A personal comment

We were fortunate to find ourselves in Christchurch for the latter part of Show Week and were generously hosted during two days by Margaret Reeve and Ross Skinner.  During this time we were shown around the city and had a brief look at many aspects of how the earthquakes had affected the city.  Like most outside of Christchurch we had learned about much of what we saw in the media but nothing prepared us for seeing the devastation ‘first hand’.  Frankly we were stunned and think anyone would be.   

The RESTART shopping area
Note the carpark building behind awaiting demolition

It is one thing to see media snapshots of houses damaged and abandoned but another to drive down street after street with house after house destroyed and only the occasional resident “hanging on”. Or even in the least affected suburbs to see all too frequently gaps in the landscape and continuous loss of chimneys, fences and occasionally a wall off a building – and know this is just what was readily visible.  The sheer scale of the buildings coming down in the CBD is staggering let along the size of most of these buildings.  Just mind blowing.

Then to see the Restart (container) shopping area – the ingenuity just blew us away.  Likewise how displaced businesses have managed to move to other parts of the city and get going again. We truly hope no other part of NZ has to go through this sort of experience in the future.  It is clear that support for Christchurch is going to be needed long-term for the city ... and its people.  What is being achieved by Rotary (and many other groups) is incredible and despite an immense amount of activity it appears the need has hardly been dented due to its scale. We could only marvel at the spirit of all we met, their resilience and determination to make the best of their situation.

-          Colin and Beryl Robinson

Earthquake Recovery Support Project - November Newsletter

Welcome to this November circulation outlining activities of the Earthquake Recovery Support Project (EQRSP).

(Note: The Christchurch Rotary Earthquake Appeal Charitable Trust has a separate newsletter to communicate its activities.) We have encouraged all Rotary Clubs in the District to become actively involved in earthquake recovery support. This Newsletter is an important communication.

Earthquake Focus Club Assembly

On 13^th October, DG David Drake hosted a Special Club Assembly for Canterbury Rotary Clubs to update them on activities of both the EQ Appeal Charitable Trust and the EQ Recovery Support Project. The Charitable Trust has distributed over $1 million to over 100 applicants and the Project Committee has matched up about $120,000 to projects. Inner Wheel NZ EQ Committee also informed the gathering about its activities focusing on the needs of women, children and the aged.

The assembly provided an opportunity for clubs to report their activities over the past six months and give observations of what community needs could benefit from Rotary assistance. Generally there was a consensus that Rotary’s efforts to date are admirable and there was a lot of conversation identifying future opportunities.

Pools in Schoolz  

After February’s earthquake created a serious swim shortage for Christchurch’s eastern suburbs and Kaiapoi, local generosity is giving affected primary school students “a swimming chance.”   Sport Canterbury’s “Pools in Schoolz” initiative has been made possible through funding from Rotary International, Mainland Foundation, Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and Water Safety New Zealand. 

Sport Canterbury authorised the purchase of two portable pools – which are being installed this week at Kaiapoi and at Queenspark School for the start of Term 4. Two more pools will be installed in early 2012.  In partnership with Christchurch City Council and Waimakariri District Council, the pools represent Sport Canterbury’s commitment to ensure that local primary school students continue learning the skills required to “swim and survive.” 

“Christchurch has lost 60% of its pool capacity,” says Sport Canterbury CEO Geoff Barry. “Generations have relied upon QEII; the February earthquake changed so much, so quickly, for local families. It changed more than their sporting habits, but their access to a critical life skill – swimming.”    “The east side of Christchurch now has a serious challenge,” says Barry. “The barriers (time, cost and transport) for eastern suburb students to reach western suburb pools are massive – and daunting. 

“We know that New Zealand has the third highest drowning rate in the world - this makes access to “swim and survive” skills absolutely critical for our young people.” 

 “Introducing a 'portable' pool is an ideal way to make an immediate difference for families who have almost given up on swim,” says Barry, who expects the pools to see over 500 kids swimming each week.  Rotary has contributed $84,000 to the project, 50% from Australian Rotarians and the balance from eight NZ Rotary Clubs and the EQ Charitable Trust. Three local clubs provided muscle to erect the two pools.  The attached link tells about the other EQ and youth sport activities promoted by Sport Canterbury. http://keepsportalive.org.nz/2011/09/taking-pools-toschools-2/

Philanthropic and Agency Funds  

The following grants and funds are just some of those available. Detailed information about each Fund, application criteria and procedures are shown on their websites (just Google). Rotary Clubs may be able to facilitate and support applications by community groups.

