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Joy of Walking starts 19th September

Joy of Walking is a 12-month community programme inspired Past President Barry Stafford that turns walking into a social adventure.Barry’s goal was to “create something that brings people together while encouraging them to see their local area with fresh eyes” in the Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Epsom and surrounds.  Each month would feature a new self-directed walk and themed challenge and would be presented to make “familiar streets feel like an adventure.”

Each mothly challenge comes with a photo competition, prize, and the chance to share discoveries with fellow walkers through a dedicated Facebook community and weekly newsletter.

The Joy of Walking project is powered by the Freewalks.nz platform who will professionally manage the programme.

The program encourages people of all ages to get active, build connections, and rediscover their community step by step. As Barry says: “When you slow down and truly look, it’s surprising how much you notice. We’re sure locals will uncover more hidden treasures in their neighbourhood than they ever thought possible.”

Registration opens at www.joyofwalking.nz on the 19th September – in time for the School Spring Holidays.

2026 Think And Be Me Hawke’s Bay Tractor Trek

The two-week Think And Be Me Foundation Tractor Trek (formerly the Feelings For Life Charitable Trust Tractor Trek) took place from 23 February to 6 March 2026.

Think And Be Me is a mental-regulation programme for young children delivered throughout the year by Cat Levine and Willie to Year 1–6 students. Each summer, the Tractor Trek crew join them for two weeks to help deliver the programme to schools.

Last year the Trek team visited Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). This year the convoy travelled south to visit schools in Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay).

Highlights from the 2026 Trek

  • 20 primary schools (Years 1–6, ages 5–10) visited

  • Around 3,000 children participated in the Think And Be Me programme

  • Approximately 8.5 hours of shows delivered (20–30 minutes each)

  • After each show, children enjoyed 30 minutes climbing on the tractors, meeting the Trek team, and singing “Happy Birthday” to Rusty, the “200-year-old” tractor

  • Ten tractors attended each school — seven from Auckland, three from Whanganui, and one from Hamilton

  • Over 17 days, the convoy travelled 1,500 km at an average speed of 29 km/h

The volunteer drivers, all passionate tractor enthusiasts, came from a variety of backgrounds including mechanics, engineers, former farmers, and office workers. Our sincere thanks go to them for generously covering their own diesel, food, and accommodation.

Special thanks also to Narrows Park Christian Camp (Hamilton) and the Guthrie-Smith Arboretum (Tutira, Napier) for their support.

The Foundation also gratefully received $2,545 in donations through Givealittle.

Most of all, everyone agreed the trek was great fun, enjoying the children, the companionship, and the countryside along the way.

2025 McKeever – Walls – Haskell Student Awards

Winners of McKeever – Wall – Haskell 2025 Student Awards with Rotary Mangakeikei President, Barry Stafford.

A great Schools Awards night was had by all on the 1st December, hosted by Club and attended by Principals and proud parents of pupils from six local schools.

Eleven students were handed scholarship awards for personal achievement during the year. Teachers within the schools themselves determined who each of the award winners were.

These special annual awards are sponsored by three local  businessmen and reflect the values they held during working lives in Onehunga, many years ago.

We would like to thank thank Fred McKeever, Dennis Walls and Alan Haskell who were represented by their respective family members tonight.

Attending schools included: Onehunga High School, Royal Oak Intermediate, St Joseph’s Catholic School Onehunga, Te Papapa School, Oranga School and Onehunga Primary School.

We congratualte each of the winning pupils and wish them much seucess in the future. We also like to thank the Principals and Teachers for creating that environment from which those pupils have thrived.

2025 BOOK FAIR – Fri 21st to Sun 23rd November

This year’s Book Fair will be over three days again from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd

WANTED … Second hand books.

We are collecting books from 10-20th November 2025.

Books can be left at:

Sunhill Market, 317 St Johns Rd, Kohimarama (look for our trailer with a sign at the south end of the car park), or 

Onehunga Community HOUSE, 83 Selwyn St, Onehunga, 

or we can pick them up from you – please see details below.

Blues Charitable Trust – 2025 update

Blues Charitable Trust

Flipbook presentation

Last year our club donated $11,000 to the Blues Charitable Trust (BCT) towards learning resources for 400 plus emerging leaders.

This week Rob Woodley ONZM  General Manager BCT updated members on the Trust’s progress in 2024/25 with the high-performance rugby team the Auckland Blues.

The Trust initiated youth development program is designed to empower emerging leaders from high schools across the Blues Region in Auckland. It targets 16-year-olds at a critical juncture in their lives, where they must make significant decisions about their educational and career pathways.

The Trust collaborates with Principals who select ten promising students from their school, focusing on those who exhibit leadership potential but may be at risk of disengagement from education or community involvement.

