Hipango Park Working Bee

Members of the Rotary Club of Wanganui Daybreak boarded the riverboat Wairua at an ungodly hour on Saturday morning for the two hour journey up the Whanganui River to Hipango Park.  Over the past 10 years this annual pilgrimage has resulted in significant improvements to the park including 4 very fancy DOC design long drops, barbecues, picnic tables, a walking track and improvements to the wate

This year saw a couple of clear sheets added to the roof of the shelter to improve the light, and two new seats as well as a general clean up.

Saturday night saw the AGM of SMASH (Single

r supply and shelter. 

Malt Appreciation Society  of Hipango and a visit by the “Country Girls” who entertained.

The weekend helps to maintain a community asset and also builds club cohesiveness and spirit.

Great vibes - positive energy

A typical session as Presidents Elect share ideas - attentive
and receptive and keen to collaborate

I have just returned from attending the very first South Pacific Presidents Elect Training seminar in Auckland.  The enthusiasm, the keen interaction between the Presidents Elect and the general buzz at each meeting indicated that this will not the the last such event.  One comment as I arrived at Waipuna Conference Centre on Saturday morning was "I didn't appreciate how big our service organisation is here in New Zealand".

We were privileged to have current Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith attend along with RI Director Stuart Heal as well as past RI President Bill Boyd.  The weekend was to encourage the interchange of ideas and to focus on the advancement of our service organisation by implementing Rotary's revised strategic plan.  This is to:

• Support and Strengthen Clubs
• Focus and Increase Humanitarian Service 



This badge worn by some President
Elects sums up the feeling at SP-PETS

• Enhance Public Image and Awareness

I will be approaching Clubs in the near future to receive  endorsement to continue this event in future years - it will require a two-thirds majority, but with the positive enthusiasm I picked up from those who attended, this will not be a problem.

Rotary in New Zealand is on the move - this is yet another example of breaking from tradition.

Your comments please - SP-PETS

If you attended South Pacific PETS (Presidents Elect Training) this weekend, add you comments (below) on your evaluation of the weekend.

A NZ report from RI President Ray Klinginsmith

A Personal Report from New Zealand - 3 March 2011

            Greetings from New Zealand!  I am here on a trip that was scheduled several months ago, and I now happen to be in this country during a very difficult time in the nation’s history due to the tragic earthquake in Christchurch.  I visited that beautiful city just one week before the first quake in August of last year, and by pure coincidence, I am back in the country just one week after the even more devastating quake in Christchurch last week.  Therefore, I want to utilize this opportunity to provide a personal report to Rotarians around the world who are concerned about the current circumstances in New Zealand.

            Judie and I arrived in Queenstown on Monday, and we have now visited Cromwell, Invercargill, Dunedin, and Auckland.  Although there is no physical damage from the earthquakes in these towns, there is great concern about the loss of life and property in Christchurch.  Everyone recognizes that the psychological and economic damage will cause a major setback for the entire country.

            The physical damage is limited to Christchurch, and the travel facilities are operating normally in the rest of the country.  Therefore, people planning to visit New Zealand, other than Christchurch, should proceed with their trips. However, the mood of the country will less ebullient than usual for several months.

            I am here in Auckland for the first multidistrict PETS in the South Pacific and the meeting will proceed this weekend as scheduled.  The registrations for the PETS meeting are very strong, and at this point, only a few club presidents elect from the Christchurch area have indicated their inability to attend.  The success of the meeting will be a tribute to the resiliency of the Rotarians in the six districts of the South Pacific.

            I have always admired and respected the citizens of New Zealand, and they currently deserve the accolades of the Rotary world as they cope with the aftermath of the earthquakes.  They have a pioneer spirit that was first displayed to the world during the battle of Gallipoli, and it is the same competitive spirit that enables the Kiwi teams to successfully compete in many international sports against countries that are infinitely larger in population.  Now, more than ever, New Zealand is truly a special place! 

Conference Update

Only 18 days to go!!

Have you registered?

330 already have 

** See names of those coming **

25-27 March @ Wairakei

Are there others who can join your group?

Read the latest

Grief happens .... support matters

 
A worthy organisation that provides another option for Clubs or individuals to support Christchurch families.

Skylight Earthquake Recovery Appeal

Please GIVE NOW to support the people affected by the Christchurch Earthquakes through Skylight’s vital specialist help and support programmes. With such a devastating quake, with massive building collapses and destruction, and sadly with a growing death toll, there are so many people needing trauma/grief counselling and assistance including individuals, children, young people, families, professionals and those working with them. Distress, loss of life, trauma and grief, living situations, family and financial worries are taking their toll on the emotional wellbeing of everyone. Everyday physical needs are so vital and yet looking after emotional health and wellbeing are hugely important too. With your help, together we can provide crisis, grief and trauma support right now to individuals, families/whanau who are increasingly dealing with such a huge aftermath – drawing on Skylight’s own our specialist knowledge about trauma, grief and loss. We are asking individuals and communities around New Zealand to get behind the community in Canterbury, especially those most affected in Christchurch. Donate online using our givealittle campaign site: http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/SkylightEarthquakeSupport. Or make a donation online using Skylight’s website:  www.skylight.org.nz . If you would prefer to pay via direct credit or by cheque – please contact Sonja Deely on sonja@skylight-trust.org.nz or call (04) 939-8578. Your donation will help Skylight to provide crisis, grief and trauma support right now through the following programmes:

FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

Get Skylight’s specialist support resources and materials to where they matter most! Individuals and families that need our support NOW will be sent the most appropriate support resources, for free. These resources are specially designed to be used with children and young people to overcome trauma and grief. A gift of $100 will provide a full resource support package to one family in need!

