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Vietnamese persimmons
Let's Celebrate!
There is much to celebrate. The coming weeks are about cherishing friendship, celebrating life, and enjoying time together. Welcome to this fortnight’s bulletin, filled with reasons to lift your spirits and raise a glass
Your bi-weekly dose of presidential goodness
It's hard to believe we're already heading into the busiest season of the year. It feels like only yesterday we were making memories from Vietnam and Hong Kong. Yet this was this time last year.
The months leading up to Christmas are now upon us, bringing a calendar full of exciting events and opportunities to connect.
I hope we'll see many of you along the way, sharing great conversations, plenty of laughter, the occasional hug or high five, and perhaps even a drink together.
Looking ahead, I'm constantly inspired by the dedication of our members. Whether organising events, creating memorable programmes, or serving our community, you continue to embody Rotary's spirit of Service Above Self. Thank you for the energy, commitment, and friendship that make this club such a special place to belong.
They say home is where the heart is. Rotary certainly feels like home, and I’m looking forward to sharing an experience about the culture I grew up in with you next Tuesday. My lederhosen are ready to go!
Thank you all and have a great week.
Michael President Rotary Tawa
A word from the Secretary
Spring has begun to make its case. The evenings linger, lawns become ambitious again, and suddenly calendars that looked harmless in winter begin filling themselves with alarming efficiency. Rotary, fortunately, thrives on this sort of seasonal optimism.
Much of what keeps a club alive is wonderfully ordinary: people turning up, offering an idea, agreeing to one more job than they intended, and discovering that somehow it all gets done. Not every act of service needs a banner, a photograph or a big committee. Sometimes it is simply an hour given, a useful introduction made, or a new member made to feel they have walked into the right room.
As the year gathers pace, may we keep doing the small things well. They have an inconvenient habit of becoming the big things.
And before spring gets too serious, there is Oktoberfest on 22 September at Tawa Bowling Club: an Oompah band, German food, beer, pretzels, dancing and, one suspects, a little less restraint than the average Rotary meeting. Prost!
Dictoionaries at
Hampton Hill School
23 happy year 6's
Celebrating Literacy and Diversity
At our last meeting, we celebrated Literacy Month, sharing some of our favourite books and authors. The range was impressive, spanning everything from Jane Austen to Gollum, highlighting the diverse interests and passions of our members.
We also explored the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) thanks to our special guest Jay from Karori and reflected on how Rotary Tawa is already embracing many of these values through our welcoming and inclusive culture.
To round out the evening, we proudly donated Rotary Dictionaries to Hampton Hill School, helping to support the next generation of readers, learners, and book lovers.
Celebrating Tawa
Spring Into Tawa….
……is back, and this year Rotary is joined by our friends from WellFed!
Come along and enjoy one of Tawa's biggest community events, meet local Rotarians, learn more about the amazing work of WellFed, and meet the legendary Rotary Chicken.
Whether you're looking for family fun, community connection, or simply a great day out, there'll be something for everyone.
This iconic community event relies on volunteers to help make the day a success. The event organisers are looking for people to assist .
Because we share the space, we need less people than usual. So we asl that all Rotarians to get involved and support one of Tawa's biggest community celebrations.
Get ready to experience a little slice of Bavaria next Tuesday!
Join us for a festive Oktoberfest celebration filled with great food, lively music, laughter, and friendship. Bring your partner, family, friends, and neighbours for a fantastic evening out.
We're excited to be welcoming 24 guests, including our DG and GD elect, several Rotary presidents and members from clubs across the Wellington region.
A special treat awaits!Alive performance and a musical world premiere PLUS:
A live Oompah Band
Fresh homemade Bretzeln
Delicious German-inspired food
German beer, wine, and refreshments
Fun games, dancing, and laughter
A German-themed raffle hamper packed with Oktoberfest treats
We're delighted to welcome Tawa's Learners Band, whose lively music will help create the perfect Oktoberfest atmosphere.
So come along, raise a glass, and join us for an evening of friendship, fellowship, music, and good times.
If you keen to help prepare - meet at 4pm at the bowling club!
