Events

Caroline is the founder and the director of the Loss and Grief Centre. She will share about the service and its community outreach.

Guest Speaker: Caroline Loo - Loss and Grief Centre Director

23rd September Lunch Meeting duties 

Reception & Raffle & prizes -  Alice Pottinger 

Grace / Thanks  - Richard Russell 

Introduce / Thank speaker - Hemal Amarasekara

Parting thought - Ken Connell

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

Reception and Raffle duty includes organising, bringing 2 raffle prizes to the meeting and selling raffles as you do reception desk duty.

If you can not attend the meeting to do duty as allocated  - please find a replacement and confirm the replacement details to President Michael.

Come and join us for "First Friday" Drinks:

Friday 3rd October 2025

2 Doors Down - Ground floor - Langlands Hotel

Everyone welcome for a purely social opportunity to connect.

Jemma Cournane is the Recruitment & HR Coordinator at Niagara Sawmilling, a local company with a rich history in timber processing and a growing focus on innovation and sustainability. Jemma is passionate about people and progress, and helps shape Niagara’s future by curating teams and fostering talent who go on to support automation initiatives. Jemma is passionate about strengthening community ties.
She will touch on how Niagara has grown from a small timber business to becoming an industry leader in innovation, automation, and sustainability. Jemma will also touch on how Niagara is embracing technology like AI and investing in people to future-proof its workforce and support the Southland community.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker: Jemma Cournane - Niagara Sawmill

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit: http://https://www.invercargillrotary.club/speakers/3a979c3a-749c-41fa-85c7-842ffa245f65

7th October Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception & Raffle prizes -  Helen McCurdy
• Grace - Peter Dunn
• Introduce / Thank speaker - Karen POff
• Parting thought - Stuart Collie

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

The Social Committee is co-ordinating a new social event:  Oktoberfest 2025 

A  purely social gathering — no fundraising, just food, fellowship, and a dash of Bavarian flair with more than just beer to choose from.

Date: Saturday 11 October 2025 - start time from 4.30pm

Venue: Invercargill Army Centre Hall (corner of Fox Street and Arena Avenue)

BYO BBQ Dinner: 

Bring your favourite BBQ food or how about something Oktoberfest inspired to share —  the BBQ will be fired up to kick off at 6:00 PM.

Event Format:

• 4.30pm     Settle in and enjoy fellowship with new people in a new place 
• 6.00pm     Dinner – BYO BBQ
• 9.00pm     Children required to depart venue
• 10.30pm   Supper provided

Tickets: $10 entry ticket per person, Children free.

$10 includes venue hire donation, decorations, and supper (Drinks at own cost). Eftpos is available at venue.

Please note that unfortuantely the optional Beer Tasting Experience $20 is not proceeding.

To purchase ticket/s - contact Arsalan Abdollahi on 021 109 1172 or email arsalan.abdollahi@abdlra.co.nz

Tickets are cash sales only. Non-refundable – however tickets can be transferred to another person.

Dress Code/Theme:  Attendees are invited to dress in Oktober fest theme but not compulsory.

Event Committee will be in theme, and the venue will be themed blue and white. 

Wanting some costume ideas visit: https://www.oktoberfesthaus.com/blogs/okt/39279809-how-to-dress-for-oktoberfest?srsltid=AfmBOoqCCjMr7Ifou9yfHSP5KliuQIt_mXnPCC9VK7H8M2y_I3r2o8no 

Please note:  Anyone who will be purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages at event must be 18 years or older and be able to provide photo ID on request.

The objectives of a Club Forum are:

Fellowship
Opportunity for discussion
Rotary education
Update on Club activities
Member feedback

Agenda for this Club Forum: 

• Club Constitution 
• Club By Laws 

Tea/coffee and muffins provided, cost $10 pp.

If you have a suggestion for an agenda item to be included at this Forum or a future forum please email President Michael on blue.rider1@hotmail.com

I’m Katelyn Herman, the Community Engagement Advisor for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand, based at the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Southland Hospital.

I’ve been in this role since July 2024 and have loved every minute. Each day I’m reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of the families who walk through our doors. While the work can be emotionally challenging—especially hearing and witnessing what families are going through—it’s also deeply rewarding. My why has always been the families we support. Their courage and gratitude inspire me daily, and they are always at the heart of everything.

