Matakana wine event a hit

Over 150 wine enthusiasts flocked to the stunning Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana on 9 May for Warkworth Rotary Club’s Raise A Glass Wine Tasting and Charity Auction.

The wine tasting from 3pm to 5pm gave attendees the opportunity to sample wines from more than 12 local wine growers before an exciting auction from 5.30pm. 

Over 27 wine and non-wine action items went under the hammer on the night giving bidders the chance to battle it out for “one of a kind” or “last ever” bottles of wine and special experiences. 

Top selling items on the night included a catered excursion on the Mahurangi River for up to 50 people which went for $2,650 and 3 bottles of 2010 Larose from Stonyridge Vineyard that sold for $1,050.

Warkworth Rotary Club president, Robin Dixon says the team was thrilled with the event which would not have been possible without the support of the local community. 

“From our generous sponsors, Withers & Co, Webster Malcolm Law and New World Warkworth, to all of the wineries and organisations that donated fantastic auction items or came to sample wine at the event, we are incredibly grateful,” says Dixon. “We were so pleased to have so many people get behind the event and help make it a success with great money raised for our charity recipient.”

The event raised a much appreciated $10,000 for the Well Foundation, which is the official fundraising body of Waitemata District Health Board. The foundation will put the money towards a new $195,000 mobile health clinic which will visit early childhood centres, schools, community events, and many other communal areas within the Waitemata district right out to Kaukapakapa and Helensville. 

The mobile clinic is focused on doing ear checks, general health check-ups, throat swabbing as part of the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme, and providing instant treatment where possible. Without this mobile service, many would miss out on getting the health care they need, often only ending up in hospital when their problem develops into something more serious.

Raise A Glass will return next year in May and with the organising committee already focused on planning, it promises to be bigger and better in 2016.

To be the first to know when tickets go on sale and keep up with new announcements, like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RaiseAGlassMatakana.

Sugar Loaf track accesses 45th Parallel

Donald Young, Denis McEntyre, Matt Sole o the track

Cromwell Rotary have developed a narrow walking track up the Sugar Loaf in 2009 to allow visitors to view the 45th Parallel and surrounding lake area from the crest of the Sugar Loaf terrace a significant land form and landscape.

This is managed currently as an out and back track from State Highway 6 Luggate – Cromwell Road beside Lake Dunstan 500m north east from Lowburn inlet and Valley up the lakeside face of the terrace via a series of steps to a viewing point aligned with the 45th parallel. This has received use from passing visitors and locals alike and with its success the club has extended the walking track down Hanging Gully on the true route via the early gold workings down to the Lowburn inlet and then around the foot of Sugar Loaf terrace to the track starting point beside Lake Dunstan and the SH.

This has created a rewarding loop track with outstanding views and opened up a previously hidden sequence of early gold workings for public access and appreciation. Most of the current track and new extension is located on Central Otago District Council (CODC) owned land. The Sugar Loaf area is an Area of Outstanding Landscape in the CODC District Plan requiring compliance with Rule 4.7.6L (1) (c) relating area/amount of earth/material disturbance.

The Hanging Gully is a recorded archaeological site on the NZ Archaeological site recording register G42 572 and the Cromwell Rotary Club along with consultation and gaining approvals from various other bodies such as LINZ, NZTA, adjacent neighbouring landowners  worked with Heritage New Zealand (HNZ) to gain the required consents to run the track extension through the archaeological gold workings site in Hanging Gully.

The Cromwell Rotary has developed and maintained the current track and has the support of both Cromwell and Pisa communities with their respective plans for walking tracks rating them as medium and high importance. A memorandum of understanding sets out the agreement between Cromwell Rotary and CODC

ROTARY ASSISTS IN DEVELOPING WETLANDS AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.

Bushy Park Sanctuary,situated 20kms north of Wanganui,N.Z.,with its historic homestead, 91ha native lowland forest and wetlands is one of the regions hidden gems.Indigenous wetlands are one of the most seriously threatened habit types across the whole of N.Z.,with less than 2% of original wetlands remaining.Bushy Park Trust and The Rotary Club of Wanganui North recognised this by forming a partnership late 2013 to develop and extend the Parks wetlands.

