Newspaper Article 1986 – Central Hawke’s Bay Rotary Clubs

Central Hawke’s Bay Rotary Clubs Waipukurau and Waipawa have an enviable reputation success in promoting candidates for the Group Study Exchange programme.

They have built strong club programmes around careful selection and preparation for GSE team members.  Brian Kelsey (who travelled with my team to D550 Arizona in 1980) and Max Lyver (who was with Ken Allen’s team in D269 Japan in 1984) are now members of Waipukurau Club.  Brian Kelsey however was nominated for my team by Hastings.  Waipawa Rotarian Terry Story with his wife Clare, is at present leading the D993 Ladies team in D791.

Waipukurau also has a former team leader in Les Grant who took the first D993 team away 1971 – 72 to British Columbia-Idaho.  Waipawa also has a former leader in Tim Biss (currently Foundation Chairman) who went to California in 1969-70.

“What’s the secret?’ many Rotary Clubs ask of me.  I can tell them that it is only careful selection and good preparation which may give them an edge, if in fact they do have one.

While visiting Waipukurau earlier this month the GSE Alumni in the area honoured by presence and my association by turning out in force for the occasion.  It was a great thrill for me to catch up with the news and progress of these fine young men.

Pictured above at the meeting are GSW Awardees (from left) Bill Mowatt (to Missouri 1975 with Gordon Black’s team), Ponty Von Dadelszen (to D550 Arizona with my team), Les Grant (team leader 1970 – 71) to BD-Idaho), Max Lyver (to Japan D269 1984 with Ken Allen’s team), Brian Kelsey (to D550 with my team in 1980), Ian Walker (to Denmark 1982 with Peter Parr’s team) and Sam Robinson (to England 1978 with David Stannard’s team).