Work for home

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 24

Work for home

Sir.—ln “The Press" of October 12 I read that members of the Rotary Club of Christchurch North worked on a project for a Barnardo’s childrens day-care centre. These members are to be congratulated for giving their time and energy but what concerns me is that there is no acknowledgement of the work being done on the site by workers from the periodic detention centre. I would like to ask the Rotary Club of Christchurch North why this group has npt been acknowledged for its work while this report of the opening acknowledges publicly the contributions made by other people and organisations'? — Yours, etc., M. G. McNABB. October 13, 1982.

[Mr Owen Barron, president of the Rotary Club of Christchurch North, replies: “I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the very substantial contribution made to the new Barnardo’s Day Care Centre in Slater Street by the periodic detention workers. Thanks to the co-operation of staff, our club has had close liaison with the detainees over several years. We have worked together successfully on a number of projects. Our club members regard this connection as a very important aspect of community service. We hope that the benefits are mutual. The lads have provided some welcome additional manpower and at the same time they have had the opportunity to observe a group of professional and business men voluntarily giving up time and energy to help someone in need. This'is a concept previously unheard of by most of the young men concerned. However, I would point out to your correspondent that the report referred to was not initiated by the Rotary Club of Christchurch North so naturally we had no control over which organisation was or was not mentioned. A large number of service clubs and other organisations contributed to the preparation of the centre. Mrs Anna Cullen, director of Barnardo’s, thanked all who had assisted, in her introductory address at the opening of the centre by the Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay. on October 12.

The Detention Centre workers received specific mention and thanks."]