Be very, very touched

Eighteen young men and women with intellectual disabilities grasped every ounce of courage they had to enter the Rotary Best Speaker Awards.

Running it for the second year, Plimmerton Rotary held Wellington heats as well as the National Finals on Saturday 28 May 2016. The heats for the Wellington participants took place in the morning and the top three place-getters were chosen to enter the finals in the afternoon. They were joined by a further five from the North and South Island who had already got through their regional heats.

A video of the whole event is available on request, but in the meantime, this 6 minute extract will give you a taste of the pride, astonishment, humility and amazement we all experienced as we laughed at their creativity and cried as we got a taste of the mountains they all have to climb.

This initiative was originally sparked by a small paragraph in Rotary Down Under in 2014 about a fledgling Lincoln Rotary Youth Project - a public speaking opportunity for young folk aged 16–30 with an intellectual disability.

The Plimmerton Rotary Youth Committee, spearheaded by Julie McLagan, picked up the idea and ran a successful pilot in 2015. Feedback was so positive and encouraging from participants, their families and support workers, that the club has now taken on this project as an important part of its annual programme. “I know that such projects do Rotary proud!” said Julie.

The whole day was a very happy success. Each participant was presented with a framed Certificate of Merit. There were trophies and prize money for each of the national place-getters.

The project was fully sponsored by local businesses. Tommy’s Real Estate picked up the main costs. One parent said, “Many thanks to you, your team, and Rotary for the wonderful speech competition held this afternoon. We were very impressed with everybody we met and with the obvious effort that you had all gone to, to make it such a special occasion. The corsages were a lovely touch, as were the name tags, the generous afternoon tea, the technical support, the various roles you all played, not to mention the very generous prizes.”

The eventual winner, Katrina Sneath from Johnsonville, Wellington, is pictured here. She has quite recently been appointed a Youth Parliamentarian and is already very proactive in her role.

The second place-getter was Jeremy McKenzie from Whakatane (pictured here). He talked about his passion for geography.

Samuel Goddard from Christchurch was placed third. He told us that he has Aspergers and that his dream is to become independent.

His mother said, “…It really was very special and lovely to see these young adults being given an opportunity to shine. I know Sam has gained so much confidence from the whole experience.”
Editor’s note: You can read the article about Samuel that appeared in the New Zealand Herald on 10 May here.

The feedback has been amazing and very humbling. Here are just a very few extracts from the many we received …
“…One of the outcomes we would all like is for our young people with disabilities to be fully integrated into the community. This competition is one way of contributing to that end and illustrating just what these young people are capable of. Our community is all the better for it.”
“…Thank you again for giving Matthew this opportunity. His confidence has gone ahead in leaps and bounds. Starjam are doing a story on him. It is our wish that his story will give hope to other families whose children are diagnosed autistic. He entered the competition to boost his confidence as he is going to be best man at his brother's wedding early next year.  He tells me his speech is going to be awesome - and I am sure it is."
“Thank you for giving me a privileged opportunity. It was awesome listening to all the other contestants.”

“I made myself come,” said a participant who arrived knowing no-one. And as she left, her parting words were, “It was the best day! I loved it.”

“Before this he didn’t say much. We couldn’t not come. It has been the making of him!” said a beaming father of a family of four who all flew up from Christchurch for the day to support their son/brother.

 “I felt so humbled by the experience.  I had tears in my eyes, the experience was beautiful and the recognition and opportunity given to these young people just can't be expressed in words,” said a Rotarian spectator.

“We’re already planning for next year. It will be bigger and better from us,” said the organiser and co-ordinator from the Bay of Plenty

It was such a happy result that each participating area had a place-getter in the Finals, even though that is one aspect we could not have organised! It was a great day! Certificates and trophies were clutched close. The smiles were huge, the hugs many and warm.

Before concluding the day with a scrumptious afternoon tea, we were entertained by StarJam, a not for profit organisation that empowers young New Zealanders with disabilities to achieve their full potential through music and performance workshops.

The next step is to spread the word to Rotary Clubs throughout New Zealand to widen the opportunity for many more IHC youth by having more regional heats. Julie McLagan will be glad to hear from anyone around the country who’d like to be involved next year. You can contact her here.

“Hopefully next year many more Rotary Clubs New Zealand-wide will support this very worthwhile project and more young people will be encouraged to take part”, she said. "We can make such a difference in the lives of the participants and their families.

“Rotary has the power to dip deep into the community to harness resources and to really make a difference. I was so happy to see this opportunity to help others in society where there is a need. I am fully aware that, like many others, our contribution will only be a drop in the ocean. However, as Mother Teresa said, ‘Without that drop, the ocean will never be full.’ That is why I am a Rotarian.”

