With Easter weekend looming it was a very poor attendance but there was quality if not quantity! Michelle set the scene by excelling with her Easter bunny headgear. Others made an effort as well, as shown in the photo.
We were entertained by an excellent presentation from Parker Joyce who explained the work of the Mount Wellington Foundation, who distribute the proceeds from gaming machines in Mount Wellington. They work closely with low decile schools, very similar to what we are doing at St John’s.
This Thursday, 5th April, is an evening meeting, where we are going to be entertained by Sue Gardiner who is speaking on, Save our Gallery. Please remember to RSVP to Brian.
Parker joined our ‘intimate’ meeting last week to share with us the broad reach of the Mount Wellington Charitable Trust. The Trust returned $1.2 million last year and makes donations to a wide range of community organisations.
Their first major project was in the 1960s building Swimarama, now Lagoon Pool and Leisure Centre. The Trust’s main asset is the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre. In the 1990s, gaming machine operations also became a main source of funds, via the Licencing Trust. Interestingly, since 2003 the number of gaming machines has decreased by 60-70% in the Mt Wellington Area. Despite this, the Trust typically receives applications amounting to three times the amount of money they give away. But on average they continue to give $1 million per year.
Any organisation (community, sporting, social) can apply for funding as long as they are in the Panmure/Mt Wellington area, or as long as the application will benefit people residing in the area.
Parker explained that these key areas have (typically) seen the bulk of their funding:
Our Club is extremely keen to receive nominations for this remarkable programme which enriches the participants in profound ways and is recognised as a premium award by prospective employers.
If a nomination is successful, our Club pays the fee
Rotary family members and friends are welcome to apply
2018 Dates: Saturday 30 June – Saturday 7 July
Age range: 20–28 years
RYLA is an experiential live-in programme designed to help young people develop their team work and communication skills and fulfill their potential as leaders. (Applicants must be of reasonable fitness.)
If you know of anyone in this age group who could be a potential nominee/candidate, please direct them to complete the online Registration form (adding St John’s as the sponsoring club) via this link: http://www.ryla.co.nz/pdf-registration-form/
If you would like to know more about the programme and nomination process, please contact Tom Street for additional information. Email: poms@ihug.co.nz
Nigel Robinson will be leading our volunteer team as usual this year. RYDA takes place on Tuesday 10 April. He would like five volunteers to assist him for the day please. Email Nigel at: nigeljanetR@gmail.com
Did you join Rotary to do good things in the community?
You can help or join in all projects (whatever the committee), just contact the committee director and/or project team leader. In most cases, you can include family and friends.