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The Rotary Children’s Health Trust is seeking support from Rotarians and clubs across the district for an upcoming online auction fundraiser in support of Life Flight.
Life Flight provides vital emergency air ambulance and medical services across New Zealand, helping save lives every day. Funds raised through this auction will help fulfil the Trust’s commitment to providing specialised lifting equipment designed to safely transport Life Flight’s smallest patients in incubators.
To make this fundraiser a success, the Trust is looking for donations of auction prizes, including:
Gift vouchers or hampers
Products or merchandise
Services (such as spa treatments, professional consultations, or experiences)
Event tickets or exclusive opportunities
Donated items will help raise essential funds for this important project while also providing valuable exposure for participating clubs and businesses. Donors can be acknowledged on the auction website and in promotional material connected with the event.
Every contribution, large or small, will make a meaningful difference.
If you are able to donate a prize or would like more information, please contact:
Judith Gray
Email: Grayju02@gmail.com
Phone: 027 440 6098
Thank you for helping Rotary support this important initiative for Life Flight and the young patients who rely on these critical services.
Rotary’s impact on youth mental health has recently been highlighted by RNZ, with the Lifting the Lid programme praised for helping students access counselling within just 24 hours. Schools across the Wellington region say the Rotary funded initiative is making a real difference by ensuring young people receive timely support, without long waiting lists or financial barriers.
Since launching in Wellington in 2022, the programme has supported hundreds of counselling sessions across participating schools, helping students build resilience and improve wellbeing. Demand continues to grow, demonstrating just how important this Rotary initiative has become in supporting local youth.
This is Rotary in action – making a meaningful difference when it matters most.
Stay connected with everything happening across our District by following our Facebook page. It’s a great way to keep up with projects, events, stories, and the incredible work our Rotary Clubs are doing in our communities.
If you haven’t already, head over and give the page a like — and while you’re there, help spread the word by sharing our posts with your networks. Every like and share helps showcase the impact Rotary is making and strengthens our connection with the wider community.
Follow us here:
https://www.facebook.com/Rotary9940
We’re looking for volunteers to help represent Rotary at the Life Flight Open Day on Saturday 22 March, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Rotary and connect with the community while supporting the incredible work of Life Flight.
If you can help out for any time between 9:00am and 3:00pm on 22 March, please reach out to Judith Gray (grayju02@gmail.com).
Rotarians across our district are invited to attend an informative online webinar exploring family philanthropy and intergenerational giving.
This session will feature Rotarian Quinto (Quin) Scalzo AM FAICD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Scalzo Food Industries, alongside his daughter Cathy Scalzo, CEO of the Scalzo Family Office.
Together, Quin and Cathy will share their experiences in business, philanthropy, legacy-building, and structured giving. The Scalzo family established the Grace and Emilio Foundation, which supports children and young people at risk of not reaching their full potential. The Foundation works with charities across Australia and internationally, helping young people access the opportunities they need to thrive.
Quin migrated from Italy to Australia in 1955 and went on to found Scalzo Food Industries in 1977, growing it into one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading privately owned food businesses. A dedicated Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Quin was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018.
Cathy Scalzo serves as CEO of the Scalzo Family Office and is a Trustee of the Grace and Emilio Foundation. She brings a wealth of experience from the legal, corporate, diplomatic, and social-impact sectors, and is actively involved in several philanthropic and community organisations.
This webinar is not hosted by our district, but is a valuable opportunity for Rotarians interested in learning more about philanthropic giving and building a lasting legacy through Rotary and beyond.
Webinar Details
Date: Monday, 16 March 2026
Time: 7:00pm (NZT)
Platform: Zoom
Registration: https://msgfocus.rotary.org/c/13WyG04IB2lg4SMCsTJsEyfORB35nLK
Whether you are new to philanthropy or a regular donor, this session offers a chance to learn from experienced Rotarians and explore the opportunities and challenges of intergenerational giving. The webinar will also be recorded and available to watch later for those unable to attend live.
Dear Fellow Rotarian
This is a sincere thank you to all the clubs and individuals that contributed to our most successful Christmas Pudding campaign ever!
In 2024 we sold 1,044 puddings. This year we sold 1,344, a truly remarkable increase. Brian Proffit and his team at the Rotary Club of Upper Hutt led the charge, Christine Hurley and the Rotary Club of Wellington came in second closely followed by the Rotary Club of Karori. Overall demand for the puddings was very strong.
It was also very pleasing to see clubs that hadn't previously participated join with us in this campaign.
Once again many thanks and best wishes to you all for the year ahead.
Phil
Convenor, Christmas Pudding Campaign
Rotary in collaboration with the NSW Government and the Jewish Board of Deputies has set up the Unite for Bondi - Bondi Terror Attack Appeal to provide benevolent relief and support to injured survivors and direct next of kin of those deceased following the fatal shootings which occurred in Bondi NSW on Sunday 14 December 2025.
To donate, please go to the following link: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2025-26
Petone have a busy start for 2026!!
also….
The Rotary Club of Petone will be celebrating it’s
75th Anniversary on Tuesday 28th April 2026
….anybody who has had an association or an interest in the activities of the Rotary Club would be welcome to join this festive occasion.
The event will be held at The Petone Club on Udy Street Petone commencing around 6.00pm and will include a 3 course buffet style meal,
plenty of time for socialising and reminiscing , including an update of some of the Rotary activities in the local community.
This is an interim notice to mark your calendar now, to reserve the date if you are interested in attending this event.
