Submit your Club News & Events to share with District 9685 via email
March District News includes...
DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S UPDATE
COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
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OPPORTUNITY : RYPEN FIJI
OPPORTUNITY : WINDEWARD BOUND
UPDATE FROM THE CONGO ---------------------------- NEWS & LEARNINGS FROM ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION UPDATE
COMMUNITY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
RAWCS UPDATE
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CASTLE HILL ROTARY 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA : 7 MAR
GIANT BOOK SALE : 7-9 MAR
CLIMATE PITCH WORKSHOP : 30 MAR
RYDE ROTARY'S 80TH YEAR OF IMPACT : 2 MAY
Club News publishes on the 20th of each month
Please share your club social and community event successes
by 18th March to communications@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S UPDATE
What do we get when we throw the right challenge statements at young minds and teach them a proven and well-researched method called ‘Design Thinking’?
This is what we did in the Pitch for Purpose Preliminary Round held over the second half of February. We covered over 250 students in over 50 teams across 2 age cohorts and 13 schools across our district.
And we got:
Designs for smart water tanks, biodegradable packaging, gyms that generate electricity….
Creative campaigns for trash to treasure, river clean-ups, improved separation of waste….
New business models for sustainable farms, for recovering food that might have gone to waste…
Apps for reporting illegal dumping, ride sharing for school drops….
Over 2 dozen teachers in 13 schools unanimously positive about the program (see one example of teacher feedback from John Wright of Castle Hill High – many other such comments have been obtained)
8 days of manic fun for all those involved, including the 17 Rotarian facilitators.
All of us can now experience the enthusiasm of the selected Finalist teams as they present at the District Conference Showcase.
Our youth have risen to the challenge and come up with creative ways to think differently. Can we respond by helping them bring their ideas to fruition? Rotary has over 1.4 million members in over 40 thousand clubs, and we share the same goals as these budding entrepreneurs. Can we join hands to help them build on this? And build our own membership while doing so?
The Pitch for Purpose Challenge had 3 main objectives –
Deliver an enjoyable and insightful learning experience for students, aligned to topics of current relevance, delivered in a way that is otherwise difficult for them to do as part of the class curriculum.
Invite students and families to our conference for the Final round, and thereby enable them to experience the full potential of Rotary, and thereby grow our membership.
Generate ideas that align to the 7th area of focus for Rotary – Protecting the Environment – so that where applicable our projects can benefit from these ideas and the students can benefit from our ability to implement at scale.
As of today, I can confidently say that the first objective was a resounding success. The second objective of the families participating at the conference is the focus of our efforts right now. The third objective is the ‘moonshot’ – we shall see!
I am thankful to the Pitch for Purpose team for getting us this far, and for the clubs who have offered to sponsor the subsidized tickets for Finalists. Let’s encourage their participation, make them feel welcome on the 22nd of March, and follow through for engaging the parents and families in our service projects going forward.
Yours in Rotary, Niranjan District 9685 Governor
Rotary Club of Beecroft
COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION
Rotary International’s Council on Resolutions meets online each year to vote on proposed resolutions submitted by clubs, districts, zones, and the RI Board, and any urgent enactments proposed by the Rotary International Board. Adopted resolutions are then considered by the RI Board or the The Rotary Foundation Trustees. Resolutions cover Requests for actions outside the purview of constitutional documents
2024 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION OUTCOMES
Thanks to all that provided feedback and guidance for my voting on this year’s proposed enactments. The resolutions to be presented to the RI Board and Foundation Trustees for acceptance can be viewed on here: Report of Action
Clubs can provide proposed resolutions for the 2025 Council on Resolutions cycle with a closing deadline of 30 June 2025.
So I encourage you to start discussing within your clubs for any changes you would like to see. We all have a voice and a responsibility for improving how this great organisation operates.
2025 COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION INPUTS
The Council on Legislation meets every three years to debate and vote on legislation proposed by clubs, districts, the RI Board, the general council or conference of Rotary Ireland & Great Britain (RIBI), and the Council.
There are two types of legislation, enactments and position statements. Enactments seek to change Rotary’s constitutional documents (the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution); whereas, position statements seek to state a position of Rotary International and are proposed only by the RI Board.