Reprinted on request from the Plimmerton Rotary blog

Rotary partners with Rotaract to celebrate women’s achievements

Principal of Riverhills School, Sarah Allen and Brittany Lemi

Words:  Peter Woodcock, of Rotary Club of Pakuranga, NZ

How can a Rotary club capitalise on special ‘International  Day of …’ occasions, provide opportunity for networking, strengthen ties with Rotaract, support a local charity, promote membership as well as give everyone a very entertaining night out?

Rotary Club of Pakuranga’s Community Director Sylvie Wilkinson found the answer. International Women’s Day was the ‘excuse’. Getting Pakuranga Rotaract Club on the organising team, engaging two prominent Auckland women as MC and speaker, inviting local professional women to take part and encouraging fellow members and  partners to join in, provided all the ingredients for a very significant occasion.

The Waipuna Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand provided the setting for the special event held on Monday February 29.  About 40% of the 140 participants had no connection with Rotary. With stunning wall  panels and table runners, designed and painted by  local school children brightening up the room, the scene was set for an evening in which the achievements of women, both in New Zealand and overseas were acknowledged and celebrated.

Celebrity chef and radio host, Helen Jackson, provided continuity as MC. She interspersed her duties with heart-warming but also challenging stories related to the Guardian Angels Charitable Trust which she co-founded in 2004.  This trust provides practical assistance to needy families struggling with the care of terminally ill child. Referrals come from Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland. Through sale of the art work,  along with donations delightfully solicited by Rotaractors,  Sylvie presented  the Trust  with a cheque for $3000.

The buzz of conversation during the carefully planned networking spells testified to the value of bringing motivated and successful people together in a fun filled setting. There were substantial prizes for the best dressed ethnic and historical woman, as well as spot prizes personally presented by the various corporate women guests. Business cards collected  for a prize draw (cleverly designed to capture potential members) showed a huge range of occupations and services.

Highlight of the evening was the address by Diane Foreman who gave a very personal account of her life experiences from solo-parent in a receptionist job to CEO of one of New Zealand’s largest companies, the title of NZ Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009, Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2011, and No. 11 in Forbes’ magazine list of Power Business Women in Asia in 2014. Her story, together with her expressed desire to promote women in business, could not help but make an impact on all present. As one seasoned Rotarian remarked,” That was the best Rotary function  I have attended in all my years in the club”. Yes, with a little imagination, Rotary can capitalise on special days, promoting our local community, Rotaract and our Rotary organisation. 

A mesmerising mouthful

Assistant governor Philip Wilson congratulates a runner up in the best dressed pinnies competition who is hot stuff!  The overall winner was assistant governor Pam Deal.

-        Words and photos: Farida Master, News Editor, Times Newspapers Ltd, of the Rotary Club of Somerville, NZ

 

She’s hilarious and a selfconfessed nomad at heart. “Most of my travels were triggered either by running away from a man or running towards him,” said the feisty food author Peta Mathias as she brought the house down at the Women in Rotary, Pinnies and Pearls High Tea hosted at Novotel Hotel Ellerslie in Auckland , New Zealand on Sunday March 13.

The culinary tour host spoke about her book Hot Pink Spice Saga: An Indian Culinary Travelogue with Recipes and her romance with cuisines of India, France Vietnam and Morocco.

“If someone invites you and says come home to my mother’s place for dinner, you must say `yes’, even if it is the tuk tuk driver.

 

“Indians are very hospitable and it should be like a dance of exchange,” she told over 150 women at the Women in Rotary fundraiser as they feasted on their salmon and dill sandwiches, orange and poppy seed cake, macaroons and mini date scones with cream and berry jam.

The event was organised by assistant governor Sue Fairburn with the help of other Rotarians, their partners and Rotary International Youth Exchange students.

 

“Restaurants are for visitors. If you want to know the culture of a country you must experience its cuisine. “Don’t have continental breakfast at the hotel and act like a tourist,” the culinary queen said. The red-haired food adventurer regaled the audience with a hilarious account of her 11-hour train journey in India, where she spent all her time thinking of how she could kill her friend for suggesting train travel in a second class sleeper coach. Among the guests were Rotary district 9920 governor nominee Malini Raghwan, who travelled from Suva to support the International Women’s Day celebration, as well as Leanne Jaggs, the outspoken past district governor, also master of ceremonies for the gathering. The only three men in pinnies and pearls who were clearly outnumbered and spent all their time sportingly serving the women bubbly and high tea were past district governor Alan Eyes and assistant governors Philip Wilson and Bart Signal.

Walking a vista to remember

Waiuku Rotary Club – Sunset Coast Walk

28^th February 2016

A total of 470 visitors took part in Waiuku Rotary’s Sunset Coast Walk this year, some coming from as far away as Waiheke Island. Considering the previous day’s weather forecast for heavy showers, (which thankfully did not eventuate), this was considered an excellent turnout.

