What an amazing evening organised by our Awards Committee to celebrate outstanding achievements from the 2021-22 Rotary year.

Article by by Immediate Past President Liz Bermingham, Christchurch South Rotary

We were joined by wives, husbands and partners along with the District Governors (past and present), Rotary International’s Regional Membership Officer, Barbara Mifsud and Simon Forsyth who kindly took the photographs for the evening.

What a privilege to have Joy Reid as our guest speaker. Joy is the CEO and co-founder of the “From One Mother to Another” charity following her personal experiences of having infant children who required time in an intensive care unit in hospital. Knowing the stress that this imposes on mothers, carers and families, Joy and her co-founder commenced providing care packages to mothers, fathers and caregivers of children in neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital. The work involves sourcing products to put in the care packages, setting up teams to put the care packages together and, most importantly, writing the handwritten letters of care and support for each care package. While the mothers, fathers and caregivers express gratitude for the girls in each package, it is the hand written letter of support that people say was the thing that lifted their day and gave them energy.

The charity has expanded to other hospitals beyond Christchurch and the need to seek sponsorship and funding have become integral to its operation. Christchurch South Rotary initially provided people to support as an advisory committee and one of our club members, Graham Dockrill is an active board member. It is always wonderful to see how far From One Mother to Another has grown. Joy’s work has been recognised by other organisations such as the Christchurch Foundation Kate Sheppard Women’s Fund Award; the Minister of Health’s 2022 “Community of NGO Health Service Team of the Year” and Volunteering Canterbury Volunteer Recognition Award. It was a real pleasure to recognise Joy at our Awards Night as one of our Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

In addition, sixteen of our members were recognised for 20 to 50 years of service to Rotary, they have collectively built the foundation of our club and what it stands for today, it is such a privilege to be able to celebrate them all. Mel Opie was the deserving recipient of the Jack McKessar—Service Above Self Award for his outstanding contribution to our club, the community and commitment to Polio and Geoff Bailey was recognised for his contribution and commitment to Rotary, receiving the Club Member Appreciation Award.

L-R Sitting, Harold Garlick (51years); Robin Redpath (23 years); Bruce McKessar (49years); Lew Brown (30 years)

L-R Standing, David Buist (46 years ); Graham Fowler (41 years); Peter Mears (26 years); Athol McCully (40years); Murray Ireland Snr (40 years); Bruce Wales (48 years).

Photos courtesy of Simon Forsyth.