In collaboration with, our member H.E. Prasanna Gamage, the High Commission of Sri Lanka join us for a buffet dinner celebrating the bold and aromatic flavours of Sri Lanka for $69 per person.
At our last club meeting we raised over $1,000 for Polio eradication efforts, thanks to donations of our overseas currency. Big thanks to Ben Mack and Julie Haggie for organising it. Thank you!
We’re sad to say goodbye to Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand
They are off to Auckland.
For 27 years, Sir Anand has been a huge part of RCW, always generous with his time, wisdom, and good humour—even while juggling an extraordinary career, including serving as Governor-General. His thoughtful contributions and memorable speeches added so much to our meetings and events.
Lady Susan has given just as much to the club, serving on the Board and leading the Community Services Committee. Her care and energy have made a real difference to Wellingtonians in need, from supporting older people to helping those doing it tough.
Both deservedly are Paul Harris Fellow recipients. Their insight, reflections, and desire to make a difference have been an outstanding feature of their work. We’ll miss them both.
Our very best wishes go with them for this next chapter in Auckland.
Leave of Absence and Farewell
Mark Wheeler heads off this month and is taking a leave of absence to work overseas. We wish him well and look forward to his return.
This month we farewell Drushti Nandu who joined us in December and has secured a new role with PWC in Auckland. Drushti hopes to transfer to an Auckland club.
Dirk and Bettina Wilhelm attended their last meeting with us this week before heading back to Switzerland via Australia. Dirk has been on sabbatical from Zurich University to Victoria and shared with us insights of AI that his department (Engineering) in Zurich are engaged in. Dirk provided a very informative talk at our last meeting - Safe travels and come visit again!
Reduction in meeting cost of the Light Meal
at our Lunch
The Board has reviewed meeting costs resulting in a reduction in Light Meal from $35 to $32.50 (from May 1).
Tea/Coffee $10 and the cost for evening meetings will not change.
As part of our two-year cost review, last year we reduced club fees by $10 a month. This year the Board focused on meeting costs - venue, technology, complementary guest speaker, food.
Thanks!
Membership momentum keeps building!
Since July, fourteen new members have joined — taking us past 70 and still growing - although we have some transfers refer above!
How did we get here? We started by listening — asking members and past members what worked, what didn’t, and what would bring them back. That feedback sparked change: a new venue, a membership team with real drive, and a clear focus on people new to Wellington, who are looking for connection.
Now, every new member gets a warm welcome — a mentor, a role in meetings, and plenty of fun through social events, from Jumbo Tennis to the Rotary Book Group.
The result? Real energy, real growth — and more to come if we keep doing what works.
Soup Kitchen Appeal during these difficult times
Can you bring winter clothes or make a direct donation to the Soup Kitchen?
Didn't make it to the Rotary Oceania Summit? Here's what you missed out on
What a weekend! The first-ever multi-district Summit brought together nearly 250 Rotarians from across New Zealand — and the energy was incredible.
From a lively District dinner to a glamorous Art Deco evening where the dance floor stayed busy until midnight, every moment sparked connection and fun. Earlier, members pitched in on beach clean-ups, packed emergency bags, and joined a cheerful “Pints for Polio” stroll.
If you missed it, you missed something truly special — but there’s always next time!
District Assembly is coming up on May XXX in Wanganui. It's a chance to learn more about Rotary both within the District and Globally. Suzanne will be attending for her President Elect Training
Rotary Beyond Our Club
Rotary's Epic Day of Service
May 16
Hold the date: we are doing something!
Picture the incredible power of every Rotary Club in our zone coming together on May 16, each taking on a project that ignites their passion, all on the same day! Imagine the energy as we unite to make a difference and reveal Rotary's true impact within our communities.
Rotary Give Every Child a Future is a large-scale centenary programme led jointly by our Club, with Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland clubs, to vaccinate 100,000 babies and girls in nine Pacific countries. The project raised $US3.9 million from Australasian Clubs, Districts and the Rotary Foundation and is being implemented by our partners UNICEF, in conjunction with the relevant Pacific health authorities.
The latest RGECAF newsletter describes the roll-out of the final stage of the programme in Kiribati.
If you are thinking of attending the Rotary International 2026 Taipei Conference
Join Kiwi, Australian and pacific Rotarians and 35,000 others.
Contact Judy Bains - there is a District 9940 contingent attending.
