RCW Bulletin

21 September 2026

Upcoming Meetings
28 September
Lunch Meeting at The Wellington Club
12.30 pm
Anna Fifield
Make sure you come to hear from the international journalist and former Dominion Post editor for her talk "Between Giants: Trump in the USA and China in the Pacific."
12 October
Evening Meeting at The Wellington Club
6 pm
Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM
An opportunity to listen to the futurist and technology entrepreneur!
19 October
Lunch Meeting at The Wellington Club
12.30 pm
Local election candidates
Meet the candidates! Come along to hear from some of the people standing in November's election.
Upcoming Meeting Duties
     Date  
Door Host / Guests
 

Introducer /Thanker

Greeter 1

Greeter
2
5-Minute Talk Opening Thought
  28 Sept. John Rowe Daniel Sloper Ken Kuttner Kerry Prendergast
Arsalan Khan - new member
 
William Sommerville
  12 Oct. John Gibbons Roger Blakeley Johnny Sexwale
Denise Church
 
N/A N/A
  19 Oct. George Fairbairn
Roger Blakeley / Suzanne Snively
 
Prasanna Gamage Rachel Scott N/A N/A

Club News

Unlock the full power of your Rotary journey!

What: How to Gain the Most from Your Rotary Membership
When: Save the date: October 15, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Grant Foggo’s offices – Comprendé, 16A The Terrace

Why you should come:
- Maximise your membership by discovering how to get the absolute
most out of Rotary.
- Mingle with new members in a friendly, relaxed setting.
- Enjoy complimentary drinks and nibbles while you chat.

We will send out invitations soon!
 
 
 
 
 
Big Crowds, Secret Homes: Don’t Miss the Rotary Mystery Dinner!
 
Few slots left for the extra Friday night dinner 
 
We have had a phenomenal response to this highly popular event, and tables are filling up fast! Time is officially running out to secure your spot for a mystery night of great food, and total surprise.

Contact Derek at derek.gill@hotmail.com if you want to join the fun. 

Event Snapshot:
A blind dinner party at a mystery host home to break the ice and build deeper friendships.
When: Seats only left on Friday, 2 October
 
 
 

Don't miss out: only 7 spots left in our Predator Free Wellington visit

 
We currently only have 3 takers for our upcoming Rotary vocational visit, and we need a few more to make the most of this incredible opportunity. Those who went to the last one will tell you it is absolutely fascinating. You will get to see the cutting-edge technology used to clear predators, meet a conservation dog specially trained for complex urban environments, and experience the contagious enthusiasm of the field team during their morning briefing. The food for our visit is good too!

Join us to see how this world-leading, data-rich enterprise is making Wellington the only capital city where biodiversity is openly flourishing.

- When: Tuesday, 29 September, 7:45 am – 9:00 am
- Where: Predator Free Wellington HQ, Pembroke Road, Northland
- What: 7:45 am coffee/snacks, 8:00 am morning briefing, followed by a tech showcase and Q&A with PFWL Director James
Willcocks and RCW member Denise Church.
- RSVP: Places are strictly limited to 10 people. Please email Roger Blakeley at roger.blakeley@outlook.com by Thursday, 24
September
to secure your spot.
 
 
FYI

Support a great cause: Kapiti Rotary Charity Golf Day

Calling all RCW golfers! The Rotary Club of Kapiti is hosting its annual Charity Golf Tournament, and they would love our support. It is a
fantastic opportunity to enjoy a round of golf while raising funds for the Wellington Free Ambulance, youth initiatives, and local community
projects.


- Date: Thursday, 12th November
- Venue: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
- Format: Ambrose team event (includes prizes, a meal, and an
auction)


How to Participate:
- Individual/Team Players: $80 per person (includes green fees, meal, and prizes).
- Business Hole Sponsors: $575 (includes GST) for a team of 4 players, hole advertising, a meal, and prizes.


