Jan Hopcroft

October 2025

Last month we had our local Queenstown District Governor Keith McIntosh come along to our meeting and discuss everything Rotary. One of the main points was Membership and Rotary just like every other organisation membership can be sticking point for anyone wanting to join. Do I or don’t I? Does it meet what I want in my community? And how can I contribute?
To answer some of these questions.
We have some awesome fundraisers which have benefited the community. These include The Ronald McDonald House Ball, the Lot 47 house build which brought the community together for our Local St John and next month’s House and Garden for the proposed Alpha Street Splash Pad facility We have past and present business leaders in our club that would make great mentors for members.
We can adjust membership to suit and we can be flexible. If you know anyone who is thinking about joining, get in touch and they are most welcome to come along to a meeting.

I hope you are all spreading the word about this year’s fundraiser The Rotary House and Garden Tour on Saturday November 1st. We are lucky here in Cromwell that we have an amazing group of home owners willing to show their beautiful properties to the wider community for a good cause - the funds raised this year are going towards the establishment of a Splash Pad at the Alpha Street reserve.
This is a big project but a worthy one that unites the community and Rotarians together for the greater good. This project will benefit the not only families of Cromwell but also the wider community. I encourage you to jump online, get your tickets and enjoy a great day out.

Our Rotary Trust has approved this past month a donation to Project Campus, (International project) , The Books for Bags for the new entrants to our Primary Schools next year and mats for the local Cromwell Gym Club and a reduction in our Rotary Subscriptions for this year.

Speakers for next month Monday 13th October we have Genevieve Chrystall and David Scoones giving us an update on the new Cromwell Hall.

Have a great month.

Jan

Guest Speaker - Keith McIntosh DG

It was a pleasure to welcome District Governor Keith McIntosh and his wife Heather to our first meeting of September. Keith shared some of his rotary journey with us, including his early days in the Fire Service. He outlined the priorities for his year and his views on how Rotary needs to adapt to a changing world. Top of his list is membership which is a key issue for all clubs, including our own.

Interplast update

https://interplast.org.au/you-are-helping-shape-the-future-of-rehabilitation-in-kiribati/?utm_source=Interplast&utm_campaign=bac50d419d-ENEWS_SEPT25_ROTARY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a7ad135d40-210813505

Jonathan Ushers “It’s Magic” preview

Monday 29th September saw a new experience for members as Jonathan Usher (ably assisted by his wife Lisa) entertained us with a preview of his new show. A good showing of over 30 of us gathered at the Town and Country Club and over drinks and nibbles played a fun game of Bingo!! Unusually for a gathering of Rotarians the room was utterly silent whilst the numbers were called (we obviously took it very seriously!). Our honorary and older members seemed to do particularly well (perhaps a skill developed in years past!!) which was good to see.

A big 'thank you' to Jonathan and Lisa for a most enjoyable evening.

Vocational visit - Cromwell Primary School

While there was a disappointing number of members present on Monday's visit to Cromwell Primary School, those who attended will be happy to share their positive experiences from our tour of the new hall, staff room and junior block. It was fabulous to see the hall with its modern flooring, retractable basketball hoops, current sound system and audiovisual screen and full kitchen off to the side. A multi functional space, it’s been a game changer to the staff and pupils and community groups who hire it. Cromwell Rotary donated $38,000 from Lot 47 towards this audiovisual equipment, so we felt proud to see just how much it is used and appreciated. Likewise the modern classrooms were a joy to visit with a variety of seating and work spaces, beautiful heating and modern technology equipment available for use. Yr 3/4 Teacher Belinda Tomlinson reinforced how much the students love our pictorial dictionaries (& their new maths books!). She said that kids still like working with paper! The staff room really impressed Denis who many years ago was a CPS Board member - things certainly have changed. It was a heart warming and very interesting visit.

Guest speaker - Terry Davis

Terry and his father Jack Davis enlightened us on their recent experience of going to the world championships of gold panning 2025 in Spain in August.
The central Otago heritage trust was successful in its application to host the 2026 “World Championships Gold Panning “. This will be held at the Cromwell Racecourse Recreation Ground.
Terry emphasised that a lot of volunteers will be required to help with the running of this event over 5 days.
Jack followed Terry’s talk with a brief overview of his boat cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest which included

photos

Rotary Point update

Rotary Point track is looking great after a new layer of bark chips have been laid in preparation for summer visitors to enjoy.

