A waterfront piano for Wellington

It started out as a bit of an off the wall idea last year: find a piano and place it on Wellington’s waterfront for anyone who fancied knocking out a tune could do so.

That fancy is now a reality thanks to a kind donor, a helpful cafe proprietor, and some members of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson, Wellington, NZ.

Official opening by City Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer on guitar
accompanied by Cindy Muggeridge on piano.

Wellington Waterfront Ltd, the City Council owned company that manages facilities in Wellington’s inner harbour, asked the club to find a piano and locate it on the waterfront so passers-by could play a tune or busk some time away.

Locating pianos like that is common overseas, and it was certainly agreed that a piano would add to the colour and vibrancy of Wellington's magnificent waterfront which attracts hundreds of walkers, runners and lunchtime amblers every day.

The Strachan Family who donated the piano
for Wellington waterfront

What seemed difficult at the outset became a reality with a little thought and imagination.  The family of Eileen Stratchan kindly donated a piano because they liked the idea of having a piano on the waterfront for all to use.

Port Nicholson Rotarians put it on a set of castor wheels. The Tuatua Cafe on the waterfront agreed to look after the piano, and on fine days it’s wheeled out for anyone to use – concertos to chop sticks, blues to bourees, Gershwin to Rimsky-Korsakov.

Music teacher Isaac Stone trying his hand

The Wellington Community Piano was officially opened in November 2012 by Ray Ahipene-Mercer, a local city councillor. Early admirers included Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. On an official waterfront walkabout on the Prince’s 64th birthday, they were treated to a royal rendition of “Happy Birthday”.

The piano also got Rotary onto the TV One Breakfast show. The project cost very little and it was a win for all involved. It highlights how some creative thought goes a long way.  

 

-         Rick Hughes, President, Rotary Club of Port Nicholson, Wellington, NZ  

Recognition for Plimmerton Rotary and Porirua City Council

Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Department of Conservation’s Wellington Hawke’s Bay Conservancy and the Wellington Hawke’s Bay Conservation Board developed the Encore Awards to honour individuals, groups, school communities and landowners whose sustained commitment to environmental restoration, biodiversity and conservation is making the Wellington region a better place to live.

 

Planting October 2012: Rotarian volunteers hard at work
planting Oioi (Apodasmia similis). Photo: Graham Craig

Both the Rotary Club of Plimmerton and Porirua City Council won the Recreational Volunteers Award for their work on the Te Ara Piko Pathway around the Pauatahanui Inlet in the 2011 Encore Awards. Work began in 2000. 

 

The 2012 Awards Ceremony was held on December 3 in the Wellington City Art Gallery. Porirua City Council received a Highly Commended Award for Excellence in Compliance for Te Ara Piko.

 

There are seven award categories. The Excellence in Compliance Award recognises Greater Wellington consent holders who exceed their compliance requirements to reduce or avoid adverse effects on the environment.

 

The Judges’ Citation states ‘The Porirua City Council has continued to make good progress on developing Te Ara Piko. The project has been supported by the Rotary Club of Plimmerton who have undertaken considerable work in partnership with the Council to make this project a success’.

potential for adverse effects from placing a man-made structure by the Inlet, and they’ve done their best to avoid the impact of the construction of the Walkway on the Inlet, while ensuring the Walkway is in harmony with its surroundings.

 

To manage the impacts of the Walkway’s construction, disturbance of the Inlet has been minimised, machinery has been located away from the Inlet and wood was cut off site. Plants have been successfully translocated from the nursery set up by the Rotary Club and problems such as erosion minimised.

 

The Council consulted widely with the community over the years of the project, and their efforts have significantly enhanced the environment and created a fantastic amenity for the community. This project continues to raise awareness about the significance of the Pauatahanui Inlet and the threats to it.

