Remembering those affected by the Samoan Tsunami

Rotary members with represenatives of Hawaiian Airlines

Jacqueline Young, Vice President for the Rotary Club of Pago Pago stated in her remarks at the opening of the picnic shelters that "Our Theme for this year is 'Reach within to Embrace Humanity' and noted that [when] "Rotary International President Banerjee was here for the ground-breaking ceremony"  he "emphasized the need to strengthen our families, the need to continue to do what we do best, and the need to change whatever needs to be changed."

"Today we have added some change to the Lyon's Park and some cheer to our families and friends". She further stated that "The picnic shelters are here in remembrance of those that were affected by the tsunami and the Picnic Shelters are here for all of Samoa to use and enjoy."  The shelters are a joint project between the Rotary Club of Pago Pago and Hawaiian Airlines

http://www.pagopago.rotarysouthpacific.org/

Submitted by: AG Mousie Skews

Telling the club story

Most Rotary clubs publish a weekly bulletin.  If they do not make it available on their club webpage via www.rotarysouthpacific.org then they should consider this and maybe also whether it is viewable by the public - after all, if the public do not know what Rotary does, how can they possibly consider supporting their local club no matter how fantastic the club and its activities are?  Some club bulletins are very refreshing - top notch like this one from the Rotary Club of Dunedin Central in District 9980 (illustrative picture only):

If clubs would like to know how to use their club website to archive and distribute their club bulletin (and set appropriate visibility) they should contact their district webmaster.

www.dunedincentral.rotarysouthpacific.org


Bulletin example submitted by IPDG Trish Boyle and text written by Colin Robinson cs.bg.robinson@xtra.co.nz (a webmaster for www.rotarysouthpacific.org )

Encouraging the scientists of the future

The Rotary Club of Whangarei South recenly held a three-day science camp with NorthTec for sixteen  of the brightest (Year 11) scientific minds from Northland's secondary schools.   The club had wanted this programme in Northland for many years and it bacame a reality thanks to the funding provided by Rotarian Merv Huxford to help get the Northland project underway.  During the three day camp, these budding scientists gained experiences that fostered their passion for science beyond what could be provided by the schools.  This included  experiments such as measuring the physical and chemical properties of the Raumanga Stream among many others. Rotarian Murray Neighbous said that the camp provided fun experiences that would hopefully create a lifelong enthusiasm for science. The NorthTec Science Extravaganza is intended to be an annual event.

Mobile and making a huge difference

Project leaders being handed the keys by DG Alan Eyes (far left) 
& club President Rob Eady (far right)

The Genesis Youth Project in Glen Innes was initially supplied with a Toyota Corolla by the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise and this was replaced about ten years ago with a small 1994 Nissan Pulsar. 

Then in April Jack Scanlan from the Glen Innes Police spoke to the Club about the Glen Innes Youth Development Project, GIYDP which has morphed into the Genesis Youth Project with 24 staff which is the largest youth development project in New Zealand.  The project works with youth offenders, mainly from Maori and Pacific Island low socio economic families with low literacy and numeracy and are predominantly males from “fatherless” households. The Rotary car is shared by four social workers in this programme.

Jack Scanlan then advised the club of the need for the Pulsar to be replaced as it had reached the end of its economic life. It was agreed that a Holden size vehicle would be more suitable for the job.  This resulted in a replacement car being handed over to the project on Friday 29 July 2011.  The replacement car was funded jointly by the Chenery Memorial Trust/ the June Gray Charitable Trust and the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise Inc.  The New Zealand Police and Genesis are grateful for the significant input Rotary have made to the community and hope the partnership continues to flourish.

Submitted by:  Rc Ellerslie Sunrise, District 9920.  http://www.ellersliesunrise.rotarysouthpacific.org/

Global grant scholar focuses on human rights

Claire Achmad of New Zealand is passionate about improving the quality of people's lives by working as an advocate for human rights.  She is a Rotary Foundation Global Gran=t scholar sponsored by District 9940 (New Zealand) and the Rotary Club of De Rottermeren in District 1600 (Netherlands).

Read the full story of this amazing Rotary scholar at http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/110727_news_achmad.aspx 

District 9940 website at http://www.rotary9940.org.nz/



Visual idea from PDG Howard Tong - be striking and bold in your approach to membership.  See the August issue of Rotary Down Under magazine to be inspired.

