AUGUST 2026
District 9930
Welcome to our August news updates and to Rotarians who have recently joined a club in their region. It is encouraging to see our membership moving in the right direction. Our current active membership is 1084, eight more than this time last month. While that is positive progress, we still have some way to go. Rotary International considers a sustainable district to have around 2,700 members. To achieve this Districts 9910, 9920 and 9930 will merge effective 1 July 2028. A transition team is in place with PDG’s Nick Dangerfield, Leonie Tisch and Grant Spackman working alongside me to represent our District through this process. You will have seen the recent call for nominations for the position of District Governor for 2028–2029. I encourage you to consider whether this is an opportunity for you, or someone you know, to step forward and help shape the future of our new District. Please reach out if you want to know more. At District Assembly, I talked about making membership a conversation rather than a campaign. If we only talk about membership once or twice a year we’re treating it as an event. But growth happens when we make it part of our everyday Rotary experience, when we talk about what we do, share our stories, invite people to join us at projects and events and help people see the difference Rotary is making in our communities. There are several opportunities highlighted in this newsletter where you can get involved in your local community. Please share these beyond your own club and invite others to come along. Let’s see if we can continue to grow our numbers and build stronger clubs, stronger communities and a stronger future for Rotary. Across District 9930, Rotarians are making a difference every day — supporting communities, developing young leaders, and building connections that lead to lasting change. As you think about your club’s fundraising and service activities, I encourage you to start with a simple question: What does our community need? When we understand the need and focus on the impact we want to create, the dollars we raise become a means to something much bigger. Finally thank you all for the wonderful stories you continue to share, in your newsletters, on social media and in the local papers. please keep telling those stories. They help our communities see what Rotary is doing, they celebrate the incredible work of our volunteers, and they give others a reason to want to be part of it.
SIV ELBI
NO Ce B
L D ~ B e B O ~ B T E D e N C E
Janine Branson District Governor 2026-2028 E: bjanine@xtra.co.nz
Rotary International President 2026-2027 Yinka Babalola
Spotlight on....
Dictionaires in Schools Building Literacy, Inspiring Futures A great Rotary project doesn’t just provide something—it creates an opportunity to make a lasting difference. The Dictionary Project is doing exactly that by putting a book into the hands of Year 4 children and helping foster a lifelong love of reading and learning. The project provides the Usborne Illustrated English Dictionary, a vibrant, engaging book designed specifically for children aged around 8–12. With more than 1,000 colourful illustrations, it is much more than a traditional dictionary. For many children, it becomes their book—something they can explore, enjoy and even take to bed with them. At just $10 including GST per book, the project is affordable making it an excellent opportunity for Rotary clubs to support literacy in their local schools. Each book also includes a bookplate acknowledging the Rotary club that has provided it, creating a lasting connection between the child, their school, their community and Rotary. The project also offers an additional opportunity for clubs to support younger children through “Rhyming Around the Alphabet,” an engaging resource designed for pre-schoolers and new entrants. Why not make literacy part of your club’s impact this year? Whether you are already involved or looking for a new project, the Dictionary Project provides a simple, affordable way to put the power of books into the hands of children—and to make Rotary visible in your local community. Read more and order some Dictionaries.
Together, we can inspire a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Judith Bennett Rotary Matamata Email Judith
Good News Stories from across the District Happy Charter Anniversary Rotorua West Rotary 61 years of service on 2 August Putaruru Rotary 77 years of service on 24 August
Jane Meredith Cheryl Lee Ian Forlong
Huntly Rotary 78 years of service on 12 August Te Kuiti Rotary 79 years of service on 20 August
Stephen Brown Igor Kuzmenko Heather Lens David Hughes
Congratulations Congratulations to Rotarian Brian McLay, recipient of a Civic Honour Award recognising his outstanding contribution to the Hawke’s Bay community.
Te Awamutu Rotary 81 years of service on 20 August Morrinsville Rotary 81 years of service on 20 August Waipukurau Rotary 83 years of service on 3 August
The Shelter Bag Project You may or may not have caught a snippet of the RNZ interview with Paula Bond-Wilson of Merge Café talking about shelterbags. If not please take a look at the RNZ link (and the Rotary Oceania Link) The next shipment of bags is due May 2027 so if you are interested in this as a club project please contact Malcolm Stapleton.
Life-changing opportunities start with believing in young people Thanks to the Rotary-funded J.R. McKenzie Scholarship, 2 students were able to experience Outward Bound—an opportunity they say would otherwise have remained just a dream. “Polio Challenge” Your opportunity to multiply your PolioPlus club contributions by seven and half times. The District Rotary Foundation Committee is offering ten clubs the opportunity to magnify their clubs PolioPlus contribution of US$1000 to US$7,500. Contact James Khare or Michelle Tanner to find out how to take up this offer.
