Events

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 Blomfield, 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.  

K9MD is dedicated to advancing medical detection capabilities through the unique and highly effective use of trained canines. Their mission is to improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life by harnessing the extraordinary olfactory abilities of dogs to detect diseases early and accurately.

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

Cost:  $25 per person includes a light lunch with a cake, tea / coffee 

[Parking @ former H J Smith Parking building included in cost]  

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. 

RSVP required.  Please RSVP to with any dietary requirements to Janna by email janna@mwm.net.nz or by phone 03 2141839.

Payment can be by cash on the day, or can be pre-paid online to Rotary Club of Invercargill - 06-0925-0022834-00.  

Please include first name / surname and 17 February as reference on your  online payment so we can match against the RSVP list.

Another  'hands on' Work Day is scheduled for Saturday 21st February to support Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust (OLCT) and the work they do as an environmental group eradicating pests in the Omaui Reserves so native wildlife can flourish.

Work tasks to include bait changing and maintenance work on the tracks.

Participants need strong footwear, coat, water bottle, snacks and a small back pack plus any personal medications required.

The meeting point on the day is 27 Whalers Crescent - Omaui.

Please confirm your availability to be involved directly to President Michael. We need to pre-register who is attending on the day. Michael can be contacted on  021 529 581 or by email blue.rider1@hotmail.com.

Let Michael know if you would like to attend but would like to share transport or if you are happy to take a vehicle - give others a ride to / from.

In the event of poor weather conditions we will notify participants if the event is cancelled and arrange an alternative date.

Want to know more about Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust - click on this link https://www.omauilandcarecharitabletrust.co.nz/about

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:  Liz Henry 

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  

https://invercargillrotary.club/Speakers/da7d8cc0-c950-41e2-9fa9-c28fccbc68bb

24th February  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Meeting Chair - Lisa-Maree Fleck
• Reception - Craig Smith 
• Introduce and thank speaker - Ross Wensley 
• Grace/thanks - Paul Goffin 
• Parting thought - Karen Poff

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.

Dave McKissock, will share his incredible experience walking almost 800km Camino de Santiago with his son Mark in 2025.

Dave will share the 33 day journey  starting on 5^th September 2025 to 7^th October, from Saint Jean Pied de Port, South Western France  to  Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain,

https://camino ways.com/camino-de-santiago

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Dave McKissock - Camino de Santiago Walk

10th March  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception – Ken Connell

• Introduce speaker - Heather-Lynn Potgieter

• Grace/thanks - Graeme McMillan

• 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.

Agenda for this Club Forum: Succession and Club Leads from 1st June 2026 

The objectives of a Club Forum are:

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

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

RSVP to Janna: janna@mwm.net.nz; telephone 214-1839; or text 027-277-2976. 

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/

I completed my apprenticeship, with MITO, in Heavy Automotive Plant and Equipment 20 years ago. I then moved to Christchurch for a short time prior to doing my OE. Upon my return I returned to the automotive trade in the parts department and started managing the apprentices there. The opportunity to work with MITO came up and I have now been a local Training Advisor for 13+ years. I founded the Wāhine in Trades Southland group about 18x months ago.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker: Keri Youngman - Women in Trades

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:   https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/a87f1ed9-48e9-4b24-8199-0ba1f7e12fbb

24th March  - 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.

Supporting the environment is one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary.

Oreti Beach and Estuary area Clean up's have been  a regular event on the projects calendar where all the Club's come together and work collabortively,

The 2026 event is being co-oridnated by Rotary Club of Invercargill South.  Contact person is Paul Cade 0274 732 874.

The location for the 2026 event is proposed as Oreti Beach area.

Meet at Beach Entrance at 9am

What is Required; Gloves, sturdy footwear, sun hat and sunblock and / or wet weather gear, drink bottle,

This event is open to everyone and anyone.  Rotary Hi Viz Vest will be allocated on the day.

Club Lead for the 2026 event is Lisa-Maree - please text or call Lisa-Maree on 027 2304 611 to confirm you can help out with this project.

BBQ at conclusion of cleanup.

MIke is married to Anya, and they have three adult childern, Louise, Mason and Katie.

Mike has been involved with Koru Care Southland for about 17  years, after Koru Care took his son Mason on a “Trip of a Lifetime” to the Gold Coast when he was about 12 years old. Since then Mike has taken Southland children on trips to both Australia and America every year apart from a four year break over COVID when the group didn’t travel overseas at all.

Mike is employed as Police Officer and has just ticked over 40yrs with the NZ Police.  He is the Area Commander of Southland and has been in this role for about 7 years, and has worked internationally both in Namibia and Rwanda for the NZ Police.

Mike is heavily involved in the community with Koru Care Southland, was a rugby referee for about 20 years and has been involved with the Southland Cancer Society since about 1991.

Born and bred Southlander and no intentions of leaving!!!!!!!!

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  MIke Bowman - Koru Care 

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  

https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/c0fe97fd-d80a-48b8-8096-5d8ca7268781

14 April 2026  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception & Raffle – Alice Pottinger 

• Introduce speaker - Trish Lindsay 

• Thank speaker - Michael Blomfield

• Parting thought - Sally Dobbs

• Grace / Thanks - Murray Halstead 

Cost $25.00pp includes light lunch, tea/coffee and parking at former H&J Smith car park

(Please note vehicle registration is required to be advised to Hotel Reception on arrival).

