Many hands make light work |
Eight successive years and eight hundred meters
later, the Rongomai Park pathway linking Rongomai and Te Irirangi roads is one
step closer to completion.
Auckland turned on another fine late summer weekend
as the team from Botany East Tamaki Rotary poured concrete to complete another
120m section of pathway. The path provides an important all weather and safe
route through the park linking communities from both sides with the new sports
grounds.
Through successive councils following the creation
of the Auckland Super City, Botany East Tamaki Rotary has worked with the Otara
Papatoetoe Local Board to add annual increments of pathway through Rongomai
Park. “It’s a great partnership” states Rotaries Mike Jaggs. “The council gets
to directly engage Rotary, a community service organization, who in turn
volunteer their vocational skills to manage the project and provide the
additional manpower. Money saved is then directed back into the Rotary clubs
community programs. ”
Many hands on deck make lighter work. With team
from Apex Concrete providing the professional direction to ensure the job was
completed up to standard. And trucks arriving regularly from local company
Bridgeman Concrete, there was little time to rest. The small army of Rotarian’s
were also supported by Seth, Casey and Donnie, three family members of a
candidate that the club sponsored on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program.
“This is one of those great benefits that Rotary can deliver in the community.
We support one youth through a leadership course and gained the support of
their family putting their time and effort back into improving their local
community,” states Jaggs.
Rotary are well known for their leadership programs
but this is not all they do. Each year 3 student at three local decile one
Primary Schools receive an Usborne Pictorial Dictionary from the club. “More
often than not, this is the only book that many of this kids own themselves.
Few things are more important than getting a good education and we’re very
proud of doing our bit to give these kids a hand up in life,” says Jaggs.
“We’ve also assisted this past year to fund three groups of students to Kokako
Lodge an outdoor education camp in the Hunua Ranges and fund a growing unit for
Trees For Survival at a local school. Youth and education are two big focuses
of our Rotary Club.”
Immediate Past President David Houghton passes
special thanks to the support team that makes it all happen. “Thanks to the
Otara Papatoetoe Local Board, our bobcat driver and Tony Moore and his boxing
team, the key partners we engage, Apex Concrete, Steel & Tube and Bridgeman
Concrete, it’s a team effort that delivers a lasting legacy for our community.”
Email
Web
www.rotarysouthpacific.org/club.cfm?ID=9
Facebook