The Rotary Club of Wānaka has announced that the Wānaka A&P Foundation will be the new sponsor for the Upper Clutha Winter Crop Competition in 2025.
The Wānaka A&P Foundation provides support to individuals and organisations who want to develop projects that contribute to the health and future of the Upper Clutha’s rural community and is administered by the Upper Clutha A&P Society.
“The Upper Clutha A&P Society has kindly offered to help with the promotion of the competition and provide its support, with an end goal of raising funds for the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust and the local fire brigades of Tarras, Luggate, and Lake Hāwea,” Rotary Club of Wānaka Winter Crop committee chair Deans Hudson said.
“These organisations will benefit from the fundraising dinner and awards ceremony, which will be held in the Upper Clutha Rugby Clubrooms on Friday, May 16, 2025.”
Deans said the collaboration between the Rotary Club of Wānaka and the Upper Clutha A&P Society strengthens the competition’s presence in the local rural community and ensures continued support for key beneficiaries.
“This initiative is a particularly good fit with the A&P Foundation’s strategy of supporting the Upper Clutha rural community,” Upper Clutha A&P Society chair Keith Cooper said.
This will be the fourth time the Rotary Club of Wānaka has hosted the competition. Over the years, more than $120,000 has been donated to local beneficiaries, primarily the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, through the generosity of Upper Clutha’s farming community and supporting businesses.
The event has become a staple in the agricultural calendar, bringing together farmers, agribusinesses, and the wider community to celebrate excellence in winter crop farming.
With a history of strong fundraising and community support, the 2025 Wanaka A&P Foundation Winter Crop Competition promises to be a milestone event.
Farmers and sponsors alike are encouraged to participate in this well-established competition, ensuring that critical local services continue to receive much-needed funding.