·         Local Government and Community Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

·         Lottery Grants and Community Grants Schemes

·         Family and Community Services funding

·         Child Youth and Family funding

·         Community Max

·         Charitable Trusts administered by the Public Trust

·         The Lion Foundation

·         Creative New Zealand

·         The JR McKenzie Trust

·         New Zealand Community Trust

·         Canterbury Community Trust

·         Sport & Recreation New Zealand

·         Techsoup (IT equipment)

·         The Tindall Foundation

·         The Todd Foundation

·         Vodafone NZ Foundation

·         Chch Rotary Earthquake Appeal Charitable Trust

·         ASB Bank

·         Wayne Francis Charitable Trust

·         Red Cross NZ Canterbury Earthquake Fund

·         Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund

·         Chch EQ Appeal Trust (The Prime Minister’s Fund)

·         Canterbury Earthquake Heritage Building Fund

·         Hardship Fund

·         Christchurch City Council

1. Strengthening Communities Fund

2. Small Grants Fund

3. Discretionary Response Fund

4. Community Organisation Loans scheme

5. Mayor's Welfare Fund

·         There are a number of companies which have also established Funds to assist EQ recovery.

Glenhaven Hosts RYLA Attendee

The Rotary Club of Glenhaven in the Sydney Area, (President Neville Candy) has sponsored a candidate to attend their RYLA Course in January. RC Christchurch West have chosen Sinead RENNELL of Halswell, Christchurch to attend. An excellent gesture by our Australian Friends.

Where are the Emerging Projects  

We are well past the recovery phase and are now very much into the rebuild phase. Many Rotary Clubs are considering where to focus their effort in their community. The following scenarios may give some guidance on where support is needed as many organizations address their purpose and sustainability as important contributors to immediate and future community wellbeing.

In the suburbs, many community facilities, sports and recreation facilities have been damaged or have ceased operation. This includes school facilities, swimming pools, sports and playgrounds, libraries, community meeting places, museums, etc. Whilst essential community services have been temporarily restored, it will be some time before the communities will enjoy the facilities and networks they previously had.

Supporting individuals, households and communities to rebuild their lives after earthquakes is an enormous task as people are relocated from their homes, leaving behind neighbours, friends, social and sporting clubs, schools, churches and many other networks that bind a community together. Community wellbeing activities need to offer responsive and flexible support for people. This includes help to cope with stress and uncertainty and minimize potential hardship and unnecessary disruption to housing, education and health. Communities and volunteer organisations need to be supported, so they can rebuild their strength and resilience for present and future generations.

The loss of the QEII Park sports complex in the east is huge because it was central to the operations of many clubs and organizations. Many arts organizations and artists have lost offices, performing and exhibition spaces and the means to earn a living. The loss of venues and volunteers threatens the continued existence of many clubs, groups and societies that bind communities together.

Fundraising, for which so many charities, disabled persons, schools, early childhood centres, sports groups, youth groups, aged peoples groups, etc, relied, has diminished. This is due to so many people, having experienced personal property or business damage, being reluctant to support fundraising activities to the level they traditionally have.

OPERATION LIQUEFACTION REPORT

A $43,000 fuel bill paid

Contractors, who worked tirelessly to clean-up liquefaction from some of the worst hit streets and properties in Christchurch, are to receive a major financial boost.

The rural farming co-operative CRT, in conjunction with its fuel supplier Caltex, has announced it will pay $43,000 dollars in operational costs and fuel costs incurred by Bobcat and digger operators.

These contractors, who helped hundreds of families in February struggling to cope in the immediate aftermath of the quake, initially donated their time and equipment but were left facing a substantial bill as the extent of the liquefaction became apparent.

Background

Immediately after the February 22^nd earthquake, a group of private contractors and friends with access to machinery and diggers launched an operation to help clean up some of the worst affected properties Wainoni, Dallington and Avondale.

Over a two and a half week period this group cleared mud, sand and silt from more than six hundred properties, giving residents not only access to their homes but a renewed sense of hope.

Using commercial contacts and coordinating with the Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise and voluntary groups; ‘Operation Liquefaction’ is an example of small businesses coming together to make a big difference.

