ROTORUA

Life Education Trust Rotorua
P O Box 2003
ROTORUA

Educator

Christopher Turner
(0274) 460797

The Life Education story in Rotorua began in 1988 with an approach from Sharon Hoggard, the then Northern Regional Director of Life Education, to Lyall Thurston. Lyall went on to become the trusts first chairperson serving in this capacity from 1990 to 1995. Stuart King then took up the reins and has been the trust chairperson ever since. We are thankful to have had two such outstanding people to lead our trust.

Sir Howard Morrison was an early trustee and of course his much publicised "Ride For Life" where he rode on horseback from one end of the country to the other did a great deal to raise both the profile and finances of Life Education nationally. Lady Morrison has very kindly been our patron for a number of years.

The official opening of the mobile classroom was on June 28 1991. Programme delivery began on July 1 1991 at Otonga School in Rotorua. In July 2001, 10 years of Life Education in the District was celebrated at Glenholme School.

The Rotorua Trust covers a reasonably compact geographical area although there have been a number of changes to this area over the years. Initially Kawerau Schools were included at the personal request of Sir James Fletcher. Fletcher Challenge had magnanimously gifted the mobile classroom to the children of the Rotorua and Kawerau districts. When the Eastern Bay of Plenty Trust was formed they took over delivering the programme to this area as they have done in the Murupara, Galatea and Urewera areas. We currently deliver programmes as far north as Kaharoa, in the west to Mamaku and Upper Atiamuri, as far east as Rotoma and Kaingaroa and south as far as Broadlands.

We see between 8 and 9,000 children each year and visit 38 schools.

You will note above that we have had two trust chairpersons since 1991 and this is the same number of educators who have served our region. The first was Bob Bottomley who began in 1991 and finished early 1994. The position was then taken up by Michael Chemis who is still with us today. Both educators have made an invaluable contribution to the success of Life Education in our district.

A large number of trustees have over the years made sure that our very important message continues to reach our young people. These trustees are to be commended for a wonderful contribution to our community. Our trustees are constantly working on fundraising and raising our profile across the Rotorua District.

Sponsorship is vital to our continued success and in our area the major sponsors are; Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Bay of Plenty Community Trust, Rotary, Lions, Pak n Sav Rotorua, COGS, Shorland Holden, Williams & Wilshier and Joe & Joanne LeGrouw - Lockwood.