Club Changeover - Monday 9th June 2025
Rotary International identifies seven areas of focus for Rotary’s work worldwide – and one of these is environmental. We invited representatives of two groups who have been active in Remuera Community for well over 10 years, but relatively unknown. They are dedicated to improving water quality in streams that flow into Hobson Bay.
Hapua Thrive - Margot Nicholson and Robyn Simcock – the stream that flows alongside Hapua street and through Bloodworth Park
Portland Stream SNA (Significant Natural Area) - Angela Campbell and Dinah Eichman – the stream that starts near Kings school sports grounds and leads out to Portland Road
Robyn & Dinah received a Rotary International Environmental Award Certificate on behalf of their respective Group. For their leadership and commitment Margot & Angela were each awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) Pin and certificate
President Iain recognised the special contributions by individuals who have made a significant difference to the life of our Club and its impact on others:
Janet Austin, wife of Honorary Member Roy was awarded a PHF Pin & Certificate. Of note was Janet’s home hosting of young leaders from the Pacific Islands for a week before RYLA, including our exchange student on multiple cultural outings, and extending empathy to a suddenly widowed partner of a Member
Leigh Marshall was awarded a PHF Pin with 2 sapphires . He has always been ready to step up, whatever the request might be, but particularly for single handedly for the last 10 years organising our Annual Business is Awesome one day event for school leavers in South Auckland
Annabel Lush was awarded a PHF Pin + 2. She has lived the Rotary ethic of service and utilised her considerable professional talents to build Club communication channels in this online world. She has challenged the Club to transform its image and be relevant in today’s world. Of special note was her new scholarship program for youth in our Community that the new Board stands ready to implement
Catherine Holden was awarded PHF Pin +2 for stepping up without prompting to proactively publish our newsletter every week, working behind the scenes to get things done, and use in her considerable Rotary knowledge & experience to benefit others.
Deeanah Winders was awarded a PHF Pin & Certificate. She joined the club with an infectious enthusiasm for change within the Club, stepped up to be host family for our exchange student for the whole 11 months of her stay in NZ. She has taken an active role on the District Committee for Rotary Youth Exchange and promoted RYE to other Clubs
Melanie Helgeson, our RYE Student from Denmark, was awarded the Lional Laing Fellowship Cup for the impact she made as leader of the fun and excitement had at our joint Christmas Party in December 2004 with the Inner Wheel Club of Auckland East.
Melanie then gave a short presentation that reviewed her very active time during her year in NZ – highlighting all the bucket list items achieved, and the very few missed. One that was missing was “Visiting NZ’s Capital City – Wellington”, so, in addition to a card signed by all Club members present, the Club paid ½ of the airfare to travel there the next day. The Club also presented a memento of her year in NZ – a greenstone pendant carved with the friendship twist. Melanie expressed he warm appreciation of everything that has been done to make her exchange with us so special.
President Iain donned the Presidential chain and handed the symbol of office to the incoming Co-Presidents Bryan Haggitt and Wayne Brewer. They then introduced their team.
Cans For A Cause
Our Club has been invited to join the Rotary combined Districts of New Zealand project to support local food banks support the one in five families throughout New Zealand who are facing food insecurity as economic pressures continue to rise.
The items most in need are: Baked Beans and Spaghetti, canned veges, canned fruit, packet soup, diced tomatoes, spreads (peanut butter, marmite, etc.), rice, pasta and cereals. If we could all bring two of these food items to our meeting at the Bowling Club on Monday, this would be really appreciated. The donated food will then be given to a local Food Bank.
Boxes will be at the Bowling Club by the 'front desk' to place your donated items. Thank you.
Message From Rotary International
Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, has notified Rotary International that he will resign from the role of president-elect and will not serve as the next Rotary International President. In a letter to RI President Stephanie A. Urchick on 8 June, he said that personal reasons and business obligations prompted his decision. In a later message, de Camargo indicated that he will continue to be an active Rotary member and to serve his community.
A Rotary member since 1980, de Camargo was selected to be the 2025-26 RI president by the Nominating Committee for President in August 2023.
"We greatly appreciate Mário's 45 years of leadership and service to our organization and the tremendous pride his nomination created among Brazilian Rotary members," Urchick said in a letter to Rotary members. "I am certain that Mário will leverage his experience and will continue to contribute to the growth of Rotary in Brazil and around the world. I want to thank Mário and Denise for their hard work and dedication to Rotary over the past 20 months. We wish Mário well."
The RI Board of Directors will meet to determine the process to select a new 2025-26 Rotary president.
Rotary International
Update on Amelia Winders
Amelia most fortunately is based in Ried - in the north of Austria whereas graz, where the recent shootings occurred, is int he South. The shootings are utterly tragic but we can be thankful that Amelia is safe. Our very best wishes go to her and to her parents, Deeanah and Marcus.