Their efforts will be recognised when CRT / Caltex and residents from Gertrude Place in Avondale hand over a cheque for $43,000 to contractors on Thursday 17^th November at 2.00pm.

Tour the Red Zone ... heartbreaking

This video is 32 minutes but you can stop, fast forward etc at anytime.  Includes a commentary.


http://youtu.be/f8Lic4MCNek 

Cricketing Fellowship goes in to bat for local cricket club

A huge thank you to New Zealand International Fellowship of Cricketing Rotarians (N.Z.I.F.C.R.) member and secretary John Hannah from Nelson

on his presentation of a cheque for NZ$3000 to Heathcote Cricket Club Captain Ian Cartwright.

The funds will be used towards the cost of rebuilding the Club’s pavilion, damaged during the earthquake earlier this year.

The Rotary Club of Christchurch Sunrise in conjunction with the Rotary Club of of Balwyn – D9810 Victoria has committed additional funding to support the earthquake rebuild of this much needed and used community facility.

See this link www.heathcote.co.nz for further information:

Inner Wheel doing a huge amount

Inner Wheel New Zealand has received a large number of donations from Inner Wheel clubs world wide.  They have established a committee to advise on how these donation are best spent with a focus on women and children and their recommendations are then sent to the Inner Wheel NZ Executive for approval before distribution.

So far distributions have been made to:

St Pauls School (new library book having lost their library and books)
Cholmondeley Children's Home (therapeutic resources to enhance their programmes)
Cross Over Trust (organising school activities)
198 Health Services (for replacement equipment)
Cantterbury Charitable Hospital (Trauma Centre equipment)
Christchurch Women's Refuge (general items)
St John (two hand held radio sets for communications in the field plus two defibrillators)

and more plus more recommendations under consideration.

In addition Inner Wheel members across New Zealand have provided much by way of Donations in Kind, especially school clothing, nappies and knitting and quilts.

Note:  Internationally, Inner Wheel is one of the largest women’s voluntary service organisations operating in the world.  For New Zealand please visit http://www.innerwheel.org.nz/

Down it comes

Demolition of the SBS Building (formerly Manchester Unity Bldg) on corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5800297/SBS-House-comes-down

... was it meant to come down quite this was.

October Update Newsletter

Welcome to this October circulation outlining activities of the Earthquake Recovery Support Project (EQRSP).

(Note; The Christchurch Rotary Earthquake Appeal Charitable Trust has a separate newsletter to communicate its activities.)

We have encouraged all Rotary Clubs in the District to become actively involved in earthquake recovery support. This Newsletter is an important communication.

Can you please ensure it is forwarded on to your Rotarians and EQ project teams in your club.

Matching Grants

In mid September we received notification that our Matching Grant application to The Rotary Foundation was approved. The project is for Replacement of Emergency and Medical Equipment for St John Ambulance - total project value $69,000.

Clubs in our District who supported the MG with commitment of their DDF are RCs Ashburton, Nelson West, Ashburton Plains and Bishopdale Burnside. RC Chch West and RC East Malden (UK) provided cash contribution also.

D3870 – Philippines, is the Matching Grant International Sponsor with a contribution of US$20,000. District 3780, which includes all chartered Rotary Clubs within the territory of Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, was formally established by Rotary International in 1989. Since then, District 3780 has held the distinction of being probably the only "one-city, one R.I. district" in the entire Rotary world. There are over 90 clubs in the District with more than 2000 Rotarians. See http://www.district3780.org/ and read about our generous MG partners. Special thanks to PDG Danilo Espinosa for his excellent liaison

District Simplified Grant

Application has been made to The Rotary Foundation to approve a District Simplified Grant (20% of DDF – about $15,000) to be applied for earthquake humanitarian projects. This will enable the six “EQ Front Line Clubs” to spent their DDF allocation on projects in their catchment.

Portable Swimming Pools

Rotary has partnered with an initiative by Sport Canterbury to enable “learn to swim and survive” programmes in schools to continue (32 schools currently have no access to swimming pools with the loss of QEII, Centennial Pool and pools in Kaiapoi and Linwood). The first two pools have been ordered and will be installed at Kaiapoi and Queenspark Schools.

Funds have been committed by D9750 Sydney; RC Belfast-Kaiapoi; RC Whakatane; RC Coffs Harbour South; RC Nelson West; RC Richmond; RC Motueka; RC Bishopdale Burnside and CREQA Fund. Thank you for your generosity.

