2022 sees Rotary Matamata celebrating 75 years of service to Matamata and communities around the world. Here's a few words from the records of charter member Harold Schofield. Harold was a partner at the law firm Schofield and Petersen (now MagillEarl).
"On the evening of Wednesday the 9th of April 1947, some 26 business & professional men were invited to meet Mr. W. Blair Tennant, the District Governor of Rotary, for District 52 in New Zealand. As a result of this meeting a provisional Rotary Club was formed with the following officers:
President: A. G. Findlater
Vice-President: H. E.Schofield
Secretary: J. G. Somerfield
Directors: W. G. Sharp, G. G. Griffiths,
A. R. Harris & H. G. Keeley
Sgt at Arms: W. Hollis
The inaugural meeting was held in the Fire Brigade Hall on Thursday 24th April & the opening address to the Club was delivered by Norman O’Neill, President of the Paeroa Club.
The Clubs Charter was granted by Rotary International on the 9th May, 1947 & the Charter night was held later in St Andrews Hall on Saturday 14th June 1947. This was a very enthusiastic & friendly gathering being attended by Pukekohe, Hamilton, Onehunga, Otahuhu, Rotorua, Te Aroha, Thames, Morrinsville, Cambridge, Paeroa & Palmerston North.
During the two years of the existence the Club has developed in a satisfactory manner & is now playing a vital & useful part in the work of the town."
H.E. Schofield
PRESIDENT 1948/49.
