Opportunity to donate raffle prizes (proceeds to Lifting the Lid).
Volunteer - there’s fun for everyone. A real club effort.
Interested? Please contact Project leader: Peter Steel: 021 244 1850
Fantastic Pudding Sales Success!
Christine shines as our Pudding Seller Doyenne! In Greater Wellington we sold 1,344 puddings—a stellar 28% increase from last time. RC Upper Hutt led the way, with Christine and our team close behind, and RC Karori hot on their heels. Strong demand across the board shows community enthusiasm at its best.
Shelter Bags Donated for Homeless
We're contributing $1,500 to the ROZOPS Shelter Bags project - a New Zealand-wide Rotary initiative to import 1,200 weatherproof, warm and portable shelter bags for people sleeping rough. The project comes from Rotary in Australia, showing the value of picking up and localising good ideas from other Rotary groups. Each bag is a lightweight, waterproof and windproof sleeping system made in South Africa by previously unemployed seamstresses.
Record Number of New Year Honours!
Hearty congratulations to our distinguished members - Sir Chris Parkin (KNZM) and Peter Cullen (MNZM), and to former member, Roger Drummond (MNZM), on their well-deserved recognition in the New Year Honours.
We'll beat polio yet!
Readers may have noticed two recent items in The Post - one pointing out the reduction of Wild Polio cases in the last remaining countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan); plus a poignant memory of the polio epidemic in NZ, written by David Hill.
RYLA 2026 this week
We've sponsored 2 students this time - Claire Ng & Dylan Wahapa. Julie says they're wonderful! She, Lynn and Joan Smith will visit the programme this week & the students will report back this year.
News From The Board
Some Fascinating Speakers at the Rotary Oceania Summit
Napier March 20 -22
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
Thanks to Derek, Julie, Allan, Helen, John P and all others!! It's quite a task but can be crucial.
We start the year with a membership of 71 with 2-3 members to be inducted by the end of February with more in the wings. Thanks heaps everyone!!
Club Events
Social Events
Join Our Rotary Fellowship at Gloria!
You're invited to a special Rotary event: Friday 13 March 2026, 7:30pm, St James Theatre, Festival of the Arts. See Gloria – A Triple Bill—a highlight honouring choreographer Douglas Wright with live NZ Symphony Orchestra to Vivaldi, plus new works on ageing, grace, and resilience. Joyful, powerful dance awaits!
Limited to 24 club seats in the stalls at $80.10 each (incl. discount)—perfect for mobility. Note: one scene has strobe lighting. Bring a friend for top fellowship!
RSVP by Tuesday 3 Feb via forms.gle/cuSzwhvb8sqWzwhf8 for name, seats, and aisle preferences. Pay via Events Pronto by 23 Feb; tickets emailed later. Don't miss out—secure your spot now!
Events for 2026
26 Jan - First meeting of the year. Definitely social!
6 March - Jumbo Tennis
13 March - Social Event - The Ballet:Gloria
22 June - RCW Changeover
Events Coming Up
All events at The Wellington Club, unless otherwise stated
26 January: First meeting for 2026! Speaker - Peter Thompson: The Role of Public Media in Democracy. Registration link: https://forms.gle/TFbvAzm58dnoPNHU7
2 February: Paul Harris lunch
9 February: RCW lunch. Speaker - Laetitia (Tish) Laubscher: The Work of Manana in Prisons. Registration link: https://forms.gle/iPSPHXuMJXqbX1D28
16 February: Paul Harris lunch
23 February: RCW lunch. Speakers - Em Lewis and Maddie McLeod: Nikau Foundation and Philanthropy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Registration link: https://forms.gle/WuNSHUrBXLgQEm9w9
2 March: Paul Harris lunch
9 March: RCW evening meeting. Speaker - Dr Ang Jury
16 March: Paul Harris lunch
20-22 March: Rotary Oceania Summit, Napier
2-3 May: District Learning Assembly & President-Elect Training
