The fun never ends when it comes to Rotary Fellowships – these are Fellowships that all Rotarians, Rotaractors and their partners can join and enjoy.
 
Over the weekend of Friday 8 to Sunday 10 January the Bay of Islands Fleet of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) invited the Auckland Fleet members to join them for a weekend of boating and fellowship.  21 members came up from Auckland (including one couple who belong to both Fleets) with most being home hosted. 
 
On the Friday night there was an informal dinner at the Swordfish Club in Paihia.  Saturday broke fine and sunny with not a breath of wind as  the IYFR members of both Fleets boarded their assigned boat for a day out in the Bay of Islands, starting with enjoying the spectacle of the start off Russell of the annual Bay of Islands Tall Ships Regatta.  Fortunately, the wind had picked up by the 12 noon start and the sight was quite a sight.  Then the three IYFR boats rafted up in Orokawa Bay for an expansive lunch and even a swim.
 
The group returned to port and after a brief respite to freshen up all gathered together again at a member’s house overlooking Paihia beach and bay for a very pleasant evening BBQ, joined by some members and partners from surrounding clubs.
 
 
 
Sunday saw a couple of highly interesting specially guided activities:
 
First was a clamber over the 1910 steam ship TSS Minerva in Opua, being restored as part of the Kawakawa to Opua railway and rail trail project. A member of Kerikeri club involved in this restoration provided a fascinating insight into the history of the vessel, its restoration and its future crucial role in tourism for the region.
 
 
Then they went on for a very special tour of the new Hundertwasser building by one of the design and construction architects who happens to be an Outbound GSE member (9910) from 8 years ago. This was an amazingly interesting talk on the extremely careful thought that went into every single detail of the design and construction to reflect the beliefs of Hundertwasser tribute in Kawakawa. They spent over an hour and just started to get an understanding with the invitation to keep coming back especially as there is much still being developed … things like a roof waterfall made from crushed car bodies ... how amazingly unique.
 
A huge thank you is due to the BOI IYFR Fleet for arranging this extraordinary weekend of adventure and fellowship ... just illustrates the value of Rotary Fellowships that are open to Rotarians, Rotaractors and their partners.
 
Also happening is the relief work by the Rotary Clubs of Fiji that has not stopped since Cyclone Yasa devastated their communities.  Rotary’s support of those affected started with the distribution of Emergency Response Kits and continues with support activities like care packages from Labasa Rotary.
 
Also support comes from Rotary clubs helping communities repair severe damage to their houses, especially the replacing of roofs torn off.  This is where the Cyclone Yasa Relief Appeal comes in where funds donated by Rotary are carefully managed to help the affected communities do their own repairs (funds are not handed out directly, but villagers can apply for help and get this in the form of tools and supplies from prearranged building supply outlets).  To support this, go to https://rotarydistrict9920.org/page/cyclone-yasa-appeal-and-communiques/
Rotaract saw the New Year in by holding a global 24-hour Zoom-a-thon to raise funds for Cyclone Yasa relief and this has raised over $3,000 ... a fantastic initative that connected the Rotaractors of the world.
 
Finally, the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum is now underway. he Forum is a 14-day program for high-achieving Year 12 students promoted, organised and operated by the Rotary Clubs of New Zealand.
 
It is certain that many other Rotary and Rotaract activities have and are occuring and these should be evident via the various Facebook pages.