The Rotary Club of Wanaka celebrated their annual ‘change-over’ dinner at Edgewater Resort on Saturday (30 June) night announcing the club had donated over $50,000 to worthwhile causes in the past 12 months.
The annual change-over from one president to the next saw outgoing president Fran Tate acknowledge the efforts of club members to raise the funds for local and international charitable efforts. “It was a very busy year and I’m delighted that the club can make such a worthwhile contribution, it feels good,” said Fran.
Key fundraising efforts include the annual book sale and duck race, along with members volunteering at the A&P Show, Warbirds Over Wanaka, and Challenge Wanaka. “We have a very active club and it can get pretty frantic over summer with all the events but the members step up and always deliver,” said Fran.
Incoming president George Scott acknowledged the leadership provided by the outgoing president Fran Tate and encouraged members to continue to give all they can for the betterment of Wanaka and the world.
Two club members, Dave Evans and Ken Goldfinch, received Paul Harris Fellow awards acknowledging their contribution to Rotary and commitment to the Rotary ideals.
The club also acknowledged the support of a number of local businesses including Paul and Jeanette Miller from Print It who attended the dinner as special guests.
A total of 17 organisations benefited from the funds distributed by the Rotary Club of Wanaka. Recipients of significant donations for the year 2017/18 were:
- Dunstan Hospital
- Upper Clutha Radio Users Group
- Coast Guard
- Mount Aspiring College
- Vanuatu Shower project.
The Rotary Club of Wanaka meets weekly on Tuesday evenings at the Wanaka Golf Club. New members are welcome.