 

- District 9940 Newsletter January 2013 page 7

Science programs encourage budding scientists

There are two Rotary supported Science programmes for secondary school pupils. These are:

Rotary National Science and Technology Forum is for Year 12 students with as passion for science and technology and is held at the beginning of their year 13 school year (ie 2 full weeks live in AU's O'Rorke Hall during January) 

This fully residential programme is conducted by Rotary and the Tertiary Institutions of Auckland. By the end of the Forum students should have a better understanding of the tertiary courses they wish to follow and a fuller appreciation of the place of science and technology in the wider community. It also provides an opportunity for high achieving students to spent time with similar minded people and the experiences gained invariably result in overall personal growth and renewed motivation to succeed.

Opening session, January 2013

Each District has been allocated 25 places at the Forum. All Secondary Schools and Clubs in the District will be sent copies of the application forms and guidelines.  The application process is highly competitive (reflecting it value and popularity)  and all applications from students MUST be lodged with Rotary Clubs, who will interview & endorse them before forwarding to the District Coordinator who will then make the final District selections.

At BOTH Club and District level, selection is based on positive personal qualities and proven scholastic achievement. Successful students should be advised by the District Coordinator by end September. Selected applicants have the opportunity to win a place at either the Canberra (1 per District) or the London International Youth Science Forum (2 Forum places).

For contacts go to the District Rotary National Science and Technology Forum Committee in the appropriate district.

Sci-tech Experience for Year 11 students and NCEA Level 1 of any science discipline with some interest in science as a career.

This is held over three days in first week of July school holidays and operates only in the 9910 and 9920 districts, effectively the greater Auckland area, with some North Auckland schools' participation. It is a day attendance programme coordinated from AUT with programme participation from Unitech and MIT (Manukau).

2013 dates: 16, 17 and 18 July 2013

The aims of the programme are:

1. To increase the awareness of, and develop enthusiasm for the "sciences” and their applications.

2. To understand that the sciences are crucial contributors to contemporary life.

3. To encourage a continuing commitment to further study which could lead to related employment.

Numbers are restricted to 200 and it is common to have more applicants than places. There is an initial allocation maximum of 10 students per school, with any remaining places by selection.

Fee $95 (covers meals and bus transport) - sponsorship may be available.

Sci-Tech is managed by a Trust comprised of Rotary Districts 9910 and 9920 together with representatives from the participating tertiary institutions.

Programme details and application: www.sci-tech.org.nz

 

For contacts go to www.scitech9920.rotarysouthpacific.org

 

"Engage Rotary - Change Lives" - Rotary's 2013-2014 Theme

To watch a video about the announcement, get the graphics and read DGEs comments go to www.rotary.org  (if needed go to #1 of the rotating top banner news)

Theme merchandise is now available for order from RDU Merchandise and is a perfect  inexpensive and appropriate gift for districts and clubs to acknowledge the commitment of their incoming leadership team for the coming Rotary year.
 
Email:  supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au 
Phone (NZ calls): 0800 738 695
Catalogue and other contacts via: www.rotarydownunder.org

A shredding success by the elderly benefits animals

PDG Dr Philly Karani of the
Rotary Club of Somerville Howick shows how it is done.

Now who would have thought that a ubiquitous shredder would whip up so much excitement amongst the residents of Ambridge Rose Manor Private Hospital and Rest Home at Edgewater Drive in Pakuranga, Auckland, NZ?

The high performance shredder donated by the Rotary Club of Somerville Howick was the focus of attention as it was wheeled in by Ambridge Rose Manor Activities Coordinator Merilyn Griffiths. Merilyn handed out stacks of paper and suddenly there was a flurry of activity.

Resident Alex Mackie gives a demonstration.

“We’ve been unemployed for too long,” smiled David Miller, popularly known as the ‘champion shredder’ resident, who thoroughly enjoys the sense of purpose it gives him.

It was Merilyn’s husband David, a Course Coordinator and Lecturer at Unitec who came up with the ingenious idea of recycling tons of paper. David explained, “I’m encouraging all my colleagues to clean up their offices and give me their old stuff.” It was while he was shredding paper at home that his wife suggested that she could perhaps get the senior citizens at Ambridge Rose Manor to shred it instead.

