Club Secretary - Email Address

The new email address for our esteemed Club Secretary, Rae Lutman, is secretary@waikanaebridge.nz.

Please use this address for all your communications with Rae - and update your contacts accordingly.

Wellington Sixes

The annual Wellington Sixes tournament took place on Sunday 6th September at the Wellington Club.

Results of the competition are awaited, but I can tell you that one of the two Waikanae teams won the "Best Dressed" prize (for the second year running):

Reka Solomons

I'm very sorry to have to tell you that Reka Solomons died peacefully on Wednesday 26th August 2026, at Waikanae Lodge.  She was 95 years old. 

Reka was a former President of our Club (2004-2005), a keen and accomplished player and a very popular and much loved member.  She was involved in many other local activities and was always an enthusiastic supporter of music and the arts.

We send our sincere condolences to Reka's family and her many friends in the community.

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְיָ אֶחָד

Wellington Region Bridge Committee

Nominations for the Wellington Region Bridge Committee opened this week.  Up to four positions are available this year.

John Donbavand is currently serving on the Committee, with a little more than 2 years to run of his 3 year term.

Why stand for the committee?

The committee is where decisions get made about what bridge in the Wellington region looks like — tournaments, interclub, leagues, the website, and the regional newsletter. It works best when it reflects the full range of players across the region, from Juniors through to Open, and nominees don't need to be top-ranked players or have prior governance experience.

The role involves a monthly meeting in Wellington (remote online attendance is fine), a three-year term, and whatever area of committee work best suits the nominee's strengths & interests — tournaments, communications, club support, or strategic, directing, or scoring support.

Key dates and process:

Nominations close: 30 September 2026
A nomination must come through a club, signed by the President, Chairperson, or Secretary
Forms can be emailed to secretary@wellingtonregionbridge.nz, handed to any current committee member, or left at Wellington Bridge Club

The following documents are available on the Wellington Region Bridge website Resources page:

• Committee flyer
• Benefits of joining the committee
• Terms of Reference
• Nomination form

Anyone curious but unsure is welcome to have a no-pressure chat with John or any other current committee member.

Intermediate Pairs Tournament

 Calling all Intermediate (and Junior) players:

Please support this annual event, kindly sponsored by Parkwood Retirement Village.

Duty Officer Convener

Ann Verboeket has informed me that - for health reasons - she is stepping down from the role of Duty Officer Convener with immediate effect.

If there is anyone who is willing and able to take over this role, would you please contact me.

I would like to thank Ann for all her efforts in the role over a number of years - she's done a great job behind the scenes in running the duty officer roster efficiently and effectively, and the Club is indebted to her.

Ann will provide a detailed handover to her successor.

Prostate Cancer

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  It provides a timely opportunity to promote greater awareness of prostate cancer and to encourage men in their 40s, 50s and 60s to have regular prostate health checks with their doctor.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ and Calvin Chua Philanthropic Trust have prepared the following short information piece on prostate cancer to encourage men to have regular prostate cancer checks with their doctor: