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Rotoiti Lodge Upgrade Project

  • Russell has new wheels!

      17 May 2019
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    Thanks to the assistance of Houston Motors and Mitsubishi NZ, Rotoiti Outdoor Education Centre has a brand new four wheel drive Triton to help lodge manager Russell Ferens get the job done. Tony Richards of Houston's came along to the breakfast meeting of the Rotary Club of Whakatu this morning at Trailways Hotel to formally hand over the keys to Russell. The vehicle is beautifully signwritten by The Sign Man with the lodge and Whakatu Rotary logos, and its other sponsor, The Lion Foundation. We think it looks pretty good and Russell certainly looked happy as he drove it off this morning, back on his way to St Arnaud. It's another great step in our Rotoiti Lodge Upgrade Project. Pictured is Russell and Tony with club president Brian McGurk (front) and Trevor Marshall (rear).

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  • We decked it!

      17 May 2019
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    What a fantastic team effort. In just a week we have a 220sq metre deck up at Rotoiti Lodge. This is going to be a fabulous asset to the lodge and everyone who uses it. Thanks to the NMIT DOC ranger students and tutors. Mitre 10 Mega in Nelson, Murray Leaning of Helping Hands, lodge manager Russell Ferens, project manager Trevor Marshall (both pictured), and the Rotary Club of Whakatu for all their amazing work in making this happen in such a short time span. There is a bit of finishing off work to do but we think you'll agree, it looks fantastic!

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  • Here it Comes!

      7 May 2019
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    There's a hive of activity at Rotoiti Lodge this week. Construction of the new deck by NMIT ranger trainees with assistance from Mitre 10 Mega Helping Hands and Whakatu Rotary Club is rapidly progressing as you can see in this photograph.

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  • We're underway!

      3 May 2019
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    The first stage of the Rotoiti Lodge upgrade is underway! Ground work has started at the lodge for the construction of a fabulous wooden deck, designed by Arthouse Architects. NMIT DOC ranger cadets and tutors, along with a team from Mitre 10 Mega in Nelson led by Murray Leaning, and some of our own Whakatu Rotarians led by project manager Trevor Marshall, are converging on the lodge and they'll be working hard to transform the dug up ground around the front and the lake-end of the lodge into a large multi-purpose deck. You can see what it's going to look like in the corresponding concept drawings from Arthouse. We can't wait to see the end results. Thanks to all our supporters - we couldn't have got this far without you.

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  • Community and Business Support for the Upgrade Project

      9 March 2019
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    It's been a busy few months for the Rotoiti Lodge Upgrade project. We thank all of you who have supported our Givealittle Page and invite you to also check progress with community and business sponsorship on our project Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/rotoitilodgeupgrade

    We've reached well over the $100,000 mark in donations, services, materials and labour towards the project. Success breeds success and you, our Givealittle supporters are part of that. Building of the deck will be getting underway shortly.

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  • Thank you!

      29 January 2019
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    We would like to say a big thank you to some very generous donors over the last few weeks. You've given the page a very big boost and we really appreciate it. We have also been getting a lot of support from businesses around the Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough regions, who are getting in behind us with funding, services, goods and expertise. The Rotoiti Lodge Upgrade Project is well on track to start some of the initial stages in the next couple of months.

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  • Thank you Rotary Heroes!

      19 December 2018
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    We have been overwhelmed by the generosity, good wishes and support from the local business community and individuals for our Rotoiti Lodge Upgrade Project. Thank you to you all - you are true Rotary Heroes!

    We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and look forward to updating you on progress as we continue our fundraising to upgrade the Rotoiti Outdoor Education Centre.

    A special thank you to our corporate sponsors to date: Nelson Pine Industries, Port Nelson, Bowater Hyundai-Bowater Isuzu, Chateaux Marlborough,

    Waimea Vehicle Testing Station, Mitre 10 Mega Nelson and Mitre 10, Mediaworks, Arthouse Architects, Rotoiti District Community Council

    Rotoiti Lodge Trust, Keith Laugesen Trust,

    Rotary District 9970 District Grant, the combined Rotary Clubs of Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.

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  • Thanks for your support!

      1 October 2018
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    We've been amazed by the level of support we are getting for our plans to upgrade Rotoiti Lodge. People from all over the country have been responding to the project's Facebook page with stories of their experiences at the lodge over the years and pointing us in the direction of people involved in its initial planning and construction. Thanks to all of you who have so far donated money towards our Givealittle fundraising. Every dollar helps us towards reaching our goal of upgrading the lodge. We want to ensure it is able to provide safe but challenging outdoor education experiences for young people from across the Top of the South Island for another 50 years. Please spread the word.

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