Welcome to our latest Newsletter, somewhat of a milestone as we reach edition 50 since we moved over to Club Runner as the portal in July 2024.
We need your candidates! RYPEN (16-17) and RYLA (18-24 year olds) details below, not long for RYPEN.
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. Please RSVP tochrissi@roll.nz.
For those of you who have not pre-paid, breakfast continues to cost $25 per person, payable on arrival to this coming week, to Chrissi Walker.
Members, don't forget to check the Duties Roster (Meeting Responsibilities) below for your nominated duty for our next meeting on the 2 September.
Meeting Responsibilities
Greeter
Xie, Brad
Payment Taker
Walker, Chrissi
Reception Desk
Whelan, Chris
Opening thought
McKenna, Conal
5 min What is my Business?
Wilmshurst, Wayne
Intro to Speaker
Adams, Linton
Thanks to Speaker
Nabarro, Richard
Quizlett (6 questions about your industry)
Cranna, Rob
Closing thought
Barker, Andy
President's Report
Well, that backfired, didn’t it? We wished you all the best to avoid the winter chill in our last Newsletter, but I ended up getting hit hard and have just recovered from a week in bed. This year’s flu bug is particularly nasty so please avoid germs at all costs and I hope no one else from last week’s meeting has been affected. (Editor: Yes: but I'm blaming my wife!)
Our speaker last week was incredibly engaging and we all enjoyed hearing about Dan the "self-made" weatherman and his rise to local fame. His Wellington Severe Weather Report Facebook page is gaining popularity with over 30,000 followers and we also learned about his community service. Perhaps he’s a Rotarian in the making and someone we’ll keep in touch with.
Due to recent circumstances at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, we’ve had to make a late change to our guest speaker for next week’s meeting. Helen Down, our newest Rotabiz member, will discuss her business advisory boards and how her company can assist New Zealand businesses. It’s ironic that Helen is a former chief executive of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce!
Given my love of music, I thought it appropriate to finish with a note about the great country singer Dolly Parton who passed away earlier this week. I wasn't a massive Dolly fan, but I did read with interest her connections with Rotary International.
Dolly Parton partnered with Rotary International through her Imagination Library-program to give free books to young children around the world. Rotary has been part of that story for more than 15 years.
A collaboration between Rotary International and the Imagination Library was announced in 2009, encouraging Rotary clubs to help bring the program into their own communities. By 2010, more than 140 Rotary clubs were already involved. For Rotarians, perhaps the most striking element of Dolly’s legacy is the simplicity of the Imagination Library idea: put a good book into a child’s hands, then do it again next month.
On this day in 1963, Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Speaking to a massive crowd of over 250,000 civil rights demonstrators, King issued a powerful call for racial equality, justice, and an end to segregation. This legendary address served as the defining climax of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
King began by highlighting that one hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans were still "not free" and remained severely crippled by racial injustice. He masterfully used the financial metaphor of a "promissory note" to argue that America had defaulted on its sacred promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for its citizens of colour.
The text shifted from a stern political indictment into a profound, prophetic vision of national healing. Departing from his prepared script, King described his enduring dream of an America where individuals "will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." He envisioned a future where the children of former slaves and slaveowners could sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
By beautifully blending biblical rhetoric, constitutional principles, and the core ideals of the American Dream, King captivated the nation. The speech catalyzed the broader Civil Rights Movement, pressured federal politicians, and directly paved the way for the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today, it remains an iconic masterpiece of American rhetoric.
For President Craig (a bit more esoteric this time!)
1972 – School's Out: Was at No. 1 in the UK. Alice Coopersaid he was inspired to write the song when answering the question: "What's the greatest three minutes of your life?". Cooper said: "There's two times during the year. One is Christmas morning, the next one is the last three minutes of the last day of school."
1993 – The end of 7'' records: German-based multi-national dance act Culture Beat started a four-week run at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Mr Vain'. It was the first UK No.1 single not to be available in a 7" version.
As President Craig alluded to in the last Newsletter, the answer is clear: our Club is officially the sponsor for the Glover Park bee sculpture! A major fundraising partnership with Sebastian Grodd and the team at the Life Flight Trust means our sponsored bee will have a prime spot right in the heart of Te Aro.
However, the specific artist hand-painting our club's bee is still being kept under wraps by the trail organizers (although Craig and Richard G have seen). Because the officialBee in The City Wellington map and public artist-sculpture pairings won't be fully launched until 14 September 2026, that final piece of the puzzle remains a surprise for the wider public trail reveal.
Some of you will know that Andy Soper and Sue Colville are currently in the UK on holiday. Literally, as Craig was talking about Bee in The Cityat our last meeting, these photos from Sue landed in my WhatsApp feed. In 2018, Manchester too ran an exhibition called Bee in The City, featuring over 100 giant, decorated bee sculptures and more than 130 smaller community-made bees. As you will see, some have survived, and let's hope Wellington's do too!
