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Meet the Candidates 2026

Make your choice an informed one!

Come along to the West End Hall and meet all the Rangitata Electorate candidates. Hear their views and answers and have the chance to speak with them afterwards. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the them, their visions for the future, and the issues they plan to address. Questions for the candidates may be accepted in advance.

Admission is open to the public, and a modest donation is kindly requested to support Rotary Club of Timaru North projects.

The Rotary Club of Timaru North is apolitical and committed to strengthening our community and hereby fostering worthy connections, meaningful dialogue, and fair choices. Accordingly we don't support any particular candidate or issues that may affect the outcome of such elections.

For more information and enquiries please contact: Organiser Rod Sparrow

20 August 2026

President's Time

President John welcomed Bronson Blake from the Salvation Army. Bronson is currently a cadet spending some time in Timaru with Stephen.

John also welcomed Bill Weir back following his holiday in the USA and recorded apologies from Tom Henderson and Harley Smithson.

Members were reminded that Artorama is currently underway at the Aigantighe Art Gallery. The presentation of prizes and awards will take place on Sunday, 6 September at 1.00 pm, while assistance will be needed for the pack-out on Sunday, 13 September at 3.00 pm.

It was also reported that the Christmas Parade received the Business and Community Award. The parade is a joint project organised by the two Rotary clubs in Timaru.

The upcoming Science Symposium in Auckland has attracted one potential nominee. It was approved that the club will interview the candidate and, if deemed suitable, provide a $1,000 grant towards the approximately $2,500 cost of attending the symposium.

Looking ahead to the national elections, members discussed once again hosting a Meet the Candidates evening at the West End Hall, an event Rotary has historically organised. The proposal was approved, and volunteers will be required on the night. A committee comprising Don, Robbie and Rod will coordinate arrangements and report back to the club.

Members were also advised that applications are open for the District Governor position. Anyone interested from our club is encouraged to speak with a director.

In closing, the President emphasised the ongoing importance of growing club membership and encouraged members to invite prospective members to attend club meetings and events.

Three-Minute Speaker

David spoke about dangerous driving situations he has observed around Timaru, particularly involving large trucks and trailers negotiating roundabouts. He expressed concern that the available space is often inadequate and that there is a risk of accidents when trucks must manoeuvre around vehicles and pedestrians in close proximity. David would like to see improvements made to alleviate the tightness of some roundabouts.

In response, John noted that roundabouts are designed so trucks can mount the centre area when necessary, while the tighter design helps reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety.

Raffle

The raffle was won by David, holding ticket number 67.

Fines Session

Steven and Adrian relieved members of a few dollars through a challenging quiz session. With not many correct answers forthcoming, the fines basket received a healthy contribution.

Guest Speaker: Bill Weir

Our guest speaker for the evening was Bill Weir, who spoke about his recent six-week trip to the United States.

Bill travelled as a semi-tour guide for a group of friends attending the International Red Power event, a three-day gathering celebrating International Harvester tractors, trucks and machinery.

The trip began in chaotic fashion. On his flight to Auckland, Bill spilt coffee on himself, and after numerous delays on the journey to Texas, he developed significant swelling in his legs. Arriving in Chicago, he discovered that his luggage had not arrived and was still in Houston.

Despite these setbacks, Bill eventually reached South Dakota, travelling in a 30-foot campervan that consumed an impressive 40 gallons of fuel per day. During this time, he stayed with friends on a farm.

The challenges continued as the hot weather, reaching around 90°F (32°C), aggravated the swelling in his legs. Upon arriving in Montana, his leg condition required hospital treatment. Bill is still awaiting the final insurance account for that episode.

After spending some additional time helping on the Montana farm, Bill returned home and has now been back in New Zealand for two weeks. Members appreciated his entertaining account of a memorable and eventful journey.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 3 September 2026, marking the club's first meeting of Spring.

Duties

Chairman: Bill Weir
3-minute Speaker: Harley Smithson
Thanks: Noel Crawford
Sargeant: Robbie Jackson
Corporal: Gavon Craig
Regalia: Dale Davey

16 July 2026

New President John Keenan welcomed all members, their partners, and guests Marty and Keri Palmer to the meeting. Punctual and clear, thanks to our new mic system.

President's Time

President John asked us to stand in silence in respect of the passing of: John Gibson, Robyn Hewson and Judith Kearns

Funeral notices were given for Robyn Hewson and Judith Kearns.

Harley Smithson asked that the combined service clubs' Christmas Parade float be voted for in the upcoming BCEA ANZ People's Choice Award. President John said he would send a link to all members for access to the voting page. The link is added to this bulletin in case it hasn't been received: People's Choice Award - South Canterbury Regional Website

Three Minute Talk

Barrie Payne called his subject heading Cows.

