Contributions to our bulletin are welcome and if you have anything please send to Richard at nabbo_123@hotmail.com
And if you have any comments on the layout, content and information provided, let us know, because the Newsletter is yours.
Rotary Hutt City breakfast meetings
Meetings are held 7am to 8.30 am on the first and third Wednesday of the month at Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club, Military Road, Lower Hutt.
Breakfast costs $25 per person, payable on arrival. Please RSVP to chrissi@roll.nz
Members, don't forget to check the Duties Roster (Meeting Responsibilities) below for your nominated duty for our next meeting on 19 November 2025.
Meeting Responsibilities
Greeter
Colville, Sue
Payment Taker
Walker, Chrissi
Reception Desk
Avison, Sue
Opening thought
Tatham, Peter
3 Minute Who Am I?
Brown, Allan
Intro to Speaker
Brockelsby, Sandy
Thanks to Speaker
Brockelsby, Murray
Quizlett (6 questions about your industry)
Adams, Linton
Closing thought
Braniff, Judy
President's Report
Sawasdee from Thailand!
I’ll be with you in spirit at the 19 Nov meeting, although by then I’ll be midway through a Yoga Retreat so will likely be feeling very zen so have left you in past-President Cameron’s capable hands for this meeting.
While I’m off travelling on your behalf (so I can tell you all the best places to visit) the wheels of Rotary are still turning and we’ve got 3-4 people who are showing interest in joining. If they’re at Wednesday’s meeting I know you’ll all make them feel welcome and will encourage them to make the ‘right’ choice. 😊
Now’s a good time to update your Club Runner profile photo so new members can link a face to a name. If you’re unsure how to do that please ask Craig or Chrissi to take your photo and we’ll upload it for you. It’ll be visible by members-only, so you don’t need to worry about it being broadcast far and wide.
Please, please pop your name down for a shift or two on the Tree of Joy. We need people for both the 2-hour shifts at the Tree, and runners to take the gifts to the Salvation Army.
Also, do register for the end of year Christmas dinner on Thursday 11th Dec. Anna and Ganesh have quite the programme of all things Italian – I know we’ll have a really fun night.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held during Breakfast on Wednesday 3 December. The Agenda is below, along with President Cameron's and Treasurer Barry's reports.
Full details with relevant documentation can be found on the Club Website. You can download the relevant papers by using this link:2025 AGM Papers
Just after midnight on the 14 November 2016, most of central New Zealand woke following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The Kaikōura earthquake tore through fault lines, demolishing houses, ripping up roads and railways and causing massive landslides as it travelled. As far away as Wellington, people were shaken from their beds to take shelter.
In scientific terms, the Kaikōura earthquake was a new phenomenon. Starting 70km south of Kaikōura, the quake ripped across several fault lines and ended 90km north of Kaikōura, only taking two minutes to travel its entire length. The earthquake ruptured along a record 21 fault lines, some of which were previously unknown. GeoNet described the 180km long rupture as the earth "unzipping” itself.
The Kaikōura quake was so powerful, parts of the South Island are now more than 5m closer to the North Island. Near the Papatea Fault, the ground was raised as much as 8m. The Kekerengu Fault had some of the biggest movements, with deep pieces of the Earth's crust shifting up to 25m at a depth of around 15km.
Conal McKenna offered us the Opening thought (immediately following).
Brian Ross then imparted some travel stories from his recent visit to the China business fairs where he was accompanied by Brad Xie. Brad however was not to be outdone and put us right on some of Brian's yarns. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story, eh Brian?
Sandy Brockelsby told us that she had taken over from Murray in selling Christmas Puds this year: $23.00.
Jason and Kirstie Brown from Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas told their story of establishing their business in Lower Hutt 20 years ago, right up to receiving their award as New Zealand's Master Plumber of othe Year, for 2025.
Originally from the South Island, both Jason and Kirstie explained that it had been hard initially to establish and build their business in Lower Hutt. There had been many ups and downs, but a significant turning point was employing a business coach in 2016, to help them on their journey. The arrival of Covid in 2020 had also given them the opportunity to slow down, step back and evaluate.
Not only were they plumbing experts, but they had branched out into project management, continuing to find ways of diversifying.