Maureen Butchers Celebration

Duncan has asked to pass on his, Rueben's and their families thanks and appreciation for the number of members past and present, and friends of Rotary that attended Maureen's celebration on Monday.

Duncan also is now on our "Friends of Rotary" mailing list so he can stay in touch with what's happening in the Rotary world.

2025 Rotary House and Garden Tour

Cromwell Rotary Club House and Garden Tour is returning in November 2025

Cromwell Rotary House and Garden Tour committee is delighted to announce that the fifth Cromwell and Districts House and Garden Tour will be held on Saturday the 1st of November this year.

Make sure to “Save The Date” in your diaries now and tell all you friends and family to get in early! As you will know, tickets for this popular event always sell fast.

We have 11 homeowners who have generously volunteered (with a little gentle persuasion from Paula😊) A big thank you to these owners of the fabulous homes and gardens.

We are excited to this year be raising funds towards the establishment of a Splash Pad at the Alpha Street Reserve.

The splash pad is an area fitted with a non-slip surface and various nozzles & features that can shower, spray, rain, mist & shoot streams of water. Sometimes called a zero-depth pool the play space can include a shower down, water arch, splash buckets, water helix and rocket streams all designed for a safe, inclusive watery fun.

The water from the play area will be recycled making it sustainable. This will be such an asset to local families and holiday makers.

More information on how you can help will be circulated to members and friends in the next while, or contact Paula on 0275725457 or email areteholdings@xtra.co.nz

Registrations open September 5th.

The data is in for a major maternal and child health initiative
With a US$2 million Rotary Programs of Scale award, a project makes high-quality care available to pregnant women, mothers, and newborns in Nigeria

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS MEETING.

If you are sending out emails to all club members please also include the group "Almost Members" in the contacts section.

This group includes prospective members and some partners of members that like to be informed of club happenings.

Thanks.

Set up and Clear

Wilkie, Lindsay

Registration and Parting Thought

White, Fin

Guest Speaker host

Lloyd, Alan

Cromwell Rotary Club meeting
Cromwell Town & Country Club
Oct 13, 2025 5:45 PM

Cromwell College Prizegiving

Oct 30, 2025

House & Garden Tour 2025
Cromwell
Nov 01, 2025 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Cromwell Rotary Club meeting
Cromwell Town & Country Club
Nov 10, 2025 5:45 PM

Cromwell Rotary Club meeting
Cromwell Town & Country Club
Nov 24, 2025 5:45 PM

Cromwell Rotary Club
Cromwell Town & Country Club
Dec 08, 2025 5:45 PM

View entire list

Sep 08, 2025

Keith McIntosh DG

District 9999

All things Rotary in the coming year.

Sep 22, 2025

Terry Davis

World Gold Panning Championships Cromwell 2026

Oct 13, 2025

Genevieve Chrystall and David Scoones

Cromwell Hall update

View entire list

Mondays at 6:00 PM

Town & Country Club

Melmore Terrace
CROMWELL, 9310
New Zealand

Phone:

021 454 371

Send Email to Club

2nd & 4th Monday at 5.45pm

District Site

Venue Map

Club Executives and Directors

President:

Jan Hopcroft 027 606 7927

Past President:

Rose Grindley 021454371

President Elect:

Jonathan Usher 021 462 442

Secretary:

Jennie Nicol 027 621 3216

Treasurer:

Neroli McRae 027 434 6014

Membership:

Trish Bulling 027 688 6869

Club Administrator

Euan Nicol 027 214 2291

Projects:

Pete Svensson 027 429 6210

Public Relations:

Craig Lunn 021581665

Youth Service:

Tania Henderson 027 2848 181

Foundation:

Alan Lloyd 027 251 7560

Bulletin:

Wainita Proctor 027 256 8180

Webmaster:

Murray Kennedy 021 455 818

Vocational Visits:

Doreen Evans 027 277 0972

Speaker Seeker:

Adrienne Heal 027 235 8820

Almoner:

Shirley Calvert 0212526916

Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.