Papakura Rotary Club

30/07/2026

Well done Papakura Rotary Club!!

🏆 Celebrating Club Excellence in District 9920 🏆

Congratulations to the Rotary Clubs of Auckland Airport, Manukau Sunrise, Pago Pago, and Papakura on receiving the Club Excellence Award.

The Club Excellence Award recognises Rotary clubs that demonstrate outstanding performance across service, membership, engagement, leadership, and public image. It celebrates clubs that are thriving, making a meaningful impact, and strengthening Rotary in their communities.

Congratulations to all four clubs on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your commitment to Service Above Self and for inspiring others across District 9920.

👏 Join us in celebrating these outstanding clubs!

09/07/2026

30/06/2026

Can you spot Papakura Rotary Club?

16/06/2026

Volunteers are the backbone of our society. Rotarians keep on giving their time, their skills, their knowledge to help others in our communities around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Thank you for all you do. Have you thought of joining us? Go to www.rotary.org.

10/06/2026

🎉 **SURPRISE! “George Wilson… This Is Your Rotary Life!”** 🎉
What a monumental, unforgettable night at Cafe Melba! What was supposed to be a standard “Heritage Night” turned into a massive, top-secret celebration for a true Papakura legend: **George Wilson, marking an incredible 50 years of service!**
The decoy worked flawlessly. At 6:20 PM, our MC came clean, raised the black folder, and caught George completely off guard to a room full of roaring cheers and applause!
We took a walk down memory lane, celebrating five decades of impact:
* **The Early Years:** Remembering George’s father-in-law, the legendary Past President Noel Bryant.
* **The Ambulance Station Blockbuster:** Looking back at how George became the “backbone of our club” by rallying 400 callers, jamming local phone lines, and raising $150k ($1.1M today) in 1980 to build the Southern Districts Ambulance Station!
* **Community Footprint:** Honoring his work with the Concert in Karaka, Christmas Parades, Tonga projects, youth camps, Dictionaries in Schools, and Salvation Army food packing during Covid.
* **District Impact:** Celebrating his massive legacy across District 9920, including being a 4-time Rotarian of the Year, a Dr. Catherine Hamlin Award recipient, and receiving his PHF Ruby Pins for extraordinary lifetime dedication.
The night wrapped up with a moving “Right of Reply” from George, a standing ovation, and a special presentation of an official letter from RI President Francesco Arezzo!
George, you have spent half a century embedding yourself into the very bricks, mortar, and soul of this community. We thank you for your absolute excellence, integrity, and profound impact.
Cheers to 50 years, George! 🥂✨
Self

14/02/2026

Very sad. Our sympathy and thoughts are with his family.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Past District Governor Stuart Searle (Aged 82) passed away yesterday, surrounded by his family.

Stuart’s contribution to Rotary and to our wider community will be remembered with gratitude and respect. His commitment to Service Above Self and the friendships he built across the years have left a lasting legacy.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family at this time.

DG Kirsten Hawke

14/02/2026

⛳️ Sizzling Sausages for a "Mighty" Cause! 🌭

What a fantastic day out at the beautiful Pukekohe Golf Club!
Members of Rotary Papakura were out in full force (and full aprons!) recently, supporting the MITEY Charitable Golf Day.

George and Warren spent the day at the grill, serving up steak, sausages, and onions to some very hungry golfers.

While the players were working on their handicaps, we were working on fueling a movement. MITEY (The Sir John Kirwan Foundation) is doing incredible work in our schools, giving our tamariki the tools and knowledge to manage their mental health and support their mates.
Why we do it:
• ✅ Supporting "Healthy Minds, Mighty Kids"
• ✅ Building a stronger, more resilient community
• ✅ Having a laugh and a bit of "Rotary fun" along the way!

We walked away a bit tired, but with huge smiles and a real sense of accomplishment. It makes us incredibly proud to be Rotarians when we see the community come together like this.

A huge thanks to everyone who swung a club or grabbed a snag for such a vital cause!
🔗 Learn more about the amazing work MITEY does at: www.mitey.org.nz

06/02/2026

🌟 Rotary in Action: Supporting a Local Hero’s Journey to Texas 🌟

The power of Service Above Self is on full display across District 9920 as our local clubs unite to support a young boy from Beachlands on his path to recovery.
After his cancer returned, he was accepted into a life-saving clinical trial in Texas, USA. While the medical treatment is free, the logistical costs—including specialized travel and living expenses for the family—are estimated at $500,000 NZD.

🤝 A Community Response
The Pohutukawa Coast community has already shown incredible heart, raising over $400,000 via Givealittle. To help close the gap, the Rotary Club of Pohutukawa Coast acted as a catalyst, rallying neighboring clubs across South and East Auckland (RCG4 and 5).

📈 Doubling the Impact
Through the Harold Thomas Rotary Trust, which assists children with urgent medical needs, the collective club donations were matched dollar-for-dollar:
* Local Club Contributions: $12,000
* Harold Thomas Rotary Trust Match: $12,000
* Total Rotary Impact: $24,000

🌎 A Global Network of Support
The support doesn't stop at the border. As the family prepares for the move to Texas, our global network is stepping in. Local Texas Rotary Clubs are standing by to provide fellowship and a "home away from home" for the family during the trial.
District 9920 sends its strongest wishes to the family for a successful trial and a speedy return home.

This is what it means to be People of Action.

18/12/2025

Thanks to all the Rotary Clubs and Rotary Trusts that donated