I trust you have all enjoyed a good time with family and friends over Christmas and the New Year and are relaxing as we get ready for the second six months of our Rotary year.
We had sad news at the start of January that Judy Edgar, wife of the late Rev David Edgar, the first President of the Rotary Club of Karori in 1982 passed away at Metlifecare, Karori, on Christmas Eve. Judy had kept in contact with friends in the Club and came to some of our social events in past years. Her service was held in Karori on 9 January. We extend our deepest sympathy to all of Judy’s family.
We have lots ahead of us in 2024, firstly to welcome our friends in the Rotary Club of Tawa to join us for our annual exchange. We will be hosting a fun social evening with a quiz and prizes at Marsden on Tuesday 23 January, organised by past president David Watt.
We are also looking to induct a new member, Ian Box, at our first February meeting. Ian has been at several meetings including our business awards and our Christmas function in December.
The start of a New Year is also a time to celebrate New Zealand Honours that have been accorded to Rotarians prominent in our District. We are pleased to join other Rotarians in recognising honours given to Dr Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga, of the Rotary Club of Kapiti, the ONZM, for services to tertiary education; Pam Hanna, of the Rotary Club of Petone, the MNZM for services to the community and to early childhood education; and to Athula Wanasinghe, President of the Rotary Club of Johnsonville, a QSM, for services to the Sri Lankan community, and to cricket. Well done to all of you.
Looking ahead, we are planning a membership promotion evening in late February and to resume our business breakfast programme shortly. at a new venue, the Cable Top Café next to the Cable Car in Kelburn.
And so we are getting back into full gear and I hope you will join me at our various events to keep our club strong in 2024.
Rotarians and past members and friends came together for a very enjoyable dinner and entertainment in the Culture Centre at Samuel Marsden School on Saturday 16 December.
We were delighted to welcome back the Harbour Capital Chorus, directed by Anthony Currington, featuring two of our members, John Barton and Richard Oldham, who entertained us with some great Christmas carols and some new works for the chorus during 2023.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of Life Membership awards in the Club to David and Winifred Bain, who have done much to help projects in the Club since the early 2000s. In particular, the ESOL classes that members of the Club have held for new settlers in the Karori community and for the many occasions that Winifred has provided flower decorations for our various club events.
They have now moved from Thorndon to the new Summerset Retirement complex, by the Boulcott golf course in Lower Hutt. Members gave their warm acclamation to David and Winifred on receiving their Life Membership of the Club.
Our thanks are extended to members and past members who provided gifts for the raffles held during the evening.
Stephanie Urchick, from Pennsylvania, USA, will become only the second woman President of Rotary International when she takes office from 1 July this year.
From the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania, she is COO of Doctors at Work LLC, a consulting and training company.
She says making regionalisation a priority is crucial. “Because Rotary operates in more than 200 countries and regions, it is vital to recognise that the organisation has the potential to become more efficient and effective by understanding and reacting to how regional differences affect the way Rotarians work together, provide services, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace.”
A Rotarian since 1991, Stephanie Urchick has been an RI Director, Rotary Foundation Trustee, and chair of the RI Strategic Planning Committee.
Karori Rotary has held many fundraising events over the years and can pride itself on the profile it has provided especially to help Open Days that have drawn large crowds and enjoyment with the support of service organisations.
In 1996, Karori Rotary played its part in the organising of Open Days at Te Papa. Pictured are John Barton and Julian Barkham helping guide public tours.
In January 2000, the Club joined the Rotary Club of Wellington to host a very successful Open Day at the Westpac Stadium before completion. Thousands came to view the Stadium. Doug Langford led the Karori project team and over $11,000 was raised.
The Club is looking to step up its fundraising events in 2024 following on initiatives taken with two very successful community quiz evenings in 2023 in support of ‘Lifting the Lid’ on mental health.
