Celebrating Rotarians - October 2020

A Celebration for Kapiti Club | A Paul Harris Fellowship for Vince Indo | Certificates of Appreciation for Doug Hooper Smith & Stuart Ayres

A fab and eventful evening (25/9) was held at Kapiti Rotary - celebrating the club being 43 years old. Those taking part in the celebration included a few founding Club Paraparaumu members, the existing Paul Harris Fellows, members and partners.

President Shirley awarded a new Paul Harris Fellow to Vince Indo for his outstanding contribution to Rotary and the community through his business Mega Mitre 10 and his various foundations.

Doug Hooper Smith and Stuart Ayres were given Certificates of Appreciation for their contribution to Club Service and our caterer Ingrid was presented with a bunch of flowers for her consistently outstanding meals.

The guest speaker and chief entertainer for the evening was Marist St Pats Rugby Club and Wellington Representative legend Steve (the Force) Hinds regaling how he turned from poacher to gamekeeper and officiating at a number of World Cups as the World Rugby Citing Commissioner Manager. 

All of this was in the presence of District Governor Gillian Jones, who remarked at what a strong, thriving and fun club Kapiti Rotary is.

Entertainment was provided by Kapiti College's exciting and gifted Chamber Trio and the extremely talented and swooning James with outstanding Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin renditions.

The evening ended with Sergeant Vic getting stuck into some bob fining - focusing on a few usual suspects.

A Celebration for one of members - rated as one of TIMEs "100 Most Influential People In The World"

It is with great pride that we inform you that one of our own has been named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Just a few moments ago, Dr. Tunji Funsho, Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair was named to the TIME 100 list for his critical leadership in working with Rotary members and our partners to achieve a wild polio-free Nigeria and eradicate the wild poliovirus in the African region. He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for our work to eradicate polio.

You can view Dr. Funsho’s profile on the TIME website here.
 
Dr. Funsho is a member of the Rotary Club of Lekki in Lagos, Nigeria and is Past District Governor of District 9110 and member of the International PolioPlus Committee. Dr. Funsho is a cardiologist with a lifelong commitment to building a healthier world. As Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair since 2013, he has built on the work of his predecessors by leading PolioPlus efforts in Nigeria. Working alongside his fellow Rotarians, Dr. Funsho has built awareness for the importance of polio immunization, encouraged governments and public figures to support polio eradication, and served as a vocal leader and advocate for Rotary and our fight to end polio.
The TIME 100 list recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. Dr. Funsho joins the list with some of the most important and well-known public figures in the world who have been past recipients of the honor: heads of state such as Angela Merkel, religious figures like the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Bono, philanthropists like Bill Gates, and activists such as Malala Yousafzai.

Dr. Funsho stands on the shoulders of the countless women and men of Rotary who have dedicated their lives, their time, and their money to Rotary’s top priority of eradicating polio. This honor is not just a testament to his work, it is acknowledgment that Rotary members make a difference in the world—one that is worthy of international recognition among the world’s most distinguished leaders.

Every Rotarian can be a leader in the fight to eradicate polio. We hope you’ll use this recognition of Dr. Funsho and Rotary as an opportunity to put renewed energy and focus into creating a world where no child ever again has to be paralyzed by the poliovirus. We’ve come so far into our fight to eradicate polio, and we’ve made incredible progress in the face of enormous challenges. As we join in congratulation to Dr. Funsho, let’s join together and deliver upon our promise to End Polio Now.

A Paul Harris Fellowship for Kathy Bryant

Eastern Hutt Rotary members enjoyed a very special evening at their Changeover of Officers recently, when one of their members, Kathy Bryant, was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Not only was this a great surprise for Kathy, but as the reading of her Citation drew to a close, it was announced that the Pin and Medallion would be presented by her father, Past Rotary International President, Bill Boyd.
 
Bill and Lorna Boyd had flown down from Auckland specially to make the presentation. Kathy had no idea that they were in Lower Hutt, this having been a very well kept secret between the Club and Kathy’s husband, Dean.
 
Kathy was acknowledged as a very worthy recipient of this prestigious recognition. Her contribution to Eastern Hutt Rotary, since joining in 2012, has been significant across many areas, and she has twice served on the Board, as Director of Education and Employment.
 
Her contribution to the Community has been even greater, involving many hours of work each week. It has extended from 2003 up until the present. This has included managing and coaching College Sports teams (for 12 years) and convening junior club cricket (6 years).
 
Eclipsing these commitments, however, has been 14 years of outstanding service with both the Hutt and the Wellington Region Water Polo Associations. Treasurer, organiser of 70 school teams in weekly term 2 tournaments, managing age group teams, managing the Hutt Valley National Women’s team and currently managing the Men’s team, all of these tasks carried out with superb efficiency and good humour.
 
Past Rotary International President Bill Boyd and Lorna, were justifiably very proud of their daughter, and delighted to play a part in this significant event.

4th Sapphire Paul Harris Pin for Christopher Robertson

At last week's meeting (8/9), it was priceless to see Christopher Robertson’s face as he was called up to receive his fourth Sapphire Paul Harris pin and the District 9940’s inaugural Distinguished Service Award for his tireless and lengthy service to Rotary. We are all, as members of Rotary, better off that one among us is recognized for distinguished service to Rotary and the community. Even better that the recipient is one of our very own club! A true inspiration to all of us. We salute you Christopher!
Christopher's awards were presented by DG Gillian Jones on behalf of the many past District Governors he has worked with over the years.