Southland Rotary clubs unite to support 2026 Placemakers Scooter Challenge
All nine Rotary clubs across Southland have committed to Unite for Good, joining together to support the 2026 PlaceMakers Scooter Challenge, collaborating to benefit The Grace Street Project's vital community hub.
Following the launch of the Grace Street public fundraising campaign in July, a concept to collaborate was presented at a combined Rotary Club chairs meeting earlier this year. Representatives from Gore, Winton, Riverton, Te Anau, and all five Invercargill Rotary clubs have agreed to throw their collective weight behind the March 2026 fundraising event, which will see up to 250 riders journey from Invercargill to Te Anau on 50cc scooters.
The collaborative effort will focus on supporting the Scooter event fundraising with a raffle and auction prizes to benefit The Grace Street Project.
The 9 Southern Clubs working together on the same fundraising project is pretty special. " This community-wide initiative is what the network of Rotary was built for," said Dave Mckissock, Immediate Past District Governor, Regional Community Leader said.
"When the opportunity to support the partnership between PlaceMakers and The Grace Street Project was presented we knew that this was a project with impact, something all of Southland's Rotary clubs could work together to support together."
"All nine clubs involved opens the opportunity to maximise Rotary’s community connections across Southland," McKissock said. "From the 5 Invercargill Clubs, to Gore, Winton, and Riverton through to Te Anau, each club can bring something reflective of their Club to this collaboration."
The Grace Street Project's work and mission of supporting community wellbeing aligns strongly with Rotary’s underpinning principle of Service above Self. This collaboration by community for community aligns with the overarching Rotary International theme of Unite for Good.
Janette Malcom, Chair of The Grace Street Project, said the team was deeply moved by the support of Placemakers and all the Southland Rotary Clubs. “We’re so grateful,” she said, “to have so many groups stand with us. The Grace Street Project is built on the strength of our community, and this support is not only humbling, it is at the very heart of why this matters.”
Malcolm said that $3.8M had been raised so far and that phase 1 of the build had started. However, she said, “we still need to raise the remaining $2.1M for phase 2, to enable completion of the Hub in October 2026”
Raffle Prizes and details for the Te Anau Finish line event are scheduled to be released in December.
The 2026 PlaceMakers Southern Scooter Challenge will be the ninth iconic Southern event, with the new Invercargill to Te Anau route a fresh adventure while maintaining the event's core focus on community fundraising and support.
Tasha Clay, PlaceMakers - Southern Scooter Challenge Co Organiser said “Registrations remain open for the Southern Challenge, with capacity for up to 250 riders. We’re excited to share that 180 riders have already registered, and momentum is building fast. Fundraising is also tracking strongly — our last challenge raised an incredible $95,000 in support of Hospice Southland.
If you’d like to join the ride or donate, please visit www.southernchallenge.co.nz. Every contribution helps us make a real difference.”
The 9 Southern Clubs working together on the same fundraising project is pretty special. " This community-wide initiative is what the network of Rotary was built for," said Dave Mckissock, Immediate Past District Governor, Regional Community Leader said.