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.

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.

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.

After the customary welcome by President Fiona, the Joker Jackpot was drawn (but not struck) and Craig led one of his thoughtful sergeants sessions based on abuse of the english language (and we all learned a new word)
Cameron was called to preside over the club A.G.M. which he did with utmost efficiency (and possibly in record time). His Presidents report, the financial report, and trusts reports had all been previously circulated so were adopted without question and the only other business was the declaration of Neil Lyons as President-elect for the 2025-26 Rotary Year (congratulations Neil)
Lynne Guy then told us about her experience fossicking for opals in outback Australia and visiting the Black Stump (actually a surveyors marker point) and the Billabong where the Jolly Swagman reputedly drowned rather than be caught and punished by the Troopers.
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Gordon Tucker, updating us on the plans for the upgrade of Rotary Park.