Walk”. They were not alone in their venture. Several Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Rotorua North, one armed with a spade, joined them on their quest. Two of the assemblage had previously ridden the trail, along with a spritely young Kauri tree, in order to prepare for the occasion.

This whole enterprise is part of a Club tradition, which has occurred each year, for more than twenty years, to commemorate the first visit to the Club, from the DG of that Rotary year.

The Rotary Club of Rotorua North initiative began in the 1987/88 Rotary year as a way for the club to acknowledge and honour the District Governor. It is an on-going project that is enabled by “Skyline”, who allow the Club access via the gondolas, and it aims to compliment the Native replanting of Mt Ngongotaha that is promoted by the Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust.

During the District Governors first visit to the Club in his/her year, the members escort the DG and his/her wife, husband or partner up Mt Ngongotaha, by Gondola, to the Rotary Walk which is to the left of the Terminal when you reach the top. The DG and members walk through the “forest” of native trees, some Totara and Kauri and other varieties, planted by Past District Governors, to a pre-prepared area where their tree awaits. Photos of the tree planting are taken and the views are enjoyed by all, over refreshments in the Café afterwards.

The Rotary Club of Rotorua North has performed this tradition since two years after it was Chartered and except for three District Governors, Tom Ryan (88/89), Jim Ross (89/90) and Jim Judd (90/91), who for some unknown reason do not appear in the Club Records, all feature on the “Honour Board” and have a Native Tree on Mt Ngongotaha, planted in their name, to show their Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Twenty-two District Governors, now including DG Raewyn, have trees planted and feature on the Honour Board at the entrance to the Walk which is also marked by the Rotary Wheel. This symbol is so very recognisable to so many of the thousands of people that visit “Skyline” each year from throughout New Zealand and the World. The walk is “perpetual promotion” of Rotary and the Rotary Club of Rotorua North is very proud to maintain it for all to enjoy.

Submitted by:  Rotary Club of Rotorua North www.taggedtrout.co.nz/rotary