As we begin this new Rotary year, I look forward to working together with our members and the Board to create a productive, meaningful, and successful year for our Club.
This year, I would love every member to be involved in joining a committee or a project and attracting new members to the Club remains a key priority.
My strategic goals for 2026/2027 are built around progress and club growth, with these key areas of focus:
• Creating a new community service project
• Raising the profile of our Club by showcasing our involvement in community, youth, and health projects through effective communication and public relations.
• Being more flexible as a Club with meeting times and locations.
Our annual Changeover dinner was a fantastic night, with 40 members, partners, and guests gathering at Gantley’s Tavern in Arthur's Point. The evening was marked by warmth and fellowship, made even better by a roaring fire, a delicious meal, and excellent service provided by the wonderful staff at Gantley’s.
Outgoing President Richard Bowman took the opportunity to reflect on a successful year. He handed out several well-deserved awards and extended his sincere thanks to his outgoing board and the wider membership for their support.
Looking back on his tenure, Richard shared his top three highlights for the year:
The Charity Art Auction raising around $9,500. The event was sold out, the guest speaker was Tony Quinn NZCM and the entertainment and MC'ing by Jonathan Usher made it a fun night.
The club off-site visit to Monte Christo vineyards and winery was a magical night of fine wine, wonderful food and great company in exquisite surroundings.
We had a real demonstration of the international nature of Rotary on 24 March. That night we had a deluge of overseas Rotary visitors with 10 Rotarians from Long Island, New York we had been hosting on a Rotary Friendship Exchange. In addition, we had Australian visiting Rotarians from Caloundra and Bundaberg, Queensland, another from India and last but not least Fiona’s mum, Jennie from Brisbane.
Richard also presented our box full of 'Cans for a Cause' to Gary Hough from 'Kiwi Harvest' towards their food bank.
Following the dinner and award presentations, the official transition took place as Richard passed the chains of office to incoming President Fiona van Waveren-Wilshire. Fiona then took the floor to outline her vision and key goals for the year ahead, notably focusing on:
Creating a new community service project, which she announced at changeover. If it is a success, "The Rotary Dog Parade" will become an annual calendar event, just like the Duck Race.
Growing the Club membership and the profile of the Club is a key priority.
Flexible meeting times and locations along with the trial of a new breakfast style meeting each month which will ensure being part of Rotary can be more accessible and relevant to current and prospective members.
We had a good turn out with the night made even more memorable seeing many partners enjoying themselves along with our special guests, Gary Hough (briefly) from Kiwi Harvest, Roselle O'Brien from Rotaract, Past club President Jason Climo and Jody and incoming Presidents, (PDG) Jonathan Usher from Cromwell and Geoff McLeay from Wanaka RC.
We look forward to an exciting and impactful year ahead under Fiona’s leadership.
- Editor
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A message from Alistair Forde
Rotary Golf Guests Seeking Hosts in Late November
A group of about 15 Rotary members from across Australia are planning a short visit to our District in late November (up to 10 days). They’d love to connect with our Rotary whanau through hosting for some or all their stay, and/or playing golf together.
I’m coordinating on behalf of Cromwell, Wanaka, and Queenstown Rotary clubs. There isn’t a fixed schedule yet—just a general window in late November to minimize disruption and enjoy good (hopefully) weather before Christmas.
For those of you have responded already, thank you for letting me know. For anyone else who is interested in hosting and/or organizing a golf game, please let me know as soon as possible and will pass on the coordinator details from Australia to liaise with.
If you need further information, please reach out to me at my email alistair@perfectday.nz or 0211 529 554.
Its going to be a lots fun and will give the Club lots of public exposure. If it is a success then we will look to run this as an annual legacy community project.
My family's journey began with the Girmitiyas, Indian labourers who arrived in Fiji under the indenture system. Despite facing hardship, long working hours, and difficult living conditions, they built strong communities and preserved their culture, laying the foundation for future generations.
At 7.37am on Monday 8 June 2026, a powerful 7.8‑magnitude earthquake struck off the southern island of Mindanao.
The epicentre was located 8 miles (13km) south-west of General Santos City, at a depth of 6.2 miles. Around 2.4 million people live within 100km of the epicentre, including more than 700,000 in General Santos City.
Hot off the press is the incredible news that all the funds required to construct and furnish Otago House, our tenth family home have now been raised.
We extend our grateful thanks to our Otago Coordinator, Rachel McCoubrey, who initiated the Otago House project, and to ALL who have contributed to this result in some way - it has been a New Zealand wide team effort.
As soon as construction of Otago House is completed, and furniture purchased, eight of our toddlers will transition with their new mother from our Bethel Babies Home to Otago House.
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.
A group of about 15 Rotary members from across Australia are planning a short visit to our District in late November (up to 10 days). They’d love to connect with our Rotary whanau through hosting for some or all their stay, and/or playing golf together.
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