"Rotarian" is not a noun - its a verb. Its a doing word! Spread the word.

Membership Recruitment Tips

Gain commitment to join through awareness

·         Give all guest speakers a Rotary Down Under magazine

·         Put copies of RDU into surrounding cafes with club details

·         Give all prospective members a copy of RDU

·         Give all prospective members a copy of Rotary Basics (copy in August RDU – order more from RDU Merchandise

 0800 738 695 supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au

·         Include the following web addresses into all emails to community and / or prospective members:

o   Club website

o   www.rotarydownunder.org

o   www.rotarystories-nznandpacific.blogspot.com

·         Show your members videos one meeting:

o   www.rotary.org/rotaryminute  

(11 different one minute videos)

BULLETIN EDITOR SPECIAL OFFER

Subscribe to new Postings of Rotary success stories by registering (right-hand column near top).  Add interest to your bulletin!

Rotary Down Under magazines - August 2011 ... The Monthly DOUBLE

NZ AND PACIFIC ISLANDS SCORE THE MONTHLY DOUBLE!

Not one but TWO fantastic covers from our part of the Rotary world.

These pictures and the magazines are perfect for publicising Rotary and for August membership activities.

TIP

Gather read copies from members and distribute around the cafes etc in your club’s area.

Rotary Down Under August 2011 – articles featuring New Zealand and the SW Pacific include:

A world first for Rotary? Beauty queen inducted into Rotary (RDU Cover, 3 & 12)

An Ordeal revived (3 & 8)

The Rotary Foundation supports your Rotary service (5)

We need to get up and dance! (6)

Rotary in Vietnam (7)

Travelling roadshow (9)

Meet our new Governors (9, 13, 14, 16 ,17 & 20)

Get on with our good work (10)

Yachting thanks (10)

Interplast (7, 11, 15 & 19)

Tony’s membership challenge (15)

90 years of Rotary in NZ

Rotary Club of Auckland (16)

Rotary Club of Wellington (16)

They turn fundraising into an artform (21)

Cycling Coff Coast (32)

Community comes together for Christchurch (38)

Queen’s Birthday Honours (40-41)

Called to Higher Service (41)

Paul Harris Fellows (41)

Rotarian Life & Leisure August 2011 – articles featuring New Zealand and the SW Pacific

Rugby fever hits NZ: Man of the moment in NZ (RLL Cover, 5 & 12-13)

Home hosting needed more than ever (13)

Road tripping in the USA: Way down yonder in New Orleans (10-11)

Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow (14)

Youth in the workforce (29)

Snow Quaked in Christchurch

St Mary’s Church where the latest damage was on 13^th June
when the north wall section ‘blew’ out

As if continued quakes and aftershocks although lessening, are not enough Christchurch City was on the 25^th July blanketed with a covering of 10 -15cm of snow with more on the Port Hills.

At least it is different to be shovelling snow from the liquefaction which has now occurred to varying degrees on the four major earthquakes of 4^th Sept, 26^th Dec, 22^nd Feb and 13^th June.

However many people in the eastern parts of the city where there is no sewer service continue to trudge out to ‘Portaloos’. Approximately 50 houses were without power supply during the day but hopefully is now restored.

Please continue to support the Rotary recovery project in Christchurch - http://www.rotaryresponse-christchurcheq.blogspot.com/ 

Rotary $10 Adventurers need your support

Even exciting Big Rig rides are had!

Each year some intrepid Rotarians seek adventure and to represent Rotary in the Cure Kids Accor Hotels $10 Queenstown Challenge.  Clubs are encouraged to support the team and therefore support Cure Kids and their amazing research.  It's for the kids! 

This event is not far away (16-18 August 2011) so help out soon.

To support the team (and the kids) donations can be made via the links list below but note that larger donations are best made direct to Cure Kids with the specific request that the "[team name]" team be credited

Teams are:

·         Rotary Woolly Wanderers (RC St Johns, Auckland, D9920) http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/RotaryWoollyWanderers/

·         Ambassadorial Scholars http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/RotaryAmbassadorialScholarBucc

·         Grant and Sarah Smith (is a Rotary team – RC Albany, 9910) http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/GrantandSarahSmith

NOTE that all funds donated "to the team" go to Cure Kids.

