Plimmerton Rotary's Photo Gallery
The gallery of photos that we will upload here will record some of the activities and events that we enjoy. More photo gallery pages will be uploaded as time goes on, so please come back. For any of the photos displayed under the headings below, you will be able to click on an image to enlarge it to full size.
You can find photos taken by Graham Craig prior to September 2015 here.
50th Gala Dinner Celebration - 23 May 2023
President Denise presided over this glittering affair, which was enjoyed by current members and their partners, one charter member, honoured guests, friends and relations. There was hardly room to move and the atmosphere was charged with joy, friendship, reunions and reminiscences. Special awards were presented. There was music, singing, speeches that reminded members of happy times past, good food and a great deal of fun.
Children's Christmas Party - 6 December 2022
The Children’s Christmas Party was held at the Cruising Club on 6 December and a great time was had by both parents and grandchildren. Magician Nigel Kennedy enthralled the children with his white rabbit and his balloon animals and Father and Mother Christmas handed out Christmas presents to all the children.
Parumoana Schools Speech Contest for the Twentieth Year - 2 December 2022
Sixteen children entered the contest, in two groups: 10 and 11 year-olds, and 12 and 13 year-olds. Each had won the right to compete by winning their own school’s contest. The speeches covering an extraordinary variety of topics, some humorous, some serious, and some challenging.
A Celebration of our Young Leaders for the Eighth Year - 8 August 2022
Another splendid event for our local clubs: well-organised, well-attended, inspirational and a good showcase for what Rotary can do. This was the eighth Awards ceremony and the attendance was as large as ever.
Presentation of long-service Certificates - 12 April 2022
This was an opportunity for District Governor-Elect Marilyn Stevens to present Certificates for long service to John Barber and Bob Austin who have served for over 40 years and John O'Connell, Graeme Tongs, Bruce Couch, David Knight, and Michael Parker for over 30.
Casino Evening - 8 February 2022
Oh what a night! The buzz, laughter, shouts of triumph or dismay punctuating the balmy air were testament to a very enjoyable evening. All in all, an evening to remember. Members 'gambled' with gay abandon with their 'funny money' and were just as happy whether they won or lost!
Back to work in 2022 - 25 January 2022
And so Club members returned from their holidays for the first meeting of the year and were informed and entertained by Jason Pine, longstanding newsreader/journalist, and sports commentating broadcaster. You can read about what he had to say here.
Parumoana Schools Speech Contest 2021 - 1 December 2021
This event was yet another example of the talents exhibited by our primary school students in Porirua. All the contestants had been winners in their school and were put forward to compete against their peers from other schools. Supporters were limited because of Covid but those who came were treated to a stimulating morning. You can read about the event here.
Inaugural Western Primary Schools' Speech Competition - 25 November 2021
Eight students entertained and impressed with a variety of interesting topics. Deputy Principal Jamie Merrick expressed his delight that Titahi Bay Primary School is forging a path towards primary students competing throughout the whole city. You can read about the event here.
Charity Golf Day - 12 November 2021
Chris Garrett organised a very successful Charity Golf Day on Friday, 12 November. Sixty-eight golfers took part and enjoyed an excellent afternoon. $8-10,000 has been raised for Mary Potter Hospice.
Wairarapa Golf, Gardens, and Good Fun - 8 October 2021
Just shy of 30 members, partners, and friends enjoyed a wonderful long weekend in the Wairarapa, starting with an alfresco BBQ at the home of the Traill's, splendid accommodation at the Copthorne, excellent dining at San Sebastian on Saturday evening, four wonderful gardens to explore, great golf courses to be challenged by, the Tirohana Winery to visit - and all in glorious spring weather.
Great Leaders Now and For the Future - 2021
'You are the leaders of today, not just tomorrow' said Children's Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, as he spoke to the 61 Primary School students who were recognised for their leadership at a special event at Elim Church on 9 August 2021. This was the seventh Leadership event and the Church Hall was filled to its capacity to support the City's future leaders. Keep reading >>
A bumper Changeover - 29 July 2021
The Silverstream Retreat provided the perfect venue for the 2021-2022 Changeover from President Bill's year to President Kay's. Members enjoyed dressing formally, the programme ran like clockwork, and the noise and dancing at the end attested to the high spirits that prevailed throughout the evening. You can read about the event here and here.
