COME ALONG TO ANY OF OUR MEETINGS OR EVENTS TO FIND OUT MORE
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This month we are sending our bulletin out to friends of our club as we wish to extend invitations to
you all to attend any of our events and meetings coming up. We hope to see you.
President Fiona's Foreword
President’s Report - September 2026 club activities and community engagements summary -
Opening with the update by noting a late-season arrival of snow and the official commencement of daylight saving time. The report also extends a warm welcome back to club members who recently returned from overseas travels.
Throughout September, the club maintained a highly active schedule featuring diverse guest speakers and localised networking opportunities:
International Fellowship (Sept 1st): The club hosted three visiting Japanese Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Takasaki Symphony. Nigel Hawke and his wife were thanked for facilitating the evening.
Sporting Achievement (Sept 8th): Local Wakatipu rower Charlie Manser, appeared on zoom with Amy Wilson White in person. Charlie shared his experience representing New Zealand at the 2026 World Rowing U19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Competing in the Men's Double Sculls alongside Aidan Bennett, Manser's team placed an impressive sixth in the world.
Career Evolution (Sept 15th): A Members Night featured Brehan Cairns, who detailed his professional transition from competitive cycling, a ten-year career as a Ford Sales Manager and now into the real estate sector, working in residential property sales and experienced auctioneer in Queenstown.
Local Business & Networking (Sept 22nd):Aaron Waters from Petdirect shared the business journey of the company alongside the story of his two rescue dogs. Following this presentation, on Thursday, Sept 24, members gathered at Billy’s Café for coffee before taking an exclusive advance tour of the new Petdirect retail store ahead of its grand opening.
On October 13th and 20th we are at the PODIUM RESTAURANT & BAR at the SUDIMA, 5 MILE.
Both these meetings are important for Queenstown residents.
Members, feel free to invite family and friends. They will need to be registered.
13th - Ross CoplandfromSouthern Infrastructure, his topic is about the proposed Gondola network system.
20th - Local Politicians Panel
National, Labour, NZ First, ACT & TOP
Duties | Club Notices
If you cannot do your duty please find a replacement.
RSVP & Apologies due by 8pm on the Sunday prior to the meeting.
Sudima entry is located within the foyer area - opposite Tanoshi.
Theres 3 hour free parking in the main shopping carpark (near Noel Leeming).
THIS SATURDAY - IPP Richard is seeking 3-4 volunteers to run a BBQ from around 11am for the volunteers at a planting working bee at the head of Lake Hayes. Please call Richard urgently 021 784 975
Everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to register.
6th October - Polio+ Movie Night, from 5pm at the AT Lifestyle Village TheatrePlease RSVP before this Friday $25pp
10 October - BBQ Fundraiser at M10.Roster is filled and attached, thanks.
12 October -Falls Prevention Rotary Project - a Focus Meeting at Arvida QTCC by Rotarian David Barns. 2.30pm RSVP & register ASAP!
22nd October - Esther Dexter Art Exhibition - Arrowtown Museum 6pm (see later in the bulletin for more info)
23rd October - QT Art Show Invite (see later in the bulletin for free ticket offer)
28th October - QT Library is turning 150 years old. We will be there to celebrate and putting on a BBQ. A roster will go out nearer the time.
1 November - Duck Race from 1pm at Horne Creek
3 November - The Melbourne Cup, 3.30pm at the Sudima RSVP before Friday 30th October $45pp Includes food and $20 'funny betting money'
14 November - QT Marathon - can you volunteer for road marshaling?
24 November - Dinner at the Cardrona Hotel with The Rotary Club of Wanaka. Dinner at 6pm. $68pp + optional bus $20pp (leaves QT at approx 3.30pm) – RSVP by 24th October (see below for more info)
2027 - 14 March, The Rotary Dog Parade - Save the date!
PLEASE RESPOND TO THE EVENTS BELOW DIRECTLY YOURSELF
D9999 Rotary Foundation Charity Dinner Invitation
Rotarians, partners and friends at the Transport World Museum in Invercargill on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Save the date:
Wednesday 4th November 2026
Doors open at 6.00 pm; be seated by 6:30 pm
Rotary Foundation Trustee and Rotary International Past President Gordon and Heather McInally from Scotland is the keynote speaker, Gordon will be telling us about the work the Foundation does in New Zealand, in our Region and beyond, and how our contributions create lasting impact.
