As one Rotarian leaves Government House, another arrives



Sir Anand Satyanand

While New Zealand’s Governor-General changed in August 2011, one thing remained a constant—both were members of the same Rotary club.

The Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand completed his five year term as Governor-General of New Zealand on 23 August 2011 and on 31 August his successor, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, was sworn in as New Zealand’s 20^th Governor-General.   Sir Jerry is a former Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force and Chief of the New Zealand Army.

Both had been long-time members of the District 9940 Rotary Club of Wellington, and indeed Sir Anand was President Elect when he was appointed as Governor-General in 2006.  Sir Anand came to the role of Governor-General, having previously served as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman.

In his farewell speech at a state luncheon at Parliament, Sir Anand spoke of the many of highlights he and Lady Susan shared while representing the Queen of New Zealand.

“Our most abiding memories will not be of places, but of the people of New Zealand, and their positive spirit and determination. In schools, businesses, marae, awards ceremonies and festivals, we have met, talked to and shared experiences with many New Zealanders and many communities, and have enjoyed time and again the many qualities that make our country and its people special – good-hearted concern for others, practical can-do attitudes, very often accompanied by good humour.

“The collective strength of New Zealanders has been amply illustrated in the aftermath of the disasters and tragedies in Canterbury and Christchurch and at Pike River, and the loss of several lives in the New Zealand Defence Force. “


Sir Anand said serving as Governor-General gave him the opportunity to recognise the contributions that New Zealanders make.

“Investing the first Victoria Cross for New Zealand and Anzac of the Year are examples of military contributions, and over the past five years we have been privileged to celebrate more than 2000 investitures to say "thank you" to people who have given outstanding service to the nation or to humanity– whether through voluntary community work or for professional and business contributions.”

Sir Anand said he and Lady Susan had also had the privilege, at the request of the Government, to represent New Zealanders’ interests abroad.

“In this capacity we have visited Singapore, Timor Lesté, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and further afield Mongolia, India and Canada.  In each of those three countries we made the first visit by a New Zealand Governor-General.  We also had the wonderful opportunity of supporting New Zealand competitors in the Olympics at Beijing and the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi.”

Sir Anand said visiting India was special for many reasons.  “To return as representative of the Head of State to the land which my grandparents had left more than a century ago was personally meaningful,  but I think we can all reflect on the fact that New Zealand is a nation where anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve if they are prepared to work and contribute. “

Sir Anand said the closure of Government House in Wellington in late 2008 provided an unparalleled opportunity to connect with people in many regions.

“We held investiture ceremonies in a variety of places from Christchurch and Dunedin through to a notable event in the public bar of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell.  At the end of the 30 month Conservation Project, we believe that the refurbished and strengthened House is a national treasure, and that everyone involved in the project can take pride in a job well done.”

In addition to thanking the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the staff at Government House, Sir Anand paid special tribute to Lady Susan’s contribution.

“When we decided to take on this role, we agreed we would do it together; wherever possible we have done just that.  Susan has however, been much more than a congenial supporter. I have constantly relied on her advice and feedback.  She has also actively extended the Governor-General’s role by promoting three themes: children, initiatives to enhance the environment, and volunteering. “

Sir Jerry Mateparae

-          By Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Manager, Government House

Ducks ... on your marks, get set ... GO!

Willowridge Wanakafest is an annual 3 day cultural festival, set in the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka New Zealand.

The festival attracts a large number of visitors as well as bringing together the local townsfolk. One of the major activities at the festival is the "Rotary Duck Race" which was first launched in 2010; This year the Rotary Club of Wanaka expanded the event to include sections for both individual and corporate purchase. The duck race is the first event early in the morning on day 3 of the festival programme. This year, a large crowd of excited children and parents gathered to watch the race in perfect weather.

The spectators were lined up along Bullock Creek, a fast flowing stream which runs through the town. The finish line was set where the stream flows into Lake Wanaka and where the local Wanaka Rotary Club members were stationed to judge the winners and collect the ducks.

