Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae spoke to about 100 business people at a lunch at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.
The Club Otago function, in conjunction with the Otago Medical Research Foundation, was the final luncheon of four this year and was held to get members together with a view to raising funds for medical scholarships and research grants.
Otago Medical Research Foundation director of development Steve Davie said the foundation gave out about 20 scholarships a year worth about $5000 each and any research grants allocated were between $30,000 and $35,000.
The foundation had raised $3.6million to be put towards medical scholarships and research since 2010.
''Some of the research undertaken is now internationally acclaimed,'' Mr Davie said.
In a speech, Sir Jerry said it was a pleasure to speak at the function and the foundation aligned well with some of his key roles in government.
He and his wife, Janine, Lady Mateparae, also attended a tree-planting ceremony at Columba College yesterday for its 100th anniversary and a vice-regal dinner at the Dunedin Club in Melville St.