Meals can be paid online on day of meeting to 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.

Event by Rotary Club of Invercargill Sunrise:

RESCHEDULED EVENT - DUE TO WEATHER

25th Anniversary of "Give Kids A Chance" Charity Golf Tournament

Sally Dobbs has been a reservist Nursing Officer in the New Zealand Defence Force since 2010. She has been lucky enough to be part of a contingent that delivered primary care in Samoa and Tonga, and represented NZDF at the centenary commemoration of Chunuk Bair in 2015. Prior to coming to New Zealand, Sally spent 16 years as a Nursing Officer in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and served in Bosnia. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) in the 1990 New Year Honours list for services to military nursing. Sally is passionate about nursing history and promoting the role that women play in global conflicts; her special interest is nurses in World War 1.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  TSally Dobbs - Southland World War One Nurses

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  

https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/37c12bca-1b45-4517-a613-e92192da1b56

21 April 2026  - 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.

The objectives of a Club Forum are:

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

Agenda for this Club Forum:  Book Sale Event Planning 

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

Members are asked to help out on Monday 4th May from 5.30pm to help with the Scottish Hall set up for the 2026 Book Sale.

Tasks for Monday evening include, moving furniture, trestle table set up and unloading of books.

Please come to the Scottish Hall rear entrance off car park.

2026 Book Sale Event dates / times:

Thursday, May 28th:   8am to 7pm

Friday, May 29th:         8am to 7pm

Saturday, May 30th:    9am to 5pm

Queries on the 2026 Book Sale event can be directed to Richard Russell on 027 258 8433

I’ve been retailing in Invercargill for over 15 years, coming to Smiths City to manage the store after plying my trade in Roxburgh, Wanaka, Cromwell and Queenstown. I moved to Farmers Trading Store on Dee Street for a few years before moving to the Warehouse, where I managed for 9 years before moving to ICL. I enjoy engaging with community and being part of the revitalisation of the entire CBD, both for its Retail focus and Safety of the visitors to it. I’m looking forward to meeting you all and am sure you have questions for me 😊 Kelvin 

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Kelvin Mooney - Invercargill Central

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  https://www.invercargillrotary.club/speakers/c76867a4-02f1-48e0-a1b8-5c93c35d1c5d

12 May 2026  - Lunch Meeting Duties

Reception and Raffle - Anu Gamage

Grace/thanks - Richard Russell

Introduce and thank speaker - Stephen O'Connor

Parting thought - Sally Dobbs

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.

Jessica Huang

I'm Jessica and I'm in Year 13 at Southland Girls' High School. I like reading, playing piano and walking. Next year, I plan to go to the University of Otago.

Olivia Radka

My name is Olivia Radka. I am a year 13 at Southland Girls' High School. My favourite subjects are chemistry and biology, Next year I plan on going to Auckland or Christchurch for uni.

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Rotary National Science Forum January 2026 

For more details on guest speaker and topic visit:  https://invercargillrotary.club/speakers/180e80d2-8ea6-42f9-9455-3cf47de35aae  

19 May 2026  - Lunch Meeting Duties

Reception and Raffle - Hemal Amarasekara

Grace/Thanks - Ross Wensley

Introduce and thank speaker - Chami Abeysinghe

Parting thought -  Karen Poff

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.

Book Sorting with Lunch

Lunch catered by Inner Wheel 

Lunch to be served at 12.15pm - Book Sale Chair Richard will cover off brief notices for event at 12.30pm

Sort books before, or after lunch or both into categories on tables

Further details to be made available closer to the date.

The 45th Rotary Club of Invercargill Book Sale is all set for King's Birthday Weekend.

 

Dates / times for the 2026 Book Sale are:

 

Thursday, May 28:   8am to 7pm

Friday, May 29:         8am to 7pm

Saturday, May 30:    9am to 5pm

From Vicki............

"I worked at H&J Smith for 23 years in various buying and management roles, and after closure as an amateur archivist. Spending 8 months scanning, photographing, recording and packing the archival material was a unique privilege, and an insight into just how important the H&Js history is to the multitude of families who worked there, to Southland and to NZ retail. I now spend my time consulting on H&Js history, garden design and business consulting."

Formal Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Vicki Henry - H&Js Early Founders and Leaders

For more details on guest speaker and topic click this link: https://www.invercargillrotary.club/speakers/c15ae23a-26d5-44a2-8753-ec816ef821d6

09 June 2026  - Lunch Meeting Duties

• Reception and raffle – Chami Abeysinghe

• Grace/thanks – Craig Smith

• Introduce and thank speaker – Ken Connell

• 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.

Stéphane Fabre is the manager of Windsor Wines in Invercargill.

With roots in the vineyards of southern France, Stéphane’s journey has taken him from being a sommelier in France to becoming a celebrated figure in Invercargill’s wine scene.

His passion for wines from around the globe is only matched by his zest for talking about them.

Lunch Meeting at the Kelvin Hotel

Guest Speaker:  Stéphane Fabre - Windsor Wines

16 June 2026  - Lunch Meeting Duties (To be confirmed)

Reception and Raffle 

Grace/thanks

Introduce and thank speaker

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.

More details to follow.