Meeting Tuesday 6^th October 2026 at One Tree Hill College.

Tuesday’s lunchtime meeting, in the Art foyer at One Tree Hill College, was a groundbreaking change from the usual pattern of breakfast meetings. We were delighted that being able to schedule this lunch during  school holidays allowed such a good attendance from Rotary visitors and families.

Cris Print had brought his two elder children to the previous Art tour at Rotary breakfast – and this time he was joined by younger son Rowan, born after the death of his grandfather. Murray Print’s distinguished career in Education began at Mt Albert Grammar – where he formed a lifelong friendship with fellow-housemaster Len Castle, who later moved from teaching to become a celebrated potter. Murray’s commitment to the Arts and strong friendships with NZ pioneers, formed the basis for the vision and growth of a truly outstanding collection!

Cris paid particular tribute to Wally Crossman - Murray’s collection partner and HOD Art from 1961-79, whose own works are displayed in the foyer, as well as to curator Paul Baragwanath - leader of the recent breakfast tour, who has done such an amazing job in conservation and encouragement of donations. Although paintings are the most famous, Murray had a special love for ceramics and antiques - and set about joyfully, producing a truly uplifting environment in a bare school. This also produced wonderful memories for his son, joining a range of purchasing adventures.

Cris most vividly recalls seeing McCahon’s Jet over Muriwai for the first time – and it is fitting that this work is now in the principal’s office! Nick Coughlan then led a tour through some display locations, assisted by Science Faculty Head Kieran Gainsford and Dean of International Students Jenny McMurray.

The earlier tour during school time, had enabled Rotarians to see the realisation of Murray Print’s vision – students in the Knowledge Centre focused on learning, while surrounded by top-quality expression of their country’s creativity! It is therefore good to share that after the tour was over, Jenny went to the powerful Nigel Brown work in the foyer, showing a struggling tramper in the bush – and explained how she uses this as a teaching tool for students on how to manage the burdens of life! 

From our breakfast meeting on 16th June Paul Baragwanath showing Murray Print’s typed notes for his 1989 Prize Giving speech. 

Cris read us an excerpt from those notes…

To stand tall is to follow your own vision and do it your way. To act for your planet, even if it’s only planting a few trees under whose shade you personally may never sit. To believe deeply and truly that you’re OK, and be a positive magnet to attract others to you and affirm to them that they’re too. To know your planet and travel around it. To do what your principal Ann Dunphy is doing, and blaze a NZ trail, by being the first ever woman member of the Penrose Rotary Club, bringing a new dimension to Rotary. To know your own culture, to have your own space and your own mana - turangawaewae. To respect other cultures as much as your own. To work for peace on our planet, knowing that peace is not something you just wish for, its something you make, something you do, something you are, something you give away, something you always retain.

There follows a copy of the History of the OTHC Art Collection produced for the College's 70th Anniversary in 2025.

Rotary Youth Drive Awareness (RYDA)

The Club is a supporter of RYDA. Club members accompany school groups for the day of the RYDA programme. This is the premier road safety education program for senior high school students (aged 16–18) in New Zealand, focusing on changing attitudes toward driving risks. Sessions are delivered by Road Safety Education, and feature interactive workshops covering speed, distractions, and passenger safety to curb youth road accidents.

Rota Pacific

On Tuesday, we met as President Warwick noted in his address six Rota Pacificers from Fiji and Samoa. They each introduced themselves to us.

They were Tera Narayan, a communications officer for an intergovernmental organization with the Pacific Community. She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Super East, and its flagship program is the Rotary Pacific Water. 
 
 We then heard from Ilaisa Katonibau from Nausori sponsored by Nausori Rotary who works for the United Nations Development Program as a now specialist, which is a monitoring innovation and learning specialist for a public finance management project, which is funded by the European Union.

Next Rota Pacifica was Loma Ripley from Apia in Samoa. She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Apia. She manages her family business and as well as that is working in the agriculture field, as she believes that Samoa needs to work on food sovereignty. This was a big issue that happened during Covid 19, where there were a lot of delays in shipments. 

Then we heard from Meri Delai a financial markets deluxe specializing in the FX forward market with Westpac Fiji. She is sponsored with the same club as Ilaisa, 

After Meri, Vasiki Lesianawai spoke to us, She works for the Unit Trust of Fiji as a business engagement officer for an investment company, meaning she looks after all the 149 corporate clients for the company. She is sponsored the Rotary Club of Silva Peninsula Sunset.

The final Rota Pacificer to speak was Harley Cronin, a graduate from University of Auckland. He has had a number jobs since University. He is looking forward to RYLA and is excited to see what the secrecy and the mystery is about next week. I doubt that he will be expecting any or all of the evolutions that will take place next week.