RCW Bulletin
2 September, 2025
 

Upcoming Meetings

15 September
Lunch at The Wellington Club
12.30pm
Speaker: Brooke Roberts, co-founder of Sharesies
 
Sharesies is a Kiwi wealth development platform with the purpose of creating financial empowerment for everyone. Come along to hear Brooke talk about her journey founding Sharesies, and why it's so important for people to understand finance.
 

For duties, see table at bottom of this bulletin.

29 September
Dinner at The Wellington Club
5.15pm for 5.30 pm start
Speaker: Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former New Zealand Prime Minister
 

Sir Geoffrey Palmer was PM from 1989 to 1990 - an era of great change both domestically and internationally in the closing days of the Cold War and increasing globalisation. Today is an era of great change, too - which he'll be talking about in his speech, titled "The Challenges to Democracy and the Rule of Law."

For duties, see table at bottom of this bulletin.

Club News

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

 

Looking for a night of laughter, good food, and great company—all at a low cost? Join us for RCW’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, a fun and social evening where the mystery is half the excitement!

Here’s how it works:

  • Some members open their homes and host the meal.

  • Others register as guests.

  • You won’t know where you’re going—or who you’ll be dining with—until the night itself!

It’s a fantastic way to connect with fellow members, share a delicious meal, and enjoy some surprise company along the way.

 Date: Saturday, 18th October 

Time: 6.00 for 6.30 pm

Cost: $40.00 pp, BYO drink, hosts don’t pay

Don’t miss out on this chance to mix, mingle, and discover new friendships within the club.

Register your interest here: (including if you are willing to host) 

https://forms.gle/rw3du4FH4iYxksjR9

 

Blossom Walk & Devonshire Tea 
at Aston Norwood Gardens in Kaitoke

13th September
12.00 (from CBD) – approx. 3.15 return
Cost: $15 entry, $39.95 Devonshire Tea

Join club members for a wonderful walk in Spring blossom & Devonshire Tea, at Aston Norwood Gardens. Car-pooling from Central Wellington.

If you'd like to join the group, contact John Boshier (john.boshier@xtra.co.nz).

 

Register Your Interest – GOMIL: Grumpy Old Man in Lycra

TBC

The smash-hit sequel to MAMIL is here! After delighting over 70,000 people nationwide, Kiwi acting legend Mark Hadlow returns with GOMIL 

This hilarious one-man show dives into the trials of ageing, fragile egos, friendship, family, and the undeniable urge to keep moving—even when the knees protest. Expect big laughs, sharp insights, and plenty of Lycra-fuelled fun.

If you loved MAMIL (or missed it), this is your chance to join the ride. The Opera House, Friday, 19th September, 7.30 pm.

If you'd like to go, contact John Boshier: john.boshier@xtra.co.nz

Three easy steps to help our social media campaign

1. Like into our Facebook page (RCW) and press Like. The more likes we get, the more Facebook makes our posts visible.

2. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

3. Go into out LinkedIn page (you’ll need to join LinkedIn for this). See where Roger is working to build some conversation threads (which raises our LinkedIn game. Enter in the conversation briefly – agree, disagree, or briefly share your own experience – it’s the conversation that counts.

Board Update

We are delighted to welcome back Stuart Brooker as a member, with another prospective member out for approval and three in the pipeline.

All is going well - that makes three new members since July!

Goals and measures for the year were finalised, and will be shared with the club for comment in September.

Also:

  • A draft Privacy Statement was approved subject to legal review.

  • Accounts for FY25 were approved.

  • Next meeting: 17 September, online.

Replacement Constitution

A new standard constitution has been designed for all Rotary Clubs in Aotearoa New Zealand to ensure they comply with changes to the Incorporated Society legislation that takes effect on 5 April, 2026.

Once we have received this, our club will be voting on it at a meeting in September or October.

Please note, we are unable to make any changes to it as it has been through Rotary’s approval process including review by IRD and the Incorporated Societies Registrar.

Rotary Beyond Our Club
Look Your best for Jumbo Tennis!
 
RDU has Rotary Polo Tops back in Stock
 
Long and short sleeves, white or navy. Very reasonable prices.
 
Available on this link.
 

Join Port Nicholson for a unique fundraiser!

 

Join Port Nicholson Rotary for a unique fundraising evening:
Cocktail Party - Auction - Mystery Dinner

Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Time: 5:30pm (dinner venues revealed at 7pm)
Starting Venue: The Wellington Club, 88 The Terrace

Proceeds support youth mental health in Wellington.

Tickets: $100 per person or $800 for a table of 8.
Includes cocktail party, auction, raffles, and two-course mystery dinner (drinks extra).

Anyone keen to go to Big Hats High Tea?  

12 October, 3-5 pm

This is a great event at a very attractive venue. 

An opportunity to dig out or create A HAT!

Tickets $70. See the ad below.

If you'd like to go and support Rotary Hutt Valley's fundraiser, contact Lee Wilkinson: lee.communicate@gmail.com

 

Club Dates

Social Events
As at 2 September
 
13 Sept - Blossom Walk and Devonshire Tea
18 Oct - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
1 Nov - Play: Monument, at Circa     
 
5 March, 2026 - Jumbo Tennis
TBC - Grumpy Old Men in Lycra
 
Events Coming Up
All events at The Wellington Club, unless otherwise noted
 
 
8 September: Paul Harris lunch
15 September: RCW lunch: Speaker - Brooke Roberts, Founder, Director and Co- CEO of Sharesies
22 September: Paul Harris lunch
29 September: RCW evening meeting: Speaker - Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former NZ Prime Minister
6 October: Paul Harris lunch
13 October: RCW lunch: Speaker - Angela Gruer, Blueprint Centre for Learning. Register here: https://forms.gle/qDjPsSrgmeDPw6yo7
20 October: RCW lunch: Speaker - Dr Claire Achmad, Commissioner for Children
27 October: No meeting (Labour Day)
 
Upcoming Meeting Duties
    Date   Door Host / Guests

Introducer / Thanker

Greeter 1

Greeter 2 5-Minute Talk Opening Thought  
                   
   
15-Sep-2025
 
Peter Steel Brent Allcock Duncan McDonald Robin van Ausdall Denise Church Neil Matson  
   
29-Sep-2025
EVENING MEETING
 
Peter Steel Peter Cullen John McKinnon Ute Partridge None Derek Gill  

 

 

13-Oct-2025

Peter Steel

Janice Wilson

Murray Milner

Suzanne Sniveley

Mark Wheeler
Irina Francken

 

 
Club Representatives
 
Responsibility: Board
Member
Responsibility
Member
President
Lynn McKenzie
International
Nick Hurley (also Meetings)
President-Elect
Suzanne Snively
RCW Trust
Joan Smith
Immediate Past President
Roger Blakeley
Comms
Lee Wilkinson
Treasurer & Community Service
Allan Frost
Speakers
Janice Wilson
Fellowship
John Boshier
 
Denise Church
Other Responsibilities
 
 
 
Member Support
Jane McCann & George Fairbairn
Constitution
Derek Gill.
Secretary
Julie Haggie
Wellington Club Liaison
Jane McCann