Welcome to Eastern Hutt Rotary

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and parts of the world?  Our members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship.  Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
Latest News
Te Omanga Hospice Street Collection
Thank you to the members who assisted with the Te Omanga Hospice Collection at Queensgate on Saturday 17 May. Thank you also to Robin Aitken, Glenda Barratt, John Cole, Paul Giles, Anne Abbott, President Mike, Brian Clarke, David Thompson and Jan Palmer. 
Guest Speaker Mary O’Keeffe - Heritage Solutions
Posted by Mike Fackney
Last Monday evening we had a fantastic presentation from Mary O’Keeffe.  Mary is a professional archaeologist, who has run her consultancy, Heritage Solutions, for about 30 years.  Her presentation, entitled Life as a consulting archaeologist - small things tell big stories, included some of the sites around New Zealand where she has worked, sharing what can be learnt from these sites, and what they can tell us about being New Zealanders.
 
Quiz night: Friday 2 May 2025
Posted by Brian Clarke
      
Jan - Quizmaster & Doug - Auctioneer Extraordinaire
 
International Committee organised a quiz night/auction to raise funds for the Rotary Volunteer Dental Aid Project to Taveuni Island, Fiji on Friday evening 2 May.  The weather leading up to the event had not been the most pleasant, however some 90 plus club members, their friends and family members, along with teams from Kapiti and Wellington braved the conditions and came together for a evening of fun, fellowship and good food. Quiz master Jan ensured we all had clarity about both questions and answers and dealt appropriately with any disputes.  The auction, in the hands of Doug, also raised funds for a most worthy cause saw cash leave the pockets of some of those attending.
At evening's end we had raised some $3.4K from ticket sales; raffle; auctions including silent items along with donations from individuals. 
Special thanks to all for coming out on the night and making this such a successful event. 
Addendum  - the total raised has now risen to $3.9K following funds being received from attendees following the event.
 
Guest Speakers Hannah Wilson and Julie Bennett
Posted by Judy Dearsley
Hannah and Julie spoke to us about Big Brothers, Big Sisters, a community-based youth mentoring programme.  It happens after school or on the weekend. It’s all about the volunteer and young person spending one-on-one time together doing things they both enjoy - a few hours, a couple of times a month.    
 
Hannah and Julie took the opportunity to talk about the programme and the difference mentoring makes in young people's lives across our region. They thanked everyone at Eastern Hutt Rotary for the warm welcome and for the interest in the work they do. The work they do with young people is amazing. 
 
 
 
Bec Gardiner - Guest Speaker 
Posted by David Thompson
Bec Gardiner from Stroke Aotearoa NZ [www.stroke.org.nz] was our after dinner speaker on the 14th of April. Her friendly, relaxed, confident, and knowledgeable style resulted in everyone paying close attention.  Her talk was very well received.
Do explore that website.
A stroke deprives your brain of oxygen, which is a very serious medical emergency.  If you see or experience signs of a stroke DIAL 111 IMMEDIATELY.
What are the signs of a stroke?
  • Face drooping or
  • Arm weakness or
  • Speech difficulties or
  • Severe headache with no known cause or
  • Vision changes or
  • Trouble walking, vertigo, or loss of balance or
  • Numbness of face, arm or leg, especially if it's only on one side of the body.
Up to 90% of strokes are preventable.  Go to Reducing stroke risks to see how.
Thank you Bec for coming to speak to us and reminding us how we can help ourselves and those around us.
The Hutt Valley Housing Market Update  
Posted by Glenda Barratt
John Matthews has been in the real estate industry now just short of 10 years and over that time he has seen major changes.  John was able to tell us that the real estate market today is driven by supply and demand.  In 2021, the housing market hit its peak, and those looking to purchase resulted in overpaying large amounts more than the cost of the property was actually worth.  Sadly this was now showing cause and effect as the rate of inflation is increasing, and insurance rates are out of control.  Many families are having to sell their properties for less than what they paid.  Rates increases of up to 30% in the last two years is proving that housing is becoming unaffordable to the ordinary family.
Anzac Day Wreath Laying at Taita Cemetery on Behalf of the Club 
Posted by Glenda Barratt
 
It was with pride that I represented our Rotary Club on Anzac Day to honour those who fought and died so that we may live in peace.  The poppies and flowers laid at the cenotaph are more than what they seem to be.  They tell us stories of courage and fortitude.  They remind us of those who went to war and those who fought behind the scenes here at home in order that our soldiers could return to families who waited for them.  They remind us of the commitment of our Maori Battalion who bravely put themselves in the firing lines alongside their comrades.  We hear of the struggles immersing our World yet again and we wonder at the absurdity of war or fighting in any form.
Let us always remember them and let us never forget the price they paid."
Ka mahara tatou ki a ratou.
 
 
Robert Hunt's Essay on "Peace"
Posted by Mike Fackney
On Monday evening we watched a video of a truly inspiring presentation from Robert Hunt reading his essay on 'Peace'.
Robert is the 11 year old visually impaired grandson of Chris & Richard Perry.  Robert entered an essay competition run by Lions Clubs International and was firstly selected as the New Zealand finalist.  Subsequently, he was declared the Grand International winner.  The result was announced at the United Nations in New York.  It’s the first time a New Zealander has won the competition.  His award includes a trip for him and his family to the Lions International Convention in Orlando, and prize money to spend on a holiday there afterwards.
 
If you didn't see it, or wish to watch it again, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_J2HOVQDI8
Bulletins
Club Calendar

June 2025

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Upcoming Speakers
Professor Rebecca Grainger - Rheumatologist
Jun 16, 2025
Digital Doctors and Dodgy Joints
Stuart Batty
Jun 16, 2025
Rotary NZ World Community Service - ERK's
Bronwyn Hussey, Centre Coordinator
Jun 30, 2025
Riding for the Disabled - What We Do
View entire list...
About Our Club
Eastern Hutt

Welcome. Please click on the "Venue Map" button to the left to view our meeting location.

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:55 PM
Avalon Pavilion
61 Taita Drive
Avalon
Lower Hutt,  5011
New Zealand
Phone:
21102260153
Email:
easternhuttrotary@gmail.com
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
Club Executives & Directors
President
Mike Fackney
Immediate Past President
John Matthews
Secretary
June Stratton
Treasurer
Tony Cornelius
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