Porirua's Future Leaders Make Us Proud - 10 August 2020
This was another great event for the club; well organised, well attended, inspirational and a splendid showcase for what Rotary can do. This was the sixth Awards ceremony and the attendance was the largest yet. The Elim Church again proved to be an excellent venue, everything worked as it should, and the audience of parents, teachers, school students, councillors, officials, Rotarians from the Porirua Club and our own, and other friends, was vocal and engaged. The Awards celebrate the achievements of primary school students who have been selected for their leadership and contributions to school life. This dovetails with the strategic priority of our Council, and the ‘service above self’ mission of Rotary. You can read about the event here.
Changeover to 2020-2021 - 1 July 2020
And, as is the Rotary custom, it was time to change over the leadership of Plimmerton Rotary Club. Euon Murrell stepped down after his year as President and Bill McAulay stepped up to start his year with a new Board and new challenges ahead. You can read about the evening here.
Myanmar Homework Club Thank You Dinner - 6 December 2019
The Myanmar Community put on a Hotpot Dinner for the Myanmar Homework Club volunteers, several of whom are Plimmerton Rotary Club members. It was a great chance to mingle and share with these lovely people from Myanmar. You can read about the event here.
Children's Party time - 3 December 2019
A bevy of Rotary members children and grandchildren came to enjoy a fun-filled Christmas party. Nigel Kennedy, the magician, Harold the Life Education giraffe, and Father Christmas and his helper were all there to delight and entertain. You can read about the event here.
Primary School speakers delight - 29 November 2019
This is one of the most enjoyable events in our Rotary calendar. The best speakers from the nine primary schools in the Paramoana cluster (schools in northern Porirua) compete for trophies and impressive cups for the winning schools. It began in 2002, with our club sponsoring it continuously from 2003. You can read about the event here.
Joy and Laughter on every side - 7 September 2019
Ten young adults came together on Saturday to compete in the Rotary Best Speaker Awards. They came from Lower Hutt, Wellington, and Whakatane. This is a highlight of the Rotary year and the fourth time the event has been held at Anchor Church in Whitby. Some of the speakers were competing a second and third time. Some, I suspect, will continue to come and enjoy the event for as long as Plimmerton Rotary stages it. You can read about the event here.
Primary Leaders Shine Brightly - August 2019
The awards presented to fifty-six young leaders demonstrated that the future of Porirua City is in safe hands. Family support and pride shone through as each student walked up to receive an award and the 2019-2020 theme pin from the Rotary District Governor with the words, 'Rotary Connects the World'. You can read about the event here and here.
Which just goes to prove - March 2019
One of the positive aspects of the event is that over fifty members of the Club, as well as some of their partners and family members, were involved at some stage in the Book Fair. And the numbers of buyers seemed to have increased since last year, borne out by the takings over the weekend. You can read about it here.
Children excel again - November 2018
The Parumoana Schools' cluster covers the nine primary schools in northern Porirua. It is a longstanding tradition, now stretching back over 17 years, for them to compete to see who their best young speech-makers are. The students were confident, well-practised, and astonishing in their maturity. You can read about it here.
Fun with BJ Bear - November 2018
This was a fantastic opportunity for Rotary to provide the organisation and means of community engagement, bringing huge benefits to both the kids and the police recruits for whom assisting young children will soon be a part of their day-to-day work. You can read about it here.
The 2018 Young Leaders are a Gift - August 2018
Fifty-four primary schoolchildren received certificates from the Deputy Mayor, Izzy Ford, for leadership, service above self and being role models. They also received Rotary Badges from the Rotary District Governor, Marion Johnstone. You can read the story here. It has links to everything you could possibly want to know about this memorable annual event.
Courage and Confidence May 2018
It was all happening at the Anchor Church in Whitby on 26 May as twenty-five young adults regaled us with exciting adventures about their 'favourite holiday', some even looking to a future fifty years ahead. The improvement in the ability of the contestants who have entered in previous years was very apparent. You can read the story here.
Book Fair as popular as ever March 2018
The ever-successful Plimmerton Rotary Book Fair was held over the weekend of 17 and 18 March. It was another well-supported event with proceeds going to Life Education Trust and a variety of community projects. You can read the story here.
Parumoana Speakers delight again December 2017
A large group of supporters and club members were treated to speeches covering an extraordinary variety of topics, some humorous, some serious, and some challenging. In the main, the students were confident and well-practised and delighted the large audience. You can read the story here.
Fun for all at Children's Christmas party November 2017
Thirty-two children from three primary schools in our city attended the Christmas party at the Police College on 18 November. Both the schools and the Police recruits speak highly of this event, with the children talking about it for weeks afterwards. You can read about it here.