A major effort by club members to sell the ducks in the 2 weeks prior to the festival resulted in the club meeting its target of raising over $8,000. After 10% of the proceeds were returned to the Wanakafest organisation to help towards their 2012 programme, the balance was set aside for Rotary community projects.

The annual Wanaka Rotary Club "Duck Race" not only serves to raise the profile of the Wanaka Rotary Club in the local community, but has also established itself as a successful and valuable fund raising activity for years to come. (extracted from the December 2011 District 9980 Newsletter)Contributed by Kerry Suckling

Kaikohe Rotary Runs Traverse

The newly opened Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail was the route for another first for the Rotary Club of Kaikohe. They organised a fun run and walk for the people of Northland in late October. A first because this trail, one of the first commissioned under Prime Minister John Key’s nationwide initiative has only recently opened the first stage of a beautiful, cultural and historic journey from the Bay of Islands on the east coast to the Hokianga harbour on the west. It is based on the original rail route from Opua to Okaihau and also follows many of the tracks used by the Maori in their journeys from coast to coast.

A small and enthusiastic crowd set off to run or walk 13.4 kilometres from Okaihau to Kaikohe and a second group tackled a shorter course of 8.4 kilometres starting part way along the route. Named the Okaihau Kaikohe Traverse, this was a real community effort involving the business associations of Okaihau and Kaikohe with spot prizes donated by generous businesses and individuals of the area. The contestants passed along the scenic trail which gradually climbs to a peak near Kaikohe before passing through the original rail tunnel and descending to the township. A short passage along State Highway 12 led to the finish at Mid North Motor Inn where runners and walkers could relax with a cup of coffee and barbeque fare while waiting for the prizegiving at midday.

There' off - start of the Traverse

Far North District Council, the developers of the Cycle Trail were very supportive and Cycle Trail Coordinator and Rotarian Adrienne Tari provided much appreciated assistance and guidance. Club President Frank Duxfield plans to make this an annual event that can grow as the Cycle Trail grows to its Coast to Coast completion. That is, grow in numbers and also in the distances that can be run or walked. The next addition would be a Half Marathon as soon as the Trail is long enough. The objectives set by Kaikohe Rotary were to create a healthy fun event at a low cost that promoted the Cycle Trail and the region. The Club feels quietly satisfied with this first event but is already planning to do it even better next year. More details can be found at www.kaikoherotary.org .

Rotary Down Under magazine for December 2011

Rotary helps restore emergency services





An international fundraising drive has replenished emergency resources that were exhausted after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Rotary presented Christchurch’s St John Ambulance with $70,000 on Saturday with contributions coming from Rotary clubs around the country and the world.

Lindsay Crossen, Rotary co-ordinator for the fundraising project, said the money would help St John replace medical equipment, personnel equipment, mass casualty incident equipment, medical kits, welfare boxes (to support staff in emergency) and first response packs.

‘‘Christchurch and Canterbury requires the full mobilisation of St John whenever disaster strikes. During the earthquakes, St John consumed a lot of their basic emergency resources to the extent that their capability to respond to another similar event to 22 February in the near future will be a challenge.

‘‘After being used in an emergency, many resources are damaged or consumed to the extent that they are no longer reliable or usable for first response emergency.’’

Rotary district governor David Drake said it celebrated the links between Christchurch and Japan and their recent shared earthquake experiences with President-elect of Rotary International, Sakuji Tanaka from Japan, presenting the cheque.

‘‘Mr Tanaka wanted to come to Christchurch to personally present the cheque.

‘‘The links between New Zealand and Japan have been strengthened this year and Mr Tanaka’s visit is recognition of that.’’

Also Mr Drake explained that The Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 3780 in Quezon City, Philippines, were the international connections who provided a substantial part of project funding.

South Island St John general manager David Thomas thanked Rotary for its dedication and fundraising.

‘‘St John is a charity that relies on the generosity of the community, and community organisations like Rotary, to help us with our caring activities. The costs and impact of the earthquakes have been great on us, so the support of the members of Rotary is vital. They have dug deep to support us and have also reached out internationally.’’

Tanaka’s visit to St John was an honour, he said.

