It was a bit like old times with a very good turn out for changeover. 

With a series of Paul Harris awards, the presidents cup awarded, an environmental award, the new board  and speakers and entertainment it was a full and fun evening.

Many of us at some stage might have taken a gander at Goose Bay while driving between Kaikoura and Christchurch. But none of us are likely to have been anywhere near Goose Bay in Prince William Sound And it was Goose Bay in Alaska (population zero) from where our presenters  were based for our last regular meeting of the 2025-2026 Rotary year.

Dr Nigel Jollands and Veronica Lysaght were able to brighten our evening with a joint address and Q & A session while they enjoyed the midnight sun on their longest day of the year. They had last year completed a traverse of the North-West passage on their way home to New Zealand from Europe. 

The adventure had started back in April 2023 after selling their home and buying the ice breaking sailing ship SS Novara. The journey started by taking in Portugal, Africa and then across the Atlantic to the Carribean. By May 2025 Nigel and Veronica had positioned the SS Novara to head out from Maine and along the West Coast of Greenland . To complete the North West passage and reach the Aleutian Islands the crew of 6 took 4 months and sailed 7000 nautical miles. The Novara was one of just 19 vessels to complete the passage in 2025. Although videos of pack ice encountered on the way indicated how perilous it can be, in general what was more noticeable was the lack of wildlife and ice floes.

Nigel is a sustainable energy, climate finance and policy professional and Veronica has an extensive background in coaching and leadership. Their mission on the trip back to New Zealand is to help coastal communities adapt to climate change. The club welcomed a large contingent of the Jollands Family to be able to see and hear from Nigel and his wife and enjoy with us hearing about such an outstanding endeavour.

Ian Willetts introduced and thanked our guests who were speaking to us from 11,445 km away.

Fellow Rotarians and Guests

Tonight we have the privilege of recognising one of our own for a commitment that goes way beyond words.

In Rotary International we often speak of Service above self. But every now and then we pause to honour someone who truly lives the ideal in a practical and generous way.

Del Johnston, through your 50 years of continual work in Rotary you have reached the level of a multiple Paul Harris level pin; that is five sapphire pins, recognised today by the Ruby pin. This is not simply a token- it represents lives touched, communities strengthened and hope extended to many and far.

For the more recent members of our Club and less we forget here are just some of Del’s works for Rotary.

• In 1986 you were the president of our Club under the banner of our then World President’s theme, “Rotary Brings Hope”. You had an extremely successful year notwithstanding that our meal charges took a hike to $8, which had then risen from $2.50 in 1970. In this year also your wife Dawn put on a fashion Parade which raised $16,000 for the polio immunization project,

• On the launch of the worldwide polio eradication campaign, you travelled to India to be part of the first liquid inoculation

• You were district chairman of the Student Exchange Committee for a number of years, and here I must add how ably you were supported by your wife Dawn.

• You were a pivotal member of our Clubs building projects teams in Tavenui and Rarotonga.

• You were the District Secretary in 2007 for our own District Governor, Allan Davies, who even today marvels at what you accomplished.

• You were an important founder and regular supporter of our Annual Fishing Day Out which ran for many years, and here again I must mention the pivotal support Dawn gave on behalf of Inner Wheel to ensure that everyone on the day was well fed.

• You engaged in our footpath project over 28 years. Including its Dick Quax memorial as well as the subsequent building of the structure. 

• You were the question setter for our annual trivia fundraiser at Edgewater College.

• You supported our own World President, Bill Boyd in many ways, both during his term in office and subsequently with arranged dinners for past club members at Dannemora.

• These are just some of the ways you have supported our Club, our District and the ideals of Rotary.

The Ruby Paul Harris medal pin symbolises that your Rotary journey has continued well beyond your first sapphire pin, as well as work that changes lives in ways we may never fully see but can be sure are real and lasting

Del, on behalf of our Club it is my pleasure to present you with this ruby pin. Thank you for your dedication, your generosity and the example you have set for us all.

Rotarians and guests, please join me in congratulating Del.