Welcome to the The Rotary Club of Dunedin

Are you a person who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

We meet In Person

Thursdays at 12:00 PM

Petridish

8 Stafford Street
Dunedin, 9016
New Zealand

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

Prospective Member Guide

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President Elect Announced

The club President for 2025-26 will be Neil Lyons. In his own words, Neil tells us a bit about himself:

I was born in Palmerston North and at the age of 11 moved to Mosgiel as my father was transferred to Dunedin by NZ Railways. I attended St Pauls High School and thus was a “train boy”. After a couple of years at Polytech I joined A&T Burt’s as a Designer/Estimator, later moving to Fletchers and then Arrow International as a Project Manager. Colleen and I were married in 1971, and she went on to become a school teacher. Nicola was our first born in 1974 followed two years later by Jamie. In the 1990’s I started my own business Signature Property Ltd managing projects and developing apartments. My son joined me on returning from overseas and now runs the business. I have always been a keen sportsman having played club and rep rugby also squash, cricket and latterly golf, tramping, skiing, MTB and table tennis. Our family spend a lot of time on our farm near Twizel where my daughter and partner live and work. It is a time where the family gathers, allowing us to spend time with our four grandies. Rotary has been an important part of my life for the past 23 years.

Hospice Raffle

The Christmas raffle in aid of the Otago Community Hospice has been a project of Dunedin South Rotary for many years - more recently with the support of other clubs which take a turn at ticket selling outside local businesses. Pictured are two old geezers outside Roslyn Fresh Choice last Saturday. President Fiona would like to thank all those club members and friends who assisted with this project.

Visit to the Little Penguins

Posted by Craig Radford

Last Monday night, 37 Rotarians, with family and friends, accompanied by 12 tourists, paid a visit to see rafts (yes, that’s the collective noun) of Little Blue Penguins (or Korora) come ashore at Takiharuru/Pilots Beach by Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.

Before we went outside, we learned of the history of the area, as well as the nature of these little creatures, being the smallest penguin species on earth.
Walking down through the reserve we saw evidence of a lot of planting and other work to create a suitable and safe environment for these birds. Even though it was barely dusk we were privileged to see them come ashore after they had spent all day in the water, venturing 10 kilometres out to sea.
Normally they come in after dark, as the later ones did. The tiered platform area allows for excellent viewing of the penguins scurrying across the beach to the safety of the reserve and their nests. It also allows for spectator movement and leaning over the rails to obtain a very close-up view of these cute beings as they pass by.
The guides were both knowledgeable and approachable. They are clearly committed to the maintenance and further development of the area. The numbers in the colony have increased quite significantly because of the conservation work undertaken and now number about 250 pairs, of which we saw most waddle (the collective noun for a group of penguins on land) to their nests.

This attraction is a hidden treasure, about which I knew very little prior to the visit, and it is a real jewel in Dunedin’s eco-tourism crown. TripAdvisor rates it in the top 10 best experiences in New Zealand. You must go, if you haven’t already, and take your visitors too.
The visit was another Community Projects Team undertaking, led by Brian Daniels and Bruce Collier. As well as being a wonderful fellowship event, it raised in excess of $600 towards our club’s centennial
projects, thanks to Blue Penguins Pukekura.

MATES in Construction

Posted by Bruce Collier

Our construction industry is losing nearly one person every week to suicide, and 98% of those that we lose are our men.
The MATES programme builds and strengthens communities in the workplace and across the industry – helping our people to be supportive and provide an environment that encourages positive wellbeing.
Calder Stewart Construction have been providing General Awareness Training at their worksites and offered our club the opportunity to cook a BBQ Breakast for aound 40 of their workers at their Kiwirail Hillside site. Brian, Alistair, Bruce, Peter, Neil and President Fiona reported for duty at 6.30 AM last Monday and spent 90 minutes cooking Bacon, Eggs, Sausages, Onions, Bread & Butter in return for a donation towards club projects.

Incognito Art Show Success

Posted by Brian Daniels

On Thursday Night the Incognito Art show got under way with 60 or so people queued up outside the Dunedin Community Gallery in Princes Street, eagerly waiting their chance to purchase a favourite piece of art, created by an “unknown” artist, hence the term Incognito Art.
Jonathan Usher, our very capable MC, kept the crowd entertained and on task, making sure no art was touched or removed until President Fiona sounded the hooter at 6.15 when it was all go!

There were 106 pieces of art up for grabs, of which 71 sold and were paid for by 6.45. The crowd had increased to 90 odd and no significant incidents occurred; even if there were a couple of close shaves, after discussion all punters left happy with a piece of art.

For the full report and all the detailed action see you this Thursday at the Club lunch update session.