‘‘The people of Japan know only too well the trauma and destruction of earthquakes. St John is deeply honoured to have Mr Tanaka visiting us in Christchurch.’’

Fork 'n Spoon Complete the $10 Queenstown Challenge

There were three Rotary teams in the Cure Kids $10 Queenstown Challenge just completed.

One of these was Grant and Sarah Smith from the Rotary Club of Albany in District 9910 (they had just returned also from the Future Leaders Seminar in Brisbane and the Rotary Institute so well done on both counts).  Here is their email:

Hi everyone, Well we made it! 

  What an awesome adventure. Three days to get from Queenstown to Auckland in fancy dress with just 10 dollars.

 Personally for us it was a real challenge which took us way outside our comfort zone. Hitching for a ride can be very demoralising as you watch the other competitors go by and wave, and you stand there for more than 30 minutes waiting for a ride. And then it starts to rain!  And you are totally reliant on other people for their generosity and support.

 We got on Breakfast TV on TV1 on Friday morning, and raised another $1000 with a sausage sizzle in Wellington CBD in just 1 hour.

 Lots of physical and mental challenges were also included, as we had a number of challenges to complete on the way. There were gum boot wearing races in Taihape with eggs in your gum boots, Luging challenge in Queenstown having to carry water in a glass as you go up in the chair lift and down on the luge without spilling any water. We had to defrost a frozen T shirt in Hunterville and then wear it, and then carry out communication challenges while blindfolded.

Thank you so much for your support, which will make a real difference to the children of New Zealand. Pictures of the event attached, and there is more info and pictures at www.curekids.org.nz. We personally raised more than $17,000, (second largest amount overall) and the whole $10 Challenge event raised more than $153,000 for Cure Kids. For Sarah and I this was an amazing achievement, and to meet so many incredible people along the journey was very rewarding. Highlight for us was getting a ride in a big rig Volvo truck of NZ Couriers out of Taihape. We met Dave and told him all about Cure Kids, and he then went on to pick up 2 more teams on the way to Taupo, and has now raised a whole lot of money for the charity and wants to do the event next year.

The final challenge was to play as a Samba band together as we crossed the finish line which was awesome. Bit rough to start but by then we were sounding good. There were taste and smell challenges in a winery just outside Queenstown, a 10km run through a mountain bike park in Rotorua, and then finally we had to move 1 cubic meter of mulch by hand in onion sacks in Bombay  to get our final points.

Future Leaders Seminar a First

Supported by RI Director Stuart Heal possibly the first such seminar held in association with a Rotary Insititute was held recently on the Thursday immediately prior to the start of the Brisbane Institute.  163 (including 16 from NZ districts) registrants from 23 of the 28 districts in the region took part in a vibrant and very productive day.  Some participants had not been in Rotary long with some Rotaractors plus new Rotary members in their early 20's. Organiser PDG Cathy Roth said that "overwhelmingly participants showed and said they were ready and willing to take an active role in Rotary and their community."

The day long seminar covered a wide range of topics including the future of good leadership and leadership opportunities, leadership styles, Rotary Foundation, public relations, membership, social media and much more.  Included were breakout sessions on a variety of topics from which participants got networking opportunities, ideas and suggestions to take away with them for later use.  Topics included membership, communications, marketing and PR, RI beyond the district, service projects, Rotary Foundation and more.  NZ participation in the event organisation, presentations and facilitating the breakouts was high.

Participant feedback will assist the Future Leaders Seminars already agreed for the Rotary Institutes next to be held (this time separately) in Invercargill and Adelaide in 2012.  For the Invercargill seminar, Cathy and PDG Beryl Robinson (who was also on the organising committee for Brisbane Future Leaders) will organise.  Comments included:

A brilliant concept. I hope it continues
Networking opportunities - brilliant
Could be two days
Fewer breakouts of longer duration in smaller groups - otherwise excellent!

Attending the Seminar enabled the participants to also attend the Institute itself as observers and most did so.  On the Thursday night there was a combined clubs Rotary meeting (about 400 attending), on the Friday night was a 'reunion dinner' where the Seminar participants went out for dinner on Brisbane River aboard the Lady Brisbane and then Friday to Sunday at the Institute itself.



