Welcome everyone to our new Rotary year with the theme ‘Serve To Change Lives’. It always seems strange changing a Rotary year at the mid point in a calendar year when we are in full flight with our programmes and community commitments. We want to continue that as I briefly outlined at our changeover dinner on 3 July, following two years under Phil Oliver’s outstanding leadership, especially during the testing times we have been through with Covid 19.

Phil certainly set the pace and the Club has followed his lead and kept our projects and programmes alive through that period. I certainly want to maintain that commitment with your help and engagement with an emphasis on fund raising, social and membership; more on that when we have our Club Forum on 10 August.

On Tuesday next, we will welcome another community leader in Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner, who will outline some of the initiatives he has taken in our city. Karen Anderson, his PA is also coming. Karen was the best PA I had in my former working life in the health industry as a CE.

Beyond that, we have a very full programme of activities ahead which you will see in this bulletin, including our next business breakfast in conjunction with our partners Forsyth Barr on 27 July at the Karori Park Sports Cafe when we hear from Chris Cahill, National President of the New Zealand Police Association. There will be no evening meeting at Marsden on that Tuesday.

Keep warm as we work our way through these winter months. Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

Warm regards,
President Graeme.