David who collects dozens of boxes of paper and transports them to the rest home also ensures that the shredded paper gets to the animals in the zoo, to the animal hospital next to Unitec, and to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

“We were really pleased when the Rotary Club of Somerville Howick donated a high performance shredder that has a big safety feature. People of their age group who have lead a busy life, some of whom have been accountants, secretaries and in business. Suddenly feel they are of no use to society. Everyone feels a part of it, and they start talking and joking with one another. There is a sense of community and they are happy they can contribute back to society,” said grateful Merilyn.

Samoa and Philippines Benefit from Christmas Puddings

The Rotary Club of Orewa, NZ decided following the two recent disasters in Samoa and the Philippines that the proceeds from their very successful Rotary Christmas Pudding Project will go towards providing one ShelterBox for the Philippines and two Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) for Samoa”, says Doug Parker, the club’s Co-ordinator for Christmas Puddings sales.

Cyclone Evan struck Samoa with three people reported dead, 200 injured by flying debris and 3000 forced from their homes. The ERKs will help people get re-established.

In the Philippines over 700 people are believed to be dead, with almost another 800 missing and Typhoon Bopha destroyed 80,000 homes. ShelterBoxes provide temporary housing for ten people with all the necessary equipment such as sleeping bags, multifuel stove, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, groundsheets, various tools and even children’s school supplies - all the essential basics a family would require.

 

Photo courtesy of Rodney Times   

Photo caption: Maygrove Retirement Village resident Heather Nicholson thoroughly enjoys her Rotary Christmas pudding, and she is thrilled that the proceeds are helping victims of the Samoa and Philippines cyclone and typhoon disasters. 

The Orewa Rotary Club over the past five years have provided 11 such ShelterBoxes to countries hit by disasters, and their aim is to provide two ShelterBoxes each year to disaster ravaged countries.

Doug says that it is only through the club’s fundraising activities and the tremendous support Rotary receives from the people in the local community that we are able to achieve this, and also help other charities.

456 Rotary Christmas puddings were sold, which allowed the club to donate one ShelterBox (NZ$1500) and two ERKs ($600 each).  Two more ERKs were donated by Orewa Rotarian Rod and Judy Townsend. 

-       Submitted by Doug Parker, Rotary Club of Orewa, New Zealand

BOC RYDA CHAMPION AWARD 2012

BOC is one of the major sponsors of the RYDA, Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program in Australasia.   In New Zealand this program is also sponsored by NZ Steel.   RYDA has now been amalgamated with Road Safety Education Limited.

Every year, BOC has been presenting an Australian Rotarian with the BOC RYDA Champion Award.

This Award is given to a Rotarian who has championed the program through Rotary Clubs and schools.

On 10 December 2012 in Sydney the annual Award luncheon was held and it was at this function that

AG Jennie Herring was presented with this Award for her work over the past 5 years in District 9920.

This is the first time the Award was presented to a New Zealand Rotarian.   In 2012 two further awards were also given to Australian Rotarians.


Related Links: http://www.rse.org.au/  - note that Rotary organising committees are via this LINK 

Angel Flight NZ has taken off!

Angel Flight NZ co-ordinates non-emergency flights, assisting people who are financially disadvantaged with a medical condition and long distances to travel, by flying them to an airport near their medical treatment facility.

 



Angel Flight NZ Founder/Chairman and Rotarian Lance Weller
with his Cirrus SR20G3 aircraft.

Angel Flight NZ was founded on November 23, 2011 by retired businessman and pilot Lance Weller, who had already flown ten Angel Flight missions in Australia. “I saw firsthand on all of these ten flights, how appreciative our patients were by reducing their previously stressful travel time down to just a few hours. On returning to NZ after being away for 43 years, I asked about the possibility of flying Angel Flights, but was told the organisation didn’t exist in NZ”, emphasised Lance. So Lance would have his own aircraft in NZ to begin flying Angel Flights there, he flew his Cirrus SR20G3 aircraft from Brisbane to NZ via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands in January 2012.