Run the Wainuiomata Hill - 12 September 2026
Alex Nolan the Wainuiomata Hill Run Event Manager writes:
Sign up for the second annual Mitre 10 Mega Wainuiomata Hill Run and put your fitness to the test. Starting in central Wainuiomata, the 6.5k takes you up the hill to the lookout and back, and the 10k option takes you all the way over the hill and back. Run or walk, tackle it solo or alongside your friends, enjoy the beautiful bush and push through the climb!
This year we're supporting Kokiri Marae Pātaka Kai. Pātaka Kai is a kai hub that distributes kai out to whanau in need in our community. They service whanau who live in Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt, Naenae and Taita.
We would love to invite your members and wider Rotary community to get involved in the event. There are 10km and 6.5km run/walk options, a 6.5km buggy walk and a 1km Kids Dash, so there is something for a range of ages and abilities. It would be wonderful to have Rotary Hutt City represented at a local event that brings people together while raising funds for a great community cause. Thanks so much, and please feel free to get in touch
I've created a discount code that will give you $10 off entries (the equivalent of Earlybird). It's 'ROTARY' at checkout. Members are welcome to use this code for any family and friends who would like to join them, whether they are Rotary members or not.
Thanks again and hopefully see some of your members there!
Above is a flyer about RYPEN, along with an email from the District (apologies for slight hazyiness). The ''nitty gritty'' however is below.
Objective
RYPEN is aimed at young people in the 16 –17 age group who are still at school and are not likely to be selected for Youth Exchange or later for RYLA, but who possess qualities of decency, persistence and application and who deserve further encouragement.
It is suggested that students who have participated in previous outdoor education activities do not attend e.g. Outward Bound, Spirit of New Zealand, or any college outdoor pursuit type course. For details of the programme contact the convener.
RYPEN 2026
When: Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th October 2026
Where: Kawhatau Outdoor Education Centre (KOEC), Mangaweka.
Candidate nominations before: Friday 11th September 2026.
If anyone amongst our members knows someone that they believe might fit the bill then please contact either Craig (021799551) or Cameron (021430977). Thank you.
Some of our lovely IYM girls, who were so helpful at Rotary Hutt Valley Big Hats High Tea Fundraiser!Close to $20,000 was raised for Life Flight Trust, to help fit out their fixed wing aircraft.
Looking Back 19 August
Vidette Eaddy presented her Who Am I, but having covered her work recently (IT at age of 22, currently an IT Manager with the Police), she focused on fun facts about Red heads!
Did you know that the (Ancient) Greeks believed that red heads became vampires after death?
And who can forget! ''Hug a Ginga Day!'' a controversial promotional event by the Edge Radio Station in 2010? It encouraged people to approach and hug redheads to celebrate them and raise awareness of bullying, but it drew complaints and warnings from the Broadcasting Standards Authority for causing distress and unwanted physical attention!
Our main speaker was of course Daniel Talbot, the Upper Hutt Weatherman, with his own weather station.
Daniel spoke of his early life in a remote farm in Kaitoke.
It was a weather event that led to a surge in Facebook followers for his weather page.
Crowd funding for the weather station then raised around $70,000 over a seven year period, with local business then backing further input for a station costing close to $200,000.
Daniel now has around 90,000 followers, and it is not uncommon for severe weather events to attract around 5million views to his Facebook page.
Whilst Upper Hutt has indeed got its own micro climate, Daniel felt that there were other areas in the Hutt Valley that experienced unique weather patterns.
Daniel is proud of the civic award given to him by Upper Hutt, and further awards have followed including one from Wellington Airport.
A reminder that you can find Daniel's weather pages here:
Murray Brockelsby was due to present his Quizlet based around his plumbing business, but daughter Sandy Brockelsby presented on his behalf, due to illness. (Editor: I have to say I would have done better guessing the answers, rather than trying for the best: 1 out of 6!!)
Educashun innit
Looking Forward 2 September - Helen Down - The Alternative Board: Working Together in the Hutt Valley
Helen is our newest member, and will be officially inducted at the meeting. So it is fitting that she is our speaker too.
Rather than each business having its own Board, Helen's business pools leadership teams who share wisdom and inspiration to radically improve their companies.
Helen is a respected business leader in Wellington, known for her entrepreneurial spirit. She has played a vital role in fostering the growth of various innovative businesses, contributing in governance, coaching, advisory, and leadership capacities. Passionate about supporting privately-owned businesses, Helen finds fulfillment in helping owners develop themselves, their teams, and their companies. She is the founder of Synthesis Marketing, providing sales and marketing services for over 20 years before its successful sale in 2020.
With a rich background in leadership within multinational telecommunications corporations and active participation in New Zealand’s Chamber of Commerce networks, Helen brings a wealth of experience. Her governance portfolio includes positions in start-ups and a six-year term as an Independent Director and Acting Chair of an NZX listed aged care company.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Helen and her husband engage in small-scale farming, raising livestock and growing food. Her leisure pursuits include horse riding, deer hunting, kayaking, and exploring New Zealand’s scenic countryside through caravan trips.
