Be quick – or you’ll miss it!

Hundreds of Rotarians and friends are expected to trip the light fantastic in a Dance for Peace, at Mission Bay today.

They will form a flash mob that makes a big statement about world peace today at 12.30pm

Where: Mission Bay fountain area
Today: Saturday, 23 February 2013, 12.30pm.

The dance has been specially choreographed and rehearsed. Music has been written by Sons of Zion, a hip New Zealand group.

The flash mob will celebrate Rotary’s leadership in this year’s international theme “Peace through Service” as well as the international organisation’s success in coming within a hair’s breadth of wiping out polio worldwide so far.

For decades, Rotary has been the major funder of vaccination programmes internationally for polio in affected nations. Recently, the organisation was joined by the Gates Foundation, creating a fund of US$450 million to continue the fight against the disease.

23 February also marks the day, 108 years ago, that Rotary was founded (in 1905). (Rotary came to New Zealand in 1921)

Today’s flash mob has been brought together by District 9920, which includes clubs in New Zealand (mainly in Auckland) and in seven Pacific Island countries.

“This event also marks our clubs’ involvement in fundraising and service in New Zealand – which continues to be very, very significant,” says District 9920 Governor Ron Seeto (who will be dancing).

Rotary’s achievements in New Zealand thus far include:
- Rotary brought defensive driving courses to New Zealand.

- Rotary was instrumental in establishing Outward Bound in New Zealand.

- Rotary established and funded the first Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland.

- Rotary initiated Cure Kids (under the banner of the National Child Health Research Foundation) in 1971, and provided foundation funding for the chair of paediatrics at Auckland Medical School.

- Planting on Motutapu. Rotary was the initiator of native tree planting schemes on Motutapu Island, that have since seen much of the island become thickly forested – attracting back native birds.

- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, given annually to students to recognise their potential. They include a one week residential course to build leadership.

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