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The
Rotary Club of Taupo
New Zealand
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The Rotary Club of Taupo, through the services of
Past President the late Peter Smith, who was also the chief
of the local Fire Service, promoted a community project, intended to provide a
vehicle for fire accident awareness among school children. The project would
provide a controlled major fireworks fiesta, which could also be a major fund
raising exercise. Initially the organising committee included
representatives of the Fire Service, the primary school principals and the
Rotary Club. To reduce injury to children and preclude property damage in
backyards as a result of indiscriminate bonfires, there would be a community
firework fiesta. Pamphlets would be printed each year, covering practical
instructions on how to avoid fires. These would be distributed to all the
schools by the Fire Service, which would incorporate school drills in their
visits. Major local companies would be canvassed. A major fireworks display requires that those
setting it up have a full practical knowledge of how the materials work and
react. They must learn how to avoid accidents, as well as how. to determine the
weather conditions at the time so that spent material does not endanger the
immediate environment. The Taupo Jaycees put on the first displays. When
Jeff Marshall joined the Rotary Club of Taupo he took on the job, and learnt
from Thomas Doo Jnr. who was aged about 75 at the time and well known as an
importer of and expert in fireworks. Jeff then trained Rotary club members and
others. As a result the Club is the only recognised
organisation in the district, licensed to stage a fireworks fiesta, so it's
services were called upon when the Taupo District Council sought to welcome the
new century with a display at the Boat Harbour. While television has brought fireworks into the
homes of it's viewers on all sorts of occasions, especially major sporting
events, there is still something about being there and smelling the cordite. Our
team has also become accomplished in setting the stage so that computer can
program the individual displays. Gone are the days when grey figures dashed from
point to point with a lighted stick to light the individual fuses. Our Rotary Fireworks Display became a feature of the Taupo community calendar. Footnote: In 2003 the club was unable to attract a sponsor for the event and it had to be cancelled. This was a big disappointment to the club and the community. The future of the event from the club's point of view is uncertain. See a brief
history of fireworks.
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