The combined Rotary Zones 7B and 8 Institute, held in Wellington, NZ, on
the first weekend in December saw a departure in format from past Institutes in
that it also brought together two other annual Rotary events, namely the
District 9940 Conference and the Rotary Club of Wellington Forum, which that
club partners with Victoria University of Wellington.
The Forum with the theme of how to Thrive
and Survive in NGO Land provided an excellent lead in to the weekend’s
proceedings. The first keynote speaker was the Hon. Bill English, Deputy Prime
Minister of New Zealand, who was followed by speakers from the university and
NGO sector interspersed with forum discussions.
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| Song and dance entertainment by the children of Rata Street and Pomare schools Photo credit: Photography by Simon Woolf [W] |
A Powhiri (Maori welcome) presented by
young students from two multicultural schools preceded the formal opening of
the combined Institute and Conference. Following welcome speeches and responses
from Rotary International President Elect Ravi Ravindran and RI Director
Guiller Tumangan, the delegates were entertained with indigenous song and dance
by the students.
The Why Rotary themed Institute and
Conference programme was developed around six of the key areas of focus for
Rotary, which gave the opportunity to appropriately reflect on the role of
Rotary in today’s world. Keynote speakers reflected the areas of focus
including growing local economies, promoting peace, providing clean water,
supporting education and literacy and fighting disease. Issues relating to
strengthening Rotary were not forgotten and the conference finished with lively
promotions for the 2015 Nelson and Melbourne Institutes and the Sao Paulo
Convention.
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| Saturday night black and white themed dinner Photo credit: Photography by Simon Woolf [W] |
The plenary sessions were interspersed
with entertainment including renowned international opera star, Dame Malvina
Major, and a variety of local performers. Saturday evening was devoted to a
reception and black and white themed dinner followed by dancing. The dinner was
part of the “World’s Greatest Meal” and it raised $10,000 for polio
eradication.
Judging from the feedback, the initiative
of bringing three separate conferences together was judged a resounding success.