Some of the NZ Future Leaders contingent
at the Saturday night Gala 'BrisVegas' Dinner

 In his closing address to the Institute, RI Director Stuart said to the Future Leaders, "To the Future Leaders, you can no longer call yourselves 'future leaders' - you are the leaders in Rotary ... go for it!"

Rotary Sunrise Rockers Rock Brisbane Institute and Jonathon added the Magic

Brisbane Insitute was a Rotary Institute for the districts of New Zealand and Australia that happened to be in Brisbane ... Where Else!

As the New Zealand representative on the Institute Committee, PDG Beryl Robinson said, "There was a determination by the committee to make sure both sides of the"Ditch" were involved and seen to be involved and that certainly happened!"

The band has it all - music and a challenge!

In front of almost 700 Rotarians, partners and Rotaractors, the Sunrise Rockers from the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise added not just a unique New Zealand element to Institute but also set the tone at the beginning of each business (plenary) session ... we were there to have fun, be informed and inspired and that was well delivered.

The house was brought down when spontaneously the New Zealand contingent, both Rotarians and partners, got up on the stage for a rendition of Pokarekare Ana



Some of the NZ contingent







Also from New Zealand was Assistant Governor Jonathon Usher (of the Rotary Club of Dunedin, 9980) who well represented the theme of the Institute "The Magic of Rotary" with his many magic tricks ... just amazing.  Jonathon was also one of the Future Leaders Seminar participants.

"Drinking this prevents streaking"

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PROJECTS IN TONGA.

by the PAPAKURA ROTARY CLUB, DISTRICT 9920, NEW ZEALAND

A celebration dinner and awards ceremony was recently held at Papakura RSA to celebrate 10 years of projects in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga.

Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to John Ross and Peter McInnes by the Club for works in Tonga, Ross Chapman, Warren Oliver and Reef Shipping for their assistance. A further Paul Harris Award by Rotary District 9920 and a Citation from Rotary International were presented to John by Bill Boyd, the Chairman of Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, for Service to Rotary through work in Tonga.

Papakura Rotary Club projects began in Vava’u, the northern group of the islands of Tonga in 2002 when a house was built for a widow with 5 children, climbing frames for 3 schools erected, school supplies and medical equipment provided. 

The following 3 years  4 houses were built and spouting and downpipes on about 60 houses in Utungake

In 2005 a substantial grant was received from NZWCS Ltd, being Rotary Centennial year. This was used to provide a piped water supply to the Village of Utungake. This was a 4 week project carried out by 2 groups of Rotarians assisted by approx 30 Villagers. 4.5km of 63mm pipe was laid, a deepwell electric pump and 2 tanks were installed.

The following year the pipeline and water supply was extended another 2 km to Talihau, a village of about 40 houses, this time with 9 Rotarians from Papakura and 20 locals over 12 days. School desks & books and toothpaste and toothbrushes were also supplied.

In 2007 water supply was completed in Talihau and another pipeline to the nearby village of Utulei laid to a new tank. 700m of spouting and downpipes was erected on 30 houses and existing pumps refurbished. A team of 11 worked on this for 12 days with local assistance.

2008 saw the reticulation of Utelei Village from the supplied already established. This was greeted with huge enthusiasm, and emotion, and ended with a great feast as usual, 5 little pigs were cooked on spits, taro, raw fish, more than we could eat but enjoyed by the locals.

In 2009 an electric pump was put in to replace a broken down diesel in a village on the northern side of Vava’u and a survey of leaks in their existing reticulation carried out. This is a cause of a lot of wastage and cost. A new roof was also placed on the roof of the Library in Neiafu.

In 2010 the first solar powered pumps were installed. These generally provide a base load water supply which can be supplemented by power or diesel pumps, in most cases rainwater harvesting in tanks is the first choice. With 6 solar panels enough power is generated on a sunny day to pump 3000litres/hr from 30m deep to a reservoir. With water tanks for roof water this will be enough for about 70 families. The big plus is that running costs are nil compared with electricity at $1/unit.

