Annual Synopsis - 2016-2017
2016 - 2017
Michael Bell
“Rotary Serving Humanity”
President Mike Bell planned an interesting year with many projects underpinned by the continued success of the keynote Book Fair.
The International Committee worked on the Cambodian Project to provide water wells and will join with other international clubs to apply for Global Funding for this project. A Shelter Box was also funded.
A “Destination Playground” at the Hamilton Gardens was opened in December, to which our Club contributed $10,000 making a total of $50,000 from the local Area 1 Rotary clubs. Jennifer Hamilton co-ordinated Fairfield Rotary’s involvement.
Balloons Over Waikato received our support with a cheque for $615 to Waikato Sunrise Rotary from the sale of their raffle books.
The year’s Fairfield Rotary contributions to Rotary Foundation totalled over $6,500 and, being the Foundation’s 100th anniversary year, each member was additionally encouraged to pay $100 in support of that centennial.
Graeme Kitto presented $200 of EnviroSchool awards to each of 13 schools in our area, the total of $2,600 this year bringing its six year total to $14,600.
Rotary Readers at Fairfield Primary School, started in 2002 by Michael Timmins and coordinated for over 12 years by Bill Parsonson, was forced to cease this year, due mainly to larger school pupil numbers and a lack of classroom space placing constraints on staff and volunteers alike.
The Rotary Book Fair, led by Graeme Stubbs, again involved the whole club and once again was a standout success, raising over $40,000. In addition, the Book Fair committee held a “pop-up” shop in Frankton which returned some $1,800. Later the installation of a ‘gazebo of gardening books’ at the Hamilton Gardens ‘Pumpkin Fair’ to promoted the Book Fair itself.
This active year concluded with an excellent Changeover at the Hamilton Old Boys’ Rugby Club rooms at which Jennifer Hamilton and Bruce Birnie were honoured as Paul Harris Fellows by retiring President Mike.
The year’s end saw club membership at 51.