Week 2 in Wanganui

DG and Barrie Fowke at the site
for the proposed fitness track

During this week we visited the 5 clubs in the Wanganui Cluster.  It is traditional to visit the PDGs club first but in a break with tradition we visited Wanganui Daybreak first followed by PDG Bobs club second.

We were struck with the large amount of work that all of these clubs do in the local community and some planned projects for the future.  These included developing a fitness and wellness track, providing clear numbering for businesses in Victoria Ave, and a project to bring native birds back into the city.

We visited Rumah Brooke (Brooke House) where we heard of the remarkable history of the Brooke’s of Sarawak and there their lifelong focus Peace Through Unity www.peacethroughunity.info/background_brooketrust.html  

DG and President Dave Towers
Waverley-Aotea Club

A proposal is being developed to provide an opportunity for Peace Scholars to come to Wanganui to study at Rumah as a retreat.  We were privileged to spend time with Gita Brooke in this amazing haven tucked away in Wanganui.  The final club we visited was Waverley-Aotea.  While only a small club of 9 they achieve a huge amount in their community.  They have a great operation with their firewood project and are also looking to distribute fertilizer as a fundraiser.

It was also pleasing to take part in presenting several Paul Harris Fellows to club Members and induct several new members into Rotary.  Our thanks go to all of the clubs for hosting us and especially our local AG Garth Barlow and Ngaire who looked after us for the week and hosted us at each club. 

Visiting the Coast with the Waverley Club - view along Cave Beach