One month into my term as President, I am excited thinking about what we are planning for this coming year. Heading into our centenary celebrations, completing our Club’s projects and goals and interacting with our community and Rotary friends. Being involved in Rotary is all about service (or paying it forward perhaps) and our Club members commit to that every time we get involved in a community event.
Robyn Murphy – President.
July was a busy and rewarding month for the club.
We welcomed Waiuroto Rika (Waiuru), our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) sponsored participant, who shared her experiences from the week-long leadership programme. RYLA is an immersive residential course that helps young people develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills while building lasting connections with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Waiuru described RYLA as both challenging and transformative. Arriving without knowing anyone, no Wi-Fi and little idea of what to expect, participants leave seven days later with a new whānau and valuable skills in communication, public speaking, behavioural management and leadership. It was a pleasure to hear her inspiring story, and we wish her every success in the future. Pictured Waiuru (right) with her team at RYLA.
We also heard from Betty Shepherd, whose extraordinary commitment to protecting the local kārearea has made her one of the region’s leading advocates for New Zealand’s native falcon. Thanks to Betty’s dedication, we have gained a much greater appreciation of this remarkable bird and its life in the wild.
New member Brett Smyth gave his introductory speech, sharing a career that has been anything but ordinary. Born in Te Aroha and trained as an electrician, Brett has worked in the Kaimai Tunnel, mining, sawmilling and even owned a pub before settling into retirement in Rotorua.
Another highlight among highlights was the presentation of medical equipment purchased with proceeds from the Sunflower Spectacular fundraiser. Rotorua Hospital’s Children’s Ward received a Dermatoscope for diagnosing skin conditions, along with adaptive seating for children with hypotonia.
The occasion also provided an opportunity to thank the generous sponsors who made this possible: Rotorua Forest Nursery, STAND Forestry, Helloworld and Palmers.
Pictured President Robyn has the use of the adaptive seats demonstrated to her by our child models and Clinical Nurse Manager Michelle Robinson.
Congratulations to Past President and past Governor Fergus Cumming for his receiving a Ruby Paul Harris Award for his life of contributing to Rotary International and to initiative to eliminate Polio.
Pictured Fergus with President Robyn.
And Plunket will soon be the recipient of more cot blankets as some Rotarians and friends of our club got busy with scissors and cut out over seventy blankets ready for sewing.
Pictured From left Rotarian Glen Murphy, Plunket team leader Min with Rotary friends Deb and Sherry standing and President Robyn sitting.
August
And coming up in August we will be doing some more cleaning up around the Events Centre in Government Gardens, some more weeding and bark spreading on the Ngongotaha Track, helping out at the Blood Bank, visiting the National Training Centre for Fire and Emergency and of course continuing to plan for our Centenary which is now only 14 months away.