Kāpiti Rotary’s annual changeover celebrates remarkable contributions to the community and welcomes its new President.
July heralds a new Rotary year. Kāpiti Rotary members recently welcomed in Vic Hewson as its new President and his executive team and celebrated the 2022-2023 achievements of now Past President Alistair Beissel and club members.
Despite difficult times as we all emerged from the pandemic, the club continued to be active in the community raising funds and rolling up sleeves in projects such as running a trailer raffle, hosting a golf tournament and a Young Leadership Programme, supporting students to science programmes and Outward Bound, harvesting and distributing firewood, collecting for Foodbank, cooking up a storm at Ronald McDonald House, hosting some fabulous speakers and enjoying fellowship within the club.
Mr Beissel was delighted to report that the club contributed just under $50,000 to the community, including Life Flight Trust, Mary Potter Hospice, Life Education Trust Wellington Children’s Hospital, Rotary International’s Ukraine relief fund, End Polio, Hawkes Bay Flood relief, Innovative Young Minds, Te Kahu Tiu, Rotary Young Leadership Award programme and a donation to the Kalikuri Medical Mission in Bangladesh.
New President Vic Hewson continues to lead a remarkably full life. He has held senior positions with NZ Police, NZ Rail, NZ Fire Service, ANZ Bank and is now self-employed as an organisational development consultant.
Mr Hewson has developed MBA based leadership, security and safety programmes and workshops for the public and private sector, and facilitated a leadership programme at Outward Bound. He He has also volunteered with a number of organisations including VSA in Vanuatu, coached sports teams, and chaired the Wellington Dystrophy Assn.
Mr Hewson places great importance on maintaining a good work life balance. Apart from Rotary he pursues interests in travel, family, cycling, golf and indoor rowing. He recently cycled New Zealand raising money for local youth to attend Outward Bound and Spirit of Adventure.
Mr Hewson says he is looking forward to his year ahead.
“I joined Rotary so that I can be part of a group of wonderful people of all backgrounds who are making a difference to their community, to leave the world in a better place for my grandchildren and their world. I’m proud to be the President of the Kāpiti Rotary Club for 2023 – 24 and plan to carry on the wonderful efforts of my predecessors, leveraging Rotary International’s theme “Create Hope in the World” and its and our own amazing resources.”
Rotary is one of the largest service organisations in the world. Its mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”.
If ever there was a time for Rotary in the world!
Kāpiti Rotary meets at 6pm at the Ocean Rd Community Centre every Thursday.
For more see: www.rotarykapiti.club