He passed halters to each table and spoke on the use of these cow collars in today's farming. Time-saving was one of the major advantages, as feed area allocations for the stock were set on mobile phones/tablets as needed each day. He explained how grazing boundaries were set and how the halters reacted to these invisible boundaries. These halters were solar-powered and hired at a cost of $94 per year per cow. Time/expenses were saved where no fence mending or gates were required. This New Zealand-based idea is now being exported around the world.

Wines and Fines

Sargent Robbie Jackson and Corporal Harley Smithson circulated the room, cap in hand. The wine raffle was won (again) by Harley Smithson with number 50. Guest Keri Palmer drew the lucky number.

Guest Speaker

Peter Prader introduced his guest speaker, Marty Palmer, to the room.

Marty spoke about his work as a drill mechanic and shared his backstory of how he ended up in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Marty began his working life as an apprentice mechanic at Timaru Motors. Moving from there, he worked in Queenstown on ski fields with snowmaking and grooming of the fields until the end of the season, then on the Earnslaw as a stoker.

Marty spoke about his travels around the world, working on drilling rigs in Western Australia, Colorado (US), Tasmania, Vietnam, Borneo, Singapore, Russia, and Barrow Island, with intermittent forays back to New Zealand to work in various mechanical positions. He spoke about the process of drill mechanics, how some rigs were run, how different countries had different outlooks toward their employees, how politics influenced the search for and acquisition of oil/gas, and some of his personal experiences.

Marty is currently a tractor mechanic in Timaru.

Questions were asked at the end of Marty's talk, and the members expressed a desire to hear more of his story.

President John thanked Marty for his fascinating talk, joined by those present.

Meeting Close

President John listed the duties for the next meeting and finished with a quote from Winston Churchill

Success is not final; failure is not fatal.

Ken Wood

A message from Lindsay:
I was in Auckland last week and popped over to see Ken Wood, living on Waiheke Island with Sheena (Ken's daughter) & Jeff. Ken was in good form and looked well. We had lunch together; it was good to catch up with him.

Duties

Chair: David Roundhill
Thanks: Harley Smithson
Three-minute speaker: Peter Prader
Sargeant: Adrian Gray
Corporal: Stephen Camkin
Scribe: Tony Brien
Regalia: Bill Weir

The Hilton Haulage H2H 2026

Another 800 took part this year for a great fun morning. Thank you Hilton Haulage for you main support this year: photos are here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCLMAK

Art scholarship 2026

Applications open for Timaru North Rotary Art Scholarship - 2026

Applications can now be received for club's annual art scholarship. This is to help with tertiary education costs for 17-25 year-old students studying arts. They must be NZ citizens living in South Canterbury at the time of application.

The successful applicant must be prepared to report formally to the club and agree to publicity.

An application form with criteria is downloadable from artscholarship.rotarytimnth.nz. Applications close 5:00pm 31th January 2026, and will be considered by the club committee.

Yes BOOKARAMA is on again for 2025 at The Trinity Community Centre, 22 College Road, Timaru

Friday 3rd October - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday 4th October - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday 4th October - 9:00am to 3:00pm

Contact and full info on our BOOKARAMA website page here

ARTARAMA 2024

Yet another Artarama at the Aigantighe Art Gallery - being going since 1979 when our late member Dick Logan initiated it.

President Rod Sparrow addressing at the opening with Exhibitions Curator Izzy Hillman alongside, with Jill Harland, President Friends of Aigantighe, and Leslie Brown, President of the South Canterbury Arts Society.

Some of the 700 odd entries by South Canterbury school pupils.

Great H2H morning

The Alpine Energy Hadlow to Harbour (H2H) 2024 was a great success, with over 800 people participating. They spanned all age groups and attended for various reasons; be it competitive running, fitness or those wanting to spend some time with friends as they walked the routes.

These community events cannot happen without the support of our sponsors, who generously give their time and financial support to make the event what it is. The funds raised in 2024 have been donated to the Stroke Foundation, Heart Foundation, Hospice and Life Education Trust.

The 2025 event is scheduled for 02 March 2025, and we look forward to seeing even more people participating.

See Geoff Cloake's Flickr album for a selection of photos.

Team us with us and do great things

By joining us, you can help out on projects like the H2H: Alpine Energy Hadlow to Harbour each year generating $180,000 since year 2000! We also have other events and fundraisers like Bookarama, which has been running since 1976. Help us make these even more successful. Then there's the fun of our social occasions - bring along your family too! You'll love the camaraderie and stimulation of our club, and have the opportunity to network and mix in your abilities to help lead us into the future. Visit http://intro.rotarytimnth.nz. Enquire to Gavin Craig: 021 661 554, Don George: 027 223 424. or Email: join@rotarytimnth.nz

Circus Quirkus comes to town

Some families may never get to see live shows. These shots are from Circus Quirkus, held in conjunction with Timaru North Rotary Club the other night - thanks to tickets sponsored by local businesses.

Team up with us and go places

By joining us, you can explore remote and spectacular parts of our South Island like the Clarence Reserve shown here.

Then there's the fun of our social occasions - bring along your family too!