Following very dry weather and a late monsoon the pump installed at Utungake in 2005 was unable to supply the combined villages of Utungake and Talihau. In 2011 the Talihau village elders disconnected the pipeline and asked the Club to install a soakage system, which has been used in other low lying villages, to provide a piped supply using the reticulation previously installed.

This was carried out using a shallow well solar powered pump, however, the principal water supply is from rainwater harvesting from roof runoff. To this end a grant from TRF enabled us to install 11 x 10000litre plastic tanks which were sourced from Nuku’alofa. The locals financed and constructed concrete bases to which the tanks were strapped so that they did not blow away when empty. Computers and desks were also supplied to the school.

The past 10 years of projects in Tonga have provided Club members with great fellowship, a sense of a job well done, a glimpse into village life on a Pacific Island and an enjoyable although hectic time.

Our thanks to The Rotary Foundation, District 9920, Harold Thomas Trust, NZ High Commission, Lions Club and others for funding. Roofing materials were supplied by Franklin Long Run Roofing, Shipping of a container every year by Reef Shipping Ltd and accommodation by Ross Chapman. These were recognized by Awards at the recent celebration dinner.

Statistics for the projects: Rotarians 1012 man/days, local villagers 3500 man/days, funding $442,000, donation in kind $150,000. Total in excess of $611,000.

http://www.papakura.rotarysouthpacific.org/

Rotary Rockers to Rock Rotary Institute in Aussie

From small beginnings three years ago playing at their club changeover night plus occasional gigs to raise funds for their Rotary club - the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise - they are now about to depart for Australia to play at the large international conference that is Brisbane Institute.  At the Institute they will play to an audience of around 700 about ten times over the three days, adding a special New Zealand element to this combined New Zealand - Australian event. 

The Sunrise Rockers members are:  Piripi Curtis (lead gitar), Roger Cunningham (bass), Monty Morrison (rythm guitar), Noel Lambertin (drums) and Andrew Marton (guitar and lead vocals).  Their invitation to perform came after they were "discovered" by the Rotary Down Under Board in 2010 as the Board travelled to the Rotary Institute in Tauranga.

Don't forget Christchurch - they have a long way to go

Rotary was active at the recent Show Week

Visit the Christchurch Rotary response Blog at http://www.rotaryresponse-christchurcheq.blogspot.com/  to see the latest newsletter about the many projects happening.  The need is huge and Rotary are asked to keep thinking of helping Rotary in Christchurch for many months to come. 

Getting Back on Track

Type 2 diabetes is occurring in growing numbers in New Zealand. 280,000 New

Zealanders have diabetes and 500,000 New Zealanders are at risk of developing

diabetes.  

Poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes can lead to potentially devastating

complications that are expensive to treat.

In its early stages, Type 2 diabetes may cause little in the way of symptoms, and this often leads to it not being taken seriously to begin with, even though self-management education programmes are available in most areas for the newly-diagnosed.

Type 2 Diabetes is also known to be a progressive condition, meaning that management is intensified over time with the addition of more medication and often supplementary insulin.

However,

Pin it for Polio

Rotary Foundation partners with global charity Mercy Ships

Wellingtonian nurse Alison Brieseman is grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Plimmerton, Lower Hutt, Silverstream and Heretaunga whose joint sponsorship has been a key component of her volunteer work with Mercy Ships.

For seven years ports of call in Benin, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have been a way of life for Ms Brieseman. As Director of Nursing on the Africa Mercy she was responsible for the function of the six operating theatres, three wards and the intensive care unit onboard. While surgeries are being performed onboard, optical and dental clinics, agricultural and sanitation projects are delivered ashore.  The ship has all the medical facilities required to be self-sufficient in its world-class services, provided at no cost. “Treatment is of the highest standard even if the working conditions are a little different.”

Ms Brieseman she is honoured to treat those without access to health care who are struggling to survive. “Using my skills to bring such massive change to the poorest and most desperate; to help those who have no hope is an amazing privilege. I couldn’t do it without the partnership of people such as Rotarians.”

