This week we visited Te Puia at the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley in Rotorua. So did thousands of tourists as evidenced by the buses when we arrived. In fact, 520,000 tourists per year with up to 3000 per day at the height of the season. Those who attended Te Puia at our last club visit noted a huge transformation. $23million has been spent on the upgrade and impressively, this was done from cash reserves. With a state-of-the-art conservation centre, to carving workshops for greenstone and whalebone, flax-weaving and a Maori tattoo centre- and even a bronze foundry. The complex is open to the public from 7.30am to 10pm.

We were welcomed under the Heketanga-ā-Rangi, ( translated as ‘Heavenly Origins’), which is an contemporary Māori artwork standing at the entrance of Te Puia. It is inspired by the different spiritual realms in Te Arawa culture and combines carving, sculpture and decoration. We progressed to the lookout beside one of the restaurants, where Pohutu geyser put on a command performance. The various restaurants are capable of seating up to 650 at once.

 

There were about 25 Cambridge rotarians and partners/ guest attending, plus about 40 members of Rotorua West and Rotorua North clubs. Immediate past DG Graham Jull, presented the two Rotorua clubs with presidential citations for the 2018-19 year.

 

The kai, including hangi, was impressive with something for everyone, and the service and staff very professional.

 

Pres Robyn reminded Cambridge members that the posters and pamphlets for the upcoming Garden festival need to be distributed and she also promoted our cookbook. The carpooling worked well and thanks go to organisers Don Wilson and birthday boy David Blewden. A great interclub visit. Enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

 

Bev Maul-Rogers attended the Cambridge High School Senior Prizegiving on 31 October representing Rotary Cambridge.  It was a very enjoyable evening with a number of addresses being given by key people including the Head Boy – Matt McHugh and Head Girl – Ella Higgins. A stirring performance was given by the Kapahaka Group and two musical items were much enjoyed – one an all girls’ vocal ensemble and the other a brass ensemble comprising six musicians.  Both received resounding applause. Academic awards were presented, with the special awards, presentation of Dux and Proxime Accessit Awards and announcement of Head Students for 2020 rounding of the evening.

 

Rotary Cambridge “Nathalie Roy Memorial Award” was presented to Molly Oldershaw who had both an impressive academic record and had contributed to the school and wider community in a significant way achieving the Award’s criteria of ‘ambassadorial”.

 

For those members who are unaware of the history of the Memorial Award, here is a brief resume:

 

Nathalie Roy was a Rotary Youth Exchange student who attended CHS for one year during her stay with the Rotary Club of Cambridge in 1981/82.  Nathalie came from Kirkland Lake, Northern Ontario, Canada – a place near the Quebec border.  She was an outstanding and popular exchange student.  Nathalie was a vivacious, bi-lingual student who actively involved herself in school, community, family and Rotary Club affairs.  Tragically, Nathalie was killed in a motor accident shortly after returning to her home in Canada.

 

The Rotary Club of Cambridge established a memorial Trust in Nathalie’s honour and each year an award has been made in her memory.  This award is one of the prestigious awards made annually at CHS.  Criteria for the award, second only to the Dux award is ‘ambassadorial.

 

I spoke with Molly at the supper after the prize-giving and she thanked Rotary most sincerely for the award.  She is a very personable girl and I am sure she will do well as she heads off to University to study Bio-Chemistry.  She is keen to come along to a club meeting to speak during the semester break next year and I look forward to keeping in touch with her.

 

Next Meeting – Thursday, 7 November 5.30pm FORMAL (with meal)

Our next meeting which will be “formal – with a meal” will be held on 7 November.  Guest speakers scheduled are Tori Preeters (Javelin thrower) and Rebecca Petch (BMX) – high performance sport athletes sharing their journey.

 

Remember that Gourmet Delicious are our new caterers on the third Thursday of each month.  The first Thursday will be a community group. Please note that apologies for all meetings are now required by the earlier time of end of day on the Tuesday in the meeting week.

 

Our Christmas gathering for this year is being hosted by Ian Grant and his wife, Liz. We’ll be at Ian’s property at 151b Duncan Road Tamahere on Thursday 12^th December.

There is no requirement to bring a chair this year.

 

However, please do remember to bring:

 

 

Don’t forget to deliver Garden Festival flyers/posters to your assigned area/route. If you haven’t done so yet please do it now. Please don’t put flyers in letter boxes that say “No Junk Mail” – or similar.  Also please return any left-over flyers/posters to Carey.

 If you have any stakes for the street signs these would be welcomed.

 

Volunteers needed for Crowd Control at the Cambridge Christmas Parade on Sunday 1 December.  Please let Ken Leatham know if you can help.  A sheet will be going around at club nights and also sent out via email.

 

Director Ken Leatham has put out a call for a volunteer to help co-ordinate the Achievement House Christmas Party.  Previous co-ordinator – Julie Bryan had left a comprehensive list of duties which will be a great help to someone taking over this duty.

 

Please see Ken Leatham if you know of anyone who would like to purchase firewood, and a reminder that a half day of splitting logs may be required.  A working bee is proposed to be held on the Armistice Weekend – which we will not now be involved in.

 

 

 

 

District 6710  Welcomes you to Kentucky U.S.A.

Rotary Friendship Exchange

27th April ~ 11th May 2020