You'll love the camaraderie and stimulation of our club, and have the opportunity to network and mix in your abilities to help lead us into the future.

Want to learn more learn more

Enquires to

Gavin Craig: 021 661 554,

Don George: 027 223 424. or

Email: join@rotarytimnth.nz

Visit to Glenmore Station

On Febuary 19th, members and partners took on a 50-kilometer return 4x4 trip in the riverbed of the Cass Valley on the Glenmore sheep station, Going was a little smoother thanks to Jim Murray who was reworking the track with his grader.

Harold always likes to make an appearance at the H2H

Harold the Giraffe closes in runners pushing for the H2H finish line

Look out for Harold at this year’s 5th March H2H. He will be on one of his “friends” eye-catching set-of-wheels. He may even wander through the finishing line and pose with fans – he’s a big celebrity throughout Australasia! This is because he is always alongside school children learning about their uniqueness and their right to stand tall and proud – just like a giraffe.

Read more about entering and prepaying here: h2h.org.nz/entering/about-entering

Rotary volunteers working on the H2H preparations

Jeremy Hogan chatting with H2H team member Geoff Cloake about this year’s promotional arrangements.

At the finish line, Jeremy Hogan gets to see the buzz of cheering supporters, the endless huge expressions of relief, astounding smiles of achievement and welling pride topped with congratulatory back-patting and hugging. “Helping on projects like this is just fantastic!” he says. “Being able to give something back to the community I live in, is also loads of fun and you get to meet and work with some very interesting and motivated people.” He adds: “That’s why I like to help out with the H2H. It brings people together in such an friendly and enjoyable way.” About his Rotary Club’s role, he comments: “Rotary projects like this really strengthen our community’s spirit and wellbeing.”

Help is welcome to spread the load and lift the H2H to even greater heights for the benefit of all. Would you like to join in? Please contact John Keenan @ keenanj.s93@gmail.com or 027 292 5267

Read more about entering and prepaying here: h2h.org.nz/entering/about-entering

“The H2H means everything ‘Timaru’ to me!”

“I keep coming back!” Rebecca demonstrates the fun of entering and dressing-up to the camera. - Photo by Geoff Cloake

Read more about entering and prepaying here: h2h.org.nz/entering/about-entering

Step out for the Hadlow to Harbour

Upwards of 1000 people are expected to take to our streets on Sunday 5^th of March to run, walk, jog, and even scooter, the 10kms to Caroline Bay from Hadlow or, for a lighter task, 3kms from Countdown on Church Street. Some will be led by dogs, more in fancy party dress or disguise, while others load themselves with extra challenges like pushing strollers. Free Ritchie buses will shuttle to Hadlow, but please be early to ensure a ride.

Grateful thanks go to all supporters including volunteers and club members who freely provide their time and resources to make H2H so successful. More volunteers are always welcome, even if for a couple of hours on the day or helping more seriously with lead-up tasks. Please contact John Keenan @ keenanj.s93@gmail.com or 027 292 5267

Read more about entering and prepaying here: h2h.org.nz/entering/about-entering

Second successful BOOKARAMA for 2022

Yes we held another BOOKARAMA for 2022!

Donations have been so plentiful we decided to run Bookarama again 4-6 November, making up for the events missed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Extending the Friday hours to 9:00pm proved popular. Friday was an extra day added last time to help spread out attendance and deal to capacity donations.

See this Timaru Herald lead-up item by Racheal Comer - Nov 02 2022 including a video interview with convener Gavin Craig:

272 individually named dictionaries to local students

St Joseph's Year 4 primary school students with their new illustrated dictionaries

Again Year 4 primary school students were thrilled to received the wonderfully illustrated education learning aid from us this year. Schools included Barton Rural, Beaconsfield, Gleniti, Grantlea Downs, Highfield, St Joseph's, Timaru Christian, Oceanview Heights and Waimataitai.

Working with other Rotary Clubs, the cost was covered by a Rotary Foundation grant. Special thank to President Rod Sparrow who individually signed the 272 explanatory letters covering each Dictionary, and members and family who helped prepare, distribute and present the dictionaries to each school.

Otipua Wetlands native tree planting

500 native grasses, shrubs and trees were planted at the Otipua Wetlands on an incredibly nice morning. Eight from the Boy's Brigade 3rd Timaru, with leaders Fiona Blisset and Chris Kronings, joined 16 Club members making short work of the task.. Also digging in was Jim Garden of the Timaru Rotary Club. This project follows a Rotary International initiative, planting 12 million trees world wide.

Noel Crawford preparing a hole for a plant held by Inga, an AFS student from Germany . One day this hillside will be covered with native flora, as seen in the distance.

John Keenan

General: Contact form

president@rotarytimnth.nz

secretary@rotarytimnth.nz

treasurer@rotarytimnth.nz

Mail:

The Secretary

19 Tawa Street

Glenwood

Timaru, 7910

South Canterbury

New Zealand

September 2026

Are you an inspired person who wants 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.

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