To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, we’ve teamed up with UNICEF to give life-saving vaccines to 100,000 children across the Pacific.
Sue Svensson, our District Rotary Community Leader (RCL), shared valuable insights with us and talked about her role in facilitating collaboration among clubs in our area. We heard about the significant loss of members in Districts 9999 and 9940 over the past four years. It was fantastic to discover our Club is the largest in the South Island and one of only 12 clubs to either maintain or increase our membership numbers. However, there is still plenty of work to do to reverse the overall negative trend, but its encouraging to know that based on current numbers the two new Districts for NZ and the Islands will each have around 2500 members, provided that we keep our numbers stable over the next two years.
Apologies and Guest Notifications
Lets improve our apology system to make it better. Just last week, we noticed 2 meeting dates were entered incorrectly and 4 apologies were missed, which led to overbooking. While I don't want to dwell on the negatives, when we follow the rules, it helps us avoid extra phone calls and emails.
Remember, if an apology isnt registered, you need to cover the cost of the meal.
Molesworth & Middlehurst Stations 4WD Tour
A full report from our event organiser, Ken Goldfinch is inserted below. Thanks Ken.
The great news is Noeline is on the road to recovery, and we send our warmest wishes to her for a speedy healing process.
Open Members Forum – Global Grant
Thank you to Elaine, Cass Treadwell, and Don for manning our Open Forum on Tuesday 29 September. We talked about the Global Grant process, accountability and responsibility, and provided an overview of the project, and this has drawn positive feedback. Several members have expressed to me that they acknowledge the insights gained and the progress made over the past seven months. I also am reminded of comments made by email from our District 9999 Foundation Chair who said “it is worth mentioning to your members that New Zealand Rotary clubs and districts
and RNZWCS have a proud record for delivering substantial projects in Tanzania with partner Rotary clubs and districts over many decades”. As always, I am happy to meet and discuss this project with members.
Domestic and Family Violence
A reminder that NZ Rotary are joining a campaign against domestic violence and our members are asked to support the campaign by wearing a campaign T Shirt at various events. If you need further information or wish to place an order for a T Shirt, please refer to Bernadette’s email dated Friday 2 October.
Tititea Lodge Spring Clean
It is disappointing that the weekend at Tititea Lodge had to be postponed due to lack of volunteers. We had only 3 volunteers and it was agreed little we could achieved with such a low number. At this stage a new date is still to be set.
Thank you for our $3000 donation from ShelterBox New Zealand Charitable Trust
“Thank you for your kind and important contribution". You are helping us reach people who have lost their homes through disaster or conflict. Contributions like yours are a vital means of support as we seek to address displacement and homeless resulting from humanitarian emergencies”.
Fellowship Night with Queenstown Rotary
Don’t forget to signup to our fellowship night with Queenstown Rotary at the Cardrona Hotel on 24
November.
Ngā mihi,
Geoff
Club Duties
Duty roster notes.
1. All active members (except honorary members and Directors/President) are eligible to be rostered for duties.
2. Rostered members are responsible for doing the duty or arranging a substitute. Please assist us with this.
3. Please advise Jenny Dickie of substitutes on 021 342 227.
4. Duties are for the rostered week only.
5. Duties are notified in the fortnightly bulletin.
CLUB DUTIES ROSTER
13th October
20th October
27th October
3rd November
Attendance
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Di Cusens
Melbourne Cup
Meet Greet and Photography
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Mike Elliot
Melbourne Cup
Introduce Speaker
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Richard Howarth
Melbourne Cup
Thank Speaker
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Rob Wilton
Melbourne Cup
3 Minute Speaker
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
TBA
Melbourne Cup
Raffle
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Jenny Dickie
Melbourne Cup
Parting Thought
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Tony Johnston
Melbourne Cup
Audio Visual Support
Committee Meetings
Fire Station
Julian Warren
Melbourne Cup
Upcoming Meeting Night Events
October 13th: Committee Meetings
October 20th: Vocational Visit. Fire Station 6pm.
Please ensure you park on the Golf course side of the road.
After the visit we are meeting for dinner at the Monkey Farm
October 27th: Adam Ross: Naturally Pawsome and other business ventures.
November 3rd: Melbourne Cup.
Previous meeting Highlights
October 6th: Sue Svensson: Regional Community leader
Sue, our Rotary Community Leader, visited the club to share her background and update us on current Rotary developments. Having moved from Australia to Cromwell in 2021, Sue and her husband Pete have found Rotary central to building community connections. Sue is active across several local organizations, including the Cromwell RSA, the Resource Centre Trust, and the food bank.
She outlined the Rotary South Pacific pilot governance structure, now extended to June 2028. The Rotary Community Leader role replaces the former assistant governor position, with a stronger focus on supporting clubs, encouraging collaboration, and linking members with specialist networks. Sue acknowledged that the role’s current design has caused confusion and hopes future decisions will reintegrate the RCL position more closely with district leadership.
Membership remains a major challenge across District 999, which has seen a 20% decline over four years. Sue emphasised the importance of retaining existing members as well as attracting new ones. She congratulated the Rotary Club of Wānaka for maintaining strong numbers and encouraged clubs to share successful strategies. She also highlighted the need for collective support for the struggling Central Lakes Rotaract club.
