A total of around $85,000 has been given as grants to mainly South Wairarapa community groups in the past year by South Wairarapa Rotary – proceeds from the Martinborough Fairs it runs each year.
“Every year the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa distributes tens of thousands of dollars earned from the two Fairs – into clubs, schools, projects, events and scholarships helping to enrich our local communities,” the club told The Star.
Some 35 of the district’s clubs, community groups, societies, schools and facility providers were recipients of Rotary grants in 2024-25.
Martinborough saw six grants: Martinborough Junior Cricket Club; Martinborough Squash Rackets Club; The Social Crust – Meals on Wheels to purchase a Freezer; Martinborough School; Anonymous Donation to Local Skate Park and Medical Centre; Jazz in Martinborough.
Featherston groups collected eight: Featherston Community Centre Charitable Trust; Featherston RSA Memorial Inc; Featherston’s Own Community Trust; Featherston Foodbank; Featherston Christmas Parade; South Featherston School (2); Featherston Beautification Group.
Six Greytown groups won grants: Te Hupenui Art Gallery; Greytown Pavilion; Predator Free Greytown; Kuranui College; Greytown Pavilion – Youth Contribution; Kuranui Bursary (2).
Wider Wairarapa saw 12: Carterton Swimming Club; Local Hockey; The Great Kiwi Circus Show; Wairarapa Youth Orchestra; Caring Families Aotearoa; Scholastic NZ – Books for Schools; Rotary (RYDA) Rotary Youth Drivers Awards; Rotary (RYLA) Rotary Youth Leadership Awards; South Wairarapa Rotary Community Awards; Wairarapa Mathematics Association; Age Concern Expo; South Wairarapa Primary Sports Club.
Others 3: Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund; RNZWCS (Rotary NZ World Community Service) – Donation
to Vanuatu Earthquake Relief: shelter boxes for earthquake victims.
The group added: “to ensure the continuity of the two fairs, South Wairarapa Rotary is actively seeking new members. Get in touch via the website or email to membership@swrotary.org.nz
“We need you!”
For funding, apply via the group’s website: https://swrotary.org.nz click on Funding/Grants.