 

The Bushy Park wetlands is fast becoming an important facility for school groups to use as an outdoor classroom.The wetlands is home to rare native plants,gecko,frogs and freshwater creatures.An abundance of insect life infiltrates the wetland area providing further food sources for increasing numbers of bird species including fantails,robins,kingfisher,kereru,hihi,bellbirds,tui and falcon.

 

With assistance from a Bushy Park Trustee Wilf Emmett and his machinery, this $35,000 plus project included……

 

ROTARY NORTH BOARDWALK.New forest tracks lead down to the wetlands from the homestead.Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Wanganui businesses and individuals sponsoring $55 named planks, the 90m boardwalk and its jetties have been fully funded.The boardwalk weaves across the wetland giving visitors an uninterrupted view of this beautiful tranquil area,surrounded with its native bush landscape reflecting in the water.The boardwalk is linked to the amphitheatre.

 

ROTARY NORTH AMPHITHEATRE,has been funded by the Rotary Club of Wanganui North raising funds through a raffle and a matching grant from District 9940.The 60 seater amphitheatre is roofed to provide shelter and with its stunning views across the wetland will be used as an outdoor classroom for the many school groups visiting Bushy Park.A shed has been erected for storing equipment used in observing the many water creatures in the pond.

 

NATIVE PLANTING. With advice from a local native plant expert and generous funding from The Eleanor Burgess Trust and the Wanganui Beautifying Society, 2000 native plants purchased from the Department of Corrections Wanganui nursery, were planted.

 

INTERPRETATIVE SIGNAGE has been erected giving information on the wetlands floira,fauna,birdlife and water creatures.

 

                                            WETLAND OPENING

Official Opening, from left to Right.

Liz Tennet, Chairperson Bushy Park Trust

John Maihi, Kaumatua

Annette Main, Mayor of Wanganui

The Governor General’s Aide de Camp

The Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae

Rotary North President, Iain Macleod (speaker)

With stalls,entertainment,vintage car display,and 100,s of people in attendance His Excellency Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM,QSO, Governor-General of NZ, formally opened the Wetland Project on Saturday 23^rd May 2015. Offical guests also included Wanganui Mayor Annette Main and Rotary District 9940 Governor Anthony Scott.

 

ROTARY CAMARADERIE.  100,s of hours of fund raising and working bees over many months has given the members of the Rotary Club of Wanganui North a new focus and togetherness.As one member said…”The working bees are what I enjoy and what Rotary is all about.”

 

TO ALL ROTARIANS AND FRIENDS.  If you are in the Wanganui area please take time to visit Bushy Park,791 Rangitatau East Rd, Kai Iwi. Its homestead,native forest,bird life and now its developed wetland is something very special,and a must see in the Wanganui Region.

 

Iain Macleod                                            Cranleigh Chainey

President                                                   Project Director.

Rotary Club of Wanganui North

Taumarunui Rotary revitalise town's northern gateway

Rotarian Don Buchanan and Mayor Don Cameron
at the wet opening day of the
Taumarunui Northern Entrance Canoe structure.

The Taumarunui Rotary Club has been the main driver behind a new northern entrance structure to revitalise the tired looking entrance. For visitors coming from the north, they were greeted by a barren area. The council identifying the need to do something, but not really having the resources to achieve it, looked to the community to take on the project. Up stepped Rotary.

The Taumarunui Rotary Club had been looking at options for this over many years, but each time the project kicked off it seemed there were so many groups and interests that these attempts stalled before they started. Finally in 2011 with committed funds from the Taumarunui Rotary Club and the Ruapehu District Council the project started. This was enabled by the drive and relationships of Sue Morris who was the mayor at the time and Rotarian of the club. A number of design concepts come forward but budget limits and group partnerships lead to the idea of a canoe frame structure with a four poster boards to have images that depict the aspects of the town that will attract visitors as they enter.

