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The Rotary Club of
Palmerston North was established at a meeting of 15 citizens held in the
Borough Council Chambers on 29 May 1924 to become the 10th
Club formed in NZ. Our club number was 1804.
The first president was
“Fred” Nathan.
The first 10 years involved
concentration on internal participation by members and social works in
the community.
The next decade opened with
high hopes for the club, little realising the turmoil of economic
depression and the rise of National Socialism in Germany which was to
change not only Rotary, but the whole world.
Club Membership fell to 40 -
several members became bankrupt or were unable to meet Rotary dues.
 In 1935 Paul Harris
the founder of Rotary visited Palmerston North. An historic day.
The depression restricted
the club's activities and all money available was applied to the
pressing need of assisting the Central Relief Committee in P.Nth. The
city was canvassed for clothing which was distributed to needy families.
The war years involved
members with voluntary participation in some form or another for the
Dominion war effort. Assistance was given to the Food for Britain
Committee, the local branch of the United Nations Association and the
collection of clothing for children in Europe.
Upon the death of Fram
Framjee in 1957 his widow presented the Club with a cup as a memorial
and Directors agreed to use it as a presentation to the winner of the
annual Rotary Essay Contest with all the local secondary schools
participating to this day.
The Rotary Hall of Residence
at Massey University got under way in 1966 as a Zone project. 33 clubs
participated and it opened for the 1970 academic year.
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Our International Service
Committee working with overseas students at Massey commenced annual
visits to Taupo and Napier continuing to this day.
A World Community project to
support deprived children in Malacca, Malaysia provided funds for the
education of children of Portuguese descent. The most successful of
those assisted was Gerard Nunis who completed his medical degree in
1974.
The Jensen Housing Trust
received a Rotary Significant Achievement Award. This Trust continues to
this day with strong Rotary involvement.
The Jumbesi Project (Nepal)
was inspired by Sir Edmund Hillary amongst P. N. school children. The
proceeds went to a school hostel, health clinic and scholarships in
Nepal.
The Alafua project to build
facilities for students in Samoa was a very ambitious undertaking. The
building was prefabricated at Manawatu Polytechnic, transported to Samoa
and erected in two short weeks by two teams of four club members. The
Club received a "Significant Achievement Award."
The "Special Olympics" aimed
to give intellectually handicapped the challenge and joy of taking part
in competitive sport and to have success and recognition. Budget
$200,000 - competitors 1,000 - helpers 500.
The Olympic Oath was taken
in its true spirit - "Let me win but if I cannot, let me be brave in the
attempt."
The annual children's Film
Festival has funded the DARE sponsored car in 1998 and computers for the
Children's Ward at the P. Nth. Hospital in 1999.
Club project WARM in 1998
personally delivered woollen clothing and toys to thousands of orphans
in Muldova.
Our Club has provided
four District Governors.
The above is a brief
synopsis from the booklet "The First 75 Years - Rotary Club of P.Nth.
by Ian Malcolm and Arthur Hall." |