Phone Counselling for anyone affected by the Earthquake Skylight has trained and qualified counsellors providing free phone counselling support to anyone in Christchurch who needs this type of support. Available currently from Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, this may be increased to meet demand. Call 0800 299 100 to be put in touch with a counsellor now.

Personalized Support Packs These free packs are tailor-made particular circumstances of each family/whanau and mailed directly.

FURTHER SUPPORT ONLINE Check out Skylight’s extensive earthquake trauma and recovery support webpage http://bit.ly/hK5DqC. Or go to www.skylight.org.nz – links are on the home page. Skylight has extensive support programmes for businesses and organisations dealing with the fallout of the Canterbury Earthquakes including developing a specialist unique and practical handbook to support staff, clients and customers. These are being distributed for free to get them to those most affected.

“Sometimes, what is needed is something to hold onto, that shows there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Bice Awan Chief Executive Skylight PO Box 7309 Wellington South New Zealand M 027 629 5821 P +64-4-939-6759 F +64-4-939-4759 ce@skylight-trust.org.nz Skylight – because grief happens and support matters!  For more information and resources please visit www.skylight.org.nz

Toys R Wellington South

Peter Denee and Monty Arnott are amused by the
variety of toys donated

Wellington South Rotarians – Toys R them.

Wellington South undertook as its project the sorting and packing of toys in preparation for shipping to Tonga.  It’s the second time this club has undertaken a Toys 4 Tonga project where toys, children’s books and school stationary are collected and sent to Tonga for distribution to needy children in the Island Kingdom by the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa.  In both projects, the Rotary Club of Tawa has assisted in the collection of goods for dispatch.

Organiser Jim Greenhough says toys are collected from a variety of sources, including supermarkets, schools, libraries, businesses and community centres.  Distinctive boxes with tapa cloth decorations are used, and fliers are distributed soliciting donations.  The boxes are cleared periodically, and bags of mixed items are delivered to Ash Bhasin’s storage depot in Newtown.  With the depot bulging at the seams with bags of toys, Project Day seemed like a perfect opportunity for a sort-out.  The event was marked by a very tasty afternoon tea provided by Monty and Alan who had both baked scones and muffins for their fellows to share.  A fun day with a practical outcome.

For the Club diary - District Assembly

Promote, get your Club attending in numbers.

This is a sure way to invigorate your Club.

A great day with an opportunity to met other Rotarians.

Sunday, 17 April

District Assembly

Palmerston North

Project Day Report #4 - again near the sea!

Petone Club reports:

Our Dunes always need weeding to help them establish and keep the sea at bay.
A hot day in the sun.

Love the signs Petone! [DG Howard]

It is great to see all those Clubs who have supported their Presidents Elect to attend the South Pacific PETS this weekend in Auckland.

Thanks also to those Clubs and Clusters who gave generously to subsidised the travel of South Pacific PEs to New Zealand.

This will be a great event - sure to invigorate your Club fr the upcoming year and beyond.

Well done DGE Bob and team, and a huge thanks must go to PDG Judy Bain for her huge effort in making this first Inter-District Training Day a reality.

News Release - Christchurch Earthquake

Rotary helps earthquake victims in Christchurch

Global network of volunteers provides emergency relief and assistance for long-term recovery

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (March 4 2011) – In response to the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on February 22, members of Rotary – one of the largest humanitarian service organizations in the world – are assisting victims of the disaster and mobilizing resources for long-term recovery.

As Christchurch and surrounding townships work to restore water, electricity and other services, Rotary members are coordinating with local authorities and international relief organizations to provide immediate assistance.  Rotary is part of the NGO Disaster Relief Forum, which is assisting the Government’s Christchurch earthquake response.

William B Boyd, past president of Rotary International and a resident of Auckland, says the Christchurch earthquake is a national disaster. 

“Yet with the help and support of Rotary members throughout the world, I know we will help rebuild the spirit of this city,” Mr Boyd says.

Examples of Rotary’s response:

• Donations are being collected through the Rotary New Zealand Canterbury Earthquake Appeal www.rnzwcs.org.  Within hours of the earthquake large donations were received from Rotary clubs and Rotary supporters around the world. More than $260,000 has been collected.

• More than 100 Canterbury Rotarians whose homes, or families, have been affected by the earthquake are dedicating time to help people. Rotary is working with the Salvation Army to hand out food and water to those without and has organized donations of things like solar showers and dust masks.

• Rotary clubs throughout New Zealand are hosting Christchurch residents traumatized by personal tragedies, the destruction and ongoing aftershocks so that they can rest before trying to rebuild their lives. The effort is being coordinated within Rotary and through welfare agencies.

• Rotary in Southland has mobilized to get spare caravans and motor homes into Christchurch so that people have somewhere safer, clean and dry to live.

• Rotary members are working with ShelterBox www.shelterbox.org, a UK-based disaster response organization supported by Rotary clubs worldwide, to provide shelter and essential equipment to those who have been displaced by the disaster. Approximately 120 boxes and tents have been sent to Auckland, New Zealand from where they will be dispatched to where they are most needed.

Ideas are turning into ACTION

A local community policeman has written to his community stating:

The Eastbourne Scout Group have an empty  trailer heading to Christchurch and they want to fill it with non-perishable food. If you would like to help them fill the trailer please drop your donations off to the Eastbourne Scout hall this Saturday 5 March between 10am and 10.30am.  The Scouts will get the food to Christchurch. 

The Scout hall is beside the Eastbourne swimming pool and Muritai Yacht Club in Eastbourne.