Waipukurau Rotary Club

5 November 2025

The Waipukurau Rotary Club held its annual Young Employee of the Year event in conjunction with the CHB District Council's Apprenticeship Awards.

Like previous years it was a fantastic gathering of employers, families and friends celebrating the future leaders in our community.

This years winner was Josiah Chesswas, co-manager of BP Waipawa.

Runners up were Tayla Elmers and Daejon Halton. Finn Horvarth was winner of the Aspiring Young Emploee, with Ruby Fogarty of Rubulicious Cakes Employer of the Year.

Thanks to Jackie Lowry for her photos.

Above Josiah Chesswas, below Tayla Elmers

Daejon Halton

Ruby Fogarty

5 August 2025

The annual CHB College speech contest was held to a crowd of parents, classmates and members of the Waipukurau Rotary Club.

This is an important event on the Rotary Clubs calendar.

Judges this year were Lynn Marsh, Rebecca McDougal and Andrew Watts.

We were also privileged to have Pam O’Donnell to present her father’s trophy – WR Simmon’s Cup for the best overall speech. This year’s winner was Wal Slavin

Senior section with Pam O'Donnell - from left Luke Madson, Hannah Jamieson, Wal Slavin, Taylah Annand and Paige Franklin

Pam O'Donnell presenting the W R Simmons cup to the overall winner Wal Slavin

Junior section from left, Ruby Slingsby, Sally Jamieson, Hannah Sutter, Flynn Hobson and Yorrick Saldivar

Comperes Hannah Webster and Sheridan Linklater

Changeover Evening - 23 June 2025

Last night our club held its Changeover of officers. President David Tilyard spoke about the Club’s achievements during the year including the funds we had distributed to groups and individuals within the community – this made possible by the hard work of members in fundraising events. David passed the chain of office on to incoming President Alastair Ormond who then introduced his Vice President, Directors and Officers. Alastair then spoke about the key things he would like the club to achieve in the next 12 months, which included a focus on the Forest of Memories and holding another 4WD fundraiser.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Drew Adamson for is work at the Forest of Memories.

Alastair Ormond being presented with the Chain of Office

Past President David Tilyard with President Alastair Ormnd

Vice President Bruce Worsnop with President Alastair Ormond

Drew Adamson being presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship

Drew Adamson

Trevor Plunkett received the Gold Soverign Award and is here with Andrew Watts

Young Employee of the Year - 6 November 2024

The 2024 Young Employee of the Year Awards were held on Wednesday 6th November with nominees, work colleagues, family and friends attending. Young employee superstar Ella Tweedie took out the 2024 Rotary Young Employee of the Year award and received a scholarship to attend an eight-day Outward Bound Discovery Course. The business savvy marketing assistant at Stephenson and Taylor Ltd stood out among the 19 nominees for her keen attitude, high standard of work and excellent customer relations. Lisa Davey of Launch Active in Waipukurau and Liam Johnson of AMC Engineering Ltd were awarded highly recommended, and David Howard of Silver Fern Farms in Takapau won the Aspiring Young Employee of the Year award. All three received a RYLA (Rotary Young Leadership Award) scholarship to attend a national four day young leadership course.

Overall Winner Ella Tweedie

Runner Up Liam Johnson

Runner Up Lisa Davey

Aspiring Young Employee David Howard

CHB College Speeches - 5 August 2024

All of the speakers along with Rotary President David Tilyard and judges Doug Tate, Emma Cameron and Lynn Marsh.

Winner of the senior section and the W.R Simmons Cup (for the 3rd time).

Winner of the Junior Section Sariah Taufa.

Comperes for the night were Isaac Ellwood and Libby Burne.

CarterDrake

Rachel Renner

Change Over - 24 June 2024

President Jane talking about the years highlights

David receives the Presidents Chain

David with two of his Directors - Charlie Pattison and Stratt Giblin

Dan von Dadelszen receives a well earned Paul Harris Foundation award.

On Monday night our club held its changeover night - President Jane's year has come to an end and we welcomed new President David Tilyard.

Jane reported the highlights of her year which included financial help to cyclone Gabrielle families, Young Employee of the Year Award, College and Primary School speeches. She is proud of the clubs initiative to create a Friends of the Forest of Memories to involve the public in the park.