The route of the walk encompassed an ever changing vista of the west coast, to the north as far as the eye could see, and to the south with breath-taking views over Karioitahi towards the Waikato River. Many walkers, on their return to base commented that the views this year were the “very best”.

In planning and preparing for the walk a small group of Rotarians were involved in choosing the various routes for the walk which were carefully surveyed to avoid any major hazards. On the day prior to the walk all the base and route tents were thankfully able to be put up in fine weather.

Contrary to forecasts, Sunday morning dawned fine. The first registrations took place around 7.30am, and the morning soon became very busy with many groups of families, sportspeople, friends and individuals setting off armed with maps of the various routes available.

The Waiuku Scouts group manned the free sausage sizzle and drink tent throughout the day, and also very ably helped direct the many cars into the parking spaces. It was good to see the involvement of the young people. Special thanks to Franklin Vets for the use of their Mobile BBQ.

Many participants brought picnic lunches with them and with the lovely shade trees around, it was an ideal time to relax and create a happy atmosphere. The local Coffee Van was available for that very welcome cup of Coffee throughout the day, and they donate a share of their profits to help with our fundraising.

The Club sincerely thanks the owners of the property, John and Andrea Sturgess for their continued support in allowing their farm to be used for this annual fundraiser. The Club also wishes to acknowledge and thank sponsors who continue to support this fund raising project; Waiuku New World, Pukekohe Harcourt’s Real Estate, McConnell Stafford-Bush and NZ Steel. They have over the years been extremely generous in supplying Waiuku Rotary with goods, donations, and loan of tents.

All funds raised will be used for local projects, particularly those supporting the youth of the district.

Rotaract New Zealand Roundtrip

Left to Right: Alina Kochling, Moez Yahia Bacha, Ozmara Santoyo, Aritra Ray, Yanet Rodriguez, Gabby Brand, Chiew Ee Kwong, Artem Axenov and Katharina Storck beside the Desert Road in National Park with Mt Ruapehu in the background

One year ago, a group of Rotaractors from New Zealand decided to make history.  We were going to host the first ever Rotaract New Zealand Roundtrip!

 

Now, this may sound like Greek to most people, so we'll give a brief explanation. A Roundtrip is a trip organised by Rotaractors of a host country for international Rotaractors. The focus of these trips is to foster global Rotaract ties, do community service and provide an authentic experience of the host country while facilitating international friendships.

 

After more than a year of planning and preparation, including hours of gruelling Skype meetings, on December 4, 2015, New Zealand Rotaract was ready to go! Our Rotaract delegates from Mexico, Malaysia, Germany, France and Australia arrived in Auckland, and we all embarked on a whirlwind journey through both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

 

We spent the next 16 days travelling along 3,000 km of scenic New Zealand roads, creating unforgettable memories, making lifelong friends, and at the end of it forming our own international Rotaract family. Over the course of the trip, we stayed in 10 cities*, did community projects in Wellington and Dunedin, and met dozens of amazing Rotarians. If we said the going was all easy, we would be lying, but that’s what kept it interesting!

 

Before anyone saw it coming, the trip was coming to a close. It was an emotional day for everyone when our little Rotaract family had to go our separate ways from Nelson. The past 16 days had kept us so busy in the present that no one had realised it would have to end at some point, and that we would have to say goodbye.  Thus with tears in our eyes, we boarded our flights to Auckland and Wellington to begin the journey home.

 

We went home with unforgettable memories, thousands of photographs, and lifelong friendships and connections - the true impact of which will resonate throughout all our individual Rotaract circles.

 

Rotaract New Zealand is ecstatic with the result of the inaugural Roundtrip, and we have already started planning our next one, tentatively for early 2017.  For further details, contact Artem Axenov via artem.axenov1@gmail.com or +64 204 003 0372. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Come, jump into the Rotaract-wagon …

 

·       Footnote:  The Rotaract NZ Roundtrip included Auckland, Tauranga, Taupo, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Greymouth and Nelson.  

Words: Aritra Ray and Artem Axenov, Past District Rotaract Representatives, Districts 9920 and 9940 respectively  

10th Taveuni Eye Project in Fiji: What goes on behind the scenes

Nurse Vicky checking the eye of a patient - Photo: Jan Malden, Inner Wheel Boronia

“The timing of the 10^th Taveuni Eye Project in October 2015 could not have been more perfect for patients.  All patients have returned to their homes, families and friends and were able to participate in the Christmas and New Year celebrations. For many it was the first for a long time, so consequently very special,” said Project Lead, Rotary Club of Taveuni Island President Geoffrey Amos.

 

“In the developing world, every blind poor person has a family member who is chosen to be his or her caretaker. Frequently it is a child who becomes the “seeing eye child” for the blind person. Neither can attend school, work, or provide for the family, prolonging the cycle of poverty,“ commented Head Surgeon Doctor Jeff Rutgard.