One patient Ms Brieseman particularly remembers is Alfred who had suffered from a rare facial tumour for four years. “He was the smallest person with the largest tumour I’d seen, yet he had the sweetest nature”.  

The two-kilo benign tumour enveloping Alfred’s lower jaw and teeth and causing him to slowly starve was removed by the surgical team onboard. A titanium plate was inserted along and a bone grafted to fashion a new jaw.

14 year-old Alfred said “Before the surgery, people used to run away from me. I didn’t go to school for four years. When I went back to school, all my friends were like ‘Wow!’ My family would say, ‘Yes, it’s a miracle.’ ”

Ms Brieseman had the rare privilege of seeing this young man again five years after his life-saving surgery. Alfred’s life was turned around, and his future full of hope.

She sums up her work simply saying, “It is the most useful thing I’ve ever done.”

To date, Mercy Ships have performed more than 2,884 surgical procedures in Sierra Leone this year.

http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/111005_news_mercyships.aspx

New Zealand www.mercyships.org.nz 0800 637297

Australia        www.mercyships.org.au (07) 5437 2992

“This strategic partnership with Mercy Ships enables Rotary to work with a globally recognized leader in the delivery of vital medical and surgical care to the world’s most vulnerable populations. It allows Rotary club members to directly contribute their valuable expertise and skills within the framework of a proven and highly successful health care program.” Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair William B. Boyd

Pacific Humanitarian Team Workshop in Fiji for

Left to right, ShelterBox Response Team member Lyndon Tamblyn, Rotary Club of Suva Peninsula Sunset PP Barbara Malimali, Chair of Rotary Fiji Disaster Committee PE Suluo Daunivalu, and Rotary Club of Suva Peninsula Sunset IPP Joshila Lal

ShelterBox New Zealand Response Team member Lyndon Tamblyn recently returned from Fiji where he participated in the 4th Annual Pacific Humanitarian Team Workshop for Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Response.  He represented both ShelterBox International and ShelterBox New Zealand.

The workshop was sponsored by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and attended by some 100 delegates, including many Pacific Island Government Disaster Officials, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), National Societies, AusAid, NZ Aid Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, United Nations officials and many others.

The five day workshop included a two day realistic disaster exercise, a number of cluster meetings to prepare and respond for “the next one", and a variety of topical presentations.

The importance of camaraderie and networking were some of the key successes of the workshop.

Both Rotary and ShelterBox were showcased very favourably during several of the sessions.  Many of the NGOs commented on ShelterBox’s success in working closely with Rotary clubs in times of need.

Whilst in Suva, Lyndon also visited and made presentations to the Rotary Clubs of Suva, Suva North and Suva Peninsula Sunset. Lyndon explained that he received awesome hospitality from the local clubs while building contacts and explaining the work of ShelterBox. The ShelterBox demonstration kit was taken to Fiji to show to the delegates attending the workshop, has since be given to the Rotary clubs in Fiji, and it was handed over to Assistant Governor Shaheen Asgar, of the Suva North Rotary Club for safe keeping and use in promoting the work of ShelterBox amongst the Fijian Rotary clubs

In September this year, Lyndon was selected to participate in the first ever ShelterBox Advanced SRT leadership course which was held in Cornwall, UK.  He passed the course, but during it, he managed to drink plenty of sea water as he tried to master off-shore kayaking south of the Lizard in Cornwall!

Lyndon is a Past President of his previous Rotary Club of Bulls, and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Martin, NZ.  He has been a volunteer with Shelterbox for three years, and been on seven overseas deployments, including two to the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Indonesia, Fiji and earlier this year Japan, as well as to Christchurch, NZ. 

by Michael Cahill, Director of ShelterBox New Zealand, and member of Rotary Club of Fairfield, Hamilton, NZ

Town Meets Country: A Tale of Two Clubs

About 100 children from Wainoni Primary School enjoyed a day on a farm thanks to the Rotary Club of Ashburton in Canterbury, New Zealand.

