Photo courtesy of Conquer the Summit
Every March, you'll find Rotary Volunteers like Dianne helping participants navigate their way to "conquer the summit" at an iconic running event in Mount Barker.
Photo by Darren Clements Photography, courtesy of the Mount Barker District Council.
Meet Joe. He's been part of Rotary in different ways for most of his life and a member of our Club for 20 years.
Photo by Darren Clements Photography, courtesy of the Mount Barker District Council.
The snags weren't the only things sizzling when Rotary cooked up an Aussie-style barbecue on a scorching Australia Day in Mount Barker.
We've all heard about the ramping of ambulances, but this time it was the Rotary Catering Van that got ramped when it was parked to feed the masses at the official opening of Mount Barker's new Ambulance Station.
On December 21st 2024 we lost one of our longest-serving and most accomplished