Paul talked about Zealandia’s current operations and future aspirations. He referred to the key role that the Rotary Club of Karori played in the establishment of the Wildlife Sanctuary as it was formally known, raising funds for the fence, and building the fence, and constructing the Discovery  Area Tower. He talked about how the population of native and other bird life has risen in Wellington since Zealandia started, to the high level of abundance we enjoy today. Many species, hitherto rare or unknown in Wellington, are now common. He explained the growth in visitor numbers and that Zealandia is now a very popular place to visit for local people, visitors, and cruise ship passengers.

He talked about longer term aspirations for Zealandia including greater marketing and developing the link with the sea down the valley, where Glenmore St and Tinakori Rd run, to Kaiwharawhara. He expressed gratitude for the large contingent of volunteers that help Zealandia run smoothly. Following an earlier meeting with some members of the Rotary Club, Paul referred to a range of options that the club may like to think about and how the club may like to continue its valuable contribution to Zealandia. These options covered  a membership development project; using skills within the club and elsewhere around marketing , communications and publicity; help with telling the story of Zealandia; help with an economic impact analysis of Zealandia’s operations; help with compiling, writing, proofing and editing their annual report; help with implementing their 25 year celebrations in 2020 and a number of physical volunteering tasks including the Discovery Area that Rotary has been closely associated with.

All these things have been noted for the Club’s discussion on projects on 12 March.

 

 

The Rotary Club of Karori records with great sadness the passing of Karori Rotary Life Member, and Paul Harris Fellow, Rosemarie Ashton, on Saturday 23 February, at her home in Khandallah, aged 83. Rosemarie, a member of the Club with her late husband and Past President, Eric Ashton, gave outstanding service to the Club as our Club Bulletin Editor for a number of years. Rosemarie was very much immersed in the business of Rotary from a young age with her father being a Rotarian in the UK. She saw Rotary, and the Karori Club in Wellington, as being “her family”. In more recent times, Rosemarie had not been able to maintain her active involvement in the Club and it was very fitting that Rosemarie was made a Life Member at our Christmas function last year, a presentation made by 9940 District Governor, Marion Johnston. Rosemarie was absolutely delighted to receive this award. She spoke of the full engagement that she and Eric had in Rotary projects and social events over the years. Charter member and Past President, Doug Langford, gave the Rotary eulogy at Rosemarie’s service at Old St Pauls Church in Thorndon this afternoon, Thursday 7 March.