Latest news with #RotaryFoundation
Scoop
7 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Denise Messiter Puts Community Connection At The Heart Of Her Mayoral Campaign
Press Release – Nin for Mayor Campaign Her service to the community has been recognised nationally and internationally. Denise is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the community, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Mayoral candidate Denise Messiter says Thames–Coromandel deserves leadership that listens to every part of the community, not just the loudest voices in the room. At the recent Whitianga meet-the-candidates event, more than half the audience were older women. Many came with important questions about local issues, yet there was limited time for everyone to be heard. For Denise, it highlighted the need for more inclusive and welcoming formats that give space to all voices. 'I want to create spaces where people feel welcome to share their views and know they will be listened to. Smaller, more focused gatherings can give everyone the chance to speak. Older women, our rainbow and takatāpui whānau, tangata whaikaha, and others whose voices are sometimes missing from public debates will be at the centre of these conversations,' says Denise. Alongside her Aunty Betty Williams and other whānau who were proactive in the Coromandel Watchdog movement, Denise stood against mining on the peninsula for decades. That commitment to protecting the whenua and supporting local communities continues to influence her vision for the district today. Denise's campaign focuses on delivering practical, fair outcomes in the areas that matter most to people. She is committed to: Fair infrastructure and storm recovery that prioritises rural and flood-affected communities, with transparent project updates and climate resilience built into every decision. Housing affordability and community-led development that supports local housing trusts, Māori-led builds, papakāinga, and multi-generational housing. Te Tiriti partnership and Māori representation through a genuine co-design approach with mana whenua on all major projects. Rates and funding reform to ensure fairness for permanent residents and Māori landowners, with greater transparency about where rates are spent. Youth, digital and transport access including youth forums, public Wi-Fi expansion, and better transport links between towns. Community voice and democratic accountability so council decisions are explained in plain language and councillors are regularly present in every town. Denise has spent decades in leadership and advocacy roles, always focused on the issues at the forefront for Hauraki and Thames–Coromandel communities. She co-founded Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki, leads Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki, and has built partnerships that create local jobs, improve housing, and strengthen resilience. Her service to the community has been recognised nationally and internationally. Denise is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the community, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. She is standing for mayor to build a council that is present, transparent and grounded in the needs of its people. 'Everyone deserves to be heard, and everyone should see their priorities reflected in the work of council. That is the kind of leadership I will bring.' The Nin for Mayor campaign is inviting anyone interested in helping or hosting a community conversation to get in touch. Denise will be announcing a series of smaller meet-and-greet events across the district in the coming weeks.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Art in the Park returns to Willistead Manor this weekend
Willistead Park in Walkerville was busy all day Saturday for the return of the annual Art in the Park festival. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Windsor's Willistead Manor in Walkerville will be bustling with people this weekend as Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) hosts the annual Art in the Park. 15 acres of the manor's grounds will be packed with diverse arts and crafts for sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 300 vendors will be on hand, along with live music, a kid's zone, food trucks, and local wine and beer offerings. It's the 46th edition of the event with the Rotary Club of Windsor serving as the agent for the Rotary Club of Windsor Foundation Fund. Proceeds will help fund local and international rotary charitable and philanthropic initiatives. Free shuttle services will be available at the Hiram Walker parking lot and 1591 Kildare parking lot. Please note: No dogs or pets are allowed in the park during the event.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Indian Express
Jadavpur University's library for visually challenged turns ‘barrier-free'
In a stride toward inclusive education, Jadavpur University has taken a major leap forward for its visually challenged students. While the university had already established its Accessible Library back in 2018 with institutional funding, this year it has transformed into a more advanced and inclusive space—what many now proudly call a 'Barrier-Free Library.' Previously, the library depended heavily on audiobooks. However, the time-consuming process of producing these made it difficult to keep up with students' academic demands. This transformative step came with the support of the Rotary Foundation and includes a range of imported assistive instruments aimed at enhancing learning experiences for students with visual challenges. One of the most remarkable upgrades is the introduction of high-end technological aids such as two embossers, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) camera, Braille eMotion tools, and low vision cameras. The library has also been physically expanded, with rooms being extended to accommodate more students. Additionally, e-books are now being developed in accessible formats, making them usable for both visually challenged and sighted students. Subhadip Mondol, a postgraduate student of Bengali and member of the university's Forum for Students with Disabilities (FSD JU) emphasised the 'life-changing' impact of these developments. 'This helped the students who are disabled and gave them a chance to get an exposure in their education with the help of this advanced technology,' he shared. Echoing Subhadip's sentiments, Monojit Ram, a PhD scholar in Bengali from the university, said, 'This accessible library was there in this university, but the advanced equipment which has been brought recently has made the library more friendly for visually challenged people and have never made them be in the back row of the education.' As this inclusive model continues to grow, its users believe it stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when institutions prioritise accessibility, empathy, and innovation.
