Welcome Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Friends to the first edition of the 2025–2026 District Governor’s Newsletter, and to an exciting new Rotary year!
I am deeply honoured to serve as your District Governor and to follow in the footsteps of the outstanding Past District Governors who have guided our district with vision and dedication. I am especially grateful for their ongoing support as we embrace the opportunities ahead.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make our recent District Changeover such a wonderful success. I also extend my warmest congratulations to Immediate Past District Governor Niranjan Deodhar and his wife Vinita for their outstanding service and leadership throughout the past year. Well done!
This year’s Rotary International theme, Unite for Good, calls on us to lead with compassion, collaborate with purpose, and amplify our impact through service. As RI President Francesco Arezzo, a member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy reminds us, “Rotary members are People of Action. We don’t wait for change to happen; we make it happen. And what do people of action do? We unite for good.”
Francesco's Presidential Address at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary is available online here, and you can read more at Rotary.org here.
BUILDING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST
This year, our focus will be on empowering clubs to lead with confidence and creativity, while expanding our impact through high-value, visible projects that inspire and engage. We will also prioritize nurturing leaders at every level to ensure Rotary’s strength and relevance for generations to come.
Support is always close by - from our district team to Rotary Community Leaders (RCLs), and through the Specialist Groups of the Rotary South Pacific Regional Council. Your experience matters; why not get involved?
With your support, I look forward to connecting both through Rotary Community Group (RCG) gatherings and individual club visits. I’m working closely with your Rotary Community Leader to coordinate group meetings and welcome every opportunity to engage with your club, support your projects, and learn more about your unique Rotary story.
Finally, save the date for our combined Districts 9660 & 9685 Conference, Together for Tomorrow, in Newcastle on March 20–21, 2026. It will be a transformative weekend, rich with inspiration, connection, and purpose-driven conversation.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to a year of meaningful impact together.
Yours in Rotary, Michele District 9685 Governor
Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains
2025-26 DISTRICT GRANTS
Our District 9685 District Grant applications officially closed on 30 June 2025.
However, we unexpectedly received a small amount of additional grant funds from the Rotary Foundation, due to the improved exchange rate effective 1 July.
Therefore, there is some capacity for a couple of extra grant applications to be considered, however there may only enough for 1 more grant or possibly 2 small grants. Any additional applications received once those additional funds have been used, will have to be added to a waiting list and may miss out on receiving a grant, especially once those additional grant funds have been allocated.
If your Club hasn’t yet applied for a grant in this current Rotary year and still want to apply for one, applying for a District Grant is a simple process of completing the 2025-26 District Grant application (click here to download) and the 2025-26 MoU (click here to download).
For a grant application to be approved, your club must complete YOUR CLUB'S TRF giving goals, no matter how small.
The TRF 2025-26 Club Manual (click here to download) could help answer some questions you may have however please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or one of the members of the District Foundation Team. We are here to help you.
Please contact PP David Rivett on 0418 410106 or at david.rivett@bigpond.com if you have any queries regarding this opportunity for a late grant application and if you do want to apply for a grant, please send your completed grant application URGENTLY to david.rivett@bigpond.com ASAP as there is only a small amount of these additional grant funds available.
PP David Rivett District Foundation Grants Chair
Rotary Club of Gosford North
KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Congratulations
Phillip Newell AM Carlingford Rotary Club Haran Ramachandran OAM E-Club of Greater Sydney Lance Elwyn Harrigan OAM Gosford North Rotary Club Bindi Shah OAM Beecroft Rotary Club Robertson Ewin OAM Kurrajong North Richmond Rotary
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
As we embrace the new Rotary year under the inspiring leadership of District Governor Michele Ellery, we’re reminded of her powerful call to action: “Unite for Good.” This year let’s come together to create an even greater impact through The Rotary Foundation.
Thank you to every club that has contributed to the Foundation’s life-changing work. Your support is creating hope and transforming lives across our communities and around the globe, but there’s still more to be done.
Complete Your Rotary Club Central Goals
We urge all clubs to log in to Rotary Club Central and ensure your 2025/26 goals, especially those for Foundation Giving and Service Projects, are entered and up to date. Strong goal setting helps measure our impact, unlocks district-wide achievements, and demonstrates our collective commitment to service.
Why Your Giving Matters – Annual Fund & PolioPlus
The Annual Fund is the lifeblood of Rotary service. In 2024/25, thanks to previous giving, District 9685 had USD 134,387.37 available to support 32 District Grants and 14 Global Grants across seven countries. These projects are a direct result of your generosity.