In 2014 the project started and it became clear additional funds were required. Fortunately a District 9920 Grant of $3,000 was provided to the project to help with the shortfall. This was when the hard work started for the project manager, Don Buchanan. a long a standing member of the club. Balancing funds, working with local businesses to provide in kind support and managing the demands of council reporting and other community groups, became the norm.

On the 15 May, Mayor Don Cameron officially opened the structure as well as it receiving a blessing from the kaumatua. “Its the beginning of the revitalisation of Taumarunui, and the council is extremely thankful to everyone who has been involved in the project” said Mayor Don.

The Rotary Club of Taumarunui knows that projects like these don’t happen without the drive and enthusiasm of individuals, and the club would really like to thank Don Buchanan for all the hard work he has put in, particularly picking up the project when Sue left Rotary, dealing with the bureaucratic obstacles and managing the demands of community groups. The total project budget was $23,000, but when all the community in kind work was added the total project value is closer to $40,000.

Web: www.taumarunuirotaryclub.co.nz

 

Rotarians receiving NZ Queens Birthday Honours 2015

Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2015 at http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/qb2015-list  

Geoff Henry, formerly of the Rotary Club of Wellington Harbour City, received the MNZM for services to Athletics.

Betty Nelley, of Maungaturoto Rotary received the QSM for services to history and tourism.

Arthur Morris Robertson, PDG, of Wellington North Rotary received the QSM for services to the community.

Jim Shepherd, of the Rotary Club of Inglewood, received the QSM for service to the community.

 

 

ANZAC DAY & PAPEETE WWI MEMORIES

In Tahiti, since September 2014, numerous events have paid tribute to WWI, to WWI Papeete bombing (Sept 22nd, 1914) so that generations never forget.

As a tradition since 2007 in Tahiti, Anzac day  has been celebrated because two soldiers from WWI were buried in Tahiti: 

an Australian soldier (Robert William Fuhrstrom) and

a new Zealander soldier  (Corporal Roy John Leslie).

Private Fuhrstrom fought in France where he caught the trench pneumonia; after several stays in hospitals in Scotland, he was sent back to Australia and passed away on board “The Marathon” in Papeete on May 29^th, 1918.

Corporal Leslie   survived Gallipoli then was sent to France where he was wounded; on his way back to New Zealand he died on board “The Maheno” on September 5^th, 1917.

The French governor in Tahiti offered to bury them in Papeete, promising the graves will be looked after by the locals.

In April, the 100 years of Gallipoli were commemorated  in a very special way.

Beside a very impressive dawn service held on April 25th at Uranie cemetery (Papeete)  by the Australian  honorary consulate in partnership with the New Zealand  honorary consulate and the army, other events for general public and schools were organised from April 20-30^th in Papeete.

The Australian honorary consulate and the Rotary club Papeete Tahiti co organized   four events.

-  1- Finding descendants of the two soldiers and  having them come  to Tahiti to attend the commemorations.   After more than 5 years of research, families were found and both soldiers’descendants attended: Anne Crozier, her husband Dave and their 3 children representing Roy Leslie, and Colleen Van Hees and her husband Martin (William Fuhrstrom) The ceremonies were fairly emotional.

- 2-  Organizing an exhibition dedicated to Anzac and our two soldiers. It was held at the Papeete townhall (our partner) from April 20-30^th, 2015. This exhibition called “Anzac Day & Papeete,  WW1 Memories”  was supported the Australian government. It related the story of the Australian, New Zealander and French forces on the battlefields during WWI.  It  presented the superb intinerary exhibition  from the Australian consulate based in Noumea. Our two soldiers stories were  honoured and highlighted thanks to the book dedicated to Private Fuhrstrom written by June Johnson, their belongings, medals; the exhibition was enhanced by WWI uniforms, objects, magazines and photos and an impressive data base thanks to (ONAC, private collections…) A video and reading area was proposed to visitors for an Anzac universe immersion.

A great exhibition opening and cocktail for one hundred guests and the media.

- 3- Organizing the Gallipoli  film viewings (from Peter Weir  1981 with Mel Gibson) followed by  debate on April 24 at Liberty cinema in Papeete

One viewing/debate for schools and another film viewing and bilingual debate in the evening for general public. It was followed by a cocktail. The debates were conducted by WW1 historians (JC Shigetomi, Y Babin and C Raybaud).