Celebrating Generosity
Stock the Pantry $500 donated
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our recent Stock the Pantry appeal. Together with our friends from Inner Wheel Tawa, we were delighted to donate $500 to help keep local pantry shelves stocked and ensure whānau have access to essential food items when they need them most.
This donation is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when community organisations work together. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make a positive difference for those in need within our community.
Bavarian Raffle
Bavarian sized beers
A fantastic Menu
Something to Look Forward To
There is a huge amount of fantastic things happening over the coming months.
Looking ahead, on 20 October, join us for a Scottish Night, featuring Scottish dancing, the stirring sounds of the bagpipes, and the opportunity to meet Sophie Mendez, our RYLA candidate, and hear about her journey and aspirations.
On 10 November, we'll hold our Annual General Meeting, where we'll reflect on the year so far and look ahead to the future. A call for nominations for our next President will be coming soon, so keep an eye out and consider how you might contribute to the leadership of our club.
As we move into the festive season, we'll celebrate with our Christmas Party on 1 December, a wonderful opportunity to enjoy friendship, fellowship, and festive cheer. Then, on 5 December, Santa Comes to Tawa, bringing Christmas magic, community spirit, and plenty of smiles to local families.
Celebrating Trivia
Join us for the Rotary Tawa Quiz Night, proudly supporting WellFed, with quizmaster extraordinaire Greg O'Connor bringing his trademark humour, quick wit, and plenty of surprises throughout the evening.
Gather your team or come by yourself (we have a social team), test your knowledge, and enjoy a night packed with friendly rivalry, great prizes, exciting spot prizes, and fantastic raffle draws. Whether you're a quiz champion or just in it for the fun - join us! We're down to the last few tickets! Hurry!
Sun 27 Sept 2026 06.00 pm - Sprig and Fern Tawa
Celebrating Democracy
One night. Five candidates. One community conversation.
As election day draws closer, this is your opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to represent our community in Parliament. Join us for what promises to be a lively, informative, and engaging evening featuring:
Barbara Edmonds (Labour)
Matthew Evetts (National)
Lan Pham (Green Party)
Robert Mason (The Opportunities Party)
Jon Blackshaw (NZ First)
📅 Tuesday 13 October 🕡 6:45pm 📍 Tawa Bowling Club
Adding to the excitement, the evening will be guided by a special guest moderator with extensive political experience and a reputation for asking the questions that matter.
Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your passion for the future of our community. Questions can be submitted in advance by messaging us or on the night, with a selection put to the candidates during the forum.
Whether you're a political enthusiast, still deciding how to vote, or simply keen to hear a robust exchange of ideas, this is an event not to be missed. Expect lively discussion, diverse viewpoints, and an evening that puts democracy centre stage.
Celebrating our local heroes
One of Rotary's most inspiring traditions returns as we celebrate the Pride in Work Awards. These awards recognise outstanding employees who go above and beyond, demonstrating dedication, professionalism, initiative, and a commitment to excellence in their workplace.
Nominated by their employers, recipients come from a wide range of local businesses and organisations, showcasing the incredible talent and contribution of people right here in Tawa. It is always an uplifting evening as we hear their stories, celebrate their achievements, and acknowledge the positive impact they have on their colleagues, customers, and community. Join us as we recognise the people who make Tawa a great place to work and thrive.
This is one of Rotary Tawa's premier events, and we'd love to see a strong turnout from our members. Please come along to support the award recipients, congratulate their employers, and help make the evening a memorable celebration of achievement and service.
📅 Tuesday 6 October 📍 Tawa Bowling Club
Celebrating Tidiness
Altrusa Ohariu are holding a clean-up at Grasslees Reserve, Tawa, from 2-4-pm on Sunday 20th Sept, as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful's Clean-up Week 2026.
You are very welcome to join us, including friends and family - we are inviting local Lions clubs as well and it would be great to be able to publish this in the Independent Herald afterwards as a joint community service event.
Registration (a requirement from KNZB) will be at the Davies St entrance to the reserve, from 2-2.30pm. DIsposable gloves and rubbish bags will be provided, and you're welcome to bring and display a club tear-drop banner or similar.
See attached for our promo on the KBNZ website, and please let me know if you have any questions.