Dan von Dadelsen was presented a Paul Harris award for his contribution to Rotary, including his two year work on the 4WD trek fundraiser.

The coming year looks bright with our new president, David.

4WD Trek - 24 February 2024

We began our trek at the Omakere Hall with over 100 4WD vehicles. It was a sunny warm day and the train of vehicles spent the day travelling over coastal farms towards the south at Porangahau Beach. There were several stops along the way - the first at Omakere Hill where there was a spectacular vista (see photo). The group stopped at Aramoana Beach where volunteers had prepared a super lunch. Moving on then via the beach flats to Blackhead where we began to climb once again to view the hills and coastline. Finally stopping at Porangahau Beach for a BBQ and refrshments. Sponsors played a big part too and we thank them.

Crowd at Porangahau Beach

Soaking up the afternoon sun

President Jane thanking everyone

Young Employee of the Year - 8 November 2023

At our annual Young Employee of the Year award over 150 employers, employees, apprentice graduates, families and friends celebrated the best of CHB young workers and bosses. This years Young Employee of the Year was Gagau Robert Stanley from Craigmore Horticulture - congratulations to the winner and all entrants.

In this image is the top 4 Young Employees - from left Emma Cameron, Fitzherbert Rowe (absent - represented here by Kirsty Kupa), Rhys Tamanui (Waipawa Butchery), Natalie Riddell (Veolia Water NZ) and Gagau Robert Stanley (winner - Craigmore Horticulture)

Winner, Gagau Robert Stanley. (Craigmore Horticulture)

Highly Commended, Natalie Riddell. (Veolia Water NZ )

Highly Commended, Rhys Tamanui. (Waipawa Butchery)

CHB College Speeches - 31 July 2023

Judges were Doug Tate, Jenni Giblin and Tohu Seeds. The compares were Brenna Mackey and Tom Burne, both students from the college.

The overall winner was Hannah Webster, for the second year running.

What a great job these speakers did. Well done.

The junior section was won by Sariah Taufa, second was Luke Madsen and third Bree Franklin.

The intermediate section was won by Hannah Webster, second was Ramona Lively-Masters and third Zara Mackey.

The senior section was won by Libby Burne, second was Veronica Mills and third Ordania Rani.

Farm Clearance Auction Fundraiser - 26 May 2023

BBQ sausages and coffee was very popular

Auctioneer Wayne

Admin staff

President Richard taking a rest

Our 80th Birthday Party - 20 March 2023

The cake made by Rubylicious

A number of Past Presidents attended and spoke

John Campbell ran the fining session - the night’s 80th birthday celebration fines produced $299 and the raffle raised $590, a club record according to Bruce.

8 November 2022 - 2022 Young Employee of the year

8 August 2022 was the annual College speeches.

Students, families and Rotarians - good crowd

Junior winner with one of the judges Lynn Marsh

Announcing the winners

President Richard with Hannah Webster - overall winner

Judges, President Richard and all of the winners

May 27 was change-over night

Richard Haldane receives the chain of office

Jane Hamilton is our new Vice President

President Dennis recaps his year

The Presidents Gold Sovereign Award went to Trevor Plunkett

On 22 November 2021 members met at the Arboretum for the annual working bee and BBQ. There was a great turnout and a lot of was achieved.

2021 College Speech finalists

On the 9th August the Central Hawkes Bay College Speech Finals were held at the college with family, friends, students and rotary members in attendance. The quality of subject matter and presentation was exceptional and most worthy of our sponsorship. The judging panel consisted of Mrs. Catie Avery - Rotarian, Mr. Exham Wichman - CHB District Councillor and Mr. Lance Christiansen – Principal. The Junior winner was Vann Harley “True Confessions of a High Achiever” and the Senior winner was Isobel Lloyd “Beauty Standards – a personal poem”. Isobel also received the WE Simmons Cup for the best overall speaker. Special mention and thanks to Joy Kitto from CHB College for organising another memorable event in the districts calendar.

President Dennis welcomes new member Wayne Thompson

Carol Pedersen is a new member

Past President Trevor presents incoming President Dennis with his pin

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