The day trip to Rotarian Errol Stewart’s family farm near Rakaia came about as part of the growing relationship between the Rotary Clubs of Ashburton and Christchurch North.  The latter was badly affected by the earthquakes in Canterbury, and Wainoni School is in Rotary Club of Christchurch North’s area.

On November 2, two coach loads of children aged five to 12 years, accompanied by teachers, parents and Rotary Club of Christchurch North President Karen Clark, made the hour long drive to the Stewart family farm where the Ashburton Rotarians had gathered to greet the children and host them for a day on the farm.

After a morning snack, the children were introduced to a variety of animals including pigs, hens, goats, sheep, cows and alpacas. They were encouraged to pet the animals, collect eggs, lead the alpacas, and enjoy some interaction with the Rotarians, the Stewart family and the farm’s animals.

The children visited the milking shed, where 1,600 cows regularly give their daily quota, and also watched sheep being shorn. They were able to have a look over the tractors, implements and harvesters used on the farm.

The Stewart family had made an effort to link the activities of the day to the production of food, so the children gained an understanding of how the bread their parents buy in the supermarket starts with wheat in the Stewart’s paddock, and how the milk, cheese, ice cream and yoghurt they enjoy eating comes from the cows they watched being milked.

Rotary Club of Ashburton treated the children to a rural-style lunch, and the children responded with some singing. The Rotarians discovered that some of the children had never been on a farm before, some having never previously left the city.

The farm visit was one of a wish-list of projects the Rotary Club of Christchurch North suggested to Rotary Club of Ashburton when it took the club under its wing earlier this year. Christchurch North wanted a school affected by the earthquakes to enjoy a day away with an educational benefit.

Ashburton members have been offering support to their neighbouring northern club through regular club night visits and assistance with club projects Christchurch North have either had difficulty manning or funding since the earthquakes.

Rotary Club of Ashburton President John Driscoll points out that the growing relationship between the two clubs has had two-way benefits, with Ashburton members enjoying extending their hospitality and talents to aid a club with some difficulties, while Christchurch North’s meetings have benefitted through some new faces and non-earthquake conversation.

The connection between the clubs began when John and Karen met as Presidents Elect during training prior to this 2011-2012 Rotary year.  John and Karen envisage the relationship between the clubs lasting well into the future.

Shearer Grant Smith and Rotarians Ian Smith, Leicester Wilson and John Driscoll explain the process of sheep shearing to Wainoni School pupils.

Article by Alison Driscoll, Publicity Officer, Rotary Club of Ashburton

Interesting and informative - Rotary Down Under magazine for November 2011

FEATURES IN RDU NOV 2011

Page 13   Deeds of Rotarians Past

14   Cover Story:  Yellow Boat Road comes full circle

15   The Future of Rotary: A new take of Rotary’s global community

17   Towards a peaceful future: Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar writes

19   National Immunisation Day:  PolioPlus spreads through India

21   Global Outlook:  A Rotarian’s guide to the PLUS in PolioPlus

32    2012 RI Convention

ARTICLES AND PHOTOS FEATURING NZ AND

SW PACIFIC

5    Now’s the time to learn what the Foundation does

17   One degree closer to a peaceful future

27   The global Polio laboratory network

37   Fiji Rotahomes: 2^nd phase funds

38   Rotary needs YOU and YOUR ROTARY CLUB to promote ROTARY DAY 2012

40-41   Called to Higher Service

Read the Rotary lifestyle magazine - Rotarian Life & Leisure

CONTENTS IN ROTARIAN LIFE & LEISURE

Page 4    Cover Story:  Off the beaten tourist track in France

8    Explore your horizons:  the Barossa Valley dishes up the best

12   Active Travel: road tripping in the USA

14    Travel Talk

16    Healthy Habits

17    Ask the Doctor

20    Conversations with …: acclaimed Australian author John Bailey

24    Food + Wine

26    Tech File

27   Aspects of family history

ARTICLES AND PHOTOS FEATURING NZ AND

SW PACIFIC

10    Diary dates: 26 November is the Lake Taupo Challenge

14    NZ & Lawn Bowls Holidays

24    Free Range in the City

28    Getting social media-ized

Thanks to all concerned! 

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