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.
I would like to begin this week by acknowledging the recent catastrophe in Nepal. The number of individuals who have lost their lives or remain unaccounted for is considerable. As you will have read, infrastructure has been severely damaged, livelihoods have been disrupted and recovery will require a long-term engagement focused on rebuilding homes, restoring livelihood, improving resilience, and ensuring that the communities can recover safely and sustainably.
Last Tuesday Professor Fraser McLeay who is currently visiting Wānaka and Auckland agreed to speak to us on "From Riversdale to the World — and Back Again: An Unexpected Career Journey from Southland to Sheffield." Fraser agreed to speak to us at very short notice and I hope you all enjoyed his presentation as much as I did.
Our Rotary Fellowship night tomorrow night will be relaxed and will include a segment "What You Didn’t Know About Me." This is designed to be light-hearted so think about something you can share that may not be commonly known to others. Also, anyone who would enjoy our company is very welcome to join us.
Look out for the next issue of the Upper Clutha Messenger which will include an article titled ‘A diverse group of people creating lasting impact’. We plan to follow up with similar articles so if you have a creative idea please contact Tony, Hannah or me.
We are assisting with parking and scanning for Wānaka A&P Show - Hillend Station Farm Day on Monday, 26 October - Labour Day so if you are available, please contact Deans Hudson.
The date for our duck race has been set so put Saturday, 21 November 2026 in your calendar. We cannot control the weather, but it has been agreed a date later in the year is likely to be less of an issue with spring rains and snow melt.
At our meeting last week, I briefly mentioned the new Domestic and Family Violence campaign. This campaign is a big step forward for Rotary in our District and across the Country. Our Zone has partnered up with the Police, Social Service agencies and relevant support networks. This is a huge opportunity to lift Rotary’s image and help address Family and Domestic Violence as well as generate interest from the community to be part of Rotary. On your behalf we have indicated to District that we are interested in participating in the Purple Friday’s campaign and the November Purple Walk and now await further information. If you would like to be nominated as a representative of the District planning committee, please contact me. Also see further information about this campaign below.
Enjoy your week while I visit Christchurch for my mother’s 97 birthday celebrations on Tuesday.
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
1st September
8th September
15th September
22nd September
Attendance
Ferg Collie
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Jenny Moss
Meet Greet and Photography
Di Cusens
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Graeme Brown
Introduce Speaker
Fellowship Meeting
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Helen Tait
Thank Speaker
Fellowship Meeting
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Dave Evans
3 Minute Speaker
TBA
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
TBA
Raffle
Mike Elliot
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Vanessa Hills
Parting Thought
Bernadette Costello
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Mike Elliot
Audio Visual Support
julian Warren
Committee Meetings
Movie Night
Ron Horner
Upcoming Meeting Night Events
September 22nd: Daz Coppins- Organising the Festival of Colour
Daz Coppins General Manager, Festival of Colour
Originally from the Bay of Plenty, Daz Coppins has been calling Wānaka home since 2022. He is a highly experienced live events and production leader with over 20 years delivering concerts, festivals, and large-scale entertainment projects across New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
Daz brings a deep background in touring, operations and technical production having recently worked for leading global promoter Live Nation APAC, where he managed production and logistics for major tours across New Zealand and Australia. His career also spans senior roles across large-scale event delivery, promoter operations and business leadership, including General Manager of 365 Productions Australia and Production Manager with NW Group where
he led production installs for Rising Festival, Melbourne Music Week and many other Australian festivals and tours.
Alongside his work in live events, Daz has led global digital education initiatives as Product Manager and Head of Coaching at Guitar Mastery Method, developing and scaling international music education programmes and communities.
A professional musician in his own right, Daz is currently involved in two active projects, including his rock band EAST YORK, and he also plays drums for local Wānaka act - FIONA & THE GLOW. He spent seven years based in Canada, touring internationally as a full-time session musician, performing with major label artists and at leading festivals across North America including New Orleans Jazz Festival and The Warped Tour.
Now stepping into the role of General Manager for the Wānaka Festival of Colour, Daz is focused on strengthening the festival’s connection to community while continuing to grow its national and international profile.
“I’m really excited to step in as General Manager at Festival of Colour and be part of a festival which has such a strong connection to the community,” says Daz. “The Festival of Colour and Aspiring Conversations have built an incredible reputation over the years. My intention is to support and honour this foundation while helping create space for the festivals to continue to grow.”
“Wānaka is such a special place to live, with many unique qualities and there is real potential to deepen the connection between the festival and the community. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Trust, local Iwi, partners, and artists to build a festival all Wānaka locals can truly get behind and be super proud of.”
September 29th: Lindsay Schofield: Community Link Upper Clutha.
Lindsey Schofield is Relationships Development Manager for Community Link. She is responsible for fundraising, grant applications, donor/business/community relationships for this well-loved local charitable organisation. Lindsey has lived in the district for over 20 years and lives in Lake Hāwea with her husband, who is a self-employed landscaper. Lindsey was previously General Manager for the Festival of Colour for 10 years and in recent years has also worked at Radio Wānaka and Precious Collaborative. In her spare time Lindsey is a volunteer companion visitor for Age Concern, delivers Meals on Wheels, enjoys biking and walking on the local trails, yoga, and time at home in her garden.
Previous meeting Highlights
Stefano Boni, District Governor Elect (based in Brisbane) a visitor to our Club on Tuesday 18 August. together with President Geoff and past President Marie.
George Scott's Presentation
Photographs provided by John McLean
Ed note: George was going to provide the Bulletin with a short edition of his talk however some crazy with a snowboard ended that.
