We wish to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of this land
– the Aboriginal people past and present.
It is upon their ancestral lands where we are today.
As we share our knowledge, Rotary practices and ideas, through this newsletter and all of our activities, may we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
This is the last District Newsletter and I want to THANK Marilyn Kenney for the wonderful work she has done in getting out two newsletters each month. I also hope you enjoyed the productions and had some conversations around some of my controversial editorials.
Most of us would say that we joined Rotary because we wanted to give back to, as well as become more connected with our communities. When we became members, we found that not only did we have the first two opportunities, but we also developed or improved a range of new skills, developed as people, had exposure to, and hands-on involvement with inspiring projects both locally and overseas, met new people and built incredible friendships. Outside of our immediate clubs, there is a larger organisation that also gives us new learning experiences and opportunities to expand our horizons. Conferences and assemblies allow us to hear exceptional speakers from so many different walks of life that give us a broader view and expand our thinking. As a result of all these benefits, we as individuals become fully engaged in life, satisfying a basic human need of connecting with others whilst feeling productive and valued. It is this last point that I feel we all need to be mindful of with fellow club members.
Rotarians are volunteers … they put in as much as they are able to give within the context of their broader commitments. There will always be those in Rotary who give a staggering amount of time and energy to club activities and indeed the wider Rotary organisation. While this contribution is admirable and needs to be acknowledged, it is also important to be mindful that we do not impose expectations on these individuals to continue going beyond that subsequently leads to burn-out or a desire to leave. At the same time, no Rotarian should feel guilty if they cannot take on certain club activities, nor feel less than those who put in a super-human effort. Rotary is made up of people who have wide and varied backgrounds and equally wide and varied life commitments. We need to respect this and be grateful for whatever involvement an individual can give willingly. If we do this, we are less likely to lose members who feel they have given too much, too little, or have been taken for granted. While ‘Service Above Self’ is our motto, it should not be interpreted as a forced requirement that results in a sense of guilt or obligation that could be detrimental to the wellbeing of any individual. All club Presidents and leadership teams should be aware of club member wellbeing and ensure there remains a feeling of satisfaction in being a Rotarian. This will also ensure member retention.
Have a great week in Rotary service everyone. And remember,
In January 2020, when I announced my presidential theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, and spoke of the changes that Rotary needed to embrace, none of us had any idea how quickly change would arrive. But I am a longtime believer in seeing challenges as opportunities. This year, we seized new opportunities to reimagine what Rotary could be. For years, we had discussed ways to make Rotary flexible and adaptable, and we had tried a few experiments. This year, we all experimented — and succeeded! Online meetings are a regular fixture now as clubs invite guests from across the globe.
From L to R: DGE Lindsay May, Mayor of the Northern Beaches Michael Regan, DG David Clark
Northern Beaches Council held a reception for local Rotary Clubs to mark 100 years of Rotary’s Service in Australia.
“I thank you for everything you do, for your service above self and for instilling that into the whole community,” said Mayor Michael Regan. “Your values, morals and influence on our community is exceptional."
Rotarians from all local clubs; Balgowlah, Belrose, Brookvale, Dee Why Warringah, Frenchs Forest, Manly and Upper Northern Beaches attended, as well as Rotaract representative Sam Wilkins, Councillors and representatives from local groups who have been supported by Rotary.
Celebrating 100 years of Rotary
Media Release 15 June 2021
Photo: Liz Romalis (Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise), Mayor Mark Greenhill, District Governor David Clark (Lower Blue Mountains), Margaret Bell (Springwood), Peter Hartley (Central Blue Mountains),
Christina Jackson (Blackheath) and Lucian Keegel (e-Club of Greater Sydney).
Celebrating 100 years of Rotary
Blue Mountains City Council has joined Rotary Clubs in the Blue Mountains, to celebrate a centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.
Representatives of Blue Mountains Rotary Clubs recently presented Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, with a ‘R100’ relay baton to commemorate the milestone of service.
“I love what Rotary contributes to our City,” Mayor Greenhill said. “They do great things for humanity every day. We are lucky to have so many dedicated Rotarians, who display the absolute best in community spirit, in the Blue Mountains.” Rotary International District 9685 – that includes clubs in the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, North Sydney, The Hills District and Northern Beaches – has been serving the local and international community for many years.
