Our Altrusa Club clearly the best in the country

ALTRUSA International Vice President Donna Johnson from Florida (left) congratulates the Te Awamutu contingent (from left): Past President Shirley Wilks, Past President Audrey Elliott-Gyde, Past President and District Governor Elect Leanne Milligan, Immediate Past President Marie Kay, President Elect Cass Sutton, current President Brenda McIvor, Past President Christine Melville, and Past President Julia McCullough. Photo supplied

The Altrusa Club of Te Awamutu has plenty to celebrate. The Pride of Te Awamutu Award it received last Thursday for service to the community capped off an extraordinary week for the club.

At the Altrusa District Fifteen (New Zealand) Conference held in Ashburton, the club ‘cleaned up’ - collecting six of the nine awards presented. It was also the first time in the history of Altrusa in New Zealand that any club has won all three service awards.

President Brenda McIvor says it was ‘awesome’ to receive the awards on behalf of the Te Awamutu Altrusans.

“I have had the privilege of being president of a dynamic team. Every one of them has given their own unique qualities to produce projects that not only benefited people in our community, but also enhanced the aims of Altrusa which are service, efficiency and patriotism.”

The Service Awards were presented by International Vice President, Donna Johnson from Ganesville, Florida. These winning Service Award entries will now be sent for entry into the International Competitions with the winners announced at the International Convention in Florida next year.

The club won the Mamie L Bass Community Service Award for its ‘TLC’ Carers weekend project. Nine women who were caring for family members suffering from stroke, cancer or dementia related illnesses were treated to a weekend of pampering. Club members were able to make a real difference in these women’s lives. The club received a grant from the Altrusa International Foundation and used funds raised through the 10th Annual Home and Garden Ramble to fund the project.

TE AWAMUTU Altrusa Club was recognised at national level for its success in promoting literacy locally. Bookworms ‘Al’ and ‘Trusa’ are pictured above with club members Cass Sutton and Brenda McIvor (right).

The Letha H Brown Literacy Award was won for the club’s ‘Reading Idols’ project. Eight sporting heroes, including race walker Craig Barrett, motor cross rider Mark Penny, and players from the Waikato NPC franchise visited four local schools and spoke to boys about the importance of reading and enthusing them with a love of books.

Te Awamutu Altrusa club’s ‘Positive Ripples’ project was the winner of the Dr Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award trophy. This project involved the support of Hagar Home for girls rescued from the sex industry in Cambodia, as well as the donation of clothing and books to the people living in the outer islands of Vanuatu. The club is pleased to support the Hagar home which is currently run by Sue Hanna and Sue Taylor from Te Awamutu.

The Altrusa Club of Te Awamutu also won the June Garth Memorial Trophy for the Governor’s Award (for the second consecutive year) which is given to the top club. This award is judged on all aspects of a clubs operation including membership, leadership, communication and community service.

The fifth award the club took away was the Highest Net Membership Gain trophy. Te Awamutu Club member Leanne Milligan who is currently serving as District Governor-Elect received the inaugural Lynnette Young Sponsors Award for the member who has sponsored the most new members in the past year.

Ms Milligan says over the past 12 years as a member of Altrusa she has received many opportunities for personal growth.

“I would like to see all women receive the same opportunities. The trophy I received features the Maori symbol for never ending friendship which is something Altrusa offers all its members."