Annual Synopsis - 2018-2019
2018-2019
Sue Truman
“Be the Inspiration”
President Sue Truman’s two challenging goals were to place the club on a firm, modern foundation for future development and, secondly, to seek to determine and address the needs of our local and Fairfield community. Our meeting venue changed from the old Cosmopolitan Club to the modern environment of Sky City, while the meeting frequency changed from weekly to twice monthly.Our major money-raiser was still the Book Fair, but run as a joint project between Rototuna Rotary and our club. Under the capable and efficient leadership of Rototuna’s Tony Richardson the combined committee produced a remarkably successful three day Book Fair with a gross profit of almost $50000, meaning that each club’s Charitable Accounts benefitted by some $19000.
A further $9500 was raised through an auction and members’ donations at our Christmas function, to assist vulnerable Cambodian children. Meanwhile, a small committee has been working with the object of rebuilding Hospice Nepal in Kathmandu, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kathmandu West
In the local community, assistance has been given to Te Whare o te Ata; Te Whanau Putahi early childhood education centre; The Fairfield Project; Desert Springs Community Centre; Taiohi Toa Trust, partnered with the Hamilton Police, to reduce young people’s offending; Science Box to bring the magic of science to young children; plus the provision of dictionaries to 3 local primary schools.
Sponsorship has also included two Fairfield College students to RYPEN; and assistance for 2 students to the Science Forum in Auckland.
Other donations have included Rotary Foundation, ROMAC, Interplast and one ShelterBox.
The year’s membership had been steady on 43. Bill Gibson was presented with honorary membership. At the Club’s changeover at St Andrews Golf Club, Graeme Kitto and Ross Williams were presented with Certificates of Appreciation. Bruce Birnie, Mike Grayson, and Tony Richardson of the Rototuna Rotary Club were honoured as Paul Harris Fellows.
In March, Mike Cahill was presented with a multi-sapphire pin by District 9930 for his work as the Chair of the District 9930 Conference and for his continued commitment to ShelterBox.
Finally in June, Mike Cahill, who is under medical care in London, was the recipient of the District 9930 “Rotarian of the Year” award.