I don't believe it - and a Kiwi too!

Director Stuart in an Aussie rugby jersey!
But he did raise good $$$'s  for Polio

The kids and grandkids are back at school, the holiday period is over and with it, the annual silly season, so it's time to get back to work!

At Rotary Down Under we've hit the ground running with coverage of the recent Rotary Institutes in Tauranga, New Zealand, and Perth, WA at which we got a remarkable cover shot of Kiwi Rotary International Director Stuart Heal and President Ray Klinginsmith dressed in Australian Wallaby Rugby jerseys.

Read more ....

Awesome RYLA

President Phil and DGN Graeme

I have just returned from the closing session of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 5 day vocational programme held in Silverstream.

Thanks to all those Clubs and businesses who supported the group of young people (over 40 were there) who attended this great event.  I was there at the opening on Wednesday and if the smiles and friendship and lively banter is anything to go by, I believe they have all have a wonderful time.  

This programme was run out of the Plimmerton Club and is a credit to DGN Graeme Blick and Rotarian Debbie Noon - ably supported by a great group of ex-RYLA participants as well as one very accomplished facilitator - John Williams.

If you have sponsored someone to attend, do make sure you provide them with the opportunity to speak to your Club and report back.

This is a wonderful programme that in future could be seeing more than one event per year.  It certainly allows groups of young adults to gather, to develop life skills and to gain new friends.  More pictures to come!!

Early Bird closes Monday 31 Jan

Register before 31 January
to secure your early bird discount of $60

Click here to register

Costs of Registration

Short of ideas for gangster names, then go here ...

Number registered as at 23 January 2011

214!

Go here to see those who have registered 

 

Check out the Conference tab (above)

 

Good to see 72% of Clubs are represented in the registrations.

Building Awareness

Rotary.org: For all Rotarians

January is Rotary Awareness Month

The objects of Rotary are:

• To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
• The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness
  of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
• The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

These objects sit alongside the motto of Rotary, Service above self, and the Four Way Test.
 

Texans have come up with a further 3 tongue in cheek tests for to make a seven way test:

• Is it fun?
• Is it legal?, and
• Will we get caught?

What is Rotary: Rotary is a global network of local community volunteers. Rotarians are people just like you and me who lead in their professions and communities by providing humanitarian service, encouraging ethical business practices and sponsoring peace efforts.
Rotary clubs are nonreligious, nonpolitical and open to every race, culture and creed. Members represent a diverse mix of local business and professional leaders.

What Rotarians do: Rotary clubs and their members participate in a broad range of intercultural and educational activities designed to improve the human condition. Projects include providing healthcare and medical supplies, clean water, food, job training, youth development and education to millions of people in need – particularly in developing countries. In addition, Rotary funds the work of local club volunteers who travel to parts of the world where their technical expertise is most needed to alleviate hardship and solve problems. 

(Thanks again to AG Judith and the Wanganui Daybreak Bulletin)

Passage to India

This is a 'must read' from the Wellington South Bulletin

Pat President Jim

President Francis

Francis Eileen & Jim were part of a 32 strong team of Rotarians led by Past District Governor Pat Waite to participate in Polio immunisation in India. As well as the Kiwis we met Rotarians from Korea, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK. This report will not talk about India as a tourist destination –David Brat has already done more than justice to that topic, although we spent far more time touring the countryside than we did on Polio immunisation and certainly had a fascinating time. Read on ....

A request from Apia Rotary Club Samoa for 

good used School Journals (Primary ages 5 to 12). As many as we are able to source.

Would be a fitting time to canvass schools in your area.

A container will be going to Samoa from Auckland in next three months, plus a possibility of one out of Lyttelton.

Please coordinate with Stuart Batty (RNZWCS)

Big Dig at Oriental Parade

The Rotary Club of Courtenay Place in conjunction with The Breeze is proud to present the 7th annual Big Dig, taking place at Oriental Bay on Saturday 12 February 2011, from 11am to 12:30pm..

The annual event is a fundraiser for Child Cancer Foundation and has proved to be a huge crowd pleaser in the past, drawing hundreds of children and their families to dig in the sands of Oriental Parade for various prizes. Prizes ranging from bikes, toys, sporting goods and books to DVD players, valuable vouchers and many other prizes.

Last year, the fundraiser drew approximately 650 children and entries, raising significant funds for Child Cancer Foundation.