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Professor Fraser McLeay
We were fortunate last week that Professor Fraser McLeay was visiting Wānaka where he has a holiday home and that at short notice we were able to secure him to speak to us. Fraser grew up on a farm near Riversdale and attended Gore High School and Lincoln University before embarking on a career that has taken him around the world. His spoke of his career which has crossed business, entrepreneurship and higher education, including senior roles in the United States and the UK, and work with more than 250 organisations across over 70 countries. He has founded and run his own business, held senior leadership roles at the Montana World Trade Center, worked with organisations ranging from start-ups to the World Bank and European Union, and most recently served as Dean of Sheffield University Management School. His work has received recognition in both business and academia, including being named Export Advocate of the Year in the United States, while his research has received international awards and recognition. Now an Honorary Professor at Sheffield and Visiting Professor at Auckland University of Technology, Fraser’s current research explores AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles, digital platforms and how emerging technologies are changing businesses, jobs and customer experiences.
Foundation Committee Movie Night
Movie Night: Tuesday 15th September in Cinema 1 at Paradiso
The movie is De Gaulle:Tilting Iron ( La Bataille de Gaulle: L’Age de Fer )
June 1940 France collapses and signs the Armistice.
In the midst of the chaos De Gaulle flees to London and what follows next is a triumphant story of faith, audacity and an unshakeable quest for freedom.
He becomes a twentieth century leader and cultural icon.
The film explores the complex relationship between De Gaulle and the British Bulldog -Churchill
There are only 78 seats available.
Guests are invited to arrive for a social time and a raffle, from 6pm with the movie starting at 7pm.
Tickets are $25 per person. Raffle is $10 per ticket with 3 draws.
The last 4 movies have been sell-outs so you cannot rely on just turning up on the night or bringing an extra guest and expecting that there is a seat.
Please purchase your seats by on-line banking into our Club Account giving your surname,
ref: movie night & number of tickets. Please insure you are paying into the normal account ( i.e. the account for our subs) and not the Trust Account.
See you there
Dave Evans
Foundation Committee
Cromwell fundraising dinner with Lydia Bradey ONZM
Kia ora,
I’m getting in touch to ask whether you would be willing to share an upcoming Cromwell fundraising event through your club newsletter, member emails and social media channels.
The event will feature Lydia Bradey ONZM, the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen.
Guests will enjoy an arrival drink and a three-course shared-plate dinner prepared by the award-winning Moreish Kitchen team, followed by an inspiring presentation from Lydia about courage, resilience, risk and embracing opportunity.
The evening is raising funds for Lottie Faulkner, a 12-year-old U14 alpine ski racer from Cromwell. Lottie has won ski-racing series in New Zealand and Austria and was selected for the New Zealand National Youth Squad in 2025.
All profits will support Lottie’s Northern Hemisphere ski training and racing, giving her more time on snow, specialist coaching and valuable international competition experience.
Event details
Date: Friday 18 September Time: 6.00pm–9.30pm Venue: Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre Tickets and information:https://events.humanitix.com/lydia_bradey
We would be very grateful if you could include the event in your next newsletter or member update and share it through your social media channels. I can also provide a poster, photographs or shorter promotional wording if helpful.
Thank you
Kind regards,
Duncan Faulkner
Lottie’s dad
Rotary Says No to Domestic and Family Violence
Rotary Oceania Initiative
The District will focus on two connected initiatives.
1. Purple Fridays
Beginning in October 2026, Rotary members and community partners will be encouraged to wear a purple Rotary T-shirt every Friday. Purple Fridays will:
Create a visible symbol of Rotary's commitment.
Start conversations in workplaces and communities.
Promote messages of respect, safety, and hope.
Build awareness leading up to the Purple Walk.
2. Purple Walk – November 2026
The Purple Walk will be the signature event of the campaign. Working alongside Rotary clubs in Australia, Rotary Oceania will host local or regional walks to:
Raise awareness of domestic and family violence.
Unite communities in support of prevention.
Promote available support services.
Demonstrate Rotary's commitment to safer communities.
The focus is on community participation, education, and solidarity.
The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation continues to advance Rotary’s mission and create lasting change in communities both locally and globally. Internationally we raised more than US$477 million in gifts and commitments during 2025-26. These gifts empower Rotary members to carry out sustainable projects that improve people’s health, expand access to education, protect the environment, alleviate poverty, and promote peace around the globe.
Meet the Candidates - Free Community Event at Te Puna Mahara
Cromwell Memorial Events Centre - Date: Tuesday, 8 September 7pm
Local voters have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates standing in the Waitaki or Southland electorates at a special Meet the Candidates Event at Te Puna Mahara - Cromwell Memorial Events Centre. Mayor Tamah Alley will guide the discussion and ensuring the evening provides a balanced opportunity for candidates to share their perspectives. Standing in the Waitaki electorate are Miles Anderson, Sean Beamish, Damien O’Connor and Helen Tait. Organisers are encouraging the community to attend this event, listen to the candidates and make the most of the opportunity to ask questions about the issues that matter to you and our region.
District 9999 News and Information.
Like a lot of you I am sure, I have been saddened by the images coming out of Nepal today. So many have died and are missing. So many more will have lost their homes and livelihood. The images of that wall of water coming down across the city will stay with me for a long time.
Many of you have asked if you can help. I asked RNZWCS if they would set up an appeal for Nepal, and Stuart Batty has produced the attached flyer and arranged for a dedicated bank reference for the appeal. If you or your club would like to provide urgent assistance to those in Nepal then a donation to the bank account on the flyer is probably the best way to do so for now. In the longer term I am sure there will be projects to help with the required rebuild but for now they need aid and providing money is the best way to do that.
Take a look at the flyer and consider what Rotary in 9999 can do. Stay warm this cold morning.
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