Prior to joining RMHC New Zealand, I worked in customer service roles where I developed a strong passion for making meaningful connections. I bring that same energy into my current role, where I have the privilege of sharing the impact of our services with the wider community and helping to build lasting relationships with our supporters.

As a mum to a young daughter, I have a personal appreciation for the importance of keeping families close while they must travel far from home for their child medical treatment.

Every conversation, donation, and act of kindness makes a difference—and I’m proud to be a part of a team that makes that possible every day.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker: Katelyn Herman - Community Engagement Advisor for Ronald McDonald House - Southland Hospital.

Want to know more about the Guest Speaker Click this link: https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/825373b2-4c64-4066-93d3-13a8495ea331

Duties for 21st October:

Reception and raffle - Sally Dobbs

Grace - Stephen O'Connor

Introduce speaker - Trish Lindsay

Thank speaker - Helen McCurdy

Parting thought - Richard Russell

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

Melbourne Cup Social Event 

Level 6, Kelvin Hotel
Tuesday, November 4th
From 4:00 PM onwards

Join us for an afternoon / evening of fun and fellowship as we watch the Melbourne Cup live on the big screen, followed by platters and chatter then presentation of Club Awards.

🐎 Sweepstake activity(s) to be co-ordinated 'on course in Level 6' by Soc

🐎 Cash bar with Eftpos 

🐎 Dress Code - Melbourne Cup Flemington Finery

🐎 Cost: $40.00 per person

Everyone welcome – extend an invite to friends, family, and work colleagues!

RSVP to Michael Blomfield at blue.rider1@hotmail.com

Come and join us for "First Friday" Drinks:

Friday 7th November 2025

Speight's Ale House

38 Dee Street 

Everyone welcome for a purely social opportunity to connect.

Head Injury Southland Charitable Trust is a not-for-profit organisation providing free, personalised support to individuals affected by head injuries, along with their family/whānau and carers. Serving the southern region from Queenstown to Stewart Island, we deliver advocacy, education, and community outreach to help people access rehabilitation, reduce isolation, and build inclusive support networks. Because everyone deserves the chance to thrive after injury.

Miranda Kennedy and Michelle Burgess ( Head Injury Southland Charitable Trust)

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker: Miranda Kennedy and Michelle Burgess ( Head Injury Southland Charitable Trust)

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit: https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/aa2e2124-31fe-4f0b-b19b-93f13846d0e0

11th November Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception and raffle – Stephen O'Connor

• Introduce and thank speaker - Alice Pottinger

• Grace/thanks - Ken Connell

• Parting thought - Hemal Amarasekara

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting & advised at receptionA/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

James McNamee is the Managing Director of Garston Hops, a hop-growing venture based on his family’s fifth-generation sheep farm in Northern Southland. In a region not traditionally known for hops, Garston Hops is producing distinctive, high-quality aroma hops shaped by Garston’s unique alpine terroir. With deep roots in the land and a passion for innovation, James has helped transform part of the farm into a thriving hop garden, blending tradition with bold diversification. Garston Hops is a testament to what’s possible when heritage, vision, and place come together.

The club’s AGM is scheduled as part of the lunch meeting on Tuesday, 18 November, 2025

The annual financials for the Club and the Charitable Trust for the year ending June 30, 2025, will be presented as part of the AGM.

Club Constitution and By Laws will also be on the agenda.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker: James McNamee - Garston Hops

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit: https://www.invercargillrotary.club/speakers/09afa179-60eb-41fb-972b-6087e1037357

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

Once again we will be undertaking hands-on project support for the Santa Parade.   

Each year the Santa Parade floats are given a final check over & clean to ensure they are looking their best for parade day, (Parade Day is 29 November 2025). 

Tasks may include cleaning, painting or other general parade prep so please dress accordingly.

Pizza dinner to follow working bee.

The 2025 Santa Parade date is Saturday 29th November.

Once again we will be undertaking hands-on project support for the Santa Parade, with working bee's on the floats pre-parade and helping out on the day.