The 2017 Young Leaders are a Gift September 2017
Fifty-eight primary schoolchildren received certificates from the Deputy Mayor, Izzy Ford, for leadership, service above self and being role models. They also received Badges from the Rotary District Governor, Mitch Brown. You can read the story here. And you can read the bios of all the students who were honoured here.
And the 2017 Leaders had fun with supporters September 2017
Elim Church was full to bursting with students, principals, whanau and supporters and, when the event was over, it was time to take advantage of the skills of Luke Pilkinton-Ching to get some family photos taken. You can read the story here. And you can read the bios of all the students who were honoured here.
Controversial subjects June 2017
Six talented students took part in the 2017 Secondary Schools Speech competitions and performed superbly as you can see here.
'Every one of you has a place in our hearts" May 2017
Twelve amazing young people with intellectual disabilities entered the 2017 North Island Rotary Best Speaker Awards. You can read the story here.
Pauatahanui Garden Trail 27 November 2016
The weather nearly conspired to spoil this year's event but the garden owners worked hard to make their gardens look extraordinary on the day as you can see here.
Parumoana Speech Competition - November 2016
On Friday 25 November, seventeen winners of their own school speech competitions gathered to compete against each other. You can read the story here.
Police Recruits and Porirua Kids Rotary Party 2016
On Saturday 19 November, 42 children had a very happy afternoon with 14 police recruits at the New Zealand Police College. You can read about some of the things they got up to here.
Leading by example 15 September 2016
It was clearly a very special moment for the fifty-four young primary school leaders, chosen by their school, to receive a Be a Gift Leadership Award on 15 September as they were recognised at a special function in Porirua. Read the story here.
Zonta gets revenge at Celebrity Debate 21 August 2016
The second celebrity debate between Mana Zonta and Plimmerton Rotary, held on Sunday 21 August at the Titahi Bay Bowling Club, was a sell-out success and an effective fundraiser for signage on Te Ara Piko. You can read about the event here.
Another year gone by in the flash of an eye 28 June 2016
Changeover time as Past-President Adrienne Murray passes the chain, and the responsibility for the club, to incoming resident Peter Cox. You can read all about what the club has achieved in the past year here. You can see even more of Graham Craig's photos, and a video of the dancers from Kuranui College at the bottom of this page.
Secondary Schools Speech Competition 17 June 2016
Eight fine teens represented their colleges in a very formal yet supportive environment. This is the second Secondary Schools Speech Contest that Plimmerton Rotary has staged and it is a very sustainable activity that boosts the youth of Porirua. You can read about the event here.
Rotary Best Speaker Awards 28 May 2016
Eighteen young men and women with intellectual disabilities grasped every ounce of courage they had to enter this event. The 6-minute video extract on this page will give you a taste of the pride, astonishment, humility and amazement we all experienced.
Book Fair 19-20 March 2016
Another successful Book Fair with a wonderful selection of books, DVDs and CDs on display and plenty of very willing buyers at bargain prices. You can read about the event here.
Inaugural Pauatahanui Garden Trail 29 November 2015
This event was inspired by Jenny Jackson and carried out by a hard working and committed group of Plimmerton Rotary and Inner Wheel members. The purpose of the event was to raise funds to put towards the development of Stage Two of Te Ara Piko and the outcome was very successful. The feedback has been very positive. Read about the event here.
Parumoana Speech Competition 27 November 2015
The standard this year was exceptionally high and David Knight is to be congratulated on his excellent organisation. Read about the event here.
Children and Police Recruits Christmas Party 21 November 2015
More very happy children mingled with Recruits from the Porirua Police College to enjoy an entertaining afternoon.
Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment 2-4 October 2015
David and Velma Knight transported the two students we sponsored to Taihape for a challenging and enjoyable weekend. Read about the event here.
Porirua City Council 50th Gala Dinner Celebrations 3 October 2015
A memorable evening when more than 600 people turned up to honour 50 residents of Porirua who have contributed to the city over its first 50 years. Each of them received a Civic Award. Read about the event here.
A 1930s Ritzy Dinner with District Governor, Simon Manning on 29 September 2015
Members had fun dressing up, or not, partaking in the raffle and generally enjoying each other's company. Parts of the meeting required serious thought but most of the evening was full of laughter. Read about the event here.
Primary School Leadership Awards on 21 September 2015
In a first for Porirua, two primary school leaders were put forward by their Principals to receive an award for leadership from the Mayor. Read about the event here and here.