While Gordon McInally has seen more of the world than his home country of Scotland during his reign as the international president of Rotary, he and his wife Heather have particularly loved their time ‘down under’. “Following our tour through Singapore and Australia, it made complete sense to ‘pop in’ to New Zealand on our way home” he laughed. “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and I am extremely grateful to have been so warmly welcomed, and to have had the pleasure of seeing all the wonderful things Matamata Rotary has achieved.
On June 21-25, 2025, Calgary, Canada, is the host city for the Rotary International Convention. For Rotarians seeking the experience of attending a Rotary Convention, this will present the ideal opportunity. To travel to Calgary, attend the Convention plus add a time to travel in North America.
Are you passionate about our work to End Polio Now?
Are you thinking about serving Rotary beyond your club?
If so, we might have just the job for you! We are looking for one or two more members to join our small committee. We meet 3-4 time/year via Zoom. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary’s polio eradication project.
Your role will be to help raise awareness of Rotary’s polio eradication programme and encourage clubs and individuals to contribute to, and fundraise for, the Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus fund.
For more information/to express your interest, please email:
The newly elected Community Leaders from throughout New Zealand met in Auckland over the weekend of the 8-9 June.
This was the first opportunity for the group to get together face to face and undertake training for their new roles. Nick Dangerfield and Pat Armstrong, the Learning and Development Leads for the Regionalisation Pilot took the Rotary Community Leaders (RCLs) through a number of breakout sessions over the two days to prepare them to facilitate Growth Plan Workshops with Club leaders in each of their Community Groups.
These will be held during July and August. The workshop was a good opportunity for the cohort to share their knowledge, ideas and to meet RI President Gordon McInally and his wife Heather over morning tea.
Photo: RI World President Gorgon McInally and Heather, DGE Nick Dangerfield, and the Rotary Community Leaders - Carmen Goodwin
Around 35 “RYLArians” attended the week from age 17 to 27. He didn’t have a clue about Rotary before he was selected.
Experiences included high ropes (being scared of heights, this was a challenge for him), impromptu speaking (he had to talk for 90 seconds on “What motivates me to do what I do”), “Master Chef”(not his thing but fortunate to have talented chefs on the team, so he was the artist for their menu sign), Wetlands Trust (planted trees there), rock climbing, caving, and abseiling.
Jennie joined the Otahuhu Rotary Club in 1997. Over the years she has held numerous roles within Rotary. In 2023 she was appointed Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor for the Regional Rotary Foundation.
There have been no changes to the Rotary Foundation with Regionalisation.
The Rotary Foundation District Structure comprises the Fundraising Team (including Jennie) and a Spending Team. Both teams report to the District Governor and District Rotary Foundation Chair.
Kate Cullwick lives on Tapahia Station near Waipukurau with her husband Jeremy and family, producing fine wool crafted into high-quality wool products including bed throws, baby blankets, and bedspreads.
The wool is scoured in Napier, dyed in Wellington then woven in Auckland to their designs like these Super King-sized blankets pictured here.
With her sister Prue they established Foxtrot Home in 2017 producing and selling French linen bedding.
They sourced the linen fibre directly from French producers and then had it dyed, woven, and sewn into a finished product that they now supply across NZ, Australia, and other countries.
Last month a team of twelve Eye Care For Africa volunteers visited Tanzania.
They were led by Hastings optometrist Niall McCormack (an honorary member of Havelock North Rotary Club), optometrist Lillian Lei from Whanganui and GP Dr Peter Culham from Hastings.
Lynne introduced guest speaker James Simmonds. Founder of Webfox company based in Ahuriri.
Webfox uses AI as a business tool to help businesses improve performance and show them how technology can help them.
He mentioned he could talk forever on this subject. Talked about generative AI, G.P.T. (generative pre trained transformers). This covered areas of voice recognition, facial recognition, predictive text, using AI to assist in creating code and creating photorealistic images.
Tia Ormsby van Selm from Ngāti Apakura guides Rotary International president Gordon McInally through the Rotopiko Reserve. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Gordon and Heather McInally were so impressed with the Urban Miners recycling operation in Cambridge that they intend to take the concept home to Scotland.
Last week, the couple visited the Cambridge Rotary Club’s star performer, Urban Miners.
Gordon – formerly a dentist in Edinburgh, Scotland – is the first Rotary International president to visit New Zealand and the couple’s five day trip included four Waipā visits.
We said goodbye to Marie Witzel, our IYE student, last Thursday.
Marie talked about how much she enjoyed her time with our club, getting to travel to many places around New Zealand, and particularly thanked her host families for their support and hospitality.
She highlighted the friends she had made, as well as the Rotary weekends away to places such as Taupō, Rotorua, and Waitomo. A highlight was her South Island trip and she enjoyed many other experiences such as surfing, fishing, visiting our beaches, and the school ball.
Well, that’s about all there is for this issue from District Governor Bill. Don’t forget that the District website is fully operational and you will find a plethora of information about Rotary, D9930 clubs, and all activities. Please take a good stroll through the site by clicking HERE.
Are you passionate about our work to End Polio Now?
The Rotary (and friends) team supported the event with the show's stars. 
PDG Grant Spackman updated members about the rapidly approaching Regionalization pilot project, due to commence on 1/7/24.
Tia Ormsby van Selm from Ngāti Apakura guides Rotary International president Gordon McInally through the Rotopiko Reserve. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.