Further notices will be issued closer to the time and as more details of the program become available. You can also send an email to the address below
if you wish to register your interest to receive further updates. This will further assist in the event planning for catering purposes.
Best wishes,
Gerry Pallo
Petone Rotary 75th Anniversary Convenor gernpa@actrix.gen.nz
Shelterbag Project - a Nationwide response by Rotary to rough sleeping homeless
Urgent Funding Needed!
We are still looking for more funds for The Shelterbag Project… it's a powerful Rotary initiative addressing the growing issue of rough sleeping and homelessness.
To date we’ve placed an order for 600 bags for manufacture, out of 1200 that would fill a 20’container – so still room to add. We’ll be making a call in late January what the final number will be, and we’ll ship what we can so that we can at least meet the target too have them in NZ before winter starts.
Whanganui are working with the City Mission to get their 40 ordered bags working. In New Plymouth where we have already provided 40 bags, the YMCA have requested another 50 (which we have currently funded) to expand their reach around the rest of the province. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback on how the program is being managed in Taranaki and the difference it is making for people using them.
We are currently about $6,000 away from being able to order a further 100 bags for manufacture. Be great if that could come from our District. Currently there are about 150 rough sleepers in Wellington alone, but at the moment there are no bags that can be assigned to them. Any money raised from your clubs will buy the shelterbags to go into your community (in case that was a question)
Charitable Donations should be made to: ROZOPS Ltd 06-0193-0905286-007 using “Shelterbag” in the particulars field and your club (or individual name) in the reference field.
Donation receipts are issued at the end of the month by Kirsten Hawke, Kirsten@astillhawke.co.nz , but she’ll need to be able to match the donation to the person, so best for people to email her to pass on donation detail, name, and email address for receipt.
This compassionate effort will help “Provide Comfort and Dignity for the Homeless Rough Sleepers in New Zealand.”
We need to order some minimum numbers ASAP…hit ‘Read more’ for details…
For further details or to confirm your club’s support, please contact:
Len Houwers – Rotary Club of Waitara
📧 len.houwers@aretelimited.com
📞 0274 445 861
“Go Fast Alone. Go Far Together” was the slogan of RYLA Oceania’s Elevate which I have had the enormous privilege of attending in the Blue Mountains, Australia this past week.
Elevate is the flagship programme of RYLA Oceania designed to bring together leaders from all across Australia and New Zealand - most of whom have participated in a RYLA programme within their district before - to recharge, reconnect and rise to the next level of their leadership journey.
It was spectacular! I don’t think my brain has stopped whirring since getting off the plane and hitting the ground running back here in NZ. I feel invigorated and deeply grounded and connected to my purpose, goals and community. RYLA opened the door to this, and Elevate has provided a further match to the fire to ignite even further growth and expansion through the delivery of impactful tools and strategies, reflection and connection.
We're still looking for help with District roles….
District Archivist
The District has a number of records that need archiving. We also have a number of records already archived. If you to are keen to use your skills to help with managing our important district archives, then please contact me at brent.gerrard@outlook.com
Life Flight Trust and Rotary District 9940 Regional Children's Health Trust
Thanks to the significant number of Clubs that have contributed either via the Children's Health Trust or directly to the Life Flight Trust.
Our total donated is just over $113,000!!
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Life Flight Trust and the critical service that they provide across New Zealand does not lessen. Life Flight Trust extend their thanks to our district for the continuing support and contributions to help with purchasing vital lifting equipment.
If you're thinking of heading to Taipei with two hundred other Australia/NZ/PI attendees…
and 35,000 Rotarians from around the world
If you are going, get in touch with Judy Bain as there is a 9940 contingent going. Email judy.bain@me.com
- Accountability and transparency have earned The Rotary Foundation 11 straight years of four-star ratings — the highest possible — from independent evaluator Charity Navigator. Ninety-two percent of Foundation funds are spent directly on programs.
- Impact: Rotary partners with other organizations to increase our impact and make your donations work even harder. When you give to PolioPlus, for example, you have the satisfaction of knowing that every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication is matched by $2 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- A record of success: Rotary unites leaders who have the skills and resources to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems and deliver sustainable, long-lasting results. For decades, Rotary has been a leader in the battle against polio and has caused cases to plummet from 350,000 in 1988 to only a handful this year
- Global reach: Our 1.2 million members span the globe, uniting people who have a common desire to serve others. From teaching children to read in Ecuador to a microcredit program in Indonesia, Rotary members identify local problems and use Rotary’s vast network and the resources of The Rotary Foundation to take action in their communities.
- Local Impact: Half of everything you contribute to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund comes back to YOUR home district. At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund(DDF). Districts can use the DDF to pay for Foundation, club, and district projects that your club and others in the district choose.
Support needed for Rongdal Community School, Vanuatu
Rongdal Community School in Port Vila, Vanuatu, provides education for children from families with little or no income.
To make this possible, the school runs a community garden. Parents contribute by working in the gardens, and the produce is sold at the local market to help cover school costs for their child(ren)
Because travel home is expensive, around 70 students live at the school. A new boys’ dormitory is almost complete, but the boys are still sleeping on the floor.
The next step is to provide bunks so they can rest safely, comfortably and be ready for the new school day.
Left - Current bunks, Centre - new bunk block, Right - the schools children
👉 Our immediate goal is 20 bunks for 40 boys.
Each bunk set costs $300
Every contribution will make a direct difference in the lives of these children.
Together, we can give these children the dignity of a proper bed.
To offer support to BUY A BUNK, please contact Jocelyn
Jocelyn.rotary9940@gmail.com ☎ 027 3303 487
