A new Rotary year begins in July, with a new club president taking up his or her role for the next twelve months. In July 2020, we marked that occasion (known as Changeover) with a dinner at Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club.
The evening was a popular success – big crowd, splendid meal, much laughter and great fun. The highlight was the welcome to incoming President Britta Hollman by outgoing President Peter McCombs.In reviewing the achievements of the past year, Peter recalled highlights of our journey:-
- Matariki marshmallows on Wellington Waterfront
- the extension of the Hutt River Trail amenities, now totalling some 25km
- our Rotary Young Leadership initiative
- the annual Tree of Joy at Queensgate with gifts to more than 1500 Hutt Valley families
- the independent status achieved by our Innovative Young Minds initiative
- support given by the club to the Naenae Boxing Academy to benefit disadvantaged youth
- our response to three months of the COVID–19 pandemic with weekly Zoom meetings
- Government approval to begin construction of the long-sought Ngauranga to Petone Cycleway
The evening brought an added thrill from the keen and very spirited bidding in two auctions led by Kaleb Barton of ‘The Professionals’ team offering Items donated by members.
These ranged from vouchers for any desired building project to notably signed rugby balls, a hosted lunch for six to driving thrills in a racing car, and from a pair of embroidered towels featuring Covid-19 heroes Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to a pair of pedigree orchids.
President Britta introduced her incoming Board noting 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of Rotary reaching the shores of Oceania.
The wider theme for the coming year is ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’ where we are asked to create opportunities that strengthen leadership, help put service ideas into action, and improve the lives of those in need.
In pursuing these goals with the support and active involvement of all of our members, the focus for President Britta and the Board will build on our strong laid foundations and further develop strategies around growing membership, fundraising and community work, and collaborations with IYM and the wider Rotary community.
We’re active, stronger, and growing from a year that we have all done together. We’re enjoying all of the opportunities, delivering, and looking for more.
That is what Rotary is all about. Bring on our coming Rotary year!