Circus Quirkus
Another reminder of Circus Quirkus, our major fund raiser for the year. It is on Kings' birthday weekend so put the event into your diary now.
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.
Karla Butcher; Hauraki Gulf Environment Award
Karla was the 2025 recipient of the Hauraki Gulf Environment award.
At our meeting, she updated us on her research into the biosecurity of the Hauraki Gulf. She explained the concept of invasive species and the importance of biosecurity in preventing negative impacts. Her research is focused on the biosecurity risks associated with potted plants and potting mix used in restoration projects.
Some of our new members and support team members having been winning awards for their efforts,
The following is a summary of their achievements.
RYLA Leader: The RYLA Leader Award is designed to showcase the incredible work that people are putting in to make their RYLA Programs possible! The RYLA Leaders Award is for all of the leaders, facilitators, mentors, and coordinators.
Henry Thomas-Kircher (WINNER!) RYLA 2019
Henry is a highly respected leader within the wider team of RYLA in District 9920 and has transitioned from 2IC to take complete responsibility for the outdoor portion of the 9920 program. This is a highlight of the 9920 program and involved coordinating 180 x people (120 x Ryla participants +60 x volunteers) vehicles, cooks, engineers, communication team, command centre staff and govt liaison (govt land is used). In addition managing the risk around weather, health and safety (a huge requirement for activity on govt land). He managed this incredibly well and did an amazing job. Directing staff who are all active or retired NZ Army officers commended him on the job done to a standard which they compare to their own experience.
RYLArian of the Year: Celebrates the incredible work that past RYLA participants are doing in their personal and professional and the positive impacts that they are having on the community.
Amy Strang (FINALIST) RYLA 2023
Amy is someone who truly used RYLA 9920 (supported by Rotary Newmarket) and RYLA Oceania which she attended in 2024 as a launchpad for her career development and positive impact.
Not only did she take a career leap, moving from Air New Zealand to Airbus in Toulouse, France (her first time in Europe, and without speaking French!).
Within one year she had received a promotion and several recognitions. At 27, Amy has been leading sustainable aviation programs in hydrogen and marketing across Asia Pacific, America and Europe at the world’s largest aviation company – Airbus.
In addition, she became the first New Zealander to complete the Sahara Half Marathon in the Refugee camps of Algeria, raising thousands of dollars.
And this month she’s invited to launch the Emerging Leaders in Sustainable Aviation group at the International Aviation Innovation Summit, Montreal. Amy singlehandedly created this initiative to accelerate sustainable aviation action, developing a committee of diverse young people across the world, securing a sponsoring parent company (ATAG), and world-leading speakers.
Dr Helen Murray and Stanley Cardon
Our speakers at Tuesday’s were Dr Helen Murray and Stanley Cardon from the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research. Their general theme was the impact of repeated head impacts and the link with dementia.
Helen opened the meeting by providing background on the research group's work and commenting on Stanley's master's highlights.
Helen explained the research on the link between repeated head impacts and the risk of developing dementia. Both she and Stanley have personal experience as they have engaged in collision sports, specifically ice hockey and rugby.
Clare Turner
Founder, Consultant and Managing Director,
Executive recruiter Clare Turner shared how her early life from a long-established Wairarapa farming background, was immensely expanded by Carterton Rotary - when she was selected for a Youth Exchange, which brought the life-changing opportunity of being hosted by a Mexican club in El Paso, Texas.
When Clare joined the workforce in the late 1980s, she soon took the opportunity in London to move from banking, to working for St Johns – where she became conscious of the essential need in voluntary fields, to listen respectfully to everyone’s opinion and work collaboratively.
David Jack - REP and RAP
David spoke to us, in Anne Dunphy's absence about the Reading Enrichment Program and the Rotary Apprenticeship Program.
David told us of the expansion of the Reading Enrichment Program. He announced the addition of the 12th school to the REP program, increasing the number of students benefiting to 295.
Professor Julian Patton and Land Rover No 20
Peter Ross introduced Professor Julian Patton, a leading cardiovascular scientist from New Zealand to guests at the meeting.
Julian is currently undertaking an epic road trip across New Zealand in an old Land Rover to raise awareness and funds for heart research.
He was a headline act at Parliament and is being celebrated for his contributions to heart health research.
Before Julian addressed us Peter Ross told us about the John and Anne Burton Heart Research Award which is a partnership between our club and the medical school to support emerging researchers. The award aims to improve heart health for future generations. John and Anne were thanked for their contributions to the award.
Come join us for a club meeting
Auckland, 1051
New Zealand