Our first evening at the Invercargill Club was a great success. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout, and the food certainly did not disappoint. A fantastic start in our new venue.

It was especially pleasing to welcome our visitors from the New York Friendship Exchange group (District 7255). Having them join us added a real sense of connection and energy to the evening. Hearing about their individual clubs and the projects they are involved in was both interesting and inspiring. From the Port Jefferson Rotary Golf Event that brings the whole community together, to Rocky Point’s Gift of Life Charity, Farmingdale Breakfast Club’s creative Doggie Runway, and the REACH club’s work restoring local waters through oyster reef projects — it was clear that Rotary’s impact is being felt in many different and meaningful ways.

What stood out most was the shared passion for service that connects us all, no matter where we are in the world. Opportunities like this remind us that Rotary is truly a global network. By meeting and learning from other clubs, we gain fresh ideas, new perspectives, and inspiration that we can bring back into our own projects and community work. It also reinforces that we are part of something much bigger — a worldwide effort to create positive change.

Our visitors spoke warmly about their time in New Zealand, particularly enjoying our scenery, fresh air, and the welcoming nature of our people. It was a pleasure to host them and to share a small part of our Rotary experience with them.

Moments like these strengthen friendships across borders and highlight the power of Rotary connections — not just in the work we do, but in the relationships we build along the way.

Upcoming Events:

• Give Kids a Chance Golf Tournament – 29 March. This is one of our key fundraising events, and we encourage everyone to help promote and support it. David Goble is currently seeking raffle prizes, so please reach out if you are able to contribute or source an item.

• Duck Race – 11 April. This week we are selling tickets at Nicols, and Industry Cafe.  If you are able to help, please contact Doug Lindsay.  Your participation is vital to the success of this much-loved community event.

This Week’s Meeting - 26 March 2026

Last week I advised we were meeting at the Museum however due to matters out of our control, we have to cancel this.  We will explain this further at the meeting.

Meeting this week will be at the Invercargill Club and there will be an A La Carte Menu available.  

I look forward to seeing you all there.

At our recent meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Jayson Sherriff and Ryan Isaacs, who both attended the RYLA Queenstown programme earlier this year. Jayson was sponsored by our club, while Ryan attended through the Sunrise Club.

Both Jayson and Ryan come from the building industry and are beginning to step into leadership roles within their workplaces. Ryan shared that he attended RYLA after encouragement from his boss, while Jayson said it took a few nudges from his father — and the decision of his boss to semi-retire — before he realised it was the right time to develop his own leadership skills.

Neither of them quite knew what to expect before arriving at RYLA — though they were intrigued when asked to bring items such as a chainsaw (Jayson) and building tools (Ryan)! Their days started early, with 5am starts at the campgrounds, working on practical projects around the site. Jayson spoke about building a chair and the satisfaction he felt when he returned three weeks later to see people sitting on it — a simple but powerful reminder of the impact of their work.

A key part of the programme involved working in teams, where they quickly learned the importance of understanding the strengths of others and working together effectively. Through this, they developed a deeper appreciation for teamwork and leadership.

Both speakers also highlighted the impact of guest presenters. Jayson was particularly inspired by Aaron Fleming, who, despite being told he would face limitations after a collapsed lung, went on to complete 18 Ironman events. His message — “Get to the next step; it’s important” — left a lasting impression.

Ryan spoke about Laura Koot from RealNZ, who shared her journey of building her career through hands-on experience, volunteering to gain skills, and directly approaching companies rather than relying on intermediaries. Her story highlighted initiative, resilience, and thinking outside the box.

When reflecting on what they took away from RYLA:

• Jayson shared, “Never expect the unexpected.”

• Ryan highlighted the importance of, “Getting to know your people so you understand their skills.”

It was fantastic to hear firsthand about their experiences. Programmes like RYLA continue to play an important role in developing future leaders, and it was clear both Jayson and Ryan gained valuable skills, insights, and confidence from attending.

We thank them both for sharing their journey with us.