Olympic Champion's Charity Dinner

Georgina & Caroline Evers-Swindell Charity Dinner

OLYMPIC ROWING CHAMPIONS, ATHENS, 2004

The Arena ready for dining

Bob Twaddle & Nathan Twaddle

Mark Read swings into action, extracting $1000 for a signed walking stick

President John Aikman announces an interim profit of $35,000

Held in the Pettigrew Green Arena, this was another stunning triumph for a Kevyn Moore lead team, now skilled at staging large scale events to raise funds for charity. In this case the celebrity guests were the Evers-Swindell twins, Georgina and Caroline, Olympic rowing champions in the Women’s Double Sculls recently in Athens, and 431 people paid $130 each to attend, dine, and listen to a skilled presentation by the Twins about their rowing career and the race that brought them the gold medal.

Caroline & Georgina with their cousin, Taradale Rotarian Elani Zachary

It wasn’t long before the place was buzzing and a full projection of the Olympic highlights played on the background screen. A special welcome was extended to fellow Olympians, Nathan Twaddle (Bob’s grandson), rowing finalist in the Men’s Pairs, and Jason Stewart, semi-finalist in the 800m.

The meal was superb, and tactfully interrupted after the entree, so that the Twins could give their presentation. Before they started, a video of the now famous race was played to a rapt audience who watched them row to glory, backed by ABBA belting out their great “Winner Takes it All” ballad. One nearby lady was heard to say it made her hair stand on end, and that appeared to be the feeling of all guests, who burst into spontaneous applause at the finish.

After the meal there was further time to relax before the Auction of memorabilia started. Simon Tremain took the stand as auctioneer and amazingly coerced over $19,000 out of the audience. The prize item, a framed signed Olympic shirt donated by the Twins, went for over $3000. And as a cameo performance, Mark Read stepped up to auction off, for over $1000, an orthopaedic walking support, signed by the twins.

Kevyn can't believe the bids!

At the end President John Aikman was able to announce an interim profit of $35,000, and he was followed by Kevin Atkinson, Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Hospital Board, who announced the Board had approved a $ for $ grant, so the Trust Fund to be established to commemorate the late Dr Oliver Smales, will start with at least $70,000.

Kevin Atkinson, Chairman of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, announces the Board will match the profit dollar for dollar.

Since the Dinner, the final figures for the night, show a profit of $44,500, so with the contribution from the Hawkes' Bay DHB, the Dr. Oliver Smales Memorial Trust will start with $89,000.

Historic Footnote:

The twins spoke to the Club in October 1996, being invited by Mark Read. The Bulletin records:

"Mark Read introduced Caroline & Georgina, 17 year-old twins who represented NZ at the World Junior Rowing Champs in Scotland. Chris has a considerable sporting history himself (Munich 8) and describes himself as their "minder and motivator".

"Caroline began rowing first and showed considerable natural skill, particularly in single and double sculls, where she won everything, even against much older women. She represented NZ in the coxless 4's in Poland, living on bananas and bottled water to avoid getting sick. Her enjoyment finally encouraged Georgina to give it a try and she has gone from novice to a national representative in a very short time. After beating Australia 2-1 in a test series, they were selected for the World Championships. After 3 weeks in England, they went to Scotland for the Champs, but feel that they 'goofed' in the semi-finals through inexperience."

OLIVER SMALES MEMORIAL TRUST

Report from the Bulletin 30th June 2005

"This (our) plaque was unveiled in the foyer at H B Hospital on Saturday afternoon 18 June. There was a good representation of members and wives/partners to witness the event. The Trust Fund comprises $45,000 raised by the club at the Evers-Swindell twins celebrity dinner, supplemented by a like amount from the Shrimpton Trust Fund which is administered by the Hospital Board. While the twins were not able to be there (they were at the World Rowing championships being held in Germany), their parents were present.

Mark Read spoke on the ideas that culminated in the twins’ participation in the Celebrity dinner and it was their wish that the proceeds be devoted to child health and so the concept developed of a memorial to the late Dr. Oliver Smales with the fund providing ongoing education and training to technicians associated with this field. The Trust Deed was completed and seven trustees were appointed, three from the club, John Aikman, Mark Read and Kevyn Moore with three from the Hospital Board. Dr. Libby Smales accepted the role of independent trustee.

Mark Read, addresses the group with President John Aikman behind.

A conducted tour was given of the SCBU (Special Care Babies Unit) where we were privileged to see amongst other babies, tiny premature twins William and Emma born one week prior at 32 weeks, each peacefully asleep in their individual incubator. We were then hosted by the Board to an enjoyable afternoon tea to conclude a memorable occasion.

Oliver Smales Memorial Trust

The Oliver Smales Memorial Trust was established in 2005.

The Trust provides for the training and education of nurses and support staff of the children’s services.

This was a Rotary Centennial Project of the Rotary Club of Taradale with the assistance from Olympic Double Scull Gold Medallists Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell and the Hawkes Bay District Health Board.