The Rotary Club of Napier.

In 1924, three distinguished Rotarians came to Napier. They were The Honourable George Fowlds and Charles Rhodes, the first president and vice-president respectively of the Auckland Rotary Club, and Charles Odlin the President of the Wellington Rotary Club. Their aim was to establish Rotary in Napier and they made a personal canvass of leading men in  the business and professional community. On Saturday April 5^th 1924, a meeting was held and addressed by the visiting Rotarians. The necessary resolutions were submitted and approved for the setting up of the Rotary Club of Napier and 22 of those present became foundation members.

The club was officially recognised by Rotary International and the charter issued on June 11^th 1924, the eighth club to be constituted in New Zealand and the 1794^th in the world.  

The first president was J.H. (“Major”) Edmundson. Major was the founder and managing director of Acetone Illuminating and Welding Co. Ltd., later to become Industrial Gases (NZ) Ltd.

In 1957 the Rotary Club of Taupo was sponsored and clubs in Taradale 1959, Napier West 1963 and Ahuriri 1968 established. Other clubs have been “grand-parented”.

Since 1924, many distinguished Rotarians have made outstanding contributions to the community of Napier and Hawke’s Bay. Similarly, many outstanding projects of great benefit to the community have been carried out. 

HAWKES BAY EARTHQUAKE

February 3^rd 1931 was a typical sunny, summer’s day in Napier and children were commencing the school year. Suddenly at 10.47am without warning a major earthquake measuring 7.9 on

the Richter scale struck. Two hundred and fifty six people died, 161 in Napier, 93 in Hastings and 2 in Wairoa.  Four hectares of the central business area was demolished . The water supply was interrupted and subsequent fires, which could not be fought, completed the devastation.

Then president Trevor Geddis declared that no Rotary Club has ever had a better opportunity to render service to its community. Forty seven Rotarians accepted the challenge, which was urgent, desperate and colossal.

Rotarians lead emergency procedures to deal with the injured and sick and the consequences of a disaster situation. As the immediate situation came under control, the Napier Reconstruction Committee was formed with 11 of its 13 members being Rotarians.

From the ashes Napier gradually rose. Many of the new buildings both commercial and residential were constructed in art deco style current at that time. This led to a unique collection of art deco buildings and each February an art deco festival is held with visitors from around the world. Come and visit us but you will need to book early.

FERTILIZER WORKS

In 1948 a “fireside meeting” decided that because of the shortage of fertilizer  for farm land there was an  urgent need for a works to be established in Napier. An interesting decision from an urban group and especially so as the proposition had been examined and declined by national companies. Farmers were canvassed, meetings of interested parties held, a provisional board of directors set up and the project was under way. Four years later in 1952 the East Coast Fertilizer Co. Ltd was in full production  and was the largest in New Zealand. In recent years, the company has become part of the Ravensdown group.

When the earthquake struck in 1931the Royal Navy sloop HMS Veronica was berthed in Napier and at one stage her keel was resting on the harbour bottom. The ships radio was an important method of communication and her officers and crew provided invaluable rescue and support services. The Veronica Sun Bay was built on the Marine Parade in 1934 and became a popular lunch spot for near by shop and office workers. By 1989, the reinforced concrete had deteriorated so badly as to become unsafe and the City Council was considering its demolition. The Rotary Club came to the rescue and initiated a huge fund raising effort, which among other things involved ringing personally every person in the Napier telephone directory asking for donations. About $200,000.00 was raised allowing restoration of this facility and important link with the past.

For several years, the Mission Estates Winery has held annual outdoor concerts on its grounds with performances by well-known overseas artists. In exchange for managing the car parking the concert organizers allow the Rotary Club to circulate among the concertgoers and make a collection for charity. In 2002 over $20,000.00 was collected  to the great benefit of local charitable organizations.

In 1964, the club welcomed its first overseas student and since that time has continuously supported this programme, with outgoing students from Napier and incoming overseas students. The club has been enriched by the presence of these overseas students in our midst and we are grateful to all those host families who have provided hospitality. Our outgoing students have benefited from an enriching and unique opportunity