Annual Synopsis - 2015-2016
2015 - 2016
Jennifer Hamilton
"Be a Gift to the World"
Jennifer’s year was notable for achievements in many areas. The Club Bulletin and Website were updated with new ‘Clubrunner’ software requiring considerable input by Gavin Petrie, while a review of Club Bylaws was also accomplished.
Internationally, we supported Taveuni’s Playground Project with slides and swings, and later, six bags of tools to repair cyclone- damaged buildings. We funded the drilling of a well in Cambodia to provide valuable health benefits.
At the local level, Graeme Kitto’s work with our Environmental Awards for Schools, commenced in 2011, has raised the profile of Rotary and recognised environmental leadership in schools, staff and students.
The Club enjoyed vocational visits to Gallagher Hospice and the Rescue Helicopter base at Waikato Hospital.
Fairfield Primary School Rotary Readers continues and the small group of volunteers is now co-ordinated by Mary Jones who has taken over from Bill Parsonson after his twelve years at the helm. Once again the year six children were each presented with their own Usborne Illustrated Dictionary, and the Club continued to arrange the Children’s Christmas Party with magician and Santa to delight 160 children and teachers. The J R McKenzie Youth Education Fund continued to assist in areas of need, chaired now by Russ Young.
Fairfield College again received $500 towards prizes, while two of its students were selected to attend the RYPEN camp at Lakeview Lodge. Club members volunteered for Arthritis, Hospice and Alzheimers collections. An exciting development, this year has been the start of the Children’s Destination Playground at the Hamilton Gardens, supported by combined Hamilton Rotary Clubs. A permanent tribute to Rotary’s community involvement.
Once more, these many activities were made possible by the success of our Book Fair which, managed by Ron Reynolds, again grossed over $40,000.
During the year Nelson Cullen was recognised with Honorary Membership for life, while at Changeover, Tony Baggs was honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow.
The year’s end saw club membership at 50.