Respite Vacations

We have generous offers from North East Victoria (Aust); Northern NSW (Aust); and Rotorua for provision of travel, accommodation and friendly hosting to Rotarians who deserve a respite break from their business and home difficulties as a consequence to the earthquakes. Can Clubs give consideration to likely recipients within their midst and contact Lindsay Crossen to align the offers (all enquiries will be confidential)

Projects Completed

Roger Horton , Group Leader Mount Pleasant Sea Scouts with Sea Scouts Vaughan Bamford and Campbell Wright receiving a cheque for $4000.00.

The donation was made for rescue boat repairs so they can carry out their activities on Lyttelton Harbour as the Estuary is not available due to pollution and depth changes following the earthquakes. The funding was made up from RC Winton Club (Southland), RC Murgon Club (Brisbane) and RC Christchurch South who coordinated the project.

Support from Mosgiel

Colin Mackintosh represented the Rotary Club of Mosgiel was in Christchurch recently where he attended gatherings at Te Mapua Trust, RC Christchurch South and RC Linwood-Woolston. At these meetings cheques were handed over for more than $25,000 which had been raised by Mosgiel Club to assist with earthquake recovery projects. The Rotary Clubs coordinated the projects in their local areas.

The money contributed the Te Mapua Child & Youth Trust is for the purchase of equipment which will help it run the camps more effectively in the future. These include: 50 camp stretchers, 50 bed rolls, a covered trailer for transporting camping gear, a data projector and screen, and a portable public address system.

The Principal of Waltham Primary School, Gordon Caddie, was given a cheque to help rebuild the library shelving and Colin Hammond, Principal of Bamford Primary School (both are low decile schools) received a cheque for $3,000 to assist in funding an educational trip to Wellington. These projects will help bring some normality to those schools in EQ affected communities.

Support from the Far North

Soon after the February earthquake PDG Merv Huxford of District 9910 organised an humanitarian matching grant and aligned to the Aranui Community Trust. This association has progressed to nearly $25,000 of $500 Family Needs Grants being distributed to needy cases. This project has had great support from the Rotary Clubs of Bay of Islands, Kerikeri, Maungaturoto, Whangarei South and Kaitaia.

Separately, when Burwood School (which has 70% of its catchment Red Zoned) asked for assistance with 3 small projects, District 9920 and the Chenery Memorial Trust made funds available for RC Chch North to assist the school.

Emerging Projects

The following are potential earthquake recovery projects that the Project team is currently evaluating;

Mobile Library Vans to extend the CCC mobile library service where community libraries have been damaged and closed and the people demographics has changed around the City. A project is being developed in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries to assist them to rejuvenate and extend their current services.

Repair of “soft surfacing” under a number of playgrounds around the city – this has potential for a Club working project.

A number of Sports Clubs are now working on recovery of their facilities and projects requiring assistance are starting to emerge.

• Shirley Tennis Club needs to get its courts back operational for its 400 junior players.
• Shirley Boys High School is now back in their school (after six months double shifting with Papanui HS) but their half constructed astro turf sport area is unfinished and their cricket practice facilities and main wicket area need repair.
• The pavilion at the Heathcote Sports Ground, a popular community, cricket and picnic venue, is damaged and requires substantial rebuild.

There are many “donor offers” waiting to support projects allocated or taken up in partnership with Christchurch based clubs. Christchurch clubs who have a project, or have lost their fundraising base and want to continue supporting their Charities and Programs, should contact Lindsay Crossen (contacts above) with their requirements

Special Clubs Assembly

DG David Drake has called a Special Clubs Assembly on 13^th October to update clubs on earthquake assistance in the District and look forward to community needs where Rotary can assist “Recovery”.

Where it is now - a diminishing look (for now)

An aerial view of Christchurch taken a couple of weeks ago. Many, many gaps are already apparent. For example, you can see a very bare Cashel Street along from the Bridge of Remembrance (centre-right). The Hotel Grand Chancellor, the tallest building in this picture, is just one of the many still to be demolished. A very sad sight for all those who love Christchurch.

Photographs courtesy of Alastair Wiffen RC of Nelson

And from the Bulletin:

Wiff spoke of his respect for the residents of Christchurch in their resolve, determination and demonstration of true grit. The people were tired and scratchy for a reason, as their whole world was turned upside down. Wiff said it was 10x worse than anything portrayed on TV.