Any fellow Rotarians who would like to donate prizes for this event can drop them off to Ambience 14 Elizabeth St open 7days 10-5 or call 384  6076 & we will arrange collection.

This is one of our most anticipated fundraising events in Wellington,“ says Child Cancer Foundation central North Island fundraising manager, Amanda Nicolle. “It is a perfect fit for us with the children. They and their families and the community just love it – the organisation loves it.

Entry is $5 for all ages – please bring your children & Grand children along.

The Breeze radio station will be on site to promote the event with music and a sausage sizzle. We will also have a bouncy castle & face painting

DGE Bob Smith and Margaret have returned!

Click on the photo to visit more....

Yes folks - from being home-hosted in Up-State New York and taking in all that the International Assembly has to offer in San Diego, DGE Bob and Margaret are back!

We look forward to their leadership come 1 July.



The visited Honeoye Mendon-Falls Rotary Club

By the Maori natives, it’s called, Aotearoa, “The Land of the Long White Cloud”.  It lies about 1200 miles southeast of Australia in the Tasman Sea. The first Rotary Club was formed there in 1925 and since then has grown to  60 clubs with over 2000 members.  We know it as New Zealand.

Cartoonist, Dave Boyer

What a great opportunity it was for us to meet and talk with the District Governor Elect from District 9940 in New Zealand.  Bob Smith and his wife, Margaret, were visiting the Pittsford Rotary club on their way to San Diego for a DG  conference.  David “Bippy” Boyer, a former Pittsford Rotary Club member, and now part of HF-M, arranged for President Mike, PE Susie, and Don M to join them for lunch at  Hogan’s Hideaway on Park Avenue.  Bob is a fascinating man who was willing and eager to describe the cultural differences and the many similarities that Rotarians on the others side of our planet have.

Thanks Bob and Margaret, and as you taught me in Maori:  Kia pai te haere, Kia Kaha (bon voyage,
stay strong)

There are projects - then there are PROJECTS!

I receive communications from around the world as Rotarians complete their projects and want to share the good that is being achieved.

Today - I received this from India:

On December 19th 2010 President Elect Kalyan Banerjee attended our District Conference as Chief Guest.

To commemorate his visit we have provided 2550 School Desks at a cost of more than USD 115000. This project was done with the support of our Partners from Colorado Springs Dist 5470 USA.

It is also gratifying to note than PDG Jan Williams and PP Joe Williams of Dist 5470 were present at the Distribution Ceremony.

We had also had the presence of Dist Governor Rtn Lawrence Zillox of Dist 5950, Rtn Ryan, President of Rotary Club of Mineapolis South and Ms Sue Fischer.

I am enclosing a few photographs of the event for your perusal.

Regards

Raji

--
Rtn. Rajyalakshmi Vadlamani
District Governor, RI District 3150.

District Conference - spread the word

 25-27 March @ Wairakei

Only 2 months away!

Jenny and I hope you are all coming to Wairakei.

A week to go for early bird registrations  
*** closing 31 January ***

Currently 163 have registered - and have saved $60 on their registration fees.

Have you registered?  Has your Club got their group together?

We have moved into final planning stages and all is set for a great weekend, celebrating our successes, challenging us and providing plenty of opportunity to enjoy each others company.

We are being welcomed into the Taupo region by a powhiri by a group from Ngati Tuwharetoa before being addressed by Mayor Rick Cooper.

Our speakers keenly await the opportunity to address you - amongst them are:

Past IR Treasurer and Director Ian Riseley (who attended our District Assembly) and DG Rep DG Margaret Reeve from 9970 (Upper half of the South Island)
 

Michael McQueen
Click to view video

Michael McQueen - from Australia isa leading authority on the topic of generational change with a very pertinent message about connecting with the younger generation.  An international saught after speaker for the Friday night

Sir Ray Avery
Click to view video

Sir Ray Avery - 2010 New Zealander of the Year and recently a recipient of a New Years Honour - a man with such a wonderful story of innovation and humanitarian passion that has literally made a 'world' of difference

  

Neville Jordan
Click to view video

 

Neville Jordan - another very innovative New Zealander, a businessman held in high regard internationally (the first to register a NZ company on the NASDAQ) and with a story of how Rotary influenced his life in such a dynamic way

Jo Randerson
Click to view video

Jo Randerson - a younger speaker, full of energy and one who has a message that will encourage us all a communicating and creativity.