- 4- The dawn service was held on April 25^th  at Uranie cemetery (Papeete)  by the Australian  honorary consulate in partnership with the New Zealand  honorary consulate and the French military. A lot of emotions during  speaches,  pupils choir,  the three national anthems sung by Charles Atger Choir.

The  organisation and the success were based on the strong involvement of the two organizers Virginie Kiou  (Australian Honorary Consul assistant) and Cathy Gourbault-Lawrence  (Rotary Club Papeete-Tahiti), and the total support of Marc Siu (Australian Honorary Consul).

 The presence of Glenda Price, representing the General Consul of Australia, Murray Taylor  Australian federal Police officer and the descendants of our two soldiers gave a special dimension to the 100 th Gallipoli commemorations.

These ambitious projects became reality thanks to partners (ONAC, Papeete Township, New Zealand Honorary Consulate, Pacific Films, Air Tahiti Nui, Avis, Manava suite resort), and thanks to generous sponsors (Michelin, QBE and Rotary).

Without their precious supports, these events would not have been so successful.

The  Anzac day tributes in Tahiti were granted with the official approval by Australia, New Zealand and France to use the international WW1 centenary emblems.

In Tahiti, there was a huge media coverage (2 full pages in Newspaper and some other  small articles in newspaper, (2 radio interviews (Radio 1 and Tiare FM),  (5 reports on TV news (TNTV and Polynésie 1ère). A media saturation for 10 days ! Great for the Rotary image

The 100 Gallipoli year  celebrations in Tahiti honoured the Anzac role which have highly contributed to the close relationships between French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand.

Anzac day & Papeete WW1 Memories was a great project which  paid a beautiful tribute to Anzac soldiers and honor their sacrifices.   

Lest we forget

Cathy Gourbault-Lawrence

Anzac Day & Papeete 2015 project co organizer Rotary Club Papeete- Tahiti

You can support a village in Nepal recover in a sustainable way

In 2012 a group of 5 members of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson Rotary Club (RCPN) joined 3 Rotary club members from the USA on a trek to Chyangba village in the Himalayan foothills.  The trek was led by Pem Sherpa who was born and raised in the village.  Pem and his family now live in the USA and he organises and leads treks from there.

The purpose of our trek in 2012 was to raise funds to rebuild one of the school buildings for the village; US$11,000 was raised and the new building was completed by the villagers.  Rotary also contributed to a water supply feed scheme for the village in the recent past. Pem has a history with Rotary, placing the Rotary flag on the top of Mt Everest in Rotary’s centenary year and also appearing at the international convention in that year. He has also been the instigator and fundraiser for many of the development and improvement projects carried out in the village.

Pem was made a Paul Harris Fellow by RCPN in 2013.

The recent earthquake has caused significant damage to the new school building and other existing ones, as well as the water supply infrastructure.  RCPN has decided to support this village in the aftermath of the earthquake and have been in touch with Pem Sherpa to see what is required. You can view the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYcp3In25AA

 

Pem has initially estimated a cost of possibly US$30,000 - 40,000 to get things back on track, however we will need a little more time to get more detailed information.

In order to support this kind of fundraising we want to apply for a Rotary district grant and also potentially a global grant, which should enable us to more than double whatever money we can pull together. If we can work together as clubs there could be the opportunity to maximise the amounts receivable from RI. We will also ask Pem to nominate a Nepal based Rotary club to connect with as this is a requirement of a global grant.

In our discussions about how best to proceed, we determined that there are a number of other international agencies which are better funded and prepared for an immediate response to disasters like this. By targeting our assistance to the people and children of Chyangba will, we believe, enable us to make a real difference with the funds we can generate.

On behalf of RCPN, we are asking your club to join us and assist in raising this money for the people of Chyangba village. We are hopeful of having a starting fund of $8,000 to be used for the more immediate projects but will look to enlarge that quickly through online giving and donations from clubs such as yours. Donations can be made via our Charitable Trust https://givealittle.co.nz/org/rotaryportnicholson

Thank you for considering this request. We hope you will support this important cause.

