Rotarian humbled by award
Putting the needs of those less fortunate first has led Matamata Rotarian Eric Muckle to be recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow.
The award was presented to Muckle during the Rotary Club of Matamata’s annual change-over dinner earlier this month.
Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International, a worldwide service organisation which has more than 1.2 million members in 189 countries.
While shocked and humbled by the recognition, Muckle was quick to point out that all members play a vital role in how the club functions.
‘‘I think Matamata Rotary has the community at heart and I believe the things we all do are for the good of everyone – both locally and internationally.’’
Muckle undertook a trip to Nepal to work with Habitat for Humanity and while he was over there he visited several projects to which Matamata Rotary had contributed.
‘‘It was very touching to see what kind of a difference our small financial contribution could make in the lives of young people in a country less fortunate than our own,’’ Muckle said.
‘‘We visited a school where 350 children had basically no toilet facilities prior to assistance being given and thanks to Rotarians, not just from Matamata but around the world, a new toilet block was built for that school.’’
While in Nepal, Muckle also visited a secondary school, where more than 1100 students were being taught in a school with just three classrooms. This visit inspired another project which Matamata Rotarians got involved with.
‘‘I have been really proud of our [ Matamata Rotary’s] efforts in Nepal and it is really very humbling to know that you have managed to do something to help the education of children in the world’s fifth poorest country.’’
Muckle was president of the club in 2011-2012 and has played leading roles in several projects including the redevelopment of the Rotary Skate Park, the purchase of a defibrillator for Matamata College and a scrap metal drive.
As well as his work with Rotary, Muckle is an elder at the Matamata Union Parish.
Rotary Club of Matamata immediate past president Eric Tanner said Muckle was a very deserving recipient of the award.
‘‘Eric [Muckle] is always willing to undertake any task and led the club in the extremely successful Swimarathon in 2012 which saw the Matamata community raise $20,000 for Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.
‘‘Under his leadership, Matamata club raised the single largest amount of the 120 participating clubs worldwide,’’ Tanner said.
‘‘ He always ensures that projects he undertakes are completed to a high standard and he is always willing to help with whatever the club is doing.’’