The Parade Team are on the lookout for further support for drivers to tow the floats and some other tasks - if you can help or know someone who can please contact Alice Pottinger on 027 2289693 or Ross Wensley on 021 333363.

For more infromation on the parade visit:  https://www.facebook.com/southlandsantaparade

Come and join us for "First Friday" Drinks:

Friday 5th December 2025

Northern Tavern 

Cnr Sydney & St Andrew Streets, Invercargill, New Zealand, 9810

Everyone welcome for a purely social opportunity to connect.

Gavin Evans is the founder of LUG South, a charitable trust and officially recognized Registered LEGO® User Group (RLUG) since 2015. Under Gavin’s leadership, LUG South, has become a community, working together for results greater than the individual. 

Gavin’s mission goes far beyond bricks. With a passion for community,  LUG South has a powerful purpose: using LEGO® events to raise funds for children facing medical challenges across Southland and Otago. Through engaging public exhibitions and creative collaborations, Gavin has helped transform a hobby into a force for good.

A proud descendant of Ngāti Maniapoto, Gavin traces his ancestry to Te Kanawa, a signatory of the Treaty of Waitangi.

In 2022, he was honored as a Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Medallist for his community work.

As an Ambassador to the LEGO® Group, Gavin mentors new ambassadors—his “brickmates”—across the globe, with a special focus on the Oceania region.

Gavin will share the story of LUG South, their latest community collaboration project with the MRI scanner, some highlights from his LEGO® connections 2025 holiday.  Gavin lives and works locally, has 4 adult children, and 1 grandchild.

Want to know more about LUG South ahead of Gavin’s talk – visit https://www.lug-south.org.nz/

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Gavin Evans, founder of LUG South - Building Community Through Creative Collaboration

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:   https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/6d42552c-2814-491f-a1f1-09fbda09836b

9th December  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception and raffle –  Graeme McMillan
• Introduce and thank speaker - Rob Phillips
• Grace/thanks - Ria Bond
• Parting thought - Laurie Wilkes 

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

Everyone is welcomed to join us at our final lunch meeting for 2025 on Tuesday 16th December 2025

A Christmas inspired menu will be arranged at a  cost of $42 per person

Please extend an invite to partners, family and/or friends to this final meeting.

Bring some cash for the Christmas Raffle and don't forget if you have not already donated to bring an item or two for the Family Work Hamper.

Complimentry parking is included in the cost in the former H&J Smith car park - vehicle registration is reqired to advised at Hotel Reception.

Meals can be paid online or on the day of the Christmas Lunch and advised to the Chief Elf on lunch reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements go to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839.

A special meeting is scheduled as part of the lunch meeting on Tuesday, 16 December 2025

The meeting agenda is a vote to adopt the Club Constitution and By Laws following latest amendments.

The annual Working Bee for Deep Cove is scheduled for  23 & 24th January 2026.

Our Club has a long term arrangement for a group to go in to assist the Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust with tasks to tidy up before the schools start visiting.    

Join us for one night or two for service above self. Transport is sponsored by Real Journeys from Manapouri to Deep Cove and return.  You need to bring your own sleeping bag and towel and make a contribution towards food organised for the group.

Please note space to participate in this club service project is  limited.

If you are interested in being part of the 2026 Working Bee please email or contact Michael Blomfield  on 021 525 581 or by email:  blue.rider1@hotmail.com.

Lunch in the Park kicks off the first Rotary meeting for 2026 on Tuesday, January 27th.

Table will be booked under Rotary from 12.15pm til 2:15 to offer flexibility for people to come at usual time, come later or somewhere in between and stay for as long as you can.

Lunch at own cost / order on arrival

Meeting format is informal with no set timeframes

Everyone welcome!

Come and join us for "First Friday" Drinks:

Retreat Bar - Distinction Invercargill - 3 Esk Steet West 

Everyone welcome for a purely social opportunity to connect.

First Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel for 2026

Lunch Meeting Duties - yet to be allocated 

• Reception and raffle 
• Grace/thanks 
• Parting thought 

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

The Social Committee have organised a 'Cherry on Farm Experience' in Cromwell.

