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Welcome to Tawa Rotary

Do you want to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Donate new PJs to Foster Hope children

Tawa Rotary and Foster Hope would like to thank the Tawa community for their support of the 2024 Winter Pyjama Drive. Around 150 donated pyjamas helped Foster Hope keep children put into foster care warm this winter.

Now that we’re well into spring the focus turns to summer pyjamas for all ages up to 16 years old.

Organiser, Elizabeth Sutton says that Rotary is appreciative of New World Tawa’s ongoing support of the PJ Drive Foster and donations of new summer pyjamas can be left in the donation box near New World Tawa’s checkout.

PS: Foster Hope is still happy to receive winter nightwear for distribution in 2025.

Pictured: Elizabeth Sutton and June Matthews, Wellington Co-ordinator Foster Hope.

Rotary Bookfair, Tawa

After a two-year break, Tawa Rotary’s book fair is set to open on Saturday 5 October in the Tawa Scout Hall, Coronation Park, Oxford St.

Book fair coordinator, Pat Waite, said that it will be a welcome return after unforeseen circumstances have deprived the Tawa community of a supply of quality used books at low prices. The funds raised from the Book Fair allow Rotary to undertake community projects and assist local charities.

Pat would also like to thank people for their generous book donations over the past two weeks, which have significantly refreshed the stock on hand.

The book fair will run until Sunday 13 October with weekend hours 8am-5pm and week-day hours 10am-2pm.

Tawa Labyrinth at Coronation Park

This new community project is underway!

Tawa Rotary is funding the development cost of a labyrinth as a gift to Tawa to recognise Rotary’s 50 year presence in Tawa. The idea for a labyrinth was one that came from the community. We heard that people were looking for a quiet place to spend time quietly reflecting on life, similar to labyrinths in Porirua, Johnsonville and Lower Hutt.

The design for the Tawa Labyrinth was developed by Tawa College student, Alastair Binns and its shape reflects Tawa’s Bucket Tree. With the agreement of Tawa Scouts and Guides, Tawa Central Kindergarten and the Tawa Community Garden, and approval from Wellington City Council, it is being constructed on the Council-designated site at Coronation Park.

Ian Ferguson MBE - Olympic champion visits Tawa

Really positive feedback was received on Olympian, Ian Ferguson’s visit to Tawa Rotary on 30 July 2024 - we had a great turnout of visitors from our community.

Ian is a very down to earth person who with humility talked about his races, his losses and how he learned the techniques to win.

And win he did –

He is one of New Zealand's top medal winners and 1984 Sportsperson of the Year. He has won 4 Olympic gold medals and a silver, plus 5 World Championship medals for kayaking. He raced singles, doubles and fours, but was most famous as a duo with his doubles partner Paul MacDonald. In 1996 Ian was awarded the Olympian of the Century award by New Zealand's Olympic Association

Ian was awarded the MBE for services to canoeing. He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Ian spoke to the young people in our audience – putting his gold Olympic medal around their necks and encouraging them to try out sports, find a sport that they enjoy and have a go. Anyone can be a winner – focus on what you want to achieve and go for it!

Thank you to Mel Waite Photography for the photos of this great evening.

Thank you Tawa - Restocked Pantry

An urgent appeal was sought in Tawa to help restock the depleted supplies of the foodbank.

The Salvation Army’s Tawa foodbank received several trolley loads of groceries and more than $700 from the sausage sizzle.

Thank you Tawa, to New World and those who helped on the day!

Every minute matters - Heartbeat CPR

Learn CPR. Save a Life!

We hosted a great training session on Heartbeat CPR with Nick Swan, Wellington Free Ambulance on Tuesday 27 February 2024. Visitors from Tawa community also attended. On arrival, some shared that they had experienced family members and friends who had had a cardiac arrest - they wanted to know the latest on how save a life.

Every week on average 6 people have a sudden cardiac arrest in greater Wellington and Wairarapa region. No one is immune from cardiac arrest.

Every minute matters. If someone is unresponsive to a shout or a shake, and they're not breathing or moving they're in cardiac arrest. Early CPR increases survival rates to 30%. Using a defibrillator is the best chance for starting a heart - survival increases by 80 to 85%.

A big thanks to Nick and Wellington Free Ambulance for providing this free lifesaving session. Nick encouraged local clubs and organisations to get in touch with WFA for Heartbeat Community CPR training. These sessions are sponsored by the Lloyd Morrison Foundation.

2024 Tawa Rotary Concert in the Park

The sunny Concert in the Park held at Grasslees Reserve, Tawa on 18 February 2024 was a highlight for those who attended. Great entertainment was provided by Tawa Learners Band, Blue Notes from Tawa College and the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band Jive Bombers. MC Murray Cameron from Tawa College did a stirling job with introductions and announcements.

A big shout out to our sponsors ...

Tawa celebrates Pride in Work Awards 2023

A very successful evening and congratulations to the local recipients of the Pride in Work Awards 2023. This annual event was jointly organised by Tawa Business Group and Tawa Rotary.

The guest speaker was quite perfect for the theme of the evening – recognising leaders amongst us. Bronwyn Lord spoke of her experiences starting work at 16, being fired and rehired and eventually owning the business a McDonald Franchise. Her message and challenge to all of us is so relevant.

Photo source: Mel Waite Photography

Donation to prevent youth suicide in Tawa

$11,000 was raised and donated to Tawa College to support the prevention of youth suicide.

Principal, Andrew Savage, received this donation at Tawa Rotary on 18 April 2023. He spoke on the challenges that students and teachers face in today's society. His excitement over the donation was palpable. Andrew's plan to support over sixty youth and teachers is humbling. Some great goodwill come from the work that has been done by the Building Hope Committee to raise these funds.

Tawa Rotary receives award

Tawa Rotary has received an award from the Rotary District 9940 for 100% contribution on behalf of all members to the Rotary Foundation.

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary. We tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. The Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact. See: https://my.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation.

Pictured from left: Rotary Foundation Director Martin Garcia, Assistant Governor Kay Phillips, Tawa Rotary president Joe Asghar, Tawa Rotary past president Karyn Meade.

Tawa Rotary celebrated its 50th anniversary

Tawa Rotary celebrated its 50^thanniversary over the weekend of 9 and 10 April 2021.

On 4 April 1970 at a dinner held at the Wellington Overseas Terminal, Rotary International presented the Charter for the new Rotary Club of Tawa to the Club’s Charter President Eldon Armstrong.

Fifty years later the Rotary Club of Tawa planned to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of that evening with a weekend of activities. Unfortunately, COVID-19 interrupted the planning. The celebration was held in April 2021.

Over the 51 years, Tawa Rotary has contributed to the infrastructure of Tawa through numerous projects, as well as to a wide range of youth and international initiatives and projects.

Paul Harris awards were awarded to Past District Governor Martin Garcia for his service to Rotary and to Dianne Patchett for her significant service to Inner Wheel, a project in Nepal and teaching. Two of the club’s Charter members, Murray Jensen and Rewi Chaney, supported by Robert Armstrong entertained with great stories of the Club at its very beginning.

A book on the 50-year history of the Rotary Club of Tawa has been published and copies are available for purchase at $20 each. To buy a book, please contact tawarotaryclub@gmail.com.

[Photos: Kevin Walker]

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