Rotary District Governor David Clark said: “The local Rotary clubs would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to those who have supported recent centenary celebrations across the Blue Mountains recently.
“As part of these celebrates, Rotarians walked from Mt Victoria to Glenbrook from 22 to 24 April. A big red ‘Rotary’ bus has also been travelling around the City and visiting bushfire recovery regions – including Clarence and Dargan. Rotary handed out vouchers for nurseries to those who had suffered losses during the 2019/2020 summer bushfires.”
Rotary Clubs in the Blue Mountains local government area include:
2. The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville partnered with Truc Lam Zen Inc to support Rotary Clubs in India to ease the pain of the COVID second wave which has swept the country, paralyzing the already strained healthcare system. To date we have achieved in partnership with Truc Lam Zen Inc:
2 X Oxygen Concentrators to RC Tiruvannamaalai (See attached Flyer AUD 7,500 including airlift and customs duties)
3 X Oxygen Concentrators to RC CHILAKALURIPET (See attached PO – USD 11,710 Shipping details to come)
We are also shipping ventilators to PDG Dr Pramod Kumar (District 3120) (waiting for PO). The appeal to raise funds are ongoing and will support our continuation of work in India. Please see the appeal video here - Covid 19 Relief India 2021 - YouTube
Haran Ranachandran
3.Save The Date – Share the Big Picture of Rotary Impact at Zone 8 Conference
By RI Director-Elect Jessie Harman
To celebrate our Centenary, this year’s Zone 8 conference is all about sharing the wonderful impact of Rotary. It will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September 2021.
There are some great reasons to attend this year’s event:
Be inspired by Rotary projects in communities around our Zone
Meet some of our Rotary heroes – dedicating their lives to making a positive difference
Learn new ways to deepen engagement and impact from Rotary’s senior leaders
Connect with Rotary friends old and new
Share the ‘big picture’ of Rotary impact with your newer members
Be inspired to deepen your engagement and make an even greater difference through Rotary.
The 2021 event is virtual with a flexible two-day program designed to inspire and energise you. The event will have all the best elements of the face to face conference – you can ask listen to great speakers, ask questions, network with Rotarians friends (old and new) and choose the sessions you want to attend – all from the comfort of your home or in a shared space with other Rotarians and friends. This event will bring together the best of Rotary in one place over one weekend. Keep up to date with all the speakers, sessions and sizzle at the conference website: https://rotaryzone8.org/sitepage/2021-zone-8-national-conference
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
Here are the latest broadcasts.
Rotary Recognises Inspirational Women
Popularity Of The Printed Page. Lifeline Book Fair
RYLA-TL once again realizes a humanitarian assistance through the Community Service program to those families who suffered from the heavy floods last two months ago. These activities covered 7 Villages in, and around Dili, for a total of 88 families. With the materials that RYLA-TL provided were foods and other basic necessities with the objective to help those families in this situation.
Furthermore, this activity support by the Rotary in Australia through Rotary District 9685 and Rotary District 9550.
For more information about this story, go to the Public Relations Facebook page at -
The Rotary Club of Wahroonga would like to invite you to book for a fund raising event on Saturday 14 August . The event, “ Comedy for a Cause ”, will be an enjoyable evening of comedy held at the Asquith Golf Club. There is plenty of parking inside the grounds.
The evening will consist of 3 professional stand-up comedians telling jokes and satire about current events. All the funds raised will be donated to a Nepal Orphanage and to the Indian COVID relief appeal the Rotary club has organised through a Rotary Club in India.
The cost is just $ 35 per person. The show will start at 8 pm but the club has offered an option of 6 delicious meals at $15 per person available from 6.30 pm and the bar will be open. Meal details are attached. Drinks will also be available at interval. Full details of the event are on the attached flyer.
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
Rotary Theme for June
THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE 64
13th to 15th August, 2021
on Zoom
There is still time to register
for this Learning Opportunity. RLI62
recently concluded with great success and rave reviews. Don't miss out .
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