Stories

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is proud to recognize our Rotary Youth Exchange student, Tina Koemmerer, who recently shared a moving original poem with attendees at the District 6330 Conference in Sarnia.

Tina, who is from France, delivered her poem in English — her second language — with confidence, sincerity, and remarkable emotional depth. Her words captured the journey of a young student who once wished she could stop taking English classes, only to later discover that those same lessons would help open the door to a life-changing Rotary Youth Exchange experience in Canada.

Through her poem, Tina reflected on childhood dreams, persistence, uncertainty, and the courage it takes to pursue something that once seemed out of reach. She spoke about dreaming of North American schools, yellow buses, tall lockers, new friendships, and the chance to explore a world beyond home. What began as a childhood wish eventually became reality through Rotary.

One of the most powerful themes in Tina’s poem was the idea that dreams do not always come true immediately. Sometimes, they take years of hope, effort, family support, and the help of people who believe in young people and their potential.

Walkerton, Ontario — Friday, May 22, 2026

Members of the Rotary Club of Walkerton and Friends of Rotary were honoured to support Walkerton District Community School on Friday, May 22, as the school community gathered for a memorial barbecue and day of remembrance. The event was held in memory of WDCS students Olivia Rourke, Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford, Danica Baker, and teacher and coach Matt Eckert, who were lost in the May 23, 2025 tragedy.

Rotary Club of Walkerton Supports Local Literacy

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is proud to announce the successful completion of a community literacy initiative that provided more than 240 new books to local schools in the Walkerton area.

Through fundraising efforts and community support, the project supplied new English and French fiction and non-fiction books to students at Walkerton District Community School (WDCS), St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, and Immaculate Conception School.

New Member Spotlight – Irena Lechnowsky

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is pleased to welcome Irena “Rena” Lechnowsky, who officially joined the club on May 8, 2026.

New Member Spotlight – Julia Stein

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is pleased to recognize and celebrate Julia Stein as a valued member of our club, joining in December 2025.

Walkerton, ON – June 19, 2025

The Rotary Club of Walkerton held its final lottery draw for the 2024–25 fundraising year with special guests Adrianna Wilson and Diane Hodgson, Co-Directors of the County Towne Players, lending a helping hand. The draw took place during a recent Rotary meeting, where Adrianna and Diane joined longtime Rotarian Flo Gutscher to assist in selecting the winning ticket.

The $5,000 grand prize was awarded to Wilf and Elaine Lane of Walkerton. The Rotary Club extends warm congratulations to the Lanes and sincere thanks to everyone who supported this year’s lottery.

Walkerton, ON – June 19, 2025

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is proud to acknowledge and thank the County Towne Players for their generous donation from the proceeds of their most recent spring production, Squables. In a heartfelt gesture of community spirit, Co-Directors Adrianna Wilson and Diane Hodgson presented a cheque to Rotarian Tim Mancell, who was among the many Rotary Club volunteers that supported the success of the show.

This June, the Rotary Club of Walkerton was proud to hear from Samantha Kim, a Grade 11 student at Sacred Heart High School, who recently returned from the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference held at Western University in London, Ontario. Samantha was one of two students sponsored by our club to attend the four-day leadership program, along with fellow student Claire and Rotary Youth Exchange student Vitoria from Brazil.

Community BBQ Raises $700 Toward $3,000+ Goal

The Rotary Club of Walkerton is proud to support Camp BUCKO (Burn Camp for Kids in Ontario) with a donation of $1,000 to help young burn survivors attend this life-changing summer camp.

Rotary Thanks You (EN) from Rotary International on Vimeo.

A message from RI President Ron D. Burton and Rotary Foundation Chair, D. K. Lee....

At the Rotary District 6330 Conference, held in Walkerton on the weekend, Walkerton Rotarian Terry Kerrigan and his wife Sharon, middle, were recognized for becoming major donors to Rotary International with their donation to the Rotary founndation. The Kerrigans said they made the donation in honour of Walkerton Rotarian Don Moore, right, who served as District Governor this past year. “He is an inspiration to us all,” Terry said. Also taking part in the ceremony was Mildmay Rotarian Kelly Fotheringham, Rotary Foundation District Chair. The money has been directed towards water and sanitation projects and to literacy projects. A major donor is someone who donates a minimum of $10,000US. The Kerrigans become the first major donors from Walkerton.

Rotary District 6330 held its annual conference in Walkerton on the weekend, wrapping up Walkerton Rotarian Don Moore's year as District Governor. Rotary International representative Elizabeth Usovicz presented the governor with a gift for his dedication.

The Rotary Club of Walkerton has added a New Facebook Page. 

Please follow the link and like our page!  https://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofwalkerton