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Our Duties 8 July Please note that these may differ from previous notifications
Desk 6.45 - Nicole Barker
Greeter 6.45 - Sophie Miller
Set up/Pack up - Brad Weekly
Kaikohau - Marc Rands
Opening Thought - Rick Hughes
Introduction - Richard Westlake
Thanking - Tori Treigaardt
Parting thought- Everard Aspell
Reporter - Fiona Smith
Photographer - Tamaris Livera
Guardian 6.45 - Jane Paterson
We are back on Level 5 this week and our Speaker is:
Grant Blackwell
Chief Scientist Climate Commission
Grant is the Chief Science Adviser for He Pou a Rangi, the New Zealand Climate Change Commission. He is an ecologist by training and has spent his career working on the interactions between people and the environment – first in natural ecosystems and production landscapes, and then at the interface between science, public policy and problem solving.
He says. "Science is an incredibly valuable tool that provides the evidential basis to helps us understand the challenges we face as a society, and to explore the solutions. However, science doesn’t tell us what to do, our how we make judgements that meet our needs, the needs of our society, and of the planet. For that we need to build on the foundation science has created, and draw upon our experiences, our creativity and our humility".
His topic is: “ Climate change action in Aotearoa New Zealand: where are we going and are we getting there?”
President David
Dear Rotary friends,
It's been a busy first week as President and in this role one appreciates even more what a remarkable club this is. The range of projects and initiatives we have is broad and impactful. Our new Rotary International President Olayinka Babalola's message is for us to "create lasting impact", and we see signs of this in the daily activities of our members.
During the first week of being President, I joined the Lifting the Lid team at their meeting with schools, and the busy Projects Committee at their fortnightly meeting. I intend to attend at least one meeting of each committee in my first couple of months to show my support and to better understand the work you do.
Earlier this week I also attended the Rotary Leaders meeting, attended by local Presidents and Presidents-elect. This is a very useful forum for Rotary leaders in Wellington to share ideas and collaborate and work on common goals. Congratulations to Nicole Barker for becoming our Rotary Community Leader, and to Tony Robinson who steps down from this role. Members of RCPN are leaders everywhere; Brent Gerard is now our District Governor and Linda Wellington is now District Treasurer. These members bring to us a district and global perspective and make RCPN better connected to the wider world of Rotary.
Coming up, we have the fundraiser film showing of Lollipops on Sunday 5 July, and at the next meeting on 8 July we will be inducting Iona Sammons into the Club. I hope you can all be there to welcome her.
Finally, the Board will be having a combined Board/Strategy meeting on 21 July to refine and prioritize actions in our club strategy, We will then share our proposals with you through your committees. This will provide all members with an opportunity to have input to our priorties.
Have a great week
RCPN Perambulators welcome everyone to join them
Where: Wrights Hill and Karori Park Cafe 400 Karori Road
When: 26 July 2026 9.45 for a 10am start
Yes the Perambulators are getting out and about again!
This time we are going to meet at Karori Park Pavillion, at 9.45 for a 10am departure. Park your car at the Park or on the road beside the Park. From there we will do a car shuttle to the start of the walk, and do a circuit back to the Park for lunch. Rick is organising the circuit. Make sure you have good walking shoes and poles for those who like to use them. A drink, snack and jacket is also a good idea.
After our hike we will eat lunch at the Karori Park Cafe. This is a very relaxed place to eat.The menu leans to familiar café classics like toasted sandwiches and eggs Benedict, as well as options like the avocado bacon burger or a bacon and cheese pie.
Please register by Friday 24 July so we know how many to expect. Friends and family are most welcome!
Looking forward to another lovely Perambulation :)
Lou and Rick
The future looks good
Meetings, speakers and events coming up
8 July - Grant Blackwell Chief Scientist Climate Commission
12 July - Tawa Tree Planting 1-3.30pm - (See May 10 Bulletin for deets or contact Lisa King).
15 July - Tava Malolua - Providing inclusive spaces& opportunities for young people in Aotearoa
22 July - Fiona Smith & Charles Little - New member presentations
26 July - Perambulators Wrights Hill - see deets above
12 August - Elizabeth Lester - CEO - The work of Dwell Housing Trust
19 August - Phil McCarthy & Jacob Smythe
23 August - Lifting the Lid on mental health Global Grant briefing 2-4pm Deets TBC
9 September - Aparna Dubey & Simon Warburton - New member presentations
16 September - Dr Melanie Young - Osteopathy and voluntary support for children in need
14 October - RADAR awards
21 October (Wednesday evening) 2026 Grand Night Out - No breakfast meeting
Lifting the Lid Newsletter July 2026
To highlight the impact of Lifting the Lid on youth mental health and how valuable your support is, outlined below is an abbreviated note we received from a Principal. To read to note go to In Case You Missed it below ….
More of Celebrating our Club and District Changeovers
Flis Pask is a Wellington based ACC registered acupuncturist and Pilates teacher. She specializes in treatments targeting musculoskeletal health, sleep, and digestion.
Attached is the trapping roster to take us from May - August 2026
Please Text Fraser Ebbett (WCC) 021 765 694 when you arrive and leave the site
9-May
Jo Douglas & Steve Lawton
23-May
Noel Winsloe & Ross Buxton
6-Jun
Jeff Lee & David Shackleton
20-Jun
Marc Rands
4-Jul
Paula McKnight & Dennis Small
18-Jul
Jenny Flannigan-Tong & Howard Tong
1-Aug
Brent Gerrard & Rick Hughes
15-Aug
Dawn Sanders & Peter Whittington
As always please swap if your allocated date doesn't suit.
Many thanks to all for helping out with this important club project.
Kaikohau (Expression of hope)
Nau mai ngā hua
Nau mai ngā pai
Nau mai kia nui
Kia hāwere ai
Tihei mauri ora
Welcome all things that have grown
Welcome all things that are good
May they be plentiful and abundant
Port Nicholson Rotary Board Members 2026/7
President David Barnes
Treasurer Nick Duncan
Community Services Marc Rands
Club Services Ross Buxton
District Liaison Brent Gerrard Lifting the Lid David Shackleton
Secretary Jo Douglas Membership Nicole Barker Projects Paula McKnight
Youth Tori Triegaardt
Past President Nicole Barker
President Elect Nick Duncan
If you have feedback for the Editors, or content you would like included in the club bulletin, please send it to rcpnbulletin@gmail.com by 9am on Sunday to ensure its inclusion.