The 2025 Council on Legislation commences 13 April 2025.
The 2025 Council on Legislation (COL) book of proposed legislation is now available.
I would appreciate any feedback and recommendations on the current proposed legislation changes by 30 March 2025. Thanks for your consideration.
PDG Peter Ward Council on Legislation Representative
Rotary Club of The Entrance
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
TRAINING FOR 2025-2026 ROTARY YEAR
President Elect Learning & Development will be held on Saturday 8 March 2025, 8:30am to 4pm. Attendance is mandatory for all incoming Club Presidents, regardless of whether or not you have served in this capacity previously. If your club is not already registered to be represented, please contact DGE John immediately to ensure you don't miss out on valuable resources.
District Assembly will be held on Saturday 5 April 2025 at Lindfield Learning Village - incoming Club Boards, please register here.
ROTARY LEARNING CENTER - NEW LEARNING PLAN ALERT!
The new Service Project Essentials Learning Plan includes great courses for any club member looking to start a new service project in their club or to ensure your current projects are following best practices!
Take all the courses at once or take one course at a time, reflecting on what you learn, and taking steps outlined in the course before moving to the next course.
YOUTH PROTECTION UPDATE
Club Youth Protection Officers and current Presidents are reminded to undertake the Protecting Youth Program Participants 2024-2025 course in the Rotary Learning Center at your earliest convenience.
DGN Michele Ellery
Learning & Development Chair
Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains
OPPORTUNITY : RYPEN FIJI
Do you love Fiji?
Do you want to make a difference to a large group of teenagers there?
During the week of 16-21 May, RYPEN will be held at Koroipita Village, just outside Lautoka.
If you’d like to be part of it, please contact Liz McDougall (0419 267 960) to take part in a Zoom information session.
Liz McDougall Chief Storyteller District 9685
Rotary Club of Warringah
OPPORTUNITY : WINDEWARD BOUND
The next Windeward Bound trip up the East Coast of Australia is 15th April and trips are scheduled through until 29th November. 2025. A full itinerary is available at this link.
Check the 2025 East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge to find all the details and how to apply.
UPDATE ON THE CONGO
On the morning of 26 January 2025, rebels from the March 23 movement (known as M23) swept into the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further escalating a decades-long conflict. The fighting has been horrific, displacing 700,000 people and exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. The United Nations Security Council has now unanimously condemned M23 for their advances into the eastern region of the DRC.
Thousands have also been killed, including 13 peacekeepers from the long- running United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The International Criminal Court is closely following events on the ground since the launch of a probe into alleged war crimes in October 2024.
Bodies are strewn across the city. Banks are closed, making burials, healthcare access and livelihoods suspended. Children who have lost their families in the chaos are knocking on doors asking for food and shelter. Hospital project partners in Goma report patients and staff being taken away on March 3, possibly to be conscripted into M23 fighting ranks. Increasing violence and subsequent displacement are occurring in North and South Kivu provinces. A regional war is feared.
The city of Goma sits on the northern end of Lake Kivu, close to the border of the two provinces and Rwanda. The situation is pushing the humanitarian response to the brink of collapse and civilians are paying the price. For example, recent outbreaks of monkeypox (Mpox) continue across the DRC, exacerbated by conditions including poor sanitation, a lack of access to healthcare and inadequate shelter.
Currently several Rotary Australia World Community Service projects are impacted by the conflict, as well as Goma-based Rotarian projects.
For insights on what is behind this escalating conflict, why it matters, how women and children are impacted, and what advocacy steps each of us can take to help facilitate peacebuilding and humanitarian aid, have a listen this webinar hosted by HandUp Congo on February 25, 2025
Please take a moment to donate. Tax deductibility is available through www.rawcs.org.au, Project 47-2015-16 or contact Rtn Lucy Hobgood-Brown for background on this escalating crisis via handupcongo@gmail.com / 0417 272 101.
Lucy Hobgood-Brown
HandUp Congo E-Club of Greater Sydney
NEWS & LEARNINGS FROM ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY 2025
International Assembly is the gathering of District Governors Elect from around the world for training and networking. This is a chance to meet DGEs from around the world to:
Learn and appreciate the different ways that Rotarians and Clubs serve their communities
Understand the common challenges that clubs share in counties that are not dissimilar to ours and some of the strategies that have been applied to address them.