You can find out more about Helen's work at the link below:
Save the Date!! You’re Invited to Celebrate IYM’s 10th year & to Have Some Fun at the IYM/Hutt City Rotary Quiz & Auction Fundraiser …
Kia ora Contributor & Supporter of IYM & Rotary Hutt City 😊
Firstly, Thank you for your support of Innovative Young Minds over the past 10 years. Yes! you heard right, we are into our 10th year of operations 😊
We work really hard to keep costs down for students participating in our Online, Satellite and Residential programmes.
One way we do this is by running a yearly live action, raffle and quiz night in conjunction with Hutt City Rotary.
You keen to help us keep costs down? You can 😊
Donate an item, activity or prize for the Auction
Join our quiz yourself or as a team - please see the quiz flier attached for the 1st October at Boulcott Farm Golf Club and save this date!
Forward this notice to someone who might be keen to support us!
A grocery item would also be most welcome – there was a lot of competitive bidding for a generous grocery hamper last year!!
Thanking you all in advance …..
Linton - A Rotary Champion
In our 29 May edition, earlier this year, we told you that Linton Adams had featured on the front page of the Summerset Scene magazine, with a four-page article appearing inside. The feature highlighted the many community projects he and wife, Heather, have supported over 35 years plus as a member of our club.
Rotary projects mentioned in the article were the Hutt River Trail, tree planting, the Queensgate Tree of Joy and support for the eradication of polio in India.
The article has now had a new lease of life, repeated verbatim, along with a new introduction, in the online independent Newsroom news and current affairs site covering politics, business, climate change and more.
Linton's achievements have been further honoured in our Club Stories (the link is here A Rotary Champion)
The full article on the Newsroom website can be read here: Newsroom Article
My favourite extract shows on the one hand Linton (and Heather's) dedication to duty, but on the other, his natural wit. They travelled to India in 2011, along with several members of Wellington Rotary clubs, to help with the Indian government’s polio immunisation drive. Aiming to eradicate the disease, the government vaccinated every child in the country on the same day.
“It has been extremely effective. In 2010 they’d had just two cases; in 2011, when we were there, there had been only one; and the year after, in 2012, there were none. Naturally we joke that we eliminated polio from India!”
A Reminder of Club Meeting Duties: Opening Thought
Our opening thought helps set the mood of the meeting.
• While we share a common goal, we are all different and everyone brings their own character to this task;
• The opening thought should be wise and brief;
• Try and link it with current happenings, with the theme of the meeting, or the speaker’s topic;
• Make sure you know where the microphone is, that it is turned on, and how to use it;
• Speak plainly and in a loud clear voice so that you can be heard by everyone in the room;
• Be free to have a practice before the meeting start.
Following on from Peter Kyle's talk last time, here is a reminder of Rotary's fourth Object:
RYLA 2027
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 leadership course fo younger staff (18-24 years).
Please contact Andy Soper (on his return from holiday) for further information or to offer your suggested candidates. andy@maudelegal.co.nz
The District has just transformed its website, which has all the information needed to interview, endorse, and sponsor a candidate. The link can be found below:
Don’t worry about your reputation, work on your character. Exude love, be compassionate and empathetic, be kind, listen and give without expectation. Your reputation will take care of itself.
Talking of possible data breaches, what did Data say after eating highly spiced space stew?
"My positronic net is experiencing a severe thermal event. In human terms: my mouth is on fire''.
Partner with Innovative Young Minds (IYM)
Help Scale the Next Generation of STEMM Talent
For more than 10 years, Innovative Young Minds (IYM) has been helping young women discover pathways into STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) careers through industry engagement, mentoring and real-world experiences. With more than 1,000 participants, exceptional programme outcomes and a growing alumnae network, IYM has proven what works.
Now we're ready for the next phase of growth.
We are seeking a small number of strategic partners or angel supporters who want to help shape New Zealand's future workforce by investing in a proven organisation and expanding opportunities for thousands more young people.
Whether through funding, connections, advocacy or collaboration, your support can help us build stronger talent pipelines, increase diversity in STEMM and create lasting impact across New Zealand.
Be Part of the Growth Story
If you or your organisation are passionate about developing future talent and making a meaningful difference, we'd love to talk.
Join us as a strategic partner or angel supporter and help scale the next generation of STEMM leaders.
ContactGaylene Hughes today to explore these opportunities.
Your membership invoice will include your annual subscription plus five months of breakfast costs (10 meetings), covering meetings through to mid-December.
We'd greatly appreciate if you're able to prepay your breakfasts going forward. The club is invoiced for 30 breakfasts at every meeting, regardless of attendance, so prepayments help support our cash flow and allow us to continue focusing our funds on serving the community.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Loose change and Buying the Box
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 time I asked: Wellington is known as the windy city, but is it the windiest city in the world and what is the average wind speed per year?
Yes it is, with an average wind speed of between 22-26 kms per hour (14-16 mph). The North Island's strongest recorded gust was 154mph, measured on Hawkins Hill in 1962, (I had to look it up it's past Brooklyn!!)