From learning to sail and navigate without technology to building teamwork, resilience, and confidence, the experience has created lifelong friendships from across New Zealand and inspired them to share their journey with others at school. “Without the scholarship, attending Outward Bound would have just been a pipe dream.”
Mental wellbeing is an as important priority as ever. Tremendous pressure can be associated with this fastpaced and increasingly digital world. Society has changed dramatically within recent decades. Occurances such as the cost of living crisis, the inflated housing market and competitive job market can put pressure on people around us and in our communities. Factors such as climate change associated disasters, social isolation and substance abuse affect society in greater numbers than ever. It is entirely possible that you will know someone affected by mental health challenges. In fact, one and four Kiwis suffer from a dianosable mental health condition in their lifetime. It can be hard to know how to help either yourself, or someone you know. Our Mental Wellbeing – Hauora Hinengaro committee aims to bring awareness about these challenges and offer strategies that can help support better mental functioning. The committee also raises awareness about some not-forprofit charities that work hard in our communities to support adults, children and young people who are struggling with their mental health. Together, we can improve outcomes for people suffering with their mental health. Please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Forgeson if you are interested in him presenting to your club on this important topic. Kevin’s number: 021 382 831 and email kevin.forgeson@mccawlewis.co.nz
A Weekend of Gardens, Community and Giving Back There’s something rather special blooming in Cambridge this November. The Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival returns on 14 and 15 November, bringing together 17 remarkable private gardens for a weekend of inspiration, discovery and a little indulgence along the way. Organised by Rotary Cambridge, the festival is about much more than beautiful gardens. It’s an opportunity to gather your friends, spend a day – or an entire weekend – exploring Cambridge, and know that simply by taking part, you’re helping support the local community. This year’s gardens offer an incredible variety of landscapes, styles and stories, with something different waiting beyond every garden gate. Visitors can explore at their own pace or leave the driving behind and travel by shuttle, making it wonderfully easy to sit back and enjoy the day. And for those wanting to add a little extra sparkle to their Saturday, Bubbles at The Clements Hotel offers the chance to unwind over prosecco and canapés while hearing an extraordinary garden story. Most importantly, funds raised through this year’s festival will help support four local organisations: Achievement House, Cambridge Community House, Cambridge Lifeskills and InterlockNZ Trust. It’s a weekend that brings together beautiful gardens, good friends and a great cause – a wonderful example of community supporting community. Find out more at www.cgf.nz
Calling all knitters Are you a keen knitter? Do you know a keen knitter? Maybe you know someone in a lifestyle village or other community organisation who can gather a group of knitters together. This is your chance to support Interplast by knitting teddies for children undergoing surgery. These small comfort toys make a meaningful difference and are a great option for craftloving members or club groups. Pattern available on request by emailing Wendy Mildon
Whats coming up..... Say no to domestic violence You will have received an email from Bill Robinson to gauge interest in the ‘Say No to Domestic Violence” - i appreciate that the timeframe for feedback was very short however please gauge interest from your clubs and send this to PDG Dave McKissock. You can read more about the programme run in Australia online at the Rotary Down Under magazine.
Footprints For Our Future The BOP Community Group have a weekend of Rotary Environmental Action across the Bay of Plenty on the weeeknd of 19-20 September. If you are keen on supporting this project jump online to find a list of times and programmes to suit you and your family and dont forget to extend the invite to your friends and neighbours.
Saturday 28 November
🚴 WHICH ROTARY CLUB HAS THE LEGS? 😂 Lake Taupō Rotary is throwing down the challenge and want to see how many Rotary riders we can get out there. Forget the lycra nerves. Forget worrying about your average speed. This isn’t about winning the race… although we’re not ruling out a little friendly competition between clubs!
😉
Could your club put together the biggest Rotary contingent?
🏆 Biggest club team 🚴 Most enthusiastic riders 📸 Best Rotary team photo 😎 And, of course… ultimate bragging rights! Lake Taupō Rotary is putting its wheels on the line. Who’s brave enough to join them?
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Register online select Rotary Group, nominate your club and let the Rotary rivalry begin!
S A M O A A L L I E D H E A LT H P R O J E C T
Dates for your Diary BOP Environmental Action Day 19-20 September Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival 14-15 November
Interplast Australia & New Zealand continues its vital work delivering reconstructive surgery and allied health training across the Pacific. Rotary New Zealand has been invited to support the proposed Samoa Allied Health Project, focusing on wound care, rehabilitation, and post‑operative education for local clinicians.
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 28 November
All NZ Rotary districts are asked to contribute toward a national fundraising target of NZD $10,000 to provide an allied health therapist to travel with the surgical team to give post-surgical care.
National Science & Technology Forum 9-23 January 2027
For more information contact PDG Grant Spackman or District Interplast Chair Wendy Mildon.
Useful Links Stories from Rotary Down Under Rotary Convention Barcelona - early bird registration
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