Even today, the 250 ton crane used in demolition of the largest buildings,when it moves the ground behind it will liquefy from the sheer size of the crane. It only indicates the condition of the soil beneath, and the problems to be faced in the future. Some of the buildings are intact, simply leaning due to the unstable soil beneath them.

One of the solutions being considered, pump grout into holes bored beneath the buildings. With enough pressure, the cavities can be filled and the buildings righted. These new technologies are expensive, come from Japan and the USA, but have never been used on such a large scale. It could prove economically feasible if $2-5,000,000 would be spent to save a 50,000,000 building. Wiff ended by saying he felt it a privilege to work with the people of Christchurch and will never say “harden up”after seeing how they have coped with the quakes.

He is proud of the work Rotary has done in the region, and challenged us to continue to support them, as it will be a long recovery.

RWC & Cholmondeley fundraiser combine - open to all to attend

The Rotary Club of Newmarket Inc, Auckland
invites all to attend the
Rugby World Cup Fundraiser Luncheon
Tuesday 18 October 2011
12noon - 2.30pm
Ellerslie Convention Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland
Cost is $35 (incl. GST) per person, cash bar

Speaker is:  Lauron Buys - "What can we learn from the X-Factor players in the World Cup to apply to our business."

The proceeds of this event will go towards the restoration of the children's playground at the Cholmondeley Children's Home in Christchurch which was destroyed in the earthquakes.
RSVP by 13 October to: Patricia 09-917 9402 or email: patricia.geisel@asrl.co.nz

Well deserved recognition

Video of presentation of a PHF by IPDG Margaret Reeve on behalf of District 9970 to Roger Sutton CERA (Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority) .

ASHBURTON GIVE CHRISTCHURCH NORTH A HAND UP AFTER EARTHQUAKE

Following the training session for Presidents-elect in Auckland in March, our respective incoming Presidents  (Karen Clarke for RC Christchurch North and John Driscoll for RC Ashburton)  made contact and talked about what could be done to help the Christchurch club. It was suffering in a number of ways – members with houses, homes, property and businesses ruined (or all of the above). One of their number, John Laurenson, whose personal property was stricken, was also the Principal of the 1400 pupil Shirley Boys High School - very badly damaged by the quake and required to co-locate with Papanui High School. They did not have a regular venue for meetings any more, and many of their members were struggling even to attend weekly meetings and meet basic costs like meal fees and Rotary dues, much less find fund raisers for their annual projects.

At the same time, the Rotary Club of Ashburton,( a town located 100 kms south of Christchurch and relatively unaffected by the immediate effects of the quake,)  was looking for some meaningful ways to help in the city. We were reluctant to put money into places where it might be “swallowed up”, but wanted to get something going to directly assist earthquake victims. This seemed like an ideal opportunity, so the association began.

As soon as Christchurch North settled into a new venue for its meetings, Ashburton sent some members to visit those meetings, to swell their numbers and find what might help them most. These visits have become a regular feature every 2-3 weeks, and we have also had the Christchurch North members come down to one of our meetings, at our cost. We have added a surcharge to our weekly meal fee so that a fund is accumulating to further subsidise some costs for Christchurch North.

Ashburton has agreed to fund a number of the sister Club’s major projects for 2011-12, including the School Honours Roll Project and the Annual Golf Tournament. We will also provide manpower for these events, as the Christchurch Club is still only able to have about half its members attend at any given time. We have helped them sponsor nominations for the Technology/Science Forum in Auckland, and are about to work with one of their schools to arrange a whole school farm visit to Mid-Canterbury (the best farming district in New Zealand, of course!)

Both Clubs see the association as an ongoing process, looking to the longer term and providing support over the foreseeable future. To that end, there is now a good communication base between the current and future administrations of both groups, and some firm friendships have already been established. The moral support, as well as the physical and financial help, is proving to be just as important as anything really, and both Clubs are enjoying the extended contact with fellow Rotarians.

From Ashburton’s  point of view, it is certainly true that we have had few projects over the years that are as satisfying as the opportunity to see direct and specific benefits to others after the traumatic events of the last year. We intend that this will continue!

Don McLeod

Immediate Past President

Rotary Club of Ashburton