RCW Bulletin

26 February 2026

Upcoming Meetings
 
9 March
Evening Meeting at The Wellington Club
5.30 pm for 6pm start and 7pm finish
Dr Ang Jury:
The current state of family violence in NZ and changes over time

Join us for this special meeting after International Women's Day!
Register
23 March
Lunch Meeting at The Wellington Club
12.30 pm
Kirsty McLaren:
McLaren Recruitment - legacy and current business
Come along to a terrific lunchtime meeting!
 
Note - our next meeting after this is on Monday 30 March - lunchtime - a week later!
Register

Club News

Jumbo Tennis is almost here!

Friday, March 6th 


It's a great day - something for every member 

At this point, we need more teams!

Let's do even better than last year's number

Use your connections to get more teams.

  ($300 plus GST for a team of two,

team of four for $600 plus GST)

Teams can register at:

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/13111/Events/jumbo-tennis-2026

Sell raffle tickets ($10 each or 6 for $50) to everyone you know!

For tickets click here

Raffle Proceeds to Lifting the Lid - mental health services for school students in Greater Wellingotn 

Volunteer - there’s fun for everyone. A real club effort.

Our Green Footprint on Wellington

Jean Phipps has shared some Before and After photos showing how far our tree planting has come. It all began in 1968, when member Sir Roy McKenzie and our club started planting along Lambton Quay, and grew to our 100,000th tree—many on Mt Victoria—celebrated at our Centennial in 2021.

A lasting legacy for Wellington and Rotary!

Before

 
 
 
After
 

Some Fascinating Speakers at the Rotary Oceania Summit

March 20-22 in Napier

Join President Lynn and others for the usual lovely Hawkes Bay attractions, plus involvement in some local projects, but the speakers are a great part of the event. They include:
  • Adele Keefe - Founder of Mana Whanui, a trust that supports people recovering from trauma, abuse & addiction
  • Ritesh Patel - District Technology & Systems Chair. He talks on topics such as leveraging AI for Rotary success 
  • Karim Rostami - Polio survivor, Afghan refugee, marathon swimmer and cafe owner!
More info here.

Food trial

What did you think of the trial menu at the February 9 and 23  meetings? 

We're keen to know.

Email Anthony Scott: (AnthonyScott.9940@gmail.com), but keep in mind the complexities of keeping the cost down, while catering for a wide range of dietary needs.

Registration Desk

Is now in our meeting room on the left. Please check in and confirm your food choice. 

Ever thought the Rotary Peace Fellowships were a bit too abstract?

Take a look at this fascinating story from the Rotary Review — it might just change your mind.

 

 

RCW warmth for the Soup Kitchen

Jane & Peter dropped off boxes of warm clothing, dental supplies, and sanitary items to the Wellington Soup Kitchen. They sent a big thank you for your generosity and appreciated the Rotary Christmas puddings donated via Joan, which cheered their guests.

Thank you for supporting the homeless—your kindness makes a real difference this winter. Keep the warm clothes and essentials coming!

Reminder: ASIL Group Vocational Visit, Tuesday 3rd March

Rotary thrives on relationships, and our relaunched vocational visits are a great way to build them. Join us at ASIL Group (founded 1988 by William & Jackie Sommerville) to explore their seashell exports and quirky Whittaker’s chocolate history.

This relaxed after-work event is open to all members – spaces are limited, so book early!

When: Tuesday 3 March, 5–6 pm
Where: 72 Friend St, Karori (free parking)
Drinks & nibbles provided

RSVP to: william@asilgroup.com to secure your spot

Please note!

We have 2 club meetings in March  a week apart - both lunchtime, 23 March and 30 March - it's not a mistake!

 

More on the Nikau Foundation

Our thanks to our speaker, Em Lewis. Members wanting more information can click on this link to the Nikau Foundation Impact Report 

 

 
Rotary Beyond Our Club
 
Club Events

Major Social Events for 2026

6 March - Jumbo Tennis

13 March - Social Event - Gloria Ballet
22 June - RCW Changeover
Meetings Coming Up
All events at The Wellington Club, unless otherwise stated
 
2 March: Paul Harris lunch
9 March: RCW evening meeting. Speaker - Dr Ang Jury. Registration link: https://forms.gle/4K6ZVrK4HeM46oRh7
16 March: Paul Harris lunch
20-22 March: Rotary Oceania Summit, Napier 
23 March: RCW lunch. Speaker - Kirsty McLaren: McLaren Recruitment - legacy and current business https://forms.gle/YjNXeUbp3DEDz11g8 
30 March: RCW lunch. Speaker - Dr Arapata Hakiwai, Co Leader, Te Papa: Repatriation of Māori Tāonga
13 April: RCW lunch. Speaker - Carol Green, District Governor and Brent Gerrard, District Governor Elect: Rotary beyond the club.
20 April: Paul Harris lunch
2-3 May: District Learning Assembly & President-Elect Training
4 May: RCW lunch. Speaker - Dr Mike Joy
11 May: Paul Harris lunch
Calendar of Club Meetings
Upcoming Meeting Duties
     Date   Door Host / Guests

Introducer /Thanker

Greeter 1

 Greeter 2 5 Minute Talk Opening Thought
 
9 Mar
evening
 John Gibbons Lynn Mckenzie & Helen Algar Sir Anand Satyanand Irina Francken N/A Suzanne Snively
  23 Mar John Rowe William Sommerville  Faisal Ahmed Debbie Chin H.E. Johnny Sexwale - new member Kerry Prendergast
  30 Mar (extra March meeting) John Rowe Karen Coutts Jon Beck Donna Dentice Julie Haggie and Ben Mack - currency Bradley Taylor
Club Representatives
 
Responsibility: Board
Member
Responsibility
Member
President
Lynn McKenzie
International
President-Elect
Suzanne Snively
RCW Trust
Joan Smith
Immediate Past President
Roger Blakeley
Comms
Lee Wilkinson
Treasurer & Community Service Chair
Allan Frost
Speakers
Janice Wilson
Fellowship
John Boshier
 
Denise Church
    Meeting RSVP Anthony Scott
Other Responsibilities
 
 Membership  Heather Verry
Member Support
Jane McCann & George Fairbairn
Constitution
Derek Gill
Secretary
Julie Haggie
 Wellington Club Liaison
Jane McCann
Meeting co-ordinator
 Suzanne Snively Timekeeper Stuart Brooker