However, giving to the Annual Fund has declined to USD 268,051, and PolioPlus contributions have dropped to USD 74,819—both at five-year lows. These figures directly affect our ability to support new grant applications in the coming year.
Let’s remember:
47.5% of your donations return to our district as DDF
What we give today defines what we can achieve tomorrow
District Grants 2025/26 – Thank You for Acting Early
PP David Rivett, our Grants Committee Chair, is currently compiling the District Grant
application for 2025/26. A heartfelt thank you to all the clubs that responded positively to the call and submitted their applications by June 30. This timely response ensures your clubs are ready to begin impactful, hands-on Rotary work early in the year, continuing the legacy of service that defines our district.
We’re Here to Support You – Club Visits & Cluster Q&A Sessions
The District Rotary Foundation Team is available to speak at your club. Whether it’s to explain how Foundation grants work, inspire members to become Centurions, or share how we can finish the fight to end polio.
This year, we’re launching a new initiative of Q&A sessions in small clusters, beginning on the Central Coast. Look out for more details from RC Gosford City, who will host our first session.
Let’s bring the Magic of Rotary to life—not with illusions, but with Rotarians in action, united for good. Thank you for your ongoing service and support. Together, we can ensure that Rotary continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference.
All club Presidents, Youth Directors and Youth Protection/Child Protection Officers must complete this course to ensure understanding of Rotary's youth protection requirements, along with anyone else in your club who will have contact with youth program participants this Rotary year.
The new District 9685 Youth Protection Policy is now in operation, and clubs are encouraged to review the policy and ensure you are meeting legislative and Rotary requirements. The slide deck from the webinar on 22 May is available here.
If you have any queries or would like assistance to review your club's youth risk management practices, please contact me via youthprotection@rotarydistrict9685.org.au
Michelle Westlund District Youth Protection Officer
Rotary Social Impact Network
INSURANCE NOTE
How safe is your BBQ?
Recently one of our Clubs had an incident with a borrowed BBQ. There was a problem with the connections between the gas bottle and the BBQ itself, followed by a build up of gas. Once lit, there was a small explosion.
Fortunately, there were no significant injuries on this occasion, but things could have been much worse.
From a Risk Management perspective, all involved must take a "we cannot take anything for granted" approach. All aspects of the BBQ must be checked by an experienced operator to ensure all connections are secure and that the BBQ can be used safely. This needs to happen every time a Club BBQ is used, and more importantly even closer inspection must occur when a borrowed BBQ is used. If there are concerns, don't turn the gas on until the issue is assessed and resolved by an expert.
I ask all Clubs operating BBQs across our District to be extra careful when setting up the BBQ. Please ensure it is safe to use at all times.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Dallas Booth District Insurance Officer
Rotary Club of Turramurra
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & HOSTING FELLOWSHIP
Discover the World Through Rotary – Join ITHF!
Are you passionate about travel, cultural exchange, and making lifelong Rotary connections across the globe? The International Travel and Hosting Fellowship (ITHF) brings together Rotarians who share a love for exploration and fellowship.
Whether it’s attending virtual travel tours, joining small-group cultural immersions, or hosting fellow Rotarians in your city, ITHF opens doors to unforgettable experiences. Learn more at: www.ithf.org
Interested? Contact me directly to learn how you can get involved and enjoy the magic of global Rotary friendship.
To explore the latest ITHF Connections Bulletin, click here.
DGN Haran Ramachandran Vice President (NSW&ACT) ITHF
Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney
THE JACK'S HOUSE LEARNING HUB
Richmond and Kurrajong North Richmond Rotary Clubs
Raise $30,000 to establish a Learning Hub at San Miguel North Richmond
In a major initiative to support a local organisation in their efforts to provide a residential parenting program facility and supporting young parents who are victims of domestic violence and who have experienced trauma, both Rotary Clubs partnered up, formed an enabling committee and raised $30,000 to establish a Learning Hub at San Miguel, North Richmond.
The project began in 2024 and was recently completed and opened on Thursday 26th June 2025. This involved the active ongoing teamwork of the enabling committee of both Rotary Clubs and the Team Leaders of San Miguel who were: Ian Jordan, Peter Chidgey, Rod Rose, Deb Cooper, Rob Ewin, Jim Birrell, Mary Kinnon, (Rotary) Alison Schneidereit, Elise Fowler, Leighsa Carter and Ray Foster (San Miguel).
