Rotary club celebrates 50th

David Dawson, Chas Woolley and David Dowthwaite will be celebrating Rotary West's 50th birthday on Saturday. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Rotary Club of Rotorua West's 50th birthday may be most poignant to David Dawson and Chas Woolley.

The pair, who have been involved with the club for 50 and 30 years respectively, will be among past members, other Rotary clubs and friends from the community who will celebrate Rotary West's birthday on Saturday at the Millennium Hotel. The community engagement and ability to make a difference locally and abroad were some of the reasons they had stayed involved with the club, they said.

Mr Dawson said he had been a more "behind the scenes" person over his time with the club but had enjoyed experiencing different cultures, as well as meeting people from the community.

"I enjoy the friendships and they are a cheeky lot but they are a good laugh. People who had important jobs in town, you could meet and have a laugh."

Mr Woolley, past district governor for the Rotary district and a member since 1970, was a leading member of the club, current president David Dowthwaite said.

Mr Woolley is also a trustee of the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum and is involved in a wide range of nationwide Rotary projects.

Mr Woolley said Rotary members were able to engage with large portions of the community.

"I think it's a pretty broad approach, we do a lot for the youth locally."

He said a highlight of his time with Rotary West was a family day held at the International Stadium in 1980, which drew a crowd of 30,000 and raised $20,000.

He said he got a lot of enjoyment from meeting people.

Mr Dowthwaite said Rotorua had five Rotary clubs, which was high for the population.

"I think it's the nature of our community, a provincial community where we all care."

Rotary Club of Rotorua West highlights:

* Formed in 1965.

* In 1983 Chas Woolley spent six weeks in the village of Holopeka, Tonga, rebuilding after a hurricane.

* In 1971 the club began a programme of raffles, galas, and auctions to raise funds for a Heart Lung Machine for the hospital.

* In 1981 charter member Trevor Culley and Brian Stewart started work on the establishment of the Princess of Wales Health Camp in Tarawera Rd.

* In 1989 the club developed the pathways and gardens for Whare Aroha.