Proposed plan is to meet at Trophy Ridge Orchards - Saturday 14th February at 2pm

 BYO own food for Potluck - BBQ dinner and Sunday Breakfast

Sunday -  Cheeky Cherry Hunting followed by lunch at local Cafe on way home

Other activities available on the 25ha site amongst the fruit trees include Orchard Tour, Walk by Lake, Fishing & pest control.

Accommodation available on site at Orchard is a mix of cabins with bunk style beds with bathroom facilties available.

BYO Sleeping bags and towel etc 

Contact Graeme McMillan for more details,  to register your interest to attend and book your bunk bed on 021 323 711 

Passionate about making a difference, Pauline founded K9 Medical Detection NZ (K9MD) with a vision to revolutionise early disease detection using highly trained medical alert dogs. 

K9MD’s work is to harness the extraordinary power of canine scent detection to support life-saving research and improve health outcomes for New Zealanders. 

The work at K9MD is a collaboration between medical professionals, researchers, and exceptional detection dogs, aiming to develop non-invasive, accurate, and early detection methods for diseases such as cancer.

The Rotary Club of Invercargill is excited to be hosting Pauline Bomfield, Founder and Chief Executive of K9 Medical Detection NZ as our Guest Speaker on 17th February 2026.

Passionate about making a difference, Pauline founded K9 Medical Detection NZ (K9MD) with a vision to revolutionise early disease detection using highly trained medical alert dogs. K9MD’s work is to harness the extraordinary power of canine scent detection to support life-saving research and improve health outcomes for New Zealanders.

The work at K9MD is a collaboration between medical professionals, researchers, and exceptional detection dogs, aiming to develop non-invasive, accurate, and early detection methods for diseases such as cancer.

Come and Join us and learn how K9 Medical Detection Dogs and Science are working together.

Tuesday 17th February 

12.15pm – 1.45pm

Kelvin Hotel – Level 6

$25pp for light lunch with cake, tea & coffee

[Parking @ former H J Smith Parking building included] 

If you have a friend, family member(s) or work colleague(s) who may be interested to attend and hear more about K9 Medical Detection NZ – please extend an invite to them to join us. 

RSVPs with any dietary requirements to go to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839.

Meals can be pre-paid online on or before day of meeting and advised at reception.  

Bank # A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

When she's not working as a solicitor, Liz Henry, KSM, is busy being a community multitasker—splitting her time between parkrun fun, Age Concern initiatives, MacHen Gardens creativity, and the lively energy of Comic Book Day. She's all about connection, wellbeing, and adding a bit of playfulness to Invercargill life. Liz will give a light-hearted glimpse into what keeps her happily busy.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  To be Confirmed

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  

24th February  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception and raffle 
• Introduce and thank speaker 
• Grace/thanks 
• Parting thought 

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park (Please note registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting and advised at reception. A/C 06-0925-0022834-00

RSVPs noting any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839, Monday prior to meeting by 3pm.

Come and join us for "First Friday" Drinks:

360 Bar - The Langlands - 59 Dee Street

Everyone welcome for a purely social opportunity to connect.

Club member Alice is coordinating volunteer support for the Wensley's Cycles Surf to City to be held on 08 March 2026. 

We are looking for volunteers to support the event again this year.  We need at least 10 volunteers to help. It is an easy  and fun.  Time committment is 9am to 12noon. 

Keen to know more or confirm your availability contact  Alice on 027228 9693 directly.

We are 'Uniting for Good' as a supporting community partner for the 2026 Placemakers Southern Scooter Challenge fundraising for The Grace Street Project.

The Southern Scooter Challenge shaping up to be an epic journey of 194 kilometers for around 200 riders on 50cc scooters to raise funds within The PlaceMakers Foundation for The Grace Street Project.

The Southern Scooter Challenge Event details are:

Rotarians support required for:

• Selling Raffle Tickets and / or donation bucket collections before, during and after the event
• Assist as required with raffle/auction logistics, speeches, and crowd engagement
• Marshalling support at designated intersections 

Club Lead for this project is: Lisa-Maree any queries or to confirm your avaialbility to support on the day please contact Lisa-Maree on 027 2304 611.

For more information on the Scooter Challenge - visit:  http://www.southernchallenge.co.nz/