The $10 Challenge fundraising event involves teams of two undertaking a series of innovative challenges en route from Queenstown to Auckland over three days all on $10!  The Queenstown $10 Challenge was first run in February 1993. The event started as a fun challenge between two Queenstown locals and was to see who could make the return Queenstown to Auckland trip with no money and no assistance from friends and relatives along the way. Over the years the rules have changed slightly but the principles remain. Each team gets a $10 note to survive on throughout their travels.

Cure Kids (previously Child Health Research Foundation) was established over 30 years ago to address the lack of research into life-threatening childhood illnesses in New Zealand. Since then, they have invested over $25 million in medical research. This research has helped save hundreds of young lives and has improved the quality of life for thousands of children. They are committed to help find answers to the many cruel, life-threatening illnesses that devastate the lives of young children and their families.

http://www.curekids.org.nz/

Senior Citizens Park Opened

In a collaborative effort between the Rotary Club of Suva, the Suva City Council and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Fiji now has its first every Senior Citizens Park at Suva's Thurston Garden.  One hundred people attended the opening ceremony for its opening by the Prime Minister, Commodore Bainimarama who expressed the hope that this example would be replicated in other parts of Fiji. 

The park took a year to materialise and cost around $40,000.  On-going park upgrades of walkways, benches and chairs plus an additional toilet are expected.  The park will greatly contribute to improving the quality of life for senior citizens in Suva being a place they can call their own and where they can relax and walk at their own pace without being rushed.

Fab Four nonagenarians’ big shoes need filling

Standing (left to right): DG Brian Tuck, Merv Brown

President Felicity Anderson and  Albert Birss
(seated) Brian Kissin and Eric Grainger

Rotarians Albert Birss, Merv Brown, Eric Grainger and Brian Kissin have more than 200 years of service between them.

The “Fab Four” as they have been dubbed by their peers, are members of the Rotary Club of Takapuna in Auckland, part of District 9910.

Now in their ‘90s, they have still been doing as much as they can and attending meetings when able.

To acknowledge their years of work, the four men were recently each presented with a unique and special commendation letter from the Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee and New Zealand’s own past RI President and now Rotary Foundation Chairman Bill Boyd.

Rotary Club of Takapuna President Felicity Anderson says it is special for any club to have people like Albert, Merv, Eric and Brian, let alone have one person dedicate so many years to voluntary work.

Up and down the country Rotary supports the kids

L to R - Val Fullard, Bob Donovan, Glyn Williams, Mave Martin, Toby (Paper Plus)

Rotary clubs up and down the length of New Zealand supported the Cure Kids Red Nose Day in association with their local Paper Plus or Take Note store.  Rotary founded Cure Kids.

The Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki in Auckland is one example.    Mobilising Rotarians, families and friends they were out in force on 15 July at the Botany Town Centre, dressed in a variety of wigs, to gether donations from passing shoppers.  As expected this was a big hit with familiers, especially thoise with small children who loved seeing grown-ups prepared to do some fun stuff.  And the public learned something about Rotary in their community as well!

Rotary supports Cure Kids in a number of ways from having Rotary "Members" of Cure Kids to Rotary teams in the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge.

From:  RC Botany East Tamaki bulletin.  Websites:  http://www.botany.rotarysouthpacific.org/  , http://www.curekids.org.nz/

Red Nose Day - its for the kids

Please support Red Nose Day on 15 July.  More infromation at www.curekids.org.nz/rednoseday

Rotary clubs nation-wide are supporting Red Nose Day by working with their local Paper Plus or Take Note store.  This has to be one of the most enjoyable service project possible!  and it really is a hoot wearing a red nose and selling one to others - all of whom purchase one with a broad smile.  After all, supporting research into life threatening childhood illnesses is very worthwhile with the bonus of having a lot of fun doing so.

Toys for Tonga - smiles abound

Toys 4 Tonga is a great example of how an international project involving three Rotary Clubs can be achieved without costing an arm and a leg.  In the end it cost almost no money at all, as pretty much everything including shipping was donated.

The concept was simple: gather up a container load of toys, school books and stationery, and ship it up to Tonga for distribution to needy children in the impoverished Pacific Island kingdom.

New President a Strong Advocate of Networking

President Marvin with his wife, Cathy

The 54th annual changeover of the Rotary Club of Birkenhead took place on July 2^nd 2011 at a gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel Central Auckland.  The incoming president Mr Marvin Yee, at thirty-three years old, is believed to be one of the youngest Rotary Presidents and is the first President of Asian descent in the club’s history.

