Humble helper honoured

William Woodworth

A Blenheim businessman has been surprised with two Rotary awards in recognition of his readiness to help. Well known butcher and business owner Mike Newman has been honoured for his work with Blenheim Rotary Club. The owner of Meaters of Marlborough was presented with two awards by outgoing club president James McKenzie-Wiley and incoming president Steve Metzger.

A large contingent of Rotary members and guests were at Raupō Café at their annual changeover night last week and on hand to see Mike recognised. His generous support of local causes through donations of money and meat saw him take home a Rotary International Award and a Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

But in true humble style, Mike says he is always happy to help when he can.

“All we do is make the sausages and do what we can do to help, and all of our staff are glad to be of assistance to the great causes the Rotary Club gets behind.”

While Mike would usually have been cleaning up after a busy day at his Maxwell Road shop, friends and Rotary colleagues suggested he make the Monday night Rotary meeting.

It is an honour to have been given the awards, he says.

“I was very honoured to be given the award and it was an absolute surprise – I’m normally cleaning the butchery floors at 6pm on a Monday but I kept getting hints from about a week out it was important for me to head along, so I’m glad I did”.

Mike prefers to keep his product donations and charitable endeavours under the radar and encourages other businesses to assist the variety of worthwhile causes in Marlborough in whatever capacity they can.

“Packs of sausages don’t mean too much to us, but it’s the best way we can contribute. If we cause a bit of good in the community where we can without being asked, that’s what being a local business is all about.

“Organisations like Rotary are sadly seeing numbers decrease but they do such fantastic work on the coalface of Blenheim with the numbers they have.”

Eye Institute joins with Dr Ed Hutchins at Churchill Specialist Centre

We are pleased to announce that Eye Institute has partnered with Dr Ed Hutchins at Churchill Specialist Centre. Through this collaboration, we are pleased to support Dr Ed Hutchins, as he continues to provide exceptional eye care to the people of the Marlborough region.

Eye Institute is a national Ophthalmology practice providing eye care across New Zealand with practices across Auckland, Wellington Hawke’s Bay, Blenheim and Dunedin. Our team of 22 highly skilled Ophthalmologists allow us to provide exceptional expertise to communities across New Zealand.

specialist@churchillhospital.co.nz www.eyeinstitute.co.nz