Home » December 2019 » Currently Reading:

It’s Quiz time!

December 19, 2018 December 2019 No Comments

  • Who started The Crippled Children’s Society in New Zealand?
  • Who built the first Karitane Hospital?
  • Who organised the first mobile TB clinic?
  • Who started Milk in Schools?
  • Who began the first Health Camps?
  • Who brought Defensive Driving Courses to New Zealand?
  • Who built the first women’s public toilet facility in New Zealand??
  • Who began the National Kidney Foundation
  • Who began the Riding for Disabled Association
  • Who began the Asthma Society
  • Who began the National Children’s Health Research Foundation?

If you answered ‘Rotary’ to each of these questions, you would be right.

But wait, there’s more!

In 1945 the Rotary Club of Auckland established the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Committee.  In 1961 the same club, with the support of the Governor General Viscount Cobham, industrialist Wolf Fisher and others formed the Outward Bound Trust.
To recognise the Golden Jubilee of Rotary in New Zealand in 1971 the National Child Health Research Foundation was established.

            Many communities have adventure play grounds, fitness trails and walkways provided by Rotary clubs. You will see Community Police driving vehicles carrying a Rotary wheel, and similar vans driven by other community organisations. Fire engines have “Jaws of Life” and sophisticated heat seeking equipment funded by Rotarians. The Ellerslie Flower Show, the largest flower show in the Southern Hemisphere was a project initiated by the Rotary Club of Auckland.

          Other New Zealand initiatives have developed into international programmes. 

       Rotary’s most ambitious undertaking, announced in 1985, is the PolioPlus programme. Rotary spearheaded this initiative with a pilot project in the Philippines in 1979. Rotary has collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the USA Centre for Diseases (CDC) to eradicate this disease. In a recent statement, Rotary International has said “Since 1988, we’ve seen a worldwide reduction in polio cases of 99.9%. Last year (2017) we only saw wild polio cases in three countries.”

Martinborough Charity Fun Ride

Last month, South Wairarapa Rotary’s annual Martinborough Charity Fun Ride was held in the challenging country roads around Martinborough.  The ride attracted 290 riders from the lower half of the North Island, ranging in age from 11 to 87. Participants chose from courses ranging from 48 to 115km. E-bikes and tandems were included again this year.

        The Charity Fun Ride is expected to raise about $4,000 which will be donated to the Wairarapa Whanau Trust this year, helping it to build its youth facility in Featherston.

2018 marks the Ride’s 25th anniversary.  It was originally known as the Wellington Veterans Cycling Club event.  In 2000, Martinborough residents and cyclists Jan and Geoff Lankow took it over and ran it until 2014 when they passed the organisation of the ride over to the South Wairarapa Rotary Club.

The Martinborough Charity Fun Ride has now raised about $150,000 for local charities.

For more information go to swrotary.org.nz 

Comment on this Article:

FEATURED BUSINESSES

Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

Recent Comments