Howard Tong 

Howard was pleased to be invited to address the Club.  He welcomed the opportunity to present his background to the members.  It was good to hear of his background.  Some of the most interesting talks are by our very own members and should be a regular part of our speaker programme.  

Howard owes so much to Port Nicholson Rotary.

He was born in Tawa in 1951, so he is a local lad. He is currently writing a family history book entitled “The Tong Boys of Tawa”. (Why isn’t he a member of the book club?) He proudly stated he was a distant relation of Bill Day – their great grandmothers were sisters!

Howard went to Tawa College and left when he was 19.  He explained he missed gaining his School Certificate in the first attend and was second-year 5^th.  He eventually settled down and did some study, rising from 27^th  to 1^st  in his class.   A good lesson learnt.

Howard became involved in music at Tawa College. Was always involved in musicals and played the French Horn in the school orchestra and played in the Wellington Youth Orchestra.  On Sundays he played the Tenor Horn on Sundays. His father was the band-master of the Tawa Salvation Army Band.

Howard attended Victoria University, and then attended the Wellington Teacher’s College.  He began teaching at Titahi Bay Primary, was a Teaching Principal at the Postgate School and his final role was as Deputy Principal in Paremata School.  In 1988 he was looking for a career change and secured a role with New Zealand Railways where his final role was as a Project Manager for their largest IT project.  It was at this time he met Geoff Smith when the Port Nicholson was chartered.
He was a contractor for a short time at National Library and then moved to Datacom until his retirement 19 years later.

Why did Howard join Rotary? It is because he was asked. He got to know Peter Whittington and Roy Cox through a group of wine lovers.  Howard said he was simply asked “Would you like to be in Rotary?”  In the early days the Club met at West Plaza. But soon moved moved to the Port Nicholson Yacht Club.

Projects supported over the years have included:
· Emergency Boxes before Emergency Resource Kits were introduced by RNZ World Community Service.

· The first Prime Minister’s breakfast Feb 1999 (Geoffrey Palmer)

· Establishment of Zealandia was supported by the Club.

· Supporting international projects such as in India (Ruchi Water Project) and Nepal.
· Polio Plus was also well supported.
· A Gala Dinner March 1991 introduced the Awards Scheme (Goal Setters precursor).
· Christmas puddings (way back then).
· Supported Suzanne Aubert Soup Kitchen.
· Organised a Rimutaka Triathlon.
· Mana Island picnic.
· Web site established in 2003 with Jenny’s support, responsible for the Recorder (Newsletter), and set up the first Facebook page.

 

Howard’s Rotary journey began with the Port Nicholson Rotary Club.  He was the youngest member when he joined in 1989 at 38.   In 2006 (17 years later) was asked to be Club President.  The following year was an Assistant Governor before being asked to be District Governor 2010/11.

He has picked up numerous Zone roles including Zone Public Image Coordinator, District 9940 Trustee, on the Board of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service, was Conference Chair 2020 (cancelled due to COVID), was an International Trainer and was on the initial Zone Rationalisation team.