2020 Polio Movie Event On
 
A special preview screening of the movie “I Am Woman”, about the life story of Australian singer Helen Reddy has been arranged at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 20th October at the Reading Cinema in Napier.
 
Helen Reddy sadly died this week at the age of 78 at her home in Los Angeles after a long battle with dementia. This film is a fitting tribute to the star who did so much for women’s rights. I urge your Rotary Clubs in Area 10  to support this event with proceeds going to Polio Now through the Rotary Foundation.
 
The Rotary Club of Ahuriri is coordinating the event on behalf of all Rotary Clubs in Hawkes Bay. Tickets for your members can be arranged by contacting Max Patmoy:  maxpatmoy@gmail.com or Mike Smith: mike1950@xtra.co.nz.
It’s the story of Australian singer/songwriter, Helen Reddy, who shot to global stardom in the seventies.
 
While set in the US, the movie is a down under production with Tilda Cobham-Hervey sensational in the lead role.
 
The film distributors have agreed for Rotary to have the exclusive rights to show the movie in New Zealand cinemas during October and non-exclusive rights in November.
While COVID has made planning and running a movie event more challenging than usual, with appropriate measures (masks, sanitiser and sensible seating arrangements), it is possible for this event to go ahead. With audience sizes limited by social distancing, and with many people looking for new opportunities to have a little fun, we’re not going to be surprised if lots of clubs run more than one show.
 
To arrange an event you need to negotiate an arrangement with your local cinema. Typically, $10/seat paid to the cinema, with a ticket price of $20-25. Cinemas are not obliged to participate however most have had a tough time during the pandemic and may welcome this opportunity. You may wish to work with other clubs to arrange a joint event, hold a raffle, invite other service clubs etc etc
 
This year, it is very fitting that the Polio Movie Event be a tribute to Australian Past RI President, Sir Clem Renouf, who passed away on 11th June. Sir Clem was a giant in Rotary’s history and was one of the leading figures in our fight to end polio.
 
For resources in putting together your event, please go to
And, of course, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation continues to match Rotary’s polio fundraising 2:1. So, let’s have some fun, and raise funds for polio! For assistance or further information please contact District Polio Chair Michelle Tanner