Annual Report 1980-81 Community Service Committee

COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORT 1980-81.

The activities of the Committee revolved around a number of small projects, rather than a major one, such as was undertaken last year. The fact that all but one project was completed is an indication of the degree of willingness to participate shown by members of the Committee.

The following is a precis of those projects:­

(1)   Planting of Redwood Treas.
The balance of trees donated by the late Don Wilson were planted in two Hastings Parks – Windsor and Frimley – on 23rd August, 1980.

(2)   House to House Collection – Plunket Society.
This was held on the 10th October, 980, but was spoiled by a lack of organisation on the part of the Plunket Society itself.

(3)   “Loss of Your Baby” Booklet.
This Booklet, specially designed to provide for the bereaved parents of stillborn children, was published in October, 1980. Initially mooted by the N.Z. Federation of Parents’ Centres Inc., the Rotary Club was approached to assist with publication as there were insufficient funds available from the Hospital Board.

(4)   Local Body Elections – Forum for Candidates.
This was held on 8th October, 1980, in the Municipal Chambers and all candidates were in attendance. Many questions were asked of the Candidates, proving the value of such a project. However, it was felt that this could have been better supported by the public.

(5)   Group Theatre Show “Middle Aged Spread”.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening out was arranged for 26th November, 1980, with dinner at “Granny’s Restaurant” followed by the Show.

(6)   Answer-phone Service for Meals-on-Wheels Organisation.
A fully-serviced second hand answer-phone was obtained with the assistance of a Rotarian from the Havelock North Rotary, Mr Laurie Lester, and was presented to the Organisation in December 1980. This project had greater significance as the Meals-on-Wheels Organisation was initiated by the Hastings Rotary Club.

(7)   Rotary Classic Golf Tournament.
This was initiated by the Youth Committee and in conjunction with them and Rotaract, an extremely successful “Rotary Classic Golf Tournament” was held on the 15th February, 1981, at the Hastings Golf Course. Whilst numbers of participants were not as high as anticipated, it was nevertheless an extremely encouraging day, the result of which was the presentation of a cheque for $1400 to the H.B. Branch of the N.Z. Crippled Children’s Society.

(8)   Town & Country Forum.
This was the highlight of the year for our Committee. With the Matapiro Federated Farmers as guests and Ian Cross, Chairman of B.C.N.Z.as speaker, the function held in the Matapiro Hall on the 7th April, 1981, was a thoroughly enjoyable one. It was well

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supported both by our members and the District Farmers .The meal served by the ladies from the Matapiro C.W.I. was one out-of-the-box. Altogether a thoroughly worthwhile project.

(9)   Wool Board Fashion Parade.
Held on the night of the 31st March, 1981, in the Hastings High School Assembly Hall, the Parade was not well patronised. Wine and cheese was provided and there was an excellent display by the mannequins .Consensus of opinion was that the evening was very enjoyable but that the charge was a little too high.

(10) Combined Evening with Rotaract.
The three Committees which organised the Rotary Golf Classic, Community, Youth and Rotaract, enjoyed a night out together at Vidals Wines.

(11) Hospital Recreation Area Project.
This was to be our main project but for many reasons did not coma to early fruition. We relied on a voluntary offer to have the plans drawn but this did not work out and only after accepting the generous offer from Kingsford, Sands, Norwell and Partners to draw the plans free of charge, did the project start to gain momentum. However, the project was willingly agreed to by Directors and enthusiastically received by those concerned at the Hastings Memorial Hospital.

Thanks to generous donations both from Club members and supply firms, the total cost has been reduced considerably. All these donations will be acknowledged.

Whilst it was not possible to complete this project in the 1980-81 Rotary Year, it has been started and I am sure, will be readily accepted as a project by the 1981-82 Committee.

In conclusion, I want to specially thank the Committee for the assistance given to me .Right from the start end in all Projects they were enthusiastic and co-operative to the extreme. When you consider the number of years that some of them have been in the Club, it was all the more pleasing to get that dedication. I say a big “thank you” to them all.

On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank President Jack Cooper and all the Directors for the help and guidance they gave.  All the projects received their wholehearted support.

AL Walker[?]
Chairman.