Founded on April 23, 1923, Rotary Dunedin was the first Rotary club in the city, and has played an important role in supporting and developing charitable and voluntary activities in the area.
Club president Fiona Nyhof was "proud and excited" about the centenary, and said the efforts of Rotarians over many years had made a difference in the community, which was something to be celebrated.
"Since its beginnings, our club has been the ‘parent’ and ‘grandparent’ of all the other Rotary clubs in southern New Zealand, and Fiji," she said.
"Over the century, our clubs have devised, fundraised, organised and delivered literally hundreds of service and charitable projects, large and small, that have been of immense benefit to our local, national and international communities."
Rotary Dunedin will mark the milestone with a centennial dinner at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum on April 29, with guest of honour former governor-general Sir Anand Satyanand.
A centenary book, entitled Rotary Dunedin — 100 Years of Service, A brief history of the Rotary Club of Dunedin, will be launched at the dinner.
Ms Nyhof said the club was looking to the future and the start of its next major project — to beautify and upgrade the paths, bike tracks and amenities at Rotary Park. The park was established by Rotary Dunedin in the 1950s.
"Club projects, regular meetings and a variety of activities bring a lot of joy and purpose into the lives of Rotarians, the voluntary activities and the charitable causes we support have proven the test of time, and we welcome people from all walks of life to join us ... make friends and have some fun," she said.
