Tauranga Rotary Brings Sight to the People of the South Pacific.
Recently Tauranga Rotary along with their sister Rotary Clubs, Broadbeach (Queensland) and Kasaoka (Japan) presented over $100,000.00 worth of specialist equipment that will enable volunteer eye surgeons from around the world to complete delicate Ophthalmology procedures that will bring improved sight to the people of the Pacific. Restoring ones sight is an amazing gift. It helps family relationships flourish and enables the person to contribute to the economic health of their community.
The Rotary Foundation Global Grant supplemented by District Designated Funds from D9930 (NZ), D9640 (Australia) and D2690 (Japan) contributed in excess of 50% of the funding for the project.
All Rotarians in New Zealand and around the world have in effect contributed to this Project by their annual contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
This project had its genesis three years ago when the three Clubs presented Dental Equipment to Marine Reach, an International Humanitarian organisation that was founded 25 years ago in Tauranga where it is still based. > www.marinereach.com < The equipment has enabled the establishment of “The Rotary Foundation Ophthalmology Clinic” aboard their Medical Ship MV Pacific Hope. She will be sailing for the Pacific Islands mid April and for the first time will be providing eye surgery services free of cost to the people.
The project was initiated in 2015 when a member of Tauranga Rotary and a long time supporter of Marine Reach made a commitment to make a considerable contribution to the project.
Based on this and the generous support from Tauranga’s sister clubs, other New Zealand Clubs & Districts and with the expectation of securing a Rotary Foundation Global Grant the commitments were sufficient to cover the cost of the wish list of equipment that was proposed by the medical consultants.
The Project coordinator Past President David Garland received significant support and advice from Brent Drage in the Foundation office and from each Rotary District Foundation Committee Chair as he navigated the complexities of the Global Grant Process.
Eventually and with great celebration the Global Grant was approved and orders for the equipment that were to come from suppliers in New Zealand, Australia and the USA, were placed.
On Sunday 5th February a gala celebration event was held aboard MV Pacific Hope when the equipment was displayed, its usage explained and the recognition plaque naming “The Rotary Foundation Ophthalmology Clinic” was formally unveiled.
In attendance were representatives from the three Rotary Clubs and Districts, the Mayor of Tauranga Mr. Greg Brownless and others. View the picture show of the event at > https://goo.gl/photos/WWRc7NSPVBJyx8nPA <
As an appropriate culmination for the event Past District Governor Russell Turner read the citation that told of the foundation of Marine Reach over 25 years ago and the continued dedication of its founder Mr. David Cowie. District Governor Keith Owens then recognised David as the newest Paul Harris Fellow and presented him with his pin and medallion.
The party were then hosted to Lunch by the Marine Reach volunteers and given the opportunity to tour the ship that was previously a Japanese Fishing Industry Training Ship.
Every one who has been a part of this project are thanked and congratulated for their support both financially and practically knowing the we have certainly followed our Foundation’s maxim of “Doing Good In The World” and definitely have achieved one of the Foundations areas of focus “Disease prevention and treatment.
All Rotarians in New Zealand and around the world have in effect contributed to this Project by their annual contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
This project had its genesis three years ago when the three Clubs presented Dental Equipment to Marine Reach, an International Humanitarian organisation that was founded 25 years ago in Tauranga where it is still based. > www.marinereach.com < The equipment has enabled the establishment of “The Rotary Foundation Ophthalmology Clinic” aboard their Medical Ship MV Pacific Hope. She will be sailing for the Pacific Islands mid April and for the first time will be providing eye surgery services free of cost to the people.The project was initiated in 2015 when a member of Tauranga Rotary and a long time supporter of Marine Reach made a commitment to make a considerable contribution to the project.
L to R DG. Keith Owens, PDG Russell Turner & Mr. David Cowie
Based on this and the generous support from Tauranga’s sister clubs, other New Zealand Clubs & Districts and with the expectation of securing a Rotary Foundation Global Grant the commitments were sufficient to cover the cost of the wish list of equipment that was proposed by the medical consultants.
The Project coordinator Past President David Garland received significant support and advice from Brent Drage in the Foundation office and from each Rotary District Foundation Committee Chair as he navigated the complexities of the Global Grant Process.
Eventually and with great celebration the Global Grant was approved and orders for the equipment that were to come from suppliers in New Zealand, Australia and the USA, were placed.
On Sunday 5th February a gala celebration event was held aboard MV Pacific Hope when the equipment was displayed, its usage explained and the recognition plaque naming “The Rotary Foundation Ophthalmology Clinic” was formally unveiled.
In attendance were representatives from the three Rotary Clubs and Districts, the Mayor of Tauranga Mr. Greg Brownless and others. View the picture show of the event at > https://goo.gl/photos/WWRc7NSPVBJyx8nPA <
As an appropriate culmination for the event Past District Governor Russell Turner read the citation that told of the foundation of Marine Reach over 25 years ago and the continued dedication of its founder Mr. David Cowie. District Governor Keith Owens then recognised David as the newest Paul Harris Fellow and presented him with his pin and medallion.
The party were then hosted to Lunch by the Marine Reach volunteers and given the opportunity to tour the ship that was previously a Japanese Fishing Industry Training Ship.
Every one who has been a part of this project are thanked and congratulated for their support both financially and practically knowing the we have certainly followed our Foundation’s maxim of “Doing Good In The World” and definitely have achieved one of the Foundations areas of focus “Disease prevention and treatment.