Rotaract clubs in Oceania carried out simultaneous environmental projects to support Rotary’s newest area of focus on Earth Day, 23 April 2022.

Article by Shaun Peacock, Chair Elect of Rotaract Oceania and D9920 (DRR Current District Rotaract Representative). Submitted by President Rotaract Oceania Becky Giblin.

As COVID has reached American Samoa, Rotaract Club of Pagopago ran a Yard to Table video competition. They had 24 entries from members and local youth planting trees in their backyards and using produce from their own gardens to create meals for themselves.

Rotaract Club of Lautoka Sugar Cities and Rotaract Club of Nadi New Horizons planted 250 fruit and mahogany trees at a women’s shelter in (double area of focus for the win). This project was supported by donations from local Rotary clubs, government agencies, and corporates and was picked up by local and national newspapers and radio stations.

Because maintaining our planted spaces is as important as making them bigger, and planting season in Auckland starts in May, Rotaract Auckland City carried out a project spreading mulch to protect trees and flaxes planted in one of Auckland’s many small reserves.

Rotaract Wellington also joined in and went out to collect rubbish and celebrated being able to do in person projects.

Rotaractors across the region marked this day in many different ways and we are excited to see the renewed energy that comes with being able to get our hands dirty and do hands on projects, they truly are wonderful examples of ‘Rotary In Action’.