Rotary joins charity house-build project

Rotary District Governor 9930 Russell Turner (left), programme area leader for carpentry at Waiariki Institute of Technology Mike Fogarty, carpentry tutor Ray Ellis, president Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Sue Gunn and member of Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Don Gunn on site of the Charity House Project during construction. Photo / Supplied.

Rotary Rotorua Sunrise has joined forces with Waiariki Institute of Technology and other businesses to support the Charity House Project.

The project will see a house built by Waiariki carpentry students each year for five years and sold at auction with proceeds going to Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust for distribution in the community.

The latest Charity House Project home has been built at Rotorua PlaceMakers on Te Ngae Rd, which also supplied the materials. The four-bedroom, 2-bathroom, transportable house will be auctioned by Professional McDowell Real Estate on site on Sunday, December 1 at 1pm.

The Charity House Project is a collaboration between Waiariki, Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Charitable Trust, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Rotorua District Council and the business community.

The project brought Waiariki's carpentry and interior design students together with local tradespeople and suppliers in partnership for the community. Waiariki interior design students designed the kitchen and had input into the colour palate and materials for the bathroom.

Many local suppliers have provided the building materials, and many of these suppliers are Rotarians in various Rotorua Rotary Clubs. Other local businesses have also provided sponsorship, president of Rotary Rotorua Sunrise Sue Gunn said.

"The Charity House is a great opportunity for students to build a house that ultimately benefits the Rotorua community.

"The project has provided real-life experience for carpentry students who have built the house from the ground up, under the watchful eye of tutors and local builders.

"It has also helped the students gain part-time employment and, potentially, apprenticeships when they finish their year-long Certificate in Carpentry," she said.

For further information on Rotary Rotorua Sunrise contact Sue Gunn on (07) 346 8928. Community groups wishing to apply for funding should go to: www.rotaryrotoruasunrise.co.nz