The program operates under three main pillars: Leadership Development, Career Guidance, and Community Engagement.

By leveraging the influence of rugby players as mentors, the Trust facilitates workshops and discussions that encourage students to aspire to leadership roles and make informed choices about their futures.

The involvement of professional athletes serves not only to inspire the youth but also to instil valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of resilience and good decision-making.

The impact of the Blues Charitable Trust is substantial, with over 400 students participating in a year-long program that has reached 50 high schools. The initiative fosters a sense of community and collaboration among diverse groups of students, enhancing their confidence and leadership skills.

The program also includes bespoke elements catering to students who may be at higher risk, thus broadening its reach and effectiveness.

We congratulate Rob’s achievements over the last year and acknowledge what he and his team are doing is something really special. It is so encouraging to see more schools  joining the programme to develop our future leaders.

Community Gathers in Solemn Tribute at Epsom’s ANZAC Day Service

2025 Epsom ANZAC Service
Several hundred of the community gathered this morning at Epsom’s ANZAC Day Service, held at Marivare Reserve. The weather was fair, and the atmosphere was one of quiet respect and remembrance.
The ANZAC Service be watched here 
2025 Epsom ANZAC Service
 The service was led by Rotary Maungakiekie Co-Presidents Barry Stafford, Craig Jones, and Bill Grayson. Attendees were moved by a poem read by Mavis, Catherine, and Sue-Ellen Fenelon, followed by a stirring rendition of Abide with Me performed by the St Andrew’s Choir and Organist.
The Reverend Jeremy Wood offered a heartfelt reflection on those who gave their lives in service many years ago. Members of the public were invited to lay wreaths, followed by the solemn Roll of Honour and the Ode of Remembrance.
2025 Epsom ANZAC Service
The Last Post was performed by Hamish Butterworth-Snell, and the Colours were placed and retrieved by the Epsom District Girl Guides and St George’s Scout Group.
2025 Epsom ANZAC Service
Sincere thanks go to the Albert-Eden Local Board, Edwards Sound, Tim Woolfield, Rotary club member Peter Mayow who organised the day, for helping make this important commemoration possible.
2025 Epsom ANZAC Service

WHY do Rotarians do what they do? Rotary and its members believe in a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.

HOW do we go abut this? We connect leaders, cultivate relationships and foster ethical service through a network of people who are commited to compassion, collaboration and community impact. An example of this, is how one of our Rotary club members who after hearing about Mavis Fenelton’s need for someone to take over organising the Epsom ANZAC Ceremony, proposed to his fellow club members, that we do it.

WHAT did we do? One of our members stepped forward to be project lead who quickly found vollunteers to undertake a variety of tasks including: organising publicity materil, working with the Council to upgrade the garden, MC and partaking in the ceremony. This was a first time any of us had done anything like this.

Want ot join us?

Epsom ANZAC Service 2025

For many New Zealanders April 25 is a day for reflection and remembrance.

The Memorial Archway at Ranfurly Road, Epsom carries the names of 28 local men who did not return from serving overseas during World War One.

Join us in remembering those New Zealanders who have fallen and who have served at:

11am to 12pm, Friday 25th April, 2025

Merivare Reserve,

Cnr Manukau and Ranfurley Rd, Epsom

Christmas Pudding – Fundraiser

Rotary’s traditional Christmas puddings are now available at $25 each.

These delicious 700gm NZ made puddings make a great gift for the family and companies as staff Christmas gifts.

Each sale for this fundraising event sees $8 (32%) go directly towards Rotary Maungakiekie community projects.

FOR YOUR/COMPANY ORDER, please contact:

Peter Mayow

Mb: 021 976 224

email: mayows@gmail.com

2024 BOOK FAIR 22,23,24th Nov

This year’s Book Fair will be over three days – starting Friday 22nd November, 2024.

Location: Onehunga Community House, 83 Selwyn St. , Onehunga.  (not to be confused with the Onehunga Community Centre adjacent to the Onehunga Library)

FREE ENTRY: (Friday early bird session $30 per person between 7am – 9am)

Book are displayed on trestles in FIVE rooms:

Reading Enrichment Programme (REP)

REP is a Rotary Penrose programme led by Ann Dunphy, where volunteers work with students to raise their literacy levels to assist in improving academic paths for the rest of their education.

REP is more than this, however.

Working in partnership with the The New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network, the national hub for youth mentoring programmes in NZ, the volunteers become friends with the students providing help in other areas of their life as you will see from this video.

If you feel this is something that would interest you please contact your local Rotary Club or contact Ann direct for further information.

Contact: Ann Dunphy (Rotary Club Penrose)
Email:    a.dunphy@xtra.co.nz
Mobile:  021 684 498

 

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