“Our goal is to improve lives, one flight at a time, by providing not just less stressful transportation, but also care and compassion” added Lance.

Rotary has been an important part in helping Lance Weller establish Angel Flight NZ. He is a Rotarian of 30 years who lives near Whangarei, and his two most senior coordinators are Roger Leadbeater (Rotary Club of Orewa) and John Pringle (Takapuna North). About 25% of Angel Flight NZ pilots are Rotarians. Lance and Roger are members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians who have been very helpful, and donated money raised at a 2012 IFFR Meeting. Other Flying Rotarian pilots include Phil Pacey (Drury) and Fred Bain (Pukekohe). The Rotary Club of Whangarei are their largest donor so far with NZ$10,000 donated. This charity is funded by Rotary, private and corporate donations. 

Flight and road transport are provided free of charge by our team of volunteers. Angel Flight NZ needs more Sky Angel pilots in cockpits in Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Paraparaumu and the South Island who can make the time to “improve lives one flight at a time”. More Earth Angel car drivers in Christchurch and Wellington/Paraparaumu to meet flights and drive passengers to their medical appointments are also needed.

Go to www.angelflightnz.co.nz to find out more about volunteering or to make a donation.

Angel Flight also operates in Australia (www.angelflight.org.au) and USA.



Pilot Alastair Leggat preparing the aircraft,
while Shannon and Magic Hoani wait patiently.

 

Angel Flight NZ situation as at December 4, 2012:
4,838 kilometres flown.
$5,982 of aircraft time donated by Pilots.
886 km driven by Earth Angels.
18 adults and 10 children flown.
40 registered Pilots and aircraft in Whangarei, North Shore, Whenuapai, Ardmore, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson, Hastings, Whakatane and Christchurch.
Landing fees waived at all airports Angel Flight NZ flies to.
35 Earth Angels mainly in Auckland, but also in Whangarei, Wellington and Christchurch.
5 Mission Coordinators.
Total Volunteer Team of 80 people ready to help people in more distant towns of NZ.
Travel free by air and road to major hospitals for non-urgent medical appointments or care.

Related link: http://www.iffr.org.nz/

Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation Projects Benefited 53,000 Grateful Fijians

53,000 Fijians living in rural areas have benefited from Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation’s (RPW) support since 2007, and Roma villagers are some of these grateful recipients.

Water tank installed by RPW and Roma villagers

Roma is a beautiful village nested on the slope of a massive mountain on Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. It overlooks a wide calm river flowing 200 meters below and faces a mountain range leading to the summit of Mount Victoria. From the capital city Suva, it takes about four hours by car to reach the end of the track which marks the beginning of a half an hour walk to the village, crossing the river a couple of times.

The 100 people in Roma live mainly in self-sufficiency with no electricity and without easy access to the rest of the island, understandably not having much income generated locally. Thus, when problems arose with their water supply, the villagers could not afford to fix it themselves, so they had to ask for RPW’s help.

Indeed, the water source used until then was located too low to cater by gravity for the whole population, forcing villagers living up the hill to carry buckets and drums for their basic needs (such as washing, cleaning and drinking etc). After finding and securing a new source of water higher up the hill, RPW provided the village with a water tank and new piping so that everyone can now enjoy safe drinking water.

At the official opening, the village representatives express their gratitude to RPW and asked the Manager Gaël Léopold to spread the word in Suva that they would also appreciate being connected to the main road, so that they can have access to the major markets.

Read more about RPW on www.rotarypacificwater.org.

 

- By Gaël Léopold, RPW Manager gael@rotarypacificwater.org +679-9056808

2013 will be another stunning year for Rotary - Welcome to it.