South Wairarapa Rotary Club

Change of Helmsman (or is it HelmsLady) at historic Anzac Hall, Featherston

Mary Mason of Featherston has been elected President of the South Wairarapa Rotary Club for the next 12 months. Mary succeeds Pat Dette who has ably managed the South Wairarapa Rotary Club through a year of growth, filled with fine food and fellowship with a good helping of community service successes.

Mary is a familiar figure in Featherston circles, an enthusiastic member of the local craft scene and a former organiser of the Martinborough Fair. She has done a wonderful job as director of the Club fellowship committee and we look forward to a great year under her watchful eye.

One of the annual ceremonies is handing over the proceeds from the current year’s Martinborough Fair in the form of a promissory note from the Martinborough Fair Trust, that the Club can draw from. The money will be used to fund the many grants, scholarships, and community projects the club champions both at home and abroad over the next 12 months.

The note was for $82,000. This amount will be divided among each of the club’s specialist committees to oversee distribution to projects in youth, community, environment and international interests.

Our guest speaker for the Changeover night was Alex Nyman, a dedicated and accomplished musician who has recently made Greytown home for himself and his family.

Alex spoke of a colourful and varied history, following the music around the world, playing primarily Saxophone both solo and alongside some of the world’s great artists and performers.

One of his passions is nurturing the nascent talent he believes is languishing in and around the Wairarapa and he outlined a plan to form two orchestras, one catering for main stream music and one exploring jazz and improvisation. He encouraged all who can play, or would like to learn to play orchestral instruments to contact him. Queries and expressions of interest can be made through info@swrotary.org.nz.

General enquiries about potential involvement in Rotary activities can be made to info@swrotary.org.nz, 08004rotary or visit swrotary.org.nz.

“Rotary Matters” chat program is broadcast on 92.7FM on the first Friday of each month at 2:30pm