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Renowned quizzer Bob Rowellgave us his weird and wonderful questions about the body in the Quizzlet. He had us in stitches!
Finally, Andy Soper offered the Closing Thought (see further on below).
Opening Thought 5 November 2025
Presented by Conal McKenna
We can't change who we are, but we can change what we do.
The quote is not attributed to a single well-known source and appears to be a modern variation of similar ideas about personal growth and change. It is a sentiment similar to quotes by C.S. Lewis, who emphasizes focusing on action rather than fundamental identity.
Rotabiz members conducted a site visit at fellow Rotabiz member Bluestarhosted by Rob Cranna. It was an opportunity for a tour of the premises and to go behind the scenes. There were many different types of printers, with great capability for printing items from small fliers to huge books. Grateful thanks to Rob for the guide, the kai and impromptu quiz that followed.
Looking Back 13 November 2025
Richard Nabarro writes:
Rotary Hutt River Valley, Te Omanga Hospice and Hutt City Council hosted their 21st annual brick commemoration service at the Garden of Appreciation in Bracken Street Petone.
This is the third service that I have attended since bricks for both my parents (and my wife Marita's father) were laid in 2022. Again the weather was kind to us, and the number of chairs laid out for attendees in the garden seems to increase every year, not surprising perhaps given the increasing number of new bricks laid annually.
The day is always extremely moving, especially for those families that have just commemorated bricks to their loved ones. The singing and guitar accompaniment from the Sacred Heart College girls was particularly exquisite.
Next Week's Speaker Alex Hockley CEO Wellington Heritage Festival 19 November
The Festival has run for 3 weeks recently, October - November, and had 160 events in the Wellington and Wairarapa region, in conjunction with Rotary Wellington.
Alex started with a background interest in computers and history, and is at a unique intersection between the two.
After a Software Engineering degree honours project saw him using augmented reality to visualize lost objects at heritage landmarks, he started a company, Hiamo, using technology to share heritage stories, engage people with historic monuments, and build educational experiences.
This interest has continued throughout his involvement with Wellington Heritage Festival. Alex has lead its delivery, reaching thousands of visitors and sharing dozens of events around the region, since becoming Festival Director in 2021.
Outside of these roles, Alex works as a contract web developer, primarily working on full stack web development with a focus on Front End, building custom websites using a wide range of technologies.
RYLA, or the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, is an intensive, hands-on leadership development program for young adults, sponsored by local Rotary Clubs. The program uses seminars, group activities, and community events to help participants develop leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Participants are chosen by sponsoring Rotary Clubs or companies and are selected based on their potential for leadership and desire to grow.
Rotary Hutt City has budgeted to sponsor two candidates and we are looking to Club members to suggest possible candidates. Rotabiz members especially would find it an excellent leaddership course fo younger staff
Any one of these attachments could be put in the newsletter, and you can say that the club has budgeted to sponsor 2 candidates. We need club members to suggest candidates, and Rotabiz members will find it an excellent leadership course for younger staff members (18 – 24 years).
Please contact Andy Soper andy@maudelegal.co.nzfor further information or to offer your suggested candidates.
Are Your Membership Details up to date in ClubRunner?
A message from Doug Webb our Club Site Administrator:-
Have your personal details changed, especially email address and phone number? Take a few minutes to log-in to rotaryhuttcity.org.nz.
Click on the following link for a step by step guide to accessing your member profile.
Our three-minute ‘Who Am I” is for you to briefly tell your fellow members about who you are and where you have come from.
• So, this is not primarily, about your career or what you have done.
• Rather, this is your opportunity to tell us all about your background, where and how you were brought up, and the timing and events that have shaped you and your character.
• The timing is purposefully limited to three minutes so we hear of the people and spaces that have led to your life and interests.
Richard Nabarro writes:
Although Rotary Hutt City's Board have not budgeted to support this project, they have agreed that we should promote via our Newsletter, and very much hope that some of you might like to contribute/donate.
The Shelterbag Project is a powerful Rotary initiative addressing the growing issue of rough sleeping and homelessness.