Naomi Fergusson
Click to view video

As for entertainment, the theme is Speak Easy with the setting being  1920's Chicago - the city where Paul Harris commenced Rotary.  Naomi Fergusson from Christchurch will entertain us in the Blind Pig Bar on the Friday night and a big band will lead our celebrations as we dress the part on Saturday night for the Gatsby Ball.

The Conference is to be held in the wonderful Bayview Wairakei Resort which will allow you to arrive, put the car keys away and only needed when you drive away on the Sunday afternoon.

LINKS
Get to the Conference web site here ...
For registrations go here...
Schedule of Registration Fees, Accommodation Options and Rates...

To see who has registered already, go here ...

See you all very soon at Wairakei

Another great Community project

It never ceases to amaze me - Clubs continue to think of, organise and run the most amazing events.. Take this one as an example - and with a great web site:

Click the image to go there!!!

The Rotary Club of Plimmerton is running a very civilised 4x4 Safari fundraiser that you, or anyone you know might like to consider for a great day out...

Family Fun 4x4 Safari – Saturday, 19th  February 2011

You don't need a 4x4 to be involved -  the organisors are accepting entries for passengers to join the event and be chauffeur driven in an official car.. And for Street 4x4s like Ravs, RVRs CRVs etc, there is a "Shiny" event over easy going tracks or for the experienced drivers with a low ratio 4x4 there is a "Tuffer" Course..  All events start and lunch and finish at the same locations.

Starting at the Pauatahanui end of Paekakariki Hill Road at the Airstrip, Battle Hill Farm reserve and then across Transmission Gully and drive inland over hills that give stunning views as far as the eye can see, coming  out on the Hutt Valley end of State Highway 58 (the Haywards Hill Road). Bring your family, a drink for the thirsty in transit and your camera.  A BBQ sausage sizzle and a drink will be provided at the midway point around lunchtime and these are included in the entry fee.

This is not a 4WD Rally, no racing or obstacles, just roads and track normally off limits to private vehicles. Carefully selected and supervised by experts in off-road driving. This will suit all those people with 4WD vehicles who have always wanted to try off-road but in a safe way as well as the more experienced.

Please pass this notice on to any friends or acquaintances who might be interested.

A donation entry fee of $100.00 per family vehicle for "Shinys" , $120 for "Tuffer" entry, Official Car passengers pay $45 and will cover all rights of passage and lunch and will go equally to the Wellington Free Ambulance, The Westpac Rescue/ Life Flight Trust and local Rotary Projects.

For further information and Online entries  go to www.4x4safari-rotaryclub.co.nz

Or email info@4x4safari-rotaryclub.co.nz

Organised by the Rotary Club of Plimmerton and the Cross Country Vehicle Club of Wellington

Farewell to another fine Rotarian

Bert Snelgrove driving one of his Tranzit buses through the
streets of Masterton in 1994, at the age of 75.

A Masterton man who helped build a small Wairarapa bus company into the second largest transport company in New Zealand has died at the age of 91.
Albert William Snelgrove, known as Bert, died on Sunday at Lansdowne Court surrounded by his family. The eldest of six children, Bert grew up in Wairarapa, and served abroad in World War II before coming home to join the family bus business. That business, originally named the Grey Bus Service, was started by his father, Albert, in 1924 and served the Carterton-Masterton route. In 1931 the name was changed to the Royal Blue Bus Service, then the Blue Bus Company, before the final name change to Tranzit Coachlines in 1985.

Bert's son and company director Paul Snelgrove said his father sold him his shares in the company in 1980, but remained a director till the day he died.  "He wanted to know how things were ... and was still very on-to-it and interested in how the business was going."  He said his father was a "top guy" who was happy for his family to take the company's reigns.  "Few fathers could step aside and let their sons do what they wanted to with the business, but he did."  He said Bert had helped take the company from 24 buses in 1980 to over 500 vehicles nationally today, and with offices in Wellington, Palmerston North, Wanganui and New Plymouth as well as Masterton.  Bert's younger brother John Snelgrove said yesterday Bert was a good man whom he enjoyed going away on holiday with or hosting at his Taupo home.  He said Bert had long been involved with Rotary, as well as being a keen bowler, who had lived in Essex St before moving to Lansdowne, where he lived for many years.  Bert Snelgrove is survived by wife Alma and four children, as well as 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

 

Source - Wairarapa Times-Age