Explore possibilities to work together with other Districts for greater impact (Unite for Good!)
Discover new and interesting ways to do things
Make friends and open your Rotary world to future travel and experience possibilities.
DGE John Campbell
Rotary Club of Blackheath
ROTARY FOUNDATION TRAINING
I recently attended the Rotary Foundation training seminar in Melbourne as District Governor Nominee (DGN). Some highlights from the training were;
Gained deeper insight into The Rotary Foundation’s (TRF) programs, grants, and impact.
Explored strategies to enhance district contributions and engagement with TRF.
Learned best practices for managing and promoting district and global grants.
Engaged with Rotary leaders and experts to strengthen knowledge of TRF funding models.
Strengthened connections with fellow DGNs, senior Rotary leaders including Past Rotary International Director Jessie Harman and Rotary International Director-Elect Jennifer Scott AM.
Reviewed Rotary’s areas of focus and their alignment with district initiatives.
Inspired by success stories demonstrating TRF’s global and local impact.
Left with actionable strategies to support clubs in maximizing TRF opportunities.
Thank you again for the wonderful opportunity to attend.
DGN Michele Ellery
Learning & Development Chair
Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION UPDATE
Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends,
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact that PDG Bruce Allan had on our district and beyond. He was the one who helped me truly understand the power of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation when he introduced me to a Matching Grant project in 2012. Traveling with him, his son, and grandson to a village with my wife opened our eyes to the life-changing difference that individual Rotarians can make for communities in need.
One simple yet profound piece of advice from PDG Bruce in 2004 has stayed with me ever since.
PDG Bruce Allan's advice in 2004 was simple yet profound: "Your club has honoured you with a PHF by donating to Our Foundation; now it’s your turn to support it." This advice has stayed with me, and I urge you to consider its significance.
Since then, I have contributed regularly through Rotary Direct and encourage you to do the same. Many of you have received Paul Harris Fellow recognition—now is the time to reflect and ask: Have I supported My Foundation? Your contributions empower Rotarians worldwide to create lasting change through sustainable projects, building peace, goodwill, and world understanding.
Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones.
Since the start of Rotary Year 2020, an impressive 103 Global Grants have been approved, totalling USD 9 million.
These projects, spanning 22 countries, 40 Rotary districts, and 34 clubs from our district, are a testament to the power of our collective giving.
Every dollar contributed to the Annual Fund has generated a return of USD 19 for your global grant projects.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the Rotarians who actively participate in Global Grants. Your generosity fuels life-changing initiatives worldwide. Let’s continue this momentum by encouraging our clubs and fellow Rotarians to give generously to the Annual Fund, ensuring we can keep making a difference.
Let’s also recognise the impact of District Grants. Thank you to all clubs that have completed their projects and submitted final reports. For clubs with ongoing grants, please ensure completion by May 2025 so we can submit our final report to TRF in time for new grants in 2025-26. If your club has completed a district grant project, please share your success by publishing it in the Service Project Center.
Now is the time to start identifying new district grant projects for the upcoming Rotary year! This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with your club, the District Foundation Team, and clubs in your cluster to create a lasting impact while showcasing Rotary’s work in your community. The possibilities are endless, and I can't wait to see the innovative projects we'll develop.
Your continued support, generosity, and commitment make all the difference. Let’s keep creating magic and make this Rotary year one to remember! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do for Our Foundation!
Haran Ramachandran
Foundation Chair E-Club of Greater Sydney
COMMUNITY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
Wahroonga Rotarians and friends working on the ‘Rotary Walk’
Susan Templeman MP, John Dee, Councillor Romola Hollywood, Rtn Michael Chilcott and Katoomba Rotary President Faye Woodward
President of Umina Rotary, Dave Tanaire
Katoomba Rotary, under the leadership of President Faye Woodward, has formed a partnership with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, raising $12,000 at a gala dinner recently for local conservation initiatives including Science for Wildlife Blue Mountains Koala Project. The dinner had an excellent showing of Rotarians from several clubs, giving us a high profile at a function attended by many local dignitaries.
