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How the Fiji project first became a benchmark, Rotary, WCS Project . |
AUSSIE-STONE BECOMES A ROTARIAN. In 1997 Marc Aussie-Stone became a Rotarian. He brought with him 30 years of service and experience working in developing countries. He visited the RI World headquarters in Chicago. He attended the District Conference and Assembly of D9750 and did 30 makeupswithin his District at other Clubs. He listened to the anecdotal evidence of the many failed, and Rotary Foundation procedures impeded, WCS projects. He approached his District Governor and said that he would like to present new WCS procedures and solutions to Rotary. The DG agreed that he could convene a special District meeting to discuss new and more appropriate, and sustainable, W.C.S., development solutions.
NEWTOWN CLUB'S ISC MEMBER INTRODUCES NEW 'SUSTAINABLE THINKING" TO ROTARY. If you are interested in Marc's global experience in WCS development, in Tourism and Business see the next page - otherwise skip that page and go to the following page for more exciting information on how many Rotarians and Rotary Clubs from around the world are participating to see Rotarys WCS projects be CATCH PROJECTS, " Cash After The Caring Help ". These clubs and Rotarians are from Australia, Fiji, USA, Canada , with further Rotary Club interest or support expressed from Germany, France, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Brazil. They see the sense in first getting it right in one Pacific village and then repeating the success in the other poverty stressed villages all over the World.
DG FOR 9750' SUPPORTS CONVENING OF A "PACIFIC FOCUS" NIGHT. A special WCS, Pacific Project's, Focus, Night, was convened and put on by the Rotary Club of Newtown, July 2nd,1998 in its club rooms in Sydney. The information presented to the Rotary Clubs that attended, was recognised by them as entirely new thinking for Rotary, and for Clubs, seeking to do WCS projects in poor villages in developing countries, facing poverty and lacking jobs, training, health facilities and income .
The meeting was attended by Presidents and members of Rotary Clubs of Newtown, Como-Janali, Fivedock, Bondi Junction and Randwick .
It was Chaired by WCS experienced and subsequent District Trainer, PDG Richmond Manyweathers and representing the DG.
It was Attended by Peter Davis, International Service Director of Rotary Club of Newtown , a Past Head of the Uniting Church in Fiji for the previous ten years and who had lived and worked in Fiji for 28 years & was widely experienced in village affairs.FOUR D9750 CLUBS OFFER FUNDS TO PROGRESS FIJI PROJECT The 5 Rotary clubs present were enthused by what they heard and four clubs present offered to immediately contribute many thousands of Rotary Club dollars. Rotarian Aussie-Stone advised he thought it would be better first for a Rotary Club Survey Team to go with him to the village and see at first hand the problem and then consider the solutions presented. That way they could better explain to their clubs the purpose of the club funding.
SEVEN CLUB SURVEY TEAM GO TO FIJI. The Clubs present agreed to go ahead with a Rotarian Project Evaluation Visit to the Village of Vatukarasa on the main Coral Coast of Fiji in the Province of Nadroga, halfway between Nandi and Suva. Subsequently delegates from 7 Rotary clubs Lead by PDG Peter Foley left Sydney on August 21st, 1998 - 6 from the D9750 (Fivedock, Sutherland Civic, Randwick, Bondi Junction, Como-Janali and Newtown) and - 1 from the D9520 (Mildura Deakin). The Mildura Rotarians made a video on the visit which was circulated to other clubs & Districts & attracted further Rotary support.
Delegates from D9750 Newtown Club in Survey Team. Marc Aussie-Stone, Cultural Conservation & Development President, Artin Etmekdjian, Accountancy. International Service Director, Peter Davis, Church Administration. From other D9750 supporting Clubs ...
From Randwick, Luke Mitchell, Food Services & Banking.
From Bondi Junction, PDG Peter Foley Motor Services.
From Sutherland Civic, Bill Montgomery, Building Renovator.
From Five Dock, Philip Gatto, Building Developer.
From Como Jannali, PP Elaine Spinocchia,Equipment Services.
