Welcome to the November addition of our new look Rotary Bulletin. With a new name The Rotary Radar it is full of useful information for everyone to enjoy. Whether it's registering an apology for a meeting or you want something to be discussed at our directors meeting or interested in coming along to listen to one of our great speakers its all there. We are all excited about the new look. A huge thank you must go out to our Rotarian Neroli who navigated her way around to create the new look.
So, what’s been happening this last month. We had Genevieve Chrystall and David Scoones speaking to us about the progress of our new Events Centre, we had the pleasure of having some local Lions club members and their partners attend our meeting to listen to our speakers. Some of our Rotarians even had the chance to go through the Events Centre and have a look thus far and were impressed with what they saw.
Our Trust has agreed to fund Fluoro vests for our local primary schools and on an International level has agreed to help with funding for an intern to assist Tim Muller with the great work he is doing in Nepal with sanitation for the Nepalese people.
On Saturday 1st of November, we had our very popular Rotary House and Garden Tour. Big thanks must go out to Rotarian Paula and team for an outstanding day. The weather was great, and everyone enjoyed the high calibre of homes that were on show.
Have a look at the line up of great speakers we have coming up on our new look Rotary Radar. You are all most welcome to join us and that includes partners as well, whether it’s listening to speakers or just fellowship.
Chairperson of the Rotary Club of Cromwell Trust; Bob Knox
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Anne White
This month our Rotary Unsung Hero goes to Anne White our friends of Rotary member. For the past 5 years Anne has worked quietly behind the scenes doing Rotary Books for Babies in conjunction with Plunket giving out children’s books to all mums to read to their little ones. When asked why she does it, Annes answer was the connection with Plunket and the young mums. Very much a unsung Hero.
Know a club member who needs support?
Contact our Member Support Coordinator: Jackie Dann
Both Cromwell Rotary club and Wanaka Rotary club have the opportunity to hear first hand the Highlands Motorsport Park story.
If we are lucky Josie will be speaking as she is an awesome speaker – so full of enthusiasm and positivity. If not, one of her team will share the story of this world-class facility.
This will also be a social get together between the two clubs. As Wanaka have further to travel, we chose their meeting night to have the event – which is a Tuesday.
We have arranged platters at $21.00 per person. Drinks can be purchased directly from Highlands
The sun shines on another successful Rotary House and Garden Tour.
On Saturday, beautiful weather enhanced the experience for the 301 House and Garden Tour visitors who were able to step inside and discover the vision and character of the owners of a range of stylish and interesting homes in and around Cromwell.
A huge thank you goes out to these homeowners for the work that obviously went into presenting their properties beautifully for the tour. There were many comments made about the variety of properties which made the tour interesting. Some even wondered if it should have been renamed a House and Classic Car Tour!
We are thrilled to be supporting the establishment of a community Splash Pad in the Alpha Street Reserve with this amazing fundraiser and would like to thank the local business sponsors who covered the costs of running this event: Barrett Homes, Edinburgh Realty, Feldwick Insurance, Goldenview Lifestyle Village, Guthrie Bowron, Highlands Motorsport Park, Jacksons Orchards, Sequioa, Shoes Unlimited, Southern Peak Law, Trends Kitchens.
Our vocational visit on Monday 20th October was to “The Recovery Project” - a health and wellbeing service opened by Laura Randal in September 2024.
Laura explained her journey to establishing the Recovery Project, and the variety of services that she and her team provide which include acupuncture, osteopathy, exercise rehabilitation, massage and personal training. Treatment for hay fever and allergies are amongst the most sought after, a reflection on the dryness of Central Otago.
Laura is passionate about helping people get their life back whether they are recovering from injury, surgery or chronic pain. Her approach goes deeper that short term relief., she aims to help her clients move better, feel stronger and stay out of the pain cycle for good.
Some of us who went to visit came away feeling that maybe we should be thinking of seeking her assistance in the not too distant future
We recently welcomed Mark to our Rotary Club. Mark, with his partner Clare Goddard, moved to Cromwell from Auckland three years ago, and he is currently renovating their home.
Mark has a background in sales and marketing in the aluminium and appliance industries and recently sold a small training business.
When not busy renovating, Mark enjoys mountain biking and tramping.
As a follow up to the talk on October 13th, Genevieve offered to take people who were interested on a tour of the Event Centre. Eleven of us accepted the offer and we had a great tour of the C.O Events Centre (which we think it may end o[ being called). It is fantastic! It’s been very well planned for the future and is most impressive. Jonathan is already planning to book the use of the auditorium, complete with its own green room, as there is nowhere in Central currently that can seat 450, even in Queenstown. There’s wonderful entertaining and meeting rooms, a full caterers kitchen, a cafe, special exhibit showroom, theatre with 45 seats and wait for it, ….at least twelve toilets in the complex as well as the RSA and Museum spaces. It is due to be completed in 2026.
Guest speakers at the Club’s October 13th meeting were David Scoones and Genevieve Chrystall. David and Genevieve are employed by the Central Otago District Council as Group Manager - Community Experience and Community Experience Manager respectively.
Club members and several guests from the Cromwell Lions Club were brought up to date on the development, progress and anticipated use of the new Cromwell Memorial Hall/Events Centre, a $ 45.8 million investment which is to benefit the whole district.
David and Genevieve gave us insight to some of the wider political and funding aspects of the hall development as well as details of the structure and anticipated use and activities.
Spaces in the new hall include the RSA room, auditorium, café, cinema, catering kitchen, museum, and areas that reflect and serve the needs of our community, from local meetings and events to large-scale performances.
It was noted that David and Genevieve and families are residing in Cromwell and are well aware of the community needs and progress. We can all look forward to the opening of the new centre in July 2026
A Serious Fishing Competition with a Family Flavour
Great prizes including spot prizes.
When: Sunday November 16th 2025
Where: Lake Dunstan
Costs: Adult is $20 Junior is $6 Child is Free Note an Adult is 18 years or over; Junior is between 12 and 17 inclusive, and a Child is under 12 years of age as at the 1st October 2025.
Please make sure you enter a valid email address as this is will be used to contact you for the next steps in the process. Enter your details and you will receive automatic emails detailing payment details. Once paid you will then receive an email with your Ticket(s) to the event.
Alternatively, you can register on the day from 6am at the Lowburn Hall.
Weigh-in starts at 2pm at the Lowburn Hall.
Prize giving starts at 4pm at the Lowburn Hall.
All participants must hold a valid, current sports fishing license and be aware of, and comply with, the Sports Fishing Regulations for the Otago Region.
To download a copy of the current rules for the competition - Click here
For further information please contact the organiser:
Both Cromwell Rotary club and Wanaka Rotary club have the opportunity to hear first hand the Highlands Motorsport Park story. 
