Welcome to our latest (Christmas Edition) Newsletter, our last of 2025.
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 normally 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.
Next week, we will be at Ignite Sport 48a Bell Road Waiwhetu, where breakfast will continue to cost $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 at Ignite on 17 December 2025.
Meeting Responsibilities
Greeter
Harding, Katrina
Payment Taker
Hughes, Gaylene
Opening thought
Markham, Michael
Closing thought
Tooley, Cameron
President's Report
Ata Marie, good morning
Christmas is just around the corner and we are all set for our Tree of Joy project at Queensgate (although we still have a few ''runners'' spots available on the roster - let me know if you can help).
Our stints on the Tree are as good (and humbling) for us as they are for the people donating presents. We hear such wonderful stories about why people give and how they are teaching their children that it is good to give as well as receive. We appreciate the help of Cameron Millar and his team at the Salvation Army, how they sort and store the presents and help with distribution to the charities we are involved with.
There was much fun last night at our Italian themed end of year Christmas dinner. We tackled Italian pronunciation, produced passable versions of Santa Lucia and Volaré, dined on Italian fare and struggled through a quiz on all things Italian. Some had better general knowledge than others!
Best of all it gave us a chance to connect, strengthen relationships and enjoy each other's company before we break for Christmas and our summer holidays.
Whatever you're up to this December/January, I wish you all the best. Share times with family and friends, enjoy the sunshine - I hear it's going to be a hot summer! - and I look forward to seeing you all again at the first meeting of 2026 on 4th February.
Frank Sinatra was born on this day in 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Celebrated globally as "Ol' Blue Eyes" and the "Chairman of the Board," he became one of the best-selling music artists ever, with an estimated 150 million records sold. His career spanned six decades, marked by a distinctive, velvety voice and unmatched skill in interpreting the Great American Songbook.
Sinatra rose to fame during the swing era with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra before launching a phenomenally successful solo career, eventually founding his own label, Reprise Records. His iconic songs, such as "Fly Me To The Moon," "My Way," and "New York, New York," remain enduring classics.
Beyond music, Sinatra achieved significant acclaim as a dramatic actor. His standout performance as Private Angelo Maggio in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and revitalized his career. He starred in over 60 films, including The Manchurian Candidate (1962).
Sinatra was a complex public figure whose influence permeated music, film, and American culture. He died at age 82, leaving behind a vast and timeless legacy.
(My Mum adored him, and along with the ''Oklahoma!'' soundtrack, some of my earliest musical memories are of his songs, especially from the rich vein of albums, the Capitol Years from the late 50s to early 60s. I can remember a mate from school saying his uncle paid £500 to see him at the Albert Hall in London around 1970, the equivalent of over £10,000 ($23,000) today!)
Looking Back 3 December
With Chris Bishop our guest speaker, an invitation was given to members of Rotary Hutt Valley to join us for this meeting and this guaranteed a bumper attendance.
David Percy offered us the Opening thought (immediately following).
Given the absence of our guest speaker at the previous meeting, you may recall that we were lucky to have new member Steven Robinson provide us with his life story. Well Steven was inducted at this meeting and he is seen here with Anna Geremia Young who introduced Chris to the Club, alongside President Katrina.
Following plugs for attending the forthcoming Christmas Dinner on 11 December, for manning the Tree of Joy at Queensgate and for Christmas puds, Club member Chris Bishop updated us on parliamentary life. Chris acknowledged the work that Rotary does and he particularly looked forward to his slot at the Tree of Joy (22 December if you are there!)
On national matters, he highlighted that New Zealand is now only as wealthy as eastern European countries, Hungary and Poland, and was in need of maximising its revenue streams perhaps through exploiting more widely its renewable energy sources. With the best (Welly) wind in the world, along with water, solar and geo thermal sources, then the future looked bright (yes, but how do you pay for investment, Chris)?
Locally, it was almost ''go'' for the Melling Link, but in the short term, there was little doubt that it would be disruptive for Lower Hutt residents.
Charles Peterson wrapped up the meeting before the commencement of the AGM presenting the parting thought from Albert Einstein (see below).
Looking Back 3 December AGM
Following the completion of our Breakfast meeting, the Club's Annual General Meeting took place. A record, subject to ratification at next year's AGM, can be found below.
Looking Back 8 December
Earlier this week, Cameron and Brad joined the Nourish at Christmas: Nourish Trust to provide the boxes for the food packages that go out to schools in the region. Thanks to Packaging Products, the boxes have the sponsors' names on each one!
Taita School received 100 boxes, with a great deall of heavy lifting involved!
It is now twelve years since Nourish began delivering hampers. This year, with the help of over 150 volunteers, nearly 4,000 boxes have been delivered to almost 2,000 families across more than 100 schools in the greater Wellington region.
Looking Back 11 December
Well, what a great night at our Christmas bash! Thanks especially to Anna Geremia Young and Ganesh Cherian for providing us all with the Italian themed background.
