Rotary Update

Two of the forty students who have passed their initial test.

South Wairarapa Rotary have supported a wide range of community projects and people over the last month. 

Focus on youth – Rotary Youth Program of enrichment (RYPEN)

RYPEN is aimed at young people in the 15 –18 age group who possess qualities of decency, persistence, and application and who deserve further encouragement. The participants will be presented with a series of ideas, challenges, and social experiences which will hopefully assist them in broadening their horizons socially, culturally, and physically. Our Youth committee has identified 2 young people to sponsor to RYPEN in New Plymouth.

Innovative Young Minds program 

In addition, they are sponsoring one student to the Innovative Young Minds program in Lower Hutt. The program is designed to encourage young women to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and high-tech manufacturing fields (STEMM). The week-long residential program is open to female Year 11 and Year 12 students in the Greater Wellington region, and runs during the July school holidays each year. 

The progra m is only open to young women, because females are under-represented in the STEMM sector and we want to change that. Increasing female participation in STEMM will mean greater innovation and economic success for everyone.

Run jointly by Rotary Hutt City and Hutt City Council, their goal is to inspire young women to consider careers they may not even know exist by interacting with the diverse STEMM businesses, research organisations and education providers that our region is known for!

The committee has also provided funds to Kuranui College for the peer support program.

Wairarapa Community Driver Mentor Programme 

The Rotary club is also supporting the this Programme by encouraging club members to volunteer as driver mentors.

A Mayoral task force established that young people who hold a drivers licence are better placed to gain local employment and thus contribute meaningfully to the region economically, and socially.

Bruce Pauling, Manager of the Wairarapa Road Safety Council says, “Identified students usually don’t have access to safe or legal cars or fully licenced driver ‘coaches’, and are otherwise destined to leave college without this necessary life skill”

Bruce also highlights the marvellous support from local businesses, funders and organisations who have support the programme. Southey Honda, Caltex Chapel St, The Sign Factory, NorthCo Insurance, TrustHouse Foundation, REAP House, our three District Councils and NZTA.

40 students from local colleges have now achieved their restricted licences, helping them move into employment, tertiary study or become independent.

Welcome to new Rotarians

Rotary South Wairarapa welcomed Lynley St Martin, Diane Hill, and Ted Preston as Rotary Members.  These South Wairarapa residents have been recognised as people who will join with their fellow Rotarians in working for their community, using their time and resources to make the South Wairarapa a better place to live and work.

Rotary Pride of Workmanship

The South Wairarapa Rotary Club recently hosted the Pride of Workmanship and Community Service Awards night in the Workingmen’s Club, honouring sixteen South Wairarapa people for their contribution to the community good.