Karori Rotary is celebrating 40 years of service
The Rotary Club of Karori is one of 36,754 clubs with 1.2 million members in 220 countries and territories around the world.
Our club was chartered in May 1982. This, our 40th anniversary year, is an opportunity to reflect on, and celebrate, the Club’s many activities and achievements over the years. Here is another such achievement.
1999 – 2007: Zealandia
A cornerstone of forest regeneration in Wellington, this fenced wildlife sanctuary in Karori is centred on what was once the city’s water reservoir. Beginning in 1999, Karori Rotary initiated a fundraising project to sell the naming rights for fence posts for the 8.6-kilometre, predator-proof fence - the first stage towards restoring an area of native forest and biodiversity.
This fence post initiative raised nearly $300,000.
Then, in 2003, our Club, in collaboration with all the other Rotary clubs in Wellington, embarked on the ambitious Discovery Area Project, an interpretation and display of the old upper dam construction site, which had been a hive of activity from its inception in 1906. The Discovery Area incorporates historic relics such as rails, bogeys and skips, a replica single-men’s hut, interpretation signage, and a gantry tower, similar to that used during dam construction, which now provides commanding views over much of the sanctuary.
Rotary raised close to $200,000 to meet the total cost of the Discovery Area, which was completed in 2007.
One of our major fundraising efforts was the very successful annual “Gutbuster” race around the boundary fence, for both runners and walkers, which ran for a number of years. Many club members participated and others helped manage the event, both in planning and ‘on the day’. These races also contributed funds for the development of an education centre for school groups.
If you’d like to learn more about Rotary and the personal satisfaction and growth that comes from serving others, please contact Andrea Skews, E andrea.skews@gmail.com, M 022 073 5548 or Phil Oliver, E phil@praxissoftware.co.nz, M021 292 7001.
Pics:
The ‘hidden valley’, future site of Zealandia.
Working bee at the Discovery Area.
Gutbuster competitors leaving the start line at Ben Burn Park.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.3% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.3% Other - I'll share below
Seeking Summer Pocket Money
Are you planning to go away over the holidays?
After doing really well for the last couple of summers and absolutely loving it, our enthusiastic 13-year-old is once again offering her services for pet and plant care over the coming summer.
Over the last few summers, she has managed to earn enough to buy herself a cake mixer, a Fitbit, roller skates, clothes, an assortment of fun items, endless packets of Mentos, and even funded all her spending money for an overseas trip, with enough left over to last her through the year. 😊 While she isn't sure what next year will bring, she is eager to save up a few dollars to make the most of whatever opportunities come her way.
She's keen to take care of small pets and birds, water pot plants and gardens, walk friendly dogs, and more. She is available immediately and throughout the summer until the end of January. Please consider her if you're planning to be away for a few days or a few weeks.
Rates are negotiable, and references are available from happy customers, several of whom have kept her on for weekend work throughout the year.
As always, she will be fully supervised! 😊 Text me at 0226206258 to arrange an introductory visit. 😊
Combining biking with bus travel
Hi neighbours
Anyone out there who, like me, would love to bike more, but have difficulty getting their bike on the rack on the bus ? It's sometimes necessary, so as to avoid steep hills and roads where I don't feel safe.
Metlink say their drivers aren't meant to help.