The Project involved the repurposing of several rooms in Jack’s House (a building named after NRL’s legend Jack Gibson, who was a major supporter of San Miguel over many years). Repurposing involved structural alterations, positioning of a large viewing panel, an upgrade of electricals, repainting and repairs, shelving, the purchase of laptops, ergonomic chairs, technical support materials, children’s agile furniture and therapeutic play materials.
A dedication and opening ceremony took place on 26th June in which Rotary members, Team
Leaders of San Miguel and residents celebrated the occasion.
This reach of Rotary in action in our local community, is a point of difference.
Ian Jordan
Rotary Club of Richmond
L to R: Ian Jordan, Rod Rose, Ray Foster, Peter Chidgey, Alison Schneidereit, Rob Ewin, Jim Birrell, Deb Cooper & Leighsa Carter.
SHINING A LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH
Past Rotary Global Scholar shares powerful story, shining a light on mental health
Lane Cove Rotary was privileged to welcome Peter Joseph AM for a heartfelt and inspiring
conversation about life, loss, and finding purpose through service. Peter, who many may know as the founding Chair of the Black Dog Institute, spoke about how his time as a Rotary Global Scholar nearly 60 years ago helped shape his values and direction in life.
In an honest and moving discussion, Peter reflected on the origins of the Black Dog Institute, founded in 2002. The Medical Research Institute, based at the UNSW/Prince of Wales campus, was established at a time in Peter’s life that also saw the illness and later the tragic loss of his son, Michael, who took his own life in 2006 after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter has since dedicated much of his life to shifting how Australia understands, responds to, and researches mental illness.
The evening was hosted in an interview format by journalist and Australia Day Ambassador Emma Rossi, with a full room of over 60 locals and community members braving the Sydney rain to attend.
Adding to the occasion, guests also had the privilege of hearing from Professor Gordon Parker AO, the founding Director of the Black Dog Institute, who was present on the night and warmly acknowledged by Peter for his leadership – along with Gordon’s own pioneering work in reshaping Australia’s approach to mood disorders and mental health care
Lane Cove Rotary President Jenny May said it was a privilege to hear Peter’s story.
“It was a reminder that you never know where one opportunity – like a Rotary scholarship – might lead. Peter’s journey is one of service, strength and deep care for others. We’re so grateful to have shared this night with him.”
Lane Cove Rotary regularly hosts events like this, offering a chance to hear from inspiring speakers and connect with the local community. There are many ways to get involved – from lending a hand at local events to becoming a member, or simply coming along as a guest to see
what it’s all about. To learn more, visit lanecoverotary.org or speak with a friendly Rotarian next time you see them around Lane Cove.
Jenny May
Rotary Club of Lane Cove
IN MEMORIAM
Vale PP Frank Dearn Rotary Clubs of Burwood, Lindfield & Ku-ring-gai
Vale PP Rodger Wilson Rotary Club of Kariong Somersby
MATERNAL HEALTH & CHILDCARE IN NIGERIA (ZOOM)
TUESDAY 8TH JULY
Ryde Rotary is hosting a number of special events in our "80th Year of Impact" in 2025-26. Rotarians, Clubs and visitors are welcome to join these online sessions with internationally significant guest speakers.
Cofounder & Technical Advisor to the Reproductive, Maternal & Child Health Rotarian Action Group
Rotary International "Programs of Scale" grant winner Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria was the first project of the Reproductive, Maternal & Child Health Rotarian Action Group, founded in 1994.
Transitional Community Housing is now in its 9th year of activity and 18 months since first securing property to provide transitional housing support. The project has provided homes or support to secure housing for 31 persons including 12 women and 18 dependents.
The Transitional Community Housing project is Kenthurst and Norwst Sunrise Rotary Clubs' response to the deteriorating homelessness situation facing so many people today in Sydney. We recognise that women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort of homeless and with them we are seeing 1 in 7 homeless people, children under the age of 7. Neither of these outcomes can be accepted.
To support us to deliver on our programme we invite you to attend our
Join us in Taipei, Taiwan, for the Rotary International Convention 13–17 June 2026!
This dynamic city is the perfect place to celebrate Rotary with friends old and new. From inspiring sessions to unforgettable cultural experiences, you won’t want to miss it!
Save when you register and pay between 21–25 June 2025 — don’t miss this limited-time offer!