 

Over the last ten years, the Taveuni Rotary Club has come to the aid of the visually impaired throughout Fiji by reaching out to them, giving 2500 of them a second chance, a chance to see for the first time for children born with cataracts and for adults to see again after being blind for years.

 

Worldwide support for the Taveuni Eye Project has made all this possible.  What a marvelous gift for the patients and their families. Without the wonderful team of supporters and volunteers, the largest totally free Cataract Surgery Program would not take place.

 

Support comes in many ways; some give their skill and time, some people provide vital funding, and others contribute food, accommodation and transport. This successful project grows year by year.  Last year 33 volunteers from Fiji, New Zealand, USA and Australia were involved for two weeks. Each year the project raises $FJ150,000 to provide this vital service to people in rural and remote communities, and each year it gets harder to fund the project.

 

The project has both local and overseas donors. Local Taveuni Island donors grow one ton each of dalo and cassava, others supply vudi, pineapple, bananas, pawpaw and meat.

 

In this unique project, the patients pays nothing, irrespective of where they live. The project pays all transport, accommodation, meals, surgery and post-operative medication for door to door via the Taveuni Island Hospital. In its 10^th year, the project team returned full vision to 339 eyes for 255 patients including 4 children. All patients returned to their homes with renewed vigor for life as full working members of their community, with the children now able to go to school.

 

Once the yearly fundraising is complete and everything is planned, the volunteers all arrive and commence the numerous tasks required to take care of the patients.

 

The Logistics Team arrange the travel for patients coming from all over Fiji, coordinating passenger services (including ships, buses, ferries, hire vehicles and donated local vehicles), the number of patients arriving and departing daily, planning surgery numbers, liaising with Patient Services for beds and food, attending to the Theatre Team’s requirements. They are the first to arrive at the hospital in the morning and last to leave at the end of the day. Past President Michael Prasad has done this role for all of the last ten years.

 

Over the same time period, Rotarian Joey Korovata has managed the Patient Services Team. They produce all the meals (totaling approximately 2500 over the two weeks), wash thousands of sheets, pillow cases and towels, and of course make the beds and care for patients.

 

The Medical Team carry out the medical procedures and supply the very best of care for the patients. With 35 operations per day, sometimes three at once, plus the pre-screening and post-operative care, their days are full from 6.30am to 6.00pm.

 

The total team compassion and dedication to the blind disadvantaged throughout Fiji, supported by the Taveuni Rotary Club and Rotary Clubs in New Zealand, Australia, and the US, along with SEE International and the Hawaiian Eye Foundation have made it possible for over 2,500 Fijian children and adults to have received the gift of sight.

 

“I witnessed patients who had travelled for over 36 hours who were so happy to be there and so appreciative of the work that this incredible group of people accomplish. These patients who are transported, accommodated and fed while having their sight restored, all provided by Rotary Foundation Global Grant, donations of money, voluntary time and the gift of love.  It is a truly an amazing humanitarian project,” concluded District 9920 Governor Jennie Herring.

 

Planning and fundraising has already commenced for the 11^th Annual Taveuni Eye Project.  To find out more, go to the Rotary Club of Taveuni Island’s website www.rotarysouthpacific.org/club.cfm?ID=365 or contact Geoffrey Amos directly via raikivi@me.com.

Words: Past President Peter Malden, of the Rotary Club of Boronia, Vic (a sister club to Rotary Club of Taveuni Island, Fiji)

 

CHRISTMAS VEGGIE COLLECTION

Past President Harry Maidment, PDG John Rennie and George Wong

The Team unloading at the Salvation Army Depot Manukau City

CHRISTMAS VEGGIE COLLECTION DECEMBER 2015

 A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN

The Salvation Army, the Growers of Pukekohe, Auckland  and the Rotary Club of Drury

This Veggie Collection project started in 2001, the year Harry Maidment was president of the Rotary Club of Drury, District 9920.  Fourteen years later it is still going strong.   This project is a wonderful example of partnerships: working with the community, another charity group and the members of the Rotary Club of Drury.

There are now Fifty (50) Veggie Growers in the Pukekohe area who contribute to this collection.  These people work very hard to produce their products and every year they are keen to be part of this worthwhile Christmas Project.

The initial contact with the Growers is made in writing with a letter from both Thge Rotary Club of Drury and the Salvation Army endorsing the project.  The Rotary Club follows up with phone calls to confirm the pickup date.  When this is all done a team of three x  three made up of a driver and two workers head out in ten tonne trucks to pick up the produce.

It is then delivered to the Salvation Army main depot in Manukau City and then redistributed to smaller distribution centres to be given to needy families at Christmas.  As there is always a huge amount of veggies some that will keep, like onions and potatoes are distributed later the following year