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Do you want to make positive changes in our community and around the world?

Our club members share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share a drive to give back.

overcoming disadvantage | helping people who face challenges | providing community facilities | supporting worthy organisations

Rotary’s interested in hearing about opportunities to help improve lives, and to make South Canterbury a better place to live.

If you know of someone who needs help, a great organisation that needs a bit of support, or something that would be of benefit to our community get in touch and we’ll see what we can do. Click HERE for more information ...

ROTARY HELPS WITH WINTER HEATING

A team of Rotarians and volunteers led by Rotarian Tony Henderson has been busy collecting, cutting up, bagging and delivering kindling for those in need in and around Timaru for the past several years. Click HERE to read the full story.

TONY SHAW, PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

Rotary Clubs honour citizens who have made a significant contribution to the community by donating US$1,000 in their name to the Rotary Foundation, entitling them to be called a "Paul Harris Fellow". (Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International).

Timaru lawyer Tony Shaw was made a Paul Harris Fellow by Timaru Rotary Club President Jess Hewitson at the Club's meeting on Tuesday 4th August 2020 in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made to IHC both in South Canterbury and nationally over many years.

Tony was first invited to join the IHC South Canterbury Branch committee 40 years ago and served IHC for many years at a governance level both in South Canterbury and at a national level.

He was a National IHC Board member from 1998 to 2005 and was IHC National President for three years from 2002 to 2005. In 2005 Tony was made a Life Member of IHC New Zealand. Tony returned to the IHC National Boardroom last year after a break of 15 years, reappointed to the Board in September last year to ensure the financial stability of IHC in a climate that is seeing other disability providers struggling after Covid-19 and was this year elected IHC National Board Chair.

Tony has broad experience in community and volunteer organisations, including the Rotary Club of Timaru. His first contact with Rotary was as a Group Study Exchange team member, put forward by this club to the selection process in Dunedin. He was successful and was a member of the Group Study Exchange team that went to Rotary District 7150 in Upper New York State in 1989.

Tony has continued to support Rotary activities and was MC for a good number of Rotary Charity Auctions held by the Rotary Club of Timaru in the early 2000’s.

ROTARY TIMARU WELCOMES NEW MEMBER LEE JOHNS

Rotary Club of Timaru President Jess Hewitson welcomed new member Lee Johns to our Club at our Tuesday 21st July meeting.

Lee is well-known throughout South Canterbury as an experienced travel broker and as former manager of the Returned Services Association. We're looking forward to enjoying Lee's company and working with her on our community projects.

PRESIDENT JESS'S 4TH AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Posted by Jess Hewitson

Marhaba
Greetings in Lebanese this week.

What an unbelievable explosion in Beirut 👀 My thoughts go out to the families of those who have passed, and the thousands of people displaced and affected by the blast.😢

Our guest speaker on Tuesday was Tony Shaw. Tony spoke of his long involvement with IHC and his recent reappointment to the National Board as Chairman. I learnt a lot about IHC and found it particularly interesting to learn that IHC purchased a lot of properties that were released from the Government and created group homes for their clients.

We also presented Tony with a Paul Harris Fellow award. Tony has volunteered so much of his time to IHC, a wonderful organisation committed to catering for their client's needs, whatever level they might be.

Congratulations Tony!

Our new member directory trifold has been printed, so don't forget to collect one from the raffle table on the way in next week.

A shout out to Robyn Baldwin who is at home recovering from a successful operation (hip replacement)🙂 all the best for your recovery!

Remember to order your tickets from Tony for the Little Theatre's next production.

Have a great weekend!
🙂 Jess

PRESIDENT JESS HEWITSON AND HER NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Rotary Club of Timaru celebrated a very successful Rotary year under President Bev Slooten's leadership and welcomed Incoming President Jess Hewitson and her leadership team for the 2020-21 Rotary Year.

We celebrated the occasion with an excellent turnout of members and their partners supported by our District Governor Dylan Murray and his partner Rebecca Aitchison, our Assistant Governor Raewyn Francis, several Rotarians from neighbouring clubs and some of our Honorary members.

The Rotary Club of Timaru Leadership Team for 2020-21 - all dressed to fit in with the evening's sporting theme.
From left: Jenny Ensor (Treasurer), Hugh Perry (Director), Lionel Wilson (Secretary), Lance Wensley (Director), Cheryl Rose (Sergeant at Arms), Jess Hewitson (President), Bev Slooten (Past President) and Dave Woods (Director)

Jess Hewitson kicked off her year as president with a sports-themed changeover dinner, another delicious meal from the crew at the Timaru Town & Country Club: roast beef and apple crumble.

Three members were recognised for their huge contribution to both the club and the community over several years with the award of Paul Harris Fellowships in the form of a donation of $US 1,000 to the Rotary Foundation, Rotary's International Charity, in their name.

District Governor Dylan Murray, Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) recipient Tony Henderson, outgoing President Bev Slooten, PHF recipients Robyn Baldwin and Stephen Don, and incoming President Jess Hewitson

Robyn Baldwin and Stephen Don were made Paul Harris Fellows and Tony Henderson received a Sapphire pin to add to his existing Paul Harris Fellow badge.