Bill Gates Snr - The Passing of a Great Humanitarian and Honorary Rotarian
Our condolences to Bill and Melinda Gates on the passing of Bill Gates Sr. An honorary Rotary member, a longtime polio eradication supporter, and a dedicated philanthropist – he was a champion for improving health at home and around the globe. https://on.rotary.org/3hFOTbk
Bill Carthew - A Tribute To A Wonderful Rotarian and Friend
District Rotary is mourning the loss of long serving Pahiatua Rotarian and Past District Governor, Bill Carthew, who passed away peacefully, aged 85, on 9 September. Bill had a wonderful nature, always smiling and caring about others, his friendship, trust and respect extended throughout Tararua and across New Zealand. He will be deeply missed in the Pahiatua Club and around the table with his fellow Past Governors at meetings which he attended over several decades.
Bill followed his father into Rotary on 1 September 1970, just reaching his 50 years milestone. Prior to becoming a Rotarian, he was a pioneer as a recipient of a Rotary Overseas Travel Award, a forerunner to Group Study Exchange, which saw him travel by ship to the US and Canada where the group visited a variety of businesses and interacted with many Rotary clubs. This trip influenced Bill throughout his life
Bill was District 9940 Rotary District Governor in 1980-81 with an RI Theme that year of “Take Time to Serve”. He gave a huge amount to Rotary at Club and District levels throughout his time as a member. He was much sought after for advice which he readily gave and earned great respect for.
Bill was a sheep–breeding pioneer in Pahiatua and was one of the first breeders to cross border leicester rams with romney ewes, a combination which led to the Coopworth breed and introduced sheep farmers to the concept of genetic performance. He often said that genetics wasn’t part of the sheep farming philosophy.
Bill received the QSM in the 2008 New Year Honours for more than 40 years service to the industry and to the community. Apart from his commitment to Rotary, he played a key role in the development of the Pahiatua Marae. Other community activities included working for the office of the Race Relations Conciliator “developing youth programmes to create greater understanding between Māori and Pākehā”, serving on the vestry of St Peter’s Anglican Church, acting as a JP and being instrumental in the development of a farm for Tararua College.
Rotary has lost a great friend, whose influence through his community service and as an outstanding sheep breeder went widely throughout New Zealand and internationally.
Our deep love is extended to Bill’s wife Di and their family and to Bill’s brothers who have also been closely connected with Rotary. A private family service was held for Bill and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Graeme Mander, A Johnsonville Rotary Stalwart
Graeme Mander, who gave wonderful community service through Rotary and his business, Mander Plumbing, sadly passed away on 14 September just one month short of his 80th birthday, at the Mary Potter Hospice.
Graeme, a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club of Johnsonville was highly respected throughout the Rotary world and Wellington community. He was an active leader on many club projects and served for several years on the District Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee.
He joined the Johnsonville Rotary Club in 1971 and was President in 1981/82. He was a PHF sapphire member.
Graeme was a National Life Member of Master Plumbers in New Zealand. He served on the National Council of the Society for over 25 years, was National President from 1985-86 and again in 1999. He was the Master Plumbers representative on the Industry Training Board and also served as New Zealand representative on the World Plumbing Council for nine years from 1996.
He ran the Wellington firm Mander Plumbing in Johnsonville for 60 years, serving his apprenticeship under his father and taking over running the large business in 1965 and continued working for the company until his retirement in 2019.
Andy Curran, A Tribute to a fine Rotarian and man of many roles.
In their lives people play many roles, but the late Andy Curran must have played more than many and contributed more than most.
A senior honorary member of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson in recent years, Andy was a Paul Harris Fellow and a generous benefactor of the club. Andy died aged 90 after a full life.
Members of the club formed a guard of honour as his coffin left the chapel of Our Lady of Compassion in Island Bay.
Andy came to New Zealand as a sponsored migrant in the 1960s and worked for construction companies before setting his own company, Curran Construction, a mid-sized design and build firm, active in Wellington from 1972 until 1998.
A senior honorary member of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson in recent years, Andy was a Paul Harris Fellow and a generous benefactor of the club. Andy died aged 90 after a full life.
Members of the club formed a guard of honour as his coffin left the chapel of Our Lady of Compassion in Island Bay.
Andy came to New Zealand as a sponsored migrant in the 1960s and worked for construction companies before setting his own company, Curran Construction, a mid-sized design and build firm, active in Wellington from 1972 until 1998.
He was a notable public speaker and debater, representing Wellington and New Zealand in national and international competitions. He was President of the Master Builders Federation and the New Zealand Speaking Union and was a respected industrial negotiator, mediator and arbitrator.
He had a lovely Irish tenor voice and sang light opera and later barbershop and supported many causes in his Rotary club.