The organisers are also looking for prize donations or items for the auction. For more details or to register, please contact Kapiti Rotary President Tim Orrell directly at 027 389 9727.

District Governor nominee announced

Our club is absolutely delighted to celebrate the appointment of John Prendergast as the District Governor Nominee for the new combined District starting in July 2028. John is uniquely qualified to lead us into this exciting new chapter. Having successfully held senior Rotary positions across both the North and South Islands, he brings a deep understanding of our regions that perfectly suits our newly merged District.


Currently serving as President of the Rotary Club of Masterton South, John has an incredible Rotary track record. He is a Past District Governor for the Lower South Island (9980) and has served as a Rotary Zone Co-ordinator and International Training Leader. Outside of Rotary, John is the CEO of Trust House Limited, a chartered accountant, a Justice of the Peace, and a dedicated family man.


Please join us in congratulating John and wishing him the very best as he prepares for this vital leadership role!

Rotary Volunteering For Mission Toy Shop + Food Sorting
 
We have received an invitation from the Mission to put our names down for their Christmas voluntary roles - the Toy Shop, sorting food, etc.
 
Please let Lynn McKenzie know if you are available using this form:
Club Events

Major Events coming up

We do other sparkling events as they arise,
but the following are in the longer-term plan:
 
 3 October - Guess Who is Coming to Dinner
16 November (evening) - our AGM
6 December - hold the date for Thorndon Fair 
14 December Lunch - holiday lunch 
 
 
Celebrate 10 Years of Breaking Barriers: Join Our IYM Quiz Night Team!
 
Form a Rotary club team for a fantastic night of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition! This quiz night fundraiser celebrates a major milestone: Innovative Young Minds (IYM) celebrating 10 years of inspiring young women.
 
Over the last decade, this incredible programme has empowered more than 1,000 Year 11-12 girls to explore futures in STEMM. By connecting students with industry professionals, IYM breaks down barriers in under-represented sectors. Let’s support this brilliant programme and get our club teams locked in!
 
Check out the event image for timing and location details. Contact Neil Matson on nbjmatson@gmail.com if you'd like to join the quiz team.
 
 
 
Other Relevant Events
 
Club Information
Meeting Location 
 
Location: The Wellington Club, 88 The Terrace, CBD
Lunch: 12.00 for 12.30 - 1.00 pm
Evening: 5.30 for 6.00 - 7.00 pm
 
 Meetings to End of 2026
5 October: Paul Harris lunch
12 October: RCW Evening meeting. Speaker - Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM
19 October: RCW Lunch meeting. Speaker - Local General Election Candidates
26 October: Labour Day
2 November: RCW Lunch meeting. Speaker - James Fuller (Hnry Co-founder)
16 November: EveningAGM Speaker - David Downs, former CE of the New                             Zealand Story
30 November: Lunch - Speaker - Arapati Hakiwai, Co-lead, Te Papa
14 December: Holiday Lunch - Charles Waldegrave, No Room at the Inn'
 
 
Board Members - 2026-2027
 
Responsibility
 
Member
Responsibility
 
Member
President / New Members / Community Development Strategy
 
Suzanne Snively
Fellowship / Buddies
John Boshier
President-Elect/Youth/ Meeting Coordination
Neil Matson
RCW Vision & Strategy/JR McKenzie School Uniforms
 
Denise Church
Immediate Past President
Lynn McKenzie
Community Services Committee Chair
 
Allan Frost
 
Treasurer/Treasurer Satellite Club
 
Martin Matthews
Membership & International   
John McKinnon
Secretary
Donna Sorsa
Rotary Wellington Charitable Trust/ Science & Technology/ Mailbox/Carbon Credit Calculation
Joan Smith
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Group Change 4 Climate and
Co-Chair Rotary South Pacific/Wellington Heritage
Roger Blakeley
Speakers/JR McKenzie Wellington Trustee
Janice Wilson