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5.30 pm:  Social hour 
6.30 pm: Start
The Albie
20 Alison Avenue
Albert Town 9382
(Apologies by 12 noon Monday prior please)
 
 
For apologies for one or multiple
meetings or if bringing a
guest follow this link:
 
 
(All apologies and guest notifications
to be completed by Noon Monday)
 
In an EMERGENCY Contact
President Marie Fitchett
 027 672 5069
 

 
 
Speakers
Jun 09, 2026
Committee Meetings
Jun 16, 2026
MAC Speech Competition
Jun 23, 2026
Team Discussion & Social Evening At The Albie
Jun 30, 2026
No Rotary Meeting this week
Jul 03, 2026
Rotary Change Over Night
Jul 07, 2026
Committee Meetings
Please Note that Committee meetings are on the first Tuesday of this month
Jul 14, 2026
Mike Saegers
ROA
Jul 21, 2026
Lucy Benson
Wanaka Cycling Without Age
Jul 28, 2026
Jo Waide
Public Speaking and Debating @MAC
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
Marie Fitchett
 
President Elect
Geoff McLeay
 
Past President
Alan Richardson
 
President Nominee
Rod Pemberton
 
Secretary
Geoffrey Tomkins
 
Treasurer
Richard Gray
 
Administration Director/Chair
Geoff McLeay
 
Rotary Foundation Director/Chair
Elaine Kelly
 
Club Membership Director/Chair
Patrick Heffernan
 
Youth Director/Chair
Nikki Carey
 
Fundraising
John Huddleston
 
Club Fellowship Activities
Peter Borrie
 
Public Image Chair
Tony O'Regan
 
Service Projects Chair
Rod Pemberton
 
Webmaster
Julian Warren
 
Club Young Leaders Contact
Nikki Carey
 
Club Vice President
Geoff McLeay
 
Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Ian Haynes
June 4
 
Laurence Mikkelsen
June 4
 
Rod Pemberton
July 6
 
Peter Borrie
July 18
 
Ian Shore
July 21
 
Mike Elliot
July 25
 
Bulletin Editor:
Ron Horner
Mob: 022 393 2140

Email:hr.horner@gmail.com
 
Copy deadline Sunday 12 noon
 
Please inform Sally Angus 
mob- 0274 479 338
if you know of any club member
requiring pastoral care due to
illness or family bereavement
-  or just a helping hand
from the club. 

 The Rotary Foundation – Our Charity of Choice
Is it yours?
 
 
Information about donating to The Rotary Foundation is available at:
www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/take-action/give
 
 
 
 
 
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To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, we’ve teamed up with UNICEF to give life-saving vaccines to 100,000 children across the Pacific.

 
 
 
 

Rotarians out and about

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Image result for print it logo wanaka
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presidents  Report  Monday 27th April  2026
Kia ora tātou, hello everybody,
As we stood at the dawn parade on Saturday morning,  I was heartened to observe the numbers of people who grow in attendance each year as we remember those who sacrificed their lives during wars and all military service. “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.  At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”
 
As the world becomes even more volatile, I reflect on my years in the military as a young person and the foundations provided me with life skills & work ethics.  In these troubled times the work of Rotary for  service above self is even more needed in our communities.  
 
The presentation from Jamie Ward, fishing and game last Tuesday was informative regarding the types of fish & game that their organization works to protect.  With the start of duck session this Saturday they will be rather busy out around the water ways.  If you are involved in duck shooting, please be safe & have fun. 
 
It was wonderful to welcome three visitors to our club on Tuesday 21st and we look forward to their return in the future. 
 
It was great to see everyone calling into Mount Aspiring College on Thursday and Friday last week to complete the Police Vetting process.  The Rotary Enrichment Programme (REP) for year 7 students is starting to move forward. Once vetting has been completed the next step will be training prior to starting to support and engage with students.  A wonderful initiative for our club that involves time rather than any financial contribution. It will build goodwill and better friendships with a whole new section of our community.   Please contact Noelene if you would like to be involved.
 
The literacy programme continues with all new entrant  five-year children starting term two in the Upper Clutha receiving their Rotary literacy packs.  I have heard that one school is using their packs in class with children using the white boards to write and practice their letters and numbers.  The feedback from the schools, community and Rotary families whose children and grandchildren have received these packs has been amazing. 
 
The crop competition is now full steam ahead with judging occurring this Tuesday and Wednesday.  The request for help on Friday 8th May will be coming out this week so please register to make this another successful fund-raising evening. 
 
I am looking forward to hearing from our very own Ken Goldfinch about his excursion into Doubtful Sounds earlier this year and seeing his amazing photography on Tuesday 28th. 
 
Please remember if you are not attending a Rotary meeting that you register your absence on the website.  As we head towards winter several Rotarians will be off traveling so please enter your absences.
 
Dates going forward for your calendars –
 Friday 8th May Winter Crop Competition at the Rugby Club rooms. 
There will be no meeting on Tuesday 30 June as change over dinner is booked for Friday 3rd July.  More details to follow.  
 
Have a wonderful fortnight & just worked out I only have four more bulletins to write before the end of my very busy Rotary year as president.
Hei konā mai, goodbye for now.
Bye for now
Marie
Club Duties
Duty roster notes.
1. All active members (except honorary members and Directors/President) are eligible to be rostered for duties.
2. Rostered members are responsible for doing the duty or arranging a substitute. Please assist us with this.
3. Please advise Jenny Dickie of substitutes on 021 342 227.
4. Duties are for the rostered week only.
5. Duties are notified in the fortnightly bulletin.
 