Sue proposed a joint district‑group meeting early next year at the new Cromwell Memorial Events Centre, offering fellowship, shared learning, and short presentations. She also encouraged strong participation in the upcoming Rotary campaign against domestic violence, including wearing campaign T‑shirts regularly to maximise visibility.
A constructive discussion followed, focusing on Rotary’s need to evolve and better understand what younger members of the community are looking for. Members noted that younger people are keen to contribute but often prefer project‑based involvement rather than traditional meetings. The evening closed with thanks to Sue for her visit and a reaffirmation of our club’s commitment to strengthening Rotary’s impact.
Update on Molesworth & Middlehurst Stations 4WD Tour - by Ken Goldfinch
Dear club members Sunday - Day 1
We all assembled in Hanmer Springs staying the night, in preparation for the tour, next day. Monday - Day 2
About 9.00am we headed off following a briefing by our tour guide Geoff from Molesworth Tours, tasked with guiding our group of 18 people (8 vehicle convoy) from Hanmer Springs to Middlehurst Station, some 80km north.
At our third stop, Allan Smiths wife Noeline had a serious fall and suffered quite significant injuries that necessitated a rescue helicopter being called from the Nelson/Wellington area. Noeline was evacuated to Nelson Hospital for treatment, where she will remain until she can be relocated to Dunedin Hospital. Rod and Paddy-Ann Pemberton drove Allan to Nelson to be with Noeline when we moved out. He will remain there until he can be assisted back to Wanaka.
Noelines condition following surgeries is reported to be improving, with the physio now getting her mobile again.
We were very fortunate that Drs Nikki Carey and Peter Borrie, plus nurses Doreen Peter and Liz Elliot (all retired) were with us, and able to provide the care Noeline required until the doctor and paramedic arrived. Also, Mike Elliot and Rod Pemberton, in somehow managing to rescue Noeline after the fall, some 5 metres below down a steep rock face, was exceptional.
Four hours later, we recommenced our journey to Middlehurst Station and upon arrival, (the McDonalds and their staff) settled us into The Quarters (their lodge accommodation) then provided us with a stunning evening meal. Tuesday - Day 3
Following breakfast, we were given a tour of the woolshed. Willie McDonald the owner/farmer
explained how he and wife Sue were settled on the property some 30 years ago and the huge advancements in stock performance and production they have achieved during that time. A major help being Calicivirus when it arrived, eliminating the rabbits.
We then boarded their farm vehicles for a tour of the property to the George Hut (a remote shepherds cottage) via farm tracks plus river crossings and enjoyed a picnic lunch. That evening Willie and Sue visited us and shouted drinks, following which their staff provided another excellent dinner. Wednesday - Day 4
Following breakfast, we travelled in convoys to our dispersal points - Seddon and Hanmer Springs, 6 vehicles going north and 2 vehicles heading south.
Overall, regardless of Noelines unfortunate accident and the disruption caused, the event due to the beautiful clear weather, natural teamwork and cohesion within the group plus the McDonalds hospitality, was a stunning success.
Will I organise another event (being a 4WD event tragic) I probably will?
In time when the dust has settled and we have had the opportunity to reflect, there will be a thorough review to identify all the lessons learnt. Event management protocols will be established for all future club adventure events that will include; prior risk assessments and mitigation plans, equipment to be carried including communication, emergency location and navigation aids, plus essential medical equipment and supplies.
Pictures attached include the convoy and the group at The Quarters - Middlehurst Station
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Théo Matthes: A short Bio.
My name is Théo, and I am from Brazil. I really enjoy sports, especially football, which is a big part of Brazilian culture. I also love warm weather and going to the beach. Now, I am doing an exchange in New Zealand, and I am learning about the differences between Brazilian and New Zealand culture. One difference is the climate, as Brazil is generally warmer, while New Zealand has cooler weather. I am also discovering different customs, lifestyles and ways of living. I think this exchange is a great opportunity to experience a new culture, meet new people and learn more about the world.
Theo is being hosted by Chris and Lin Tempest while in New Zealand
Click on Sign Up to view available slots and book yourself directly online.
A Parting Thought
Thousands of people have donated thousands of hours of their time.
And millions of dollars to assist people they will likely never meet or know.
In places they have never heard of.
Let alone visited.
THEY ARE ROTARIANS
Registrations are now open for our wonderful gala dinner. We will have Rotary Foundation Trustee and Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally in town, all the way from Scotland. As our 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.
We will also hear another story which will touch your hearts from a survivor of Domestic and Family Violence.
The whole evening will be led by John Prendergast as MC and we will have a distinguished local Rotarian leading our auction.
If you have anything to donate for auction, please let Dave McKissock (dave.rotary9999@gmail.com) know. We are also looking for sponsorship so if your company can help, we can offer branding options, table naming options, table drinks etc.
Prices are $85pp for Rotarians and our families, $100pp for others.
This will be a great evening for Rotary in Invercargill and for the Rotary Foundation. Support us as well as you can. Register now at:
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