From D9520 Mildura-Deakin Club. From Mildura-Deakin Diana Byrne, Film and TV Producer. From Mildura , Graham Downie, Film and TV Producer.
FIJI'S FOREIGN MINISTER GREETS AND COMPLIMENTS VISITING ROTARIANS click here
TEAM WELCOMED BY ALL IN FIJI. Visiting Rotarians in the D9750 and D9520 WCS Survey Team were welcomed by all sections of the Fiji Government and its Institutions. These welcoming meetings included:
- Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Nadroga-Navosa Provincial Council
- District Engineer, Public Works Department
- Potential local Rotarian sponsor clubs of Sigatoka and Suva North
- Bula Fiji Radio
- Editor of Fiji Times Newspaper
- Vatukrasa Chiefs and villagers who would be the hosts of Rotarians during their visit to the village.
- Namanda Village who will provide a special cultural performance to welcome the visiting Rotarians
Rotary history of WO3900.
FROM THE BEGINNING THE ROTARY FOUNDATION AND ROTARY INTERNATIONAL STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE FIJI PROJECT. The WCS " Pacific Projects Focus" meeting heard that the Fiji Project, Vatukarasa Village development solution, had been been previously put by Aussie-Stone before Evanston, Humanitarian Services, Staff at Rotary International's, USA Headquarterst. They liked the project and encouraged him to continue on with it as a Rotary project. They reccomended he register the project as a Rotary International WCS project and that he be listed on RI's WCS Resource Network of Rotarians having experience to guide other Rotarians. Aussie-Stone is presently listed on the RI WCSRN.
The Fiji Project was subsequently registered as RI project WO3900 and exhibited in two Project exhibition booths, 122 and 124, at the RI Conference in Singapore. Glowing descriptions were written by RI headquarter staffers for these two exhibits.
D9750 District Governor John Lees visited the exhibits and gave them his full support. Five members from the Newtown Rotary Club flew to Singapore and manned these exhibits.
The exhibits attracted widespread interest and offers of support from 40 plus Rotary Clubs and Rotary leaders. A DG of Mexico City requested that we start the same project right away in Mexico.
D9750 CLUBS COMPLETE 3 VILLAGE PROJECTS. Thanks to grass roots Rotarians ongoing committment and actions a new village water catchment and supply system now provides clean water to every village home, a repaired hurricane damaged community ablutions bock has been re-built, and a new traditional Fijian Bure has been completed ready for another Rotary Club to assist build its kitchen, bathroom. If there is a club reading this web page interested to help fund and build the planned model kitchen bathroom estmated to cost $A8000, villagers supply all the labour, we invite you to email fijimodelproject@netscape.net
GRASSROOTS ROTARIANS CONTINUE ON PROGRESSING WO3900. Notwithstanding that RI and RF have withdrawn RF and RI support for progressing these ground breaking poverty alleviation works, or from having any interest in the sustainable business development planned within WO3900, or from assisting Rotarian volunteers who would like to help in the project, 11 Rotary Clubs from 5 Districts and 4 Rotary nations continue on with the project and more widespread, grass roots, Rotary Club support is being offered.
NEWTOWN CLUB RESPONDS TO RI PRESIDENT'S CALL. The Rotary Club of Newtown is just a small club with only 17 members with limited resources but it agrees with the present RI President's ideal that " MANKIND IS OUR BUSINESS". To further progress the project the Newtown Rotary Club has published a paid statement in the RDU Magazine of June, 2001 . CLICK HERE. This will be followed by another paid statement in the July edition.
A NEW VOLUNTEER TEAM IS TO GO TO FIJI A new 15 person team of Rotarian, non rotarian and Rotaract Volunteers will go to Fiji in August, 2001, to complete the USA Truckee Rotary Club initiated, 1st sustainable business for Vatukarasa Village. This will also be the Pacific's first 100% community owned and run Womens' ECO-Lodge, Community Hall project. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PLANS.
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Webmasters Nicholle & Marc 1/8/98 |
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