CLUB DUTIES ROSTER

 

       28th April     
       
      5th May         
  
     
    12th May    
      19th May        

Attendance

 Mathew Abraham  Chris Scott   Committee Meetings Carol Angland  

Meet, Greet and Photography

 Kelly Budd Ken Goldfinch   Committee Meetings  Ross Carrick 

Introduce Speaker

 Ron Horner Deans Hudson
  Committee Meetings Stuart Ayres

Thank Speaker

 Rosie Burridge Anne Lindsay   Committee Meetings Duncan Boswell
 
3 Minute Speaker
 TBA TBA   Committee Meetings TBA
 
Raffle
 Graeme Brown John Milburn   Committee Meetings Ken Goldfinch

Parting Thought

 Ron Horner George Scott   Committee Meetings Ferg Collie
 
Audio Visual Support
 Ron Horner Ron Horner   Committee Meetings Ron Horner
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Meeting Night Events
April 28th: Ken Goldfinch- Landscape Photographer: “From Puysegur Point – Fiordland, to Wedderburn through a viewfinder”
Ken's Bio includes, Wanaka resident – With the mountains calling 20 years ago, it was time to end my banking career. I left the corporate world, and we moved to Wanaka from Pukekohe.
Family - Wife of 50 years Sandy a retired radiographer, plus our sons Hamish – a valuer in Auckland and Guy – a soldier in the NZ Army.
My background - Soldier, agribusiness banker, and valuer but I cannot paint or draw, somewhat
unusual given my mother’s family were all artistic
Life before photography - Geriatric snowboarder” for 20 years beginning age 53 but eventually retiring
following inside knee joint replacement surgeries (both the result of snowboarding). This necessitated relinquishing my title as - “Wanaka’s oldest snowboarder” coined by my friend Fran Tate
Ski fields and locations I have boarded and skied include – Whakapapa (where it all began), Turoa, Cardrona, Snow Park and Treble Cone – NZ, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming – USA, British Columbia Canada, plus Japan
Prior to snowboarding it was yacht racing (dinghies, trailer yachts, and keel boats) scuba diving and ocean sailing
Photography, my motivation coming from - David brewer – friend Jackie Rankin and Mike Langford – professional photographers, photography tour guides, and instructors and Sir Grahame Sydney – Central Otago’s renowned landscape artist
My other interests include -Rotary Club of Wanaka, Wanaka U3A and  NASCAR - USA and Shane Van Gisbergen’s stella motor racing career
May 5th: Ian Clark (and Guy Kennedy)
Topic is: How Rotary donations are helping protect our native birds and insects from predators along the Clutha River 
Bio: Ian grew up in South Otago, farmed there for a number of years and spent many summer and winter holidays in Wanaka. Ian's first engagement with predator control was in Wellington where he was a keen supporter of trapping efforts at Makara Peak mountain bike park. Thanks to the success of predator control around Wellington, night riders at Makara Peak can now see kiwi on the trails. This experience has been formative for his desire to create an environment around Wanaka where native species flourish.
May 26th: Robyn Brighouse: Alzheimer's Otago.
Robyn Brighouse will present on dementia, outlining what it is, how to recognise the early signs, and ways to support a family member or friend in the initial stages.
Robyn has been involved with Alzheimer's Otago since 2013, following her partner’s diagnosis with younger onset dementia. After his death, she moved into a volunteer role before becoming a paid facilitator for the Aspiring Wanderers programme. She now works as a Dementia Advisor, supporting people with dementia and their families, and also leads the Music and Movement programme.
Robyn holds a Bachelor of Dementia Care from the University of Tasmania, further strengthening her knowledge and experience in supporting individuals and families living with dementia in the Wanaka area.
 
Previous Meeting Night Events
 
April 21st: Jamie Ward: Otago Fish and Game.
Jamie discussed his role with Otago Fish and Game Council, which manages fish and game species in the Otago region. He highlighted the council's responsibilities, including species management, environmental advocacy, public access, and resource consent planning. Otago Fish and Game has a staff of nine and an annual budget of $1.2 million, with a significant portion of their funding coming from license sales. They rely heavily on volunteers for compliance and public engagement. Jamie  also mentioned their partnerships with organizations like Corrections for planting initiatives and their efforts to maintain and enhance wetlands and waterways.
  
 
Dennis Pezaro: Memorial Service
Dennis Pezaro's memorial service was held on Sunday at Rippon Lea. Dennis passed away in November last year and was President of of the Rotary Club of Wanaka in 1987/88. Dennis was a true pillar of the Wanaka/Upper Clutha community during the 1970's, 80's and 90's, being the sole G.P in the area serving  on many community board's and institutions. 
Farewell Dennis.
  
 
Rotary Winter Bowls
Each year our club is invited to enter a team in the winter Thursday evening Wanaka Indoor Bowls Social Competition.
The team consists of 3 players each night, both male and female on a rostered basis.
Play on Thursday evenings begins at 7pm sharp and is over by 10pm.
It is social but has an element of competitiveness, with prizes for the winning team on the night.
The cost is $10 per player each night, payable to the Bowling Club for the use of their facilities, which includes the use of Wanaka Club bowls.
A light supper is provided.
The 2026 Season will commence on Thursday 14th May
If you are interested in being rostered to play, please register your commitment with Peter Harridge , pthnph@xtra.co.nz. by Friday 1st of May .
As the draw is made up for the whole season, you must include any dates you are not available to play on any Thursday evening up to and including the 27th of  August.
RYLA update