Speights Ale House in Petone also did us proud with their Italian buffet and wonderful desserts to follow.
Before the proceedings started, Anna had us all practising our Italian vowels (vowels! not vows: no you don't have to say I do, I obey in Italian). After the meal, there followed some fiendishly difficult Italian quiz questions. I was on the table that won, but split into two sadly, not in the winning team, but we didn't lose by much! Congratulations to Milan (or was it Venice?), who walked away with the Whittakers chocolate.
This was followed by Ganesh leading us in some well known Italian songs including Volaré which for many the song's chorus was the only bit they recognised. And at the end of the evening Ganesh and President Katrina provided a duet with Feliz Navidad.
There was also a parade for those that had dressed in all things Italian and the winners were Mr & Mrs Richard Gibbens.
Next Week's Meeting at Ignite Sport Bell Park 17 December
Our final meeting of the year is hosted by Kevin Goldsbury and Ignite Sport, at 48a Bell Road, Waiwhetu. If you haven't been before, there is parking onsite, but the narrow path that leads to the sports hall and car park can be a bit intimidating at first. As an alternative, you can also park in the neighbouring streets, indicated yellow, and take the footpaths shown.
So come along and see the progress they have made with the building and property where they run sports-based programmes for children.
Ignite started with a dream to revive an old sports ground and have a permanent base to support young people. Kevin Goldsbury said in 2023: "Ignite Sport is a youth development organisation with a focus on leadership and character development. We deliver programmes to young people including former refugees and those with disabilities. Workshops focus on life skills, making good choices and leadership development for years 7 to 13."
Then based out of Petone Library 2019, the Ignite Sports Trust asked the Hutt City Council and the community to help them buy the old Lower Hutt City Association Football club rooms at Bell Park. The community, companies and tradespeople contributed $1,050,000 through donated funds, goods, services, and expertise.
Hutt City Council invested more than $350,000 in the refurbishment, funding the courts and hard surfaces.
RYLA 2026
UPDATE: Read a personal experience - Emma's Personal Experience - in the latest edition of District Dispatch.
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.
The Reception Desk is normally positioned just inside the entry door to our meeting room. There is quite a lot to do which is why we have two people looking after the desk.
Start early (Suggest be there by 6.50am at the latest)
• retrieve our ''stuff'' from the first cupboard in the rear meeting room
• put the President’s brass bell and gavel at the front
• set out the name tag box on the desk for members to pick up their own tag
• there is a second smaller box for our member partners
• place a small cup on each table for the Quizlet money later in the meeting
• greet members as they arrive and help them find their name tag
• while you write their name tag, ask visitors and guests to add their details to the Guests and Visitors form and give them one of our blue Club pamphlets
• of course, be enthusiastic and give any other help you can!
As the meeting starts
• give the Guests and Visitors form to the President for them to be included in our welcome.
After the meeting
• collect and organize the name tags ready to be put away. Chase up as needed
• collect the Quizlet cups - pass any cash on to Linton Adams or our President to be banked
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:
Did you know that macho roosters come from hard boiled eggs.....
Closing Thought 3 December
Presented by Charles Peterson
''Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value''.
Albert Einstein gave this quote during a conversation at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, shortly before his death in April 1955. It was then published post-humously in the 2 May 1955 edition of Life magazine in a memoir article titled "Death of a Genius," written by the magazine's editor, William Miller.
Every 90 minutes, heart diseases takes the life of a loved one in New Zealand. That’s almost 6,000 mums, dads, siblings, and grandparents. And there’s something you can do today to help prevent this.
Join the Heart Foundation on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 February as we take to the streets and raise vital, life-saving funds to support heart health in New Zealand. Gift two (or more) hours of your day as a Big Heart Appeal street collection volunteer.
We need your help to improve the way we diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease - and research is the key. Every dollar you help collect will enable us to invest in life-saving heart research and specialist training. You could be part of unlocking the next big breakthrough in heart healthcare.
Every day, dedicated cardiologists, researchers and support teams work towards a shared goal – stopping all New Zealanders from dying prematurely from heart disease.
It is simple to register (see link below which also provides more background information) and you can select when and where you would like to volunteer from the list of our available sites. Once you have completed your registration, our friendly team will take it from there.
We are so grateful for our amazing volunteer street collectors – the impact of your gifted time cannot be understated. Please consider joining us for the Big Heart Appeal street collection today.
- 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.
- Tuesday 28 April Petone Rotary Club are holding its 75th Anniversary dinner, to which we are invited. More information (including ticket costs) will be available closer to the 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: To the nearest kilometre, how long is the Hutt River Trail? It is 29 km from Hikoikoi Reserve in Petone to Birchville in Upper Hutt.
This edition's question: In the 1967 song "Snoopy's Christmas" by the Royal Guardsmen, what does the Red Baron do when he has Snoopy dead in his sights on Christmas Eve?
