Garden Project Grows Membership

Collette Lochore, Miss World NZ 2012,
was inducted as a new member of New Lynn Rotary Club.

The Rotary Club of New Lynn recently inducted their newest and youngest member, 18-year-old Collette Lochore who is Miss World NZ 2012.  After being crowned the winner of this year’s pageant, she then represented New Zealand in the 62nd Miss World Grand Final on August 18 in China.

At a time when Rotary as an organisation is struggling internationally with recruitment and discussion continues as to how clubs can attract younger members, it is interesting to know Collette’s reasons for joining Rotary New Lynn.

Collette’s introduction was thanks to New Lynn Rotarian Desmond & Rose Foulger, who are also the NZ Directors of Miss World.  Collette was attracted to the theme of 2012’s pageant “Beauty with a Purpose”. 

After learning about Rotary as an organisation, Collette found common ground between the aims of Rotary and her own ideals and passion for charitable endeavours.

Collette is passionate about her role as a speech & drama teacher, working with children aged 3-18, and particularly the opportunity to work with disadvantage youngsters, helping them develop confidence and communication skills.  As Miss World NZ she has also taken on a major commitment in fundraising for Variety, the children’s charity.

Collette has attended a few Rotary meetings and also volunteered to assist with the New Lynn Rotary Club’s recent service project, involving the construction of vegetable gardens at New Lynn Primary School.  Her assistance at the working bee in May was just after she had been crowned Miss World NZ 2012.  Collette’s presence and that of her fellow pageant contestants, was not only great PR, but the four beauty queens also demonstrated proficiency with hammers and power tools! 

Collette identified with New Lynn Rotary Club’s aim of supporting and empowering young people in the community, so she made the decision to become a Rotarian.  Collette believes membership of Rotary will assist her as she embarks on her life’s work, and the Rotary Club of New Lynn have been pleased to welcome this new, young and vibrant member.