(Please complete ALL questions,Hint! Partner with many clubs)
Successful Applications
1. Rotary Clubs of Ryde, North Ryde and Macquarie Park- membership and awareness drive with corporate partners.
2. Castle Hill, Norwest and Kenthurst - Hills Luna Street Festival
District Club Awards are now open!
Presidents and members are encouraged to start preparing your Club Award submissions now, to be considered for a District Award, which will be proudly presented at the District Changeover on Saturday 27 June 2026.
Download applications from the newly updated District website using the
🌏Rotary Youth Exchange - 2027 Applications now open
We are inviting applications from current Year 9, 10 or 11 students who would like to spend 2027 as an exchange student.
This is truly the adventure of a lifetime. Families may also consider hosting an exchange student for a school term, an incredibly rewarding experience that builds lifelong connections.
Let’s continue investing in global citizenship and peace.
🌏Rotary Youth Exchange - District 9685 Secretary Needed!
To keep this wonderful program alive District 9685 is urgently seeking a new Secretary.
The Youth Exchange Committee requires a new secretary. This position is pivotal to the smooth working of the Youth Exchange Committee and as such requires a well organised person with good secretarial and information management skills.We would prefer a Rotarian but we are open to any qualified person.
The usual WWC checks apply and there is some weekend work involved. We pay an honorarium to the secretary. It is envisaged that this is not a full time position and can be easily managed as a part time role.
Further information and a Job description can be obtained by email:
Here are just a few examples of the great work happening across our District:
🌟Club Highlights - People of Action Across District 9685, Clubs are:
Supporting local mental health initiatives
Hosting community fundraisers
Delivering youth leadership programs
Partnering with RAWCS and international projects
Strengthening fellowship through creative events
Your work matters. It changes lives, often quietly, but profoundly.
If your club has a story, photo, or project you’d like featured in the next newsletter, please send it to communications9685@gmail.com with a short description and a couple of high-quality images.
Let’s celebrate our good news loudly!
Yours in Rotary, Michele District 9685 Governor
Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
DISTRICT 9685 - ROTARY FOUNDATION UPDATE
Dear Rotarians of District 9685
March is recognised across Rotary as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Month, reminding us how access to clean water and safe sanitation transforms lives. Clean water is not simply a resource; it is the foundation for health, dignity, education and opportunity.
Across the world, millions still live without reliable access to safe drinking water or sanitation. Yet through the commitment of Rotarians, communities are seeing real change. Wells are restored, filtration systems installed, sanitation facilities built, and hygiene education delivered, helping families live healthier and more hopeful lives.
This Rotary year, District 9685 has supported 21 Global Grants with USD 85,050 of District Designated Funds (DDF), leveraging projects valued at over USD 1.56 million. This demonstrates the remarkable impact our clubs can create through partnership and the power of The Rotary Foundation.
Importantly, four of these Global Grants focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, representing USD 15,915 in DDF and leveraging projects worth more than USD 340,000 across India, Sri Lanka and Fiji. These projects provide safe water and sanitation facilities that will benefit communities and schools for years to come.
I would also like to thank the clubs that have shared their stories through the Rotary Service Project Centre. So far this year, six projects from our district have been posted, helping showcase the meaningful work Rotarians in District 9685 are doing locally and internationally.
Behind every one of these projects stands The Rotary Foundation. Contributions to the Annual Fund today become District Designated Funds in the future, enabling clubs to continue participating in Global Grants and District Grants that change lives.
Thank You for Your Consistent Commitment
As we reflect on the Foundation's impact this month, I encourage clubs and Rotarians to consider their Foundation giving in March. We are currently benefiting from a favourable exchange rate of around AUD 1.41 to USD 1, meaning contributions made now go further. Clubs may wish to bring forward part of their end-of-year giving, and Rotarians considering a personal contribution may also benefit from this exchange advantage.
Every contribution, regardless of size, strengthens Rotary’s ability to Do Good in the World. Thank you for your leadership, generosity and continued commitment.
DGN Haran Ramachandran OAM District Foundation Chair
Rotarians who advocate the importance of Basic Education And Literacy in their District.
Ambassadors Promote the vision, goals, and action plan of the BEL Rotary Action Group.
Ambassadors serve as support to club and district leadership in BEL activities.
Ambassadorsexpand the awareness of BEL issues throughout their District.
Ambassadors help to expand BELRAG membership within their District. (Read more)
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS)
is smashing it in our District.
Recently I attended the quarterly meeting at Grace’s Place in Doonside to catch up with RAWCS Rotarians from Eastern Region and hear some great stories from people Uniting for Good.
I am proud to say that our district leads the way yet again when it comes to the number of projects. Eastern Region leads overall in Australia.
As at February 2026 we have:
86 projects spread over 23 countries
21 projects are in Australia
9 projects have been registered this year alone
5 of those new projects have applied for the compassionate grant matching funds made available through the generosity of Dick and Pip Smith who again donated $1m to RAWCS.
Read more examples of the great work our Rotarians are doing:[read more]
PDG Mina Howard
District RAWCS Chair
Rotary District 9685
Rotary Club of Greater Blue
Rotary Clubs Join Forces for Community Health
RNS BreastScreen Service
Crows Nest Rotary with the assistance of Lane Cove Rotary donated a new Breast Biopsy Driver System to the RNS BreastScreen Service. This advanced piece of equipment is now operational at the BreastScreen Service at RNS Community Health Centre. The total cost of the system was $15,000, with the majority funded by Crows Nest Rotary, and additional contributions from a District Grant as well as Lane Cove Rotary.
Site Visit and Community Engagement Members from both Crows Nest Rotary and Lane Cove Rotary recently visited the health centre to view the new device in action and to better understand its impact on patient care.
Improved Patient Experience Previously, breast biopsies at the centre required a large biopsy machine and the patient undergoing a mammogram, a process that could be uncomfortable for patients. In contrast, the newly acquired biopsy driver is a small handheld device that operates with ultrasound guidance, enabling a more comfortable and efficient procedure for patients.
Environmental Benefits The new system is also more environmentally friendly, replacing a large tub and tubing setup with a small plastic container, roughly the size of a medicine cup, thereby significantly reducing clinical waste.
A Model of Rotary Collaboration This initiative stands as an excellent example of Rotary clubs collaborating to enhance local health services and patient care within our community.
Rotary Crows Nest and Lane Cove with RNS Breast Screen Staff
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon as we honour the incredible women shaping our community and raising funds for the Rotary District 9685 Educational Scholarship Scheme, supporting survivors of domestic and family violence.
đź«– Date: Sunday March 8, 2026
đź“Ť Venue: Hornsby RSL
⏰ Time: from 11:00am 3pm
đź‘ Dress: Sunday Best
✨ What’s in store:
A beautifully curated high tea menu by Hornsby RSL Club
Uplifting entertainment by Lyhra – a powerful trio of celebrated female vocalists
A silent auction featuring the inspiring 2026 Apron Project
Chocolate fountain, bubbles, gifts, lucky door, raffles and more!
This is a celebration for everyone — yes, we want to see our good men at the tables too! Let’s come together to honour life, community, and connection, while raising vital funds for the Rotary District 9685 Educational Scholarship Scheme.
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!
Become a BELRAG
Ambassadors 
