The first meeting of the year, my Programme director Doug Eckhoff arranged for Michael Hedges from Weta Studios to be guest speaker (introduced by Gary Stratton) and he bought with him the gold Oscar he was awarded for his work on 'Lord of the Rings' movie. He allowed us to hold it and have photos, the only time I have ever felt like a star. Robin Fenwick won the raffle that night.
Throughout the year there were a number of very prominent speakers, Dr Helena Catt, Professor Geoffrey Horne, Richard Ponder, Don McIver, David Watt, Robin Fenwick, DG Rodney Wong, Judge David Carruthers (also the night I introduced Helen Lear, very accomplished classical singer and production arranger to our Club), Murray Isdale, Gertrude Matshe from Zimbabwe, Alfred Kirk, Kapa Haka Group from Naenae College (hosted by Julia Lee), Marten Kleintjes (John Bruce won the raffle that night), Colin Alford and Jean Phipps on their work in India (they both wore decorated cloth hats that night), Rick Hart, Lindsay Shelton, Ian Haynes ( Judicial Conduct Commissioner), Des Schollum (of course hosted by David Gledhill), plus many more.
This was the year our Club achieved the trifecta in sponsoring and hosting District overseas programmes, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Carrie Oelberger from Stow, Massachusetts, USA a very impressive young lady (and still my friend) who over seven years established a community education centre in Tanzania which has continued to thrive. She remained to complete her studies at Victoria University, Wellington completing her master's in education focusing on Maori and Pacific Island education. She was hosted by Maurice and Shirley Payes who were also her counsellors. Rotary Exchange Student Nicole Fischlin from Zurich, Switzerland (also still my friend) who attended Naenae College which she totally enjoyed, learned to play rugby representing Naenae College playing New Plymouth. This game was just prior to her end of year and return to Switzerland and she ended up with bruising and a broken arm, but it did not deter her as she began teaching girls at her school in Zurich to play. She was hosted by Richard and Mary Houston and later by Tony and Trudy Poole. The big achievement and only time our Club has ever done it was to host the Rotary Group Study Exchange Team (GSE) to Finland. In the team was our hosted representative Brendon Tod (son in law of Patrick and Diana Barry) a remarkable young man who assisted all the other members of the team with their detailed preparation. He was described by Any Watson the leader of the team as the most committed candidate he had ever engaged. Brendon on his return spoke to the Club expressing his gratitude and acknowledging the life changing experience he was rewarded for this adventure.
Two other sponsorships achieved during the year was our RYLA candidate Lauren Kohe a bright natural down to earth, delightful girl who was prepared and assisted by Julia Lee. She made special comment how she very much enjoyed Brian Lummis's catering. I think the price went up shortly after. Helen Lear who was described by Victoria University as New Zealand's most promising classical singer and classical music director, with our Clubs sponsorship assistance was confirmed to attend the Royal College of Music in London who later defined her niche as a soprano singer. She did achieve work in Europe, but her intention was always to return home to promote classical and theatre production in New Zealand.
It was also the year Joe Tomlinson approached me with his plan to completely re-paint the exterior (and effect some repair) of Te Omanga Hospice fully sponsored without any cost to the Hospice and asking what Rotary could to do to help. I had to sit down for a while with a strong cup of tea (or was it whiskey?) as Joe explained the cost to achieve this was likely to exceed $50,000.00. However, Joe had a well thought out plan involving several sponsors including other Rotary Clubs however I can reveal Joe was a very major sponsor himself on top of the many hours of work he provided to organise the project. This was one of the biggest projects our Club has ever been involved in. I was even up in a cherry picker with Joe. The work was completed mindful of the patients’ comfort and without any disruption to the Hospice operation. Joe went above and beyond as he arranged for all the concrete paths to be cleaned and arranged for a giant ponga tree to be removed as it was undermining the hospice building foundation's (as with any project like this trepidation and bravery is involved as you never know what you might strike). On top of this Joe provided an ongoing commitment for ten years to take care of the exterior, washing, touching up and repainting where necessary without any cost to the Hospice. Bill Boyd former World President of Rotary International (Kathy Bryant's Father) unveiled a gold plaque installed in the foyer of the Hospice to commemorate the completion of the project.
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Eastern Hutt Rotary makes me feel very proud.