Delivering a speech outlining how Rotary had been instrumental in him forming business contacts worldwide that have been beneficial to the continual growth of his companies; Yee is a strong advocate of personal and professional networks and would encourage businessmen and women to join Rotary to expand their networks locally and internationally.

Outgoing President Julie Wilson spoke of the club’s success being awarded a Presidential Citation for ongoing community and international projects, which enhance people’s lives.

 

Mr Marvin Yee, educated at Glenfield College, Auckland University (BA politics) and Massey University (MBA) is the Chairman of IRG (listed on the NZX) and CEO of CyberCom Global Ltd; an Internet Service Provider specialising in the hospitality industry with throughout the Asia Pacific.

 

Submitted by: Janice,  www.birkenheadrotary.org.nz/

Appreciating our supporters

The Rotary Club of Alfriston, Auckland, NZ held an “Appreciation meeting” recently to bring together all those individuals and companies who have donated goods, money etc throughout the last year with the organisations and individuals who have benefitted from the club’s activities.  This was a first for the club and was run by Proud President Ken Haines using a power point presentation which gave graphic displays of all the fundraising events, the donors for each event plus the recipients of moneys raised where appropriate.  All the Clubs other activities were also included in the presentation.

Over 28 visitors were present plus the 15 members and partners.

July 2011 Rotary Down Under magazine

Articles featuring New Zealand and the SW Pacific

PRIP Bill Boyd, Chairman of The Rotary Foundation (RDU page 5)

I am excited, and I hope you are too, as we move into the new Rotary year.

Paperwork is important (7)

Rotary Down Under will move with the times, keeping pace with new technological developments as they emerge, and ensure that such devices, gadgets, bells and whistles will be applied for the benefit of its Rotarian subscribers ...

A moving experience (7-8)

... he was “moved” by a recent visit to the earthquake-torn city of Christchurch, New Zealand ...

From Adelaide to PNG (8-9)

A shipping container packed with medical and other equipment has made its way

’Objects’ are important (11)

How should we chase new members and do we have to change our club practices?

Any age is a good age (11)

What is the best age to join Rotary?

A new branch for the Grove of Friendship (16)

Three trees have a special significance for Auckland Rotarians

RYDA celebrates 10 years (18)

“All Rotary clubs involved greatly valued the opportunity to be working with their local high schools and the broad community to help make our roads a safer place,”

Kerikeri’s multi-sport event on the map (23)

is truly an example of how Rotary clubs can be leaders in their wider communities.

A message from the Institute Convenor RID Stuart Heal (25)

we will all have a great time!

Big Easy up with the rest (28-29)

another Rotary International Convention proclaimed to be “The best ever”.

Kalyan’s new team for 2011-12 (30-31)

will open the way for many new initiatives in the year ahead.

Kalyan sees Interplast up close (35)

The work done by Interplast teams is miraculous …

All teeth for the tribal children of Thailand (37-38)

I have not come across a more worthwhile cause for spending $A35 a month than this.

Paul Harris recognition (40)

Called to Higher Service (41)

Other stories include:

Be the change you wish to see (5)

We must understand that true change can only begin with each of us

Transparent steps towards gender equality:  looks at why it is important than ever to have women involved in Rotary (25)

Part 2 of a 3 Part (Part 1 in June issues; Part 3 in August issue)

Gates plea:  Don’t stop now!  (25)

‘Rotary has written so many chapters in the history of the fight against Polio. Your work. Your voices. Your continuing commitment. These are the things that will allow us to end the story – and close the book.’ – Bill Gates Jr

Contribute to a future magazine!

While NZ and the Pacific has had a good representation over the last year in terms of both cover pictures and articles, we need more quality submissions.  The emphasis must be on quality articles and pictures rather than quantity. There is much happening in our districts, so it is mostly a matter of keeping your ears to the ground and ask the organisers of new / unique projects and events to make a submission via berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz  

Relevant information is at: : http://www.rdu.rotarysouthpacific.org/ – then click on “Useful Downloads”  for documents including How to Get Published, Article Specifications, Submitting Paul Harris Recognition Notices, plus Club Secretaries and Treasurers Information. 

Rotarian comment: Yep – let’s knock the Aussie’s socks off (again) with our great stories and pics.