Rotary District 9930 Newsletter Christmas 2017

 
As I compiled my annual family newsletter to put in our Christmas cards, I pondered over “Where has this year gone?” 
 
I can certainly say the same for the past five months since I took over the role of District Governor.  As I said in my comments last month it has been a real pleasure to visit every club in the district at their own “home”.  Thank you for your hospitality and friendship.
 
What I have really found so impressive is the projects being undertaken to Make a Difference often through the coming together of several clubs in an area:
 
 
 
Auction in aid of Polio Plus raised $1015.00.  
 
Clark Kent took his glasses off and was revealed to be our very own heights-phobic Superman; Paul Wollaston, who was offered to the room by his very generous partner Robyn Skelton, and earned the fundraiser $100 for his 4 hrs Manual Labour in the Garden.
 
Auctioneer Ann Crossley did a fab job! Her urging of bids on the Silver Fern Venison Packs.
 
“No animals were hurt in the making of this,” definitely sold the Bambi-lovers in the room.
 
 
 
 
 
Don gave an update on the Ohope Trail.  He advised that the Whakatane District Council have been very supportive and paid for the Design Phase and coordinated and put out the tenders.  There was a lot of original interest and four tenders were put in with a range of prices.  This was followed by the application process to try and raise over $300,000 from a number of different providers.
 
 
The village of Paengaroa began as a coach stop on the old Whakatane - Tauranga Road where travelers could rest and refresh for the onward journey.  Thanks to the Rotary Club of Maketu, that historic role has been revived in the form of a cycleway rest area where 21st century travelers can tie up their bicycles to a unique “hitching post” and relax at a picnic table under the shade of a large silk tree.
 
The hitching post is actually a cycle rack which captures the spirit of Paengaroa’s past.   Two large 19th century Penny Farthing bicycles stand guard over their modern hi-tech versions.  Each Penny Farthing is designed around an antique wagon wheel which captures the coach-stop history of the village. 
 
 
World Children’s Day on 20 November offered a chance to reflect on the people at the heart of the polio eradication programme: the children around the world whom we strive to reach and protect.
 
From Afghanistan to Nigeria, health workers are employing new and strategic ways to fill vaccination gaps, improve communities’ resilience and use the polio infrastructure to deliver additional health services to every last child.
 
This work is ensuring that one day soon, all children will live in a polio-free world.
 
 
 

Rotary’s Traditional Plum Puddings are made from only the best fruit, spices and wholesome ingredients to a time-proven recipe that everyone loves year after year.

Rotary Traditional Plum Puddings are the most delicious way to complete the year. Hot or cold, you just can’t beat them with custard and brandy butter or cream.

These Plum Puddings are great to share with family and friends or to say thank you to your clients or staff. Gift them, share them or hide them until you’re alone – they’re just so good!

Whatever you do, make sure you order your supply today. Each one you buy includes a substantial donation to Rotary projects and local charities. Proceeds from sales, shared with participating Rotary clubs throughout New Zealand, exceed $1.7 million since the project’s commencement.

Rotary Traditional Plum Puddings are vacuum packed in a can for superb freshness.

 
 
Recently President Paul, and friend Graham, went on an adventure cycling trip in Bhutan. 
 
On previous trips to other countries, they have wanted to add value to their trips and give back to the communities that they visit, and have taken things like books, spectacles, and artificial limbs.   This time, they decided to support Days for Girls, and took fifty kits with them.
 
Lisette Hulme put them in contact with Sonam, a lady in Bhutan, and they were met on arrival at the airport. 
 
 
 
New Zealand is no stranger to seismic activity, with regular hakes along the fault line.
 
In recent years, however, a number of earthquakes with sizeable damage have taken place in Christchurch, Seddon and Kaikoura. Read this in Rotary Down Under here
 
Rotary has been there, helping organise donations, restore facilities and mend communities recovering from trauma, along with learning some valuable lessons in Rotary’s role in disaster response.
 
The 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch on February 22, 2011, left 185 people dead, several thousand injured and forever changed the city’s landscape – both psychologically and physically.
 
Entire neighbourhoods disappeared, with 1100 buildings entirely demolished and tens of thousands more left in disrepair. Some suburbs were closed entirely, agreed to be too uneconomical to restore. Yet from destruction came rejuvenation.
 
 
Taradale Rotary Club assisted Napier community Connections Disabled Section Christmas Party by organising
and putting on a BBQ luncheon for just over one hundred guests.
The party was held at the Napier Soundshell on Marine Parade, a great success for a community project.
Rotary ~ Making A Difference"
 
Dear D9930 Rotarians,
 
One month from today sees the end of the early bird discount for registration for the 2018 RI Convention in Toronto.

You can save USD $75 by registering before 15 December. Register here 👉 www.riconvention.org

So far there are 349 registrations from Australia and 74 from NZ including 9 from District 9930.
 
I know President Ian will be personally contacting Presidents this week with an invitation to Toronto letter as well as a new promotional video that has been specially made just for our zone to be made available for promotion.
 
 
Interplast’s Nepalese partner Dr. Shankar Man Rai, now runs the Nepal Cleft and Burn Centre in Kathmandu and Interplast has worked closely with him for a number of years.
 
“Before the surgery began that September afternoon, the third and fourth fingers on Malla’s right hand were fused and tightly bent—made nearly useless.
 
As a toddler, he knocked over a kerosene lamp, burning his hand badly. For 18 years, thick scars called contractures bound the two fingers together.
 
 
Kamal Malla, one of Dr. Rai's patients, after surgery on his hand. 
 
 
 
Recently the Board of our club considered recognition of those Polio volunteers who had been injured or killed while carrying out polio immunization duties.  
 
The question was referred upwards to Rotary International, and the following response has been received from Carol Pandak
 
"Thank you for sharing your thoughtful idea about recognizing those who have been injured or killed while carrying out polio immunization activities in Pakistan.
 
 
 
Since our last Newsletter, the situation for the Rohingya people has deteriorated.  

As we approach the season of 'Goodwill" many families are living in dreadful conditions - crowded, muddy camps, without access to food, clean water or even adequate shelter - and they need your help.

ShelterBox have an experienced team on the ground working hard with local Rotary contacts and partners to help as many families as possible. Many left their homes with nothing and we know that they desperately need shelter, lighting, and water.