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Welcome to Tawa Rotary

Do you want to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Key speaker - Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson

Come along to hear a fascinating story about the nomination for then Corporal Willy Apiata to receive the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest award for military bravery. Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson, former Chief of Defence Staff, will be visiting Tawa Rotary on Tuesday 23 April.

"There is no one living in New Zealand who has actually made a recommendation for a VC before, so it was interesting," said Air Marshal Ferguson. The story of outstanding courage outlined on paper, and through subsequent interviews with witnesses to Corporal Willy Apiata saving his comrade's life, left Air Marshal Ferguson with no doubts the nominee met the criteria for him to become the first New Zealander to receive the Victoria Cross for more than 60 years - and just the 14th recipient in the world since World War II ended. [Unique challenge for the Chief of Defence Force, NZ Herald]

Air Marshal Sir Bruce Reid Ferguson, KNZM, OBE, AFC, JP (born 14 July 1949) is a retired Royal New Zealand Air Force officer who served as Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force and Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau. Photo sourced from: Sir Bruce Ferguson - Distinguished Alumni - ISL NZ (leadership.ac.nz)

RSVP before 10am Monday 22 April: if you wish to join with Tawa Rotary for a 2-course meal, cost $25pp. at 6.00 pm. EMAIL: tawarotaryclub@gmail.com or tawa.rotaryapologies@gmail.com

To attend the talk only, arrive 6.50pm for 7.00pm start. Coffee/tea provided.

Every minute matters - Heartbeat CPR

Learn CPR. Save a Life!

We hosted a great training session on Heartbeat CPR with Nick Swan, Wellington Free Ambulance on Tuesday 27 February 2024. Visitors from Tawa community also attended. On arrival, some shared that they had experienced family members and friends who had had a cardiac arrest - they wanted to know the latest on how save a life.

Every week on average 6 people have a sudden cardiac arrest in greater Wellington and Wairarapa region. No one is immune from cardiac arrest.

Every minute matters. If someone is unresponsive to a shout or a shake, and they're not breathing or moving they're in cardiac arrest. Early CPR increases survival rates to 30%. Using a defibrillator is the best chance for starting a heart - survival increases by 80 to 85%.

A big thanks to Nick and Wellington Free Ambulance for providing this free lifesaving session. Nick encouraged local clubs and organisations to get in touch with WFA for Heartbeat Community CPR training. These sessions are sponsored by the Lloyd Morrison Foundation.

Tawa Rotary celebrated its 50th anniversary

Tawa Rotary celebrated its 50^thanniversary over the weekend of 9 and 10 April 2021.

On 4 April 1970 at a dinner held at the Wellington Overseas Terminal, Rotary International presented the Charter for the new Rotary Club of Tawa to the Club’s Charter President Eldon Armstrong.

Fifty years later the Rotary Club of Tawa planned to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of that evening with a weekend of activities. Unfortunately, COVID-19 interrupted the planning. The celebration was held in April 2021.

Over the 51 years, Tawa Rotary has contributed to the infrastructure of Tawa through numerous projects, as well as to a wide range of youth and international initiatives and projects.

Paul Harris awards were awarded to Past District Governor Martin Garcia for his service to Rotary and to Dianne Patchett for her significant service to Inner Wheel, a project in Nepal and teaching. Two of the club’s Charter members, Murray Jensen and Rewi Chaney, supported by Robert Armstrong entertained with great stories of the Club at its very beginning.

A book on the 50-year history of the Rotary Club of Tawa has been published and copies are available for purchase at $20 each. To buy a book, please contact tawarotaryclub@gmail.com.

[Photos: Kevin Walker]

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At convention find breakouts tailored to you

Take away bold ideas about how to improve your club experience, your community, and the world from breakout sessions at the Rotary convention in Singapore.

A labor of love