9 years olds receive dictionaries

To encourage literacy in the home the Kerikeri Rotary club purchased 248 Usbourne Illustrated Dictionaries and is currently distributing these personalised gifts to Year 4 pupils attending Oruaiti, Okaihau, Riverview and Kerikeri Primary schools. These hard covered books are especially designed to be attractive and useful for 9 year olds. ‘This wonderful programme allows us to reach over 200 pupils in our schools, but also allows us to reach parents, teachers and other children at home with a good quality product’ said Kerikeri club president John Toms.

Rotarians handing out the books to the children enjoy their delight at receiving such a neat book to take home, after having first used it in the classroom to complete a quiz. All correct answers to the quiz have gone into a draw for an instant camera gifted to each school by McFadzien’s pharmacy.

To be part of this programme next year please contact your local Rotary club via http://www.rotarysouthpacific.org/

Pictured: Kerikeri Primary school year 4 pupils with their new dictionaries

Rotary putting Northland New Zealand on the multisporting map!

Putting Northland New Zealand firmly on the multisport event map in only its second year is the Kerikeri Rotary Club’s Top Energy Northern Crossing. It attracted 174 competitors to the start line on Saturday 7^th May. Professional athlete and trainer Sam Goodall (26 of Paremoremo) returned and successfully defended his 2010 title in the solo multisport event in a time of 5:13:19   Real competition this year happened out on the water as the Kayaks raced up the Hokianga Harbour from Opononi to Rawene. Second placed Craig Newton of Auckland pipped Sam’s time in the kayak leg by 1 minute 51 seconds. This was in part due to Sam leaving his spray skirt at home. No spray skirt equals liquid ballast being shipped on board from the initial choppy conditions on the harbour. However Sam’s strong running legs and fastest cycle leg in the event ensured his victory.