The Rotary Club of Oamaru — 100 Years of Service, to be published next month, celebrates the club’s role in the community.
It covers the club’s many activities, including its popular fundraising events such as Bookarama and Toyarama.
Former Oamaru Mail journalist Jacquie Webby is the book’s author.
She has been supported by former Oamaru librarian Jill Grenfell, who helped research the club’s history.
President Malcolm Walker said the club had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to community organisations and individuals since it was formed 100 years ago.
It had also contributed to international projects, including Rotary’s campaign to end polio.
The inaugural meeting for the club was held on April 1, 1925, at the site of what is now the Oamaru Mail, but was then Bartrum’s Tea Rooms.
Past-president Ian Wallace said the book documented a "very proud history" of Rotary in Oamaru.
"This is something very special. Here’s a service club, the last of its kind, still here in the little town of Oamaru.
"It’s something to be very proud of," Mr Wallace said.
Founding Oamaru club president John Meggett Forrester was the renowned architect of many of Oamaru’s famous buildings, a former mayor, and the benefactor enabling the foundation of the Forrester Gallery.
"He must have had a sense of humour, having the club’s first meeting on April Fool’s Day," Mr Wallace said.
Miss Webby said they were "very proud" the book was almost completed, thanks to the help of former and current Rotarians.
The book encompassed the entire club history, including when the Oamaru and Waitaki clubs reunited after 35 years in 2014 after previously splitting due to large numbers.
The only living founding member of the former Waitaki club is Gilbert Ellery.
"They were then put back under the umbrella of the Rotary Club of Oamaru, which is one of the oldest Rotary clubs in New Zealand," she said.
Mr Wallace said they hoped to "rekindle" connections with former members during the centennial period in April.
The celebrations will include a formal dinner and the special launch of a new public space — the Rotary Centennial Glen in Eden St.
Committee member Ele Ludemann said while the club originally set out to be an organisation of professionals, the membership base had broadened.
"The ongoing challenge is to attract more members and to, of course, get in touch with past members for the centennial celebrations."
She hoped former Rotarians would make contact through the Rotary website.