An auction will be held to raise funds for the Foundation; therefore, we are asking all Rotarians to help source items for the auction. We are also seeking business sponsorship to help with branding, table naming and table drinks etc. If you can help, please email Dave McKissock dave.rotary9999@gmail.com
Master of Ceremonies is John Prendergast and we will have a local distinguished Rotarian leading our auction.
Costs are $85.00pp for Rotarians and our families, $100.00pp for others.
Should you require assistance with accommodation, please contact Dave McKissock
(021 670 121).
Yours in Rotary
DG Sandra Isaacs / PDG Dave McKissock
The Queenstown Art Show - Complimentary Opening Night double tickets!
We've been offered a limited number of double tickets for Queenstown Rotarians to experience the Opening Night of The Queenstown Art Show.
Expect a vibrant and creative evening with access to thousands of original pieces from 90+ artists, both local and from all across Aotearoa. There will be a wide variety of works available to purchase, including some large sculpture and 3D art.
DETAILS:
The Queenstown Art Show – Opening Night
When: Friday 23 October, 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Where: Te Pūāhuru Queenstown Events Centre, Frankton
Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine on arrival, live music and hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening.
To secure your tickets, please email natalie@artshowsaa.co.nzwith “Queenstown Rotary Opening Night” in the subject line. This offer is available until 5pm,Monday 5 October 2026 or sooner if tickets are allocated. Double Opening Night tickets are valued at $76 and will be emailed to you a week prior to the show.
Please enquire with Natalie if Weekend Passes are preferred. Join us at your leisure over the long weekend: Saturday 24th / Sunday 25th and Monday 26th October, 10am - 5pm.
We hope you enjoy this wonderful celebration of art and find something special to take home!
The Language of Colour Art Exhibition
Showstoppers Presents
WEAR PURPLE AND WALK ON FRIDAYS DURING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER TO RAISE AWARENESS
DUCK RACE RECIPIENTS - The Queenstown and Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigades will receive the proceeds of money raised.
STORAGE - The Board is seeking offers from members for secure and accessible storage for Club equipment, including our BBQ's. Options may include sponsorship for a rented storage unit, or perhaps a more simple solution of a garden shed on suitable private property. If you can help, please contact President Fiona.
COMMITTEE VACANCIES - PHF Chair. Also a Membership Director is needed.
If you are interested to be on one or both these committees, talk with Pres. Fiona.
David Tait and Gabrielle recently returned from a fantastic holiday in the USA, where they had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with our recent Friendship Exchangees from Long Island, New York. David has nothing but praise for this incredible Rotary program and encourages other members to do something like this also.
Because Rotary Friendship Exchanges are available all over the world, the possibilities are endless. If you are interested in exploring a new destination through this unique program, simply reach out to Irene with your dream location, and she will help you organize the details. Don't hesitate to ask David about his recent travels to learn more about his firsthand experience.
District coordinator, Irene Mosley from the Mosgiel Rotary Club
To relieve poverty, advance education and promote research for the eradication of poverty. To provide care, relief, protection, housing, medical and educational facilities for children orphaned, abandoned, destitute, impoverished, disadvantaged or marginalised by reason of their economic or geographical circumstances.
District Governor Sandra Isaac is a retired public safety communications professional with an extensive career spanning the United Kingdom and New Zealand. A dedicated member of the Riccarton Rotary Club since 2010, DG Isaac has demonstrated exceptional leadership by holding nearly every key position within her club.
Throughout her tenure as District Governor, her primary focus is the prevention of family and domestic violence. Notably, she is a steadfast advocate for Samoa's Campus of Hope, a vital sanctuary for youth survivors of abuse. DG Isaac is currently spearheading a global grant project dedicated to equipping the facility with a sustainable solar power system.
The recent discovery of poliovirus strains in European wastewater between 2025 and 2026 highlights why Rotary International and its global partners continue fighting to end the disease for good.
While Europe has not seen a clinical case since a 2021 outbreak in Ukraine, these environmental detections prompted a March 2026 CDC travel advisory and show that no region is safe until polio is completely eradicated.
By raising billions of dollars, mobilizing volunteers, and funding critical surveillance networks, Rotary remains vital in bridging the funding gaps needed to stop global transmission. You can help us finish the job and protect children everywhere by donating to Rotary's PolioPlus Fund today, where every dollar contributed is matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Learn about the steps needed to ensure polio is truly gone forever.
Our meeting venue is 'The Sudima, 5 Mile' - 20 Grant Road, Frankton, Queenstown.
Please contact us 021 343 506 to register your attendance.
We are a dinner club ($34pp), however this is optional. Meals are pre-ordered so let us know you are coming
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