Congratulations to Erina Rotary for using a District Grant to tackle the DV issue:
“Through our Foundation grant we have partnered with the Central Coast Community Council and CatholicCare to fund this four-hour free training on how to respond to disclosures of family and domestic violence. Experienced trainers from CatholicCare will deliver the training which will include referral pathways and what to say. The target group is anyone who is engaged with paid or volunteer work where there is a potential for someone to disclose information around family & domestic violence.”
North Ryde Rotary held a trivia night, supported by Macquarie Park, Eastwood/Gladesville, Ryde and Turramurra, to fund youth programs including the very successful ‘Books in Homes’ project at Moree East Public School, a school with a large majority of Indigenous students which is led by PDG Pam Pritchard AM and her team from Turramurra Club.
Wahroonga Rotary members have continued to make improvements to the ‘Rotary Walk’, a shared pathway from the station to the local residential streets that had previously been dark and shabby. It has been an ongoing project led by PP Peter Kirkwood OAM who was concerned that it was unsafe for school students and others to traverse, especially at night. Peter was successful in having the walkway named for Rotary.
President of Umina Rotary, David Tanaire has been praised for his presentation on how to detect scams after becoming a victim himself. He has been delivering his power point talk locally in the Central Coast area, using a negative experience to make a positive difference.
The Hawkesbury Clubs – Kurrajong-North Richmond, Richmond and Windsor are one step closer to realising their project of providing a Smart Warning Flood Alert system to the Hawkesbury City Council, having been successful in securing a significant grant. They are hopeful that before the next flood event four separate systems will be in place to make road users more aware of the dangers of crossing flooded roads.
A shout out to the clubs who participated in ‘ Clean Up Australia Day ’, an important annual event that fits within our 7th Area of Focus – Supporting the Environment and an opportunity for the public to see us as people of action.
PDG Mina Howard
Community Service Chair
Rotary Club of Blackheath
Kincumber Rotarians doing a great job at the Rotary Reserve.
RAWCS UPDATE
RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Services) Eastern Region has six new projects registered in 2024-25:
Northlakes Toukley supporting Ramechham Primary School in Nepal
Norwest Sunrise supporting The Learning Glow Project
Northlakes Toukley assisting Zonta Central Coast Supporting Refugees
Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise supporting Homes for Older Women
Kincumber and West Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook supporting Strong Arms Scholarships and the Safe Hands Bursaries project.
In total there are 80 current RAWCS projects in District 9685:
63 projects leveraging the Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Fund
8 projects working with the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society
9 projects under Rotary Australia Compassionate Grants
If you would like to learn more about RAWCS projects your club can support, or ways for your club to work with RAWCS, check the website and reach out!
Jan Pryor
District 9685 RAWCS Chair
Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley
GIANT BOOK SALE
FRIDAY - SUNDAY 7-9TH MARCH
Rotary West Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook invite you to delve into our boxes sorted into categories ranging from Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Books, very well-kept Priced Books from 2018-2024, Music and more.
Yes, we have a Café on-site this year ….
We will have the Book Sale Café this year to rest those weary legs, scan through the books you have purchased and enjoy a well brewed cuppa from RuffTRACK.
RuffTRACK’s run several programs aimed at youth to “support young people to change their lives and reintegrate into society.”
CASTLE HILL ROTARY 60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
FRIDAY 7TH MARCH
For 60 remarkable years, The Castle Hill Rotary Club has been at the heart of our community—championing causes that change lives, fostering enduring fellowship, and driving meaningful impact both locally and beyond.
This milestone event will honour the visionaries, the changemakers, and the community heroes who have shaped our journey and continue to inspire the path forward.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening of:
Fine dining and entertainment
Heartfelt reflections and stories of impact
A celebration of friendship, community, and Rotary’s enduring legacy
Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney are hosting a free online Climate Pitch workshop via Zoom on Sunday night, 30 March 2025 from 7.30pm AEST (Sydney time). Find out the science behind why the climate is changing and a call to action as to what you can do locally.
The fight against climate change is a global challenge. Greenhouse gases don’t stop at country borders, so reducing the quantity we emit is everyone’s responsibility.
The program?
Presentation on what climate change is, based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Reports.
Interactive Q&A session to help answer your concerns and help connect with others.
Suggestions for actions we can take as individuals or as groups.
Don’t be overwhelmed – small steps can make a difference