Yours in Rotary

Linda Wellington
President Elect

Balclutha Rotary Clubs Cambodian's experience

In September 2014 five Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Balclutha 9980 flew to Cambodia to work in the slums of Phnom Penh. They worked with thebOne-2-One Charitable Trust www.one2oneworld.org  that provides medical, dental care and schooling to the vulnerable and destitute families in the slum areas.  Money was raised with a $2000 District Grant, The Rotary Club of Balclutha gave $10,000, local Donations and the groups personal givings.

A mixed group of people included David Tait a Dentist, Stuart Holgate a Paramedic, Ngaire Pannett an ICU Nurse and Peter Buxton and Joan Hasler teaching english in the SOS (save our students) drop-in centre schools.  The group lived with sponsored students in Grace House which is owned by the One-2-One Charitable Trust. The dental clinic is part of Grace house and this is where Mr Tait worked along with other dental students. Orphanages and schools from around the city would bring the children including children with HIV for dental work.  Each day Mr Holgate and Ms Pannett would venture into the slums with a Cambodian nurse who had originated from a slum and had been sponsored through schooling and nursing school. She knew all the people living in the slums and those needing medical attention, water or food. Each day they visited the slums they would give out shoes and clothing they had bought at the markets.


The story that stole their hearts was a little boy called Diamond. He had HIV as did his Mother who was being treated. His little brother is free of the disease. The father was in jail. Diamond had been put into the HIV Clinic but he had run home. That little boy clung onto Mr Holgate not wanting him to leave and the mother hugged Ms Pannett in desperation for her little boy. Finally the family were taken into the Clinic and Diamond is doing fine and going to school.  Mr Buxton and Ms Hasler spent time teaching English and interacting at the SOS schools. There is a sponsored teacher who encourages the children to come to their little schools to get into a learning habit so they can go onto the public schools. Books and other school needs were given.

A day was spent out in the country with the One-2-One medical team. They were based in a sponsored Australian Compound where they work with the country people teaching them to stay and work the land, to stop them going to the cities for work, not getting it and ending up living in the slums. The medical team checked the people who came from far and wide for medical help. What surprised the group was the cleanliness of the people and their tiny shacks in amongst all the rubbish, filth and plastic bags that lay around.

Some earned a little money for food and water from recycling cans, plastic bottles and cardboard. These people have nothing but always give a smile and love a hug and are grateful for anything they receive.  This group of Rotarians from Balclutha NZ will cherish the experience forever. They could change very little, but every little bit helps and shows we do care about these impoverished people. “One Smile at a time. One life at a time”; The last three days the group bussed to Siem Reap to visit Ankor Wat. They flew home a very different group of five people.

Vanuatu Fundraising Raffles

On behalf of the Vanuatu men living at 45 South Hostel, a huge thank you to Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters for their generous prize; To Megan Ireland, who designed and printed the tickets – thank you; To Jean Morgan and all the wonderful Cromwell Rotary members who helped sell the tickets - thank you, without your support it would not have been possible; To all the businesses and public who supported us - thank you very much.

Many thanks also to Dave McMillan, Rippon Cherries, for donating a trailer load of firewood. 

We have a group of Vanuatu men in Cromwell who will be working over winter and are going to be sending a container back home so any donated goods are most welcome.

Wendy Sullivan [0274 351363]

Hostel Manager

45 South Management Ltd.

 

Raffle Prize: Helicopter Flight for 2

Raffle Winner: Sheryl Kernahan

Drawn under Police Supervision, 1 May 2015

 

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Firewood Raffle Winner:  Phil Foster

May 2015: Exciting Rotary stories from around the region

NZ Pacific edition cover

Congratulations to Auckland South Rotary for being the Cover project

This edition contains the first of a new feature being: My Rotary Moment

NZ Pacific Newsletter with links to articles:  Click here to read
Website for on-line magazine:  www.rotarydownunder.org
Email to submit articles:  berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz   - note submissions will also be added to this blog

International edition cover