The story began in Adelaide, where a local Rotary club identified Shelterbags as a practical way to provide warmth, comfort, and dignity to those sleeping rough. Their success quickly inspired other clubs across Australia, turning a local effort into a nationwide movement. To date, more than 2,900 Shelterbags have been distributed across Australia.
Now Rotary aims to replicate this in New Zealand, working with existing social agencies to deliver Shelterbags free of charge to people living on the streets.
Shelterbags are manufactured in South Africa They are a lightweight, portable, waterproof, and windproof sleeping bag designed to hold an extra blanket for added warmth.
Working alongside social services in Taranaki, Waitara Rotary have already distributed Shelterbags to rough sleepers in New Plymouth — and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There is also a wider community benefit: as rough sleepers move away from CBD doorways, urban clutter and doorway bedding decrease — a visible improvement for both people and local retailers. Because Shelterbags are lightweight, weather-resistant, and portable, they also offer safer sheltering options outside CBD areas.
The estimated number of rough sleepers in Wellington is 140 (I am trying to establish numbers in Lower Hutt specifically), out of a nationwide estimate of 1200.
Based on the Waitara pilot and current manufacturing and exchange rates, the all-inclusive cost per bag is estimated at $150.
How You Can Support the Shelterbag Project
Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians can support this important nationwide initiative. Your contribution will help meet key milestones and ensure Shelterbags are ready for distribution to those who need them most before winter.
Charitable donations can be made to: ROZOPS Ltd – Special Projects Account: 06-0193-0905286-007
Please include “Shelterbag” in the Particulars field and your club or individual name in the Reference field.
➡️ Donations from individuals are tax-deductible, and a donation receipt will be issued to enable a 33% IRD rebate.
The full background and details can be found here:
''To inspire people, don't show them your superpowers, show them theirs."
This was said by Alexander Den Heijer, a speaker and author who focuses on leadership, culture, and purpose, and often explores the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality.
26 November Rotary Hutt Valley Visit to Baylands Brewery, Petone
Rotary Hutt Valley President Simon Edwards has issued the following invitation:
Rotary Hutt Valley have decided to swap out one of our breakfast meetings for an evening social event at Baylands Brewery in Petone.
This is now confirmed for Wednesday 26 November at 6pm. It will double as our Rotary Hutt Valley's Christmas celebration.
The owner/operator of Baylands Brewery Aidan, says he will give a tour and talk on the brewery operation and conduct a question and answer session. At participants' expense, there is then a chance to sample a ''flight'' of different beers (tasters are around $4.50 each), or a pint or two if you're game, and there is food that can be ordered.
It would be fantastic to have interested Rotarians from other clubs join us!
Please let Richard Nabarro know whether you are atetending, no later than our Breakfast meeting on 19 November, so numbers can be passed to Simon by 20 November for planning purposes. (nabbo_123@hotmail.com)
Baylands Brewery Taproom can be found at 22 Victoria Street, Petone.
Note there are 2-hour tree-manning shifts and up to 4 present delivery shifts per day.
- Wednesday 17 December Last breakfast meeting of the year, to be held at local charity Ignite Sport, Bell Road, Waiwhetu.
A chance for the Ignite team to show us their new venue and showcase the activities they use to involve kids in sport.
Breakfast provided by them, usual payment of $25 pp will be taken at the door.
2026
- Wednesday 4 February will be first meeting back in 2026 at Boulcotts Farm.
- Friday 20 March - Sunday 22 March Finally, planning ahead a little, President Katrina is really keen to get a group together to go to the new ''whole of North Island'' Rotary District Conference in Napier. Do pop the dates in your diaries – I think we can make an impact as a club and have fun together at the same time.
Remember to bring some loose change along to the meeting so you can contribute if you answer a Quizlett question incorrectly :), or wish to "Buy The Box".
If you should have any interesting stories about fellow Rotarians then please pass them onto Craig so he can share them at the meeting. Email: craig@packprod.co.nz
Payment is also now available by Eftpos onsite - no excuses!
Last Edition, I asked: According to the National Christmas Tree Association of America, when was the first recorded Christmas tree?
The earliest written record of a decorated Christmas tree is from 1510 in Riga, Latvia, and the first recorded tree in America was in 1747 by German settlers in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
This edition's question: What was the Earthquake Commission known as before and what is it known as now?
