Last Friday, 24th October, a party 14 Eastern Hutt Rotarians and partners rode up and down each of Wellington’s train routes, to raise money for the End Polio Campaign.
We travelled to a different climate zone (Waikanae), and on the way back were subjected to a train poetry reading (Taumauranui On the Main Trunk Line). We had most enjoyable chats on route, getting to know each other and Rotarians from other clubs from as far afield as Palmerston and Masterton, a little better. Due to an unfortunate gap in the timetable, some of us were obliged to adjourn for a break at Trax, the pub on the station.
After a final ride out to Johnsonville and return, we met for a late lunch at the James Cook hotel, and heard a most interesting talk on the history of polio. (!t was present in the Egypt of the Pharaohs) and from 1900 on there were successive epidemics in New Zealand. In early days there was little understanding of the nature of the disease. Indeed, there was a panic in World War I Christchurch, when a rumour spread that German spies were releasing flies carrying the disease, in Hagley Park!
Most of our group passed by more than 50 stations, donating 50 cents per station. We will dedicate a Sergeant's Session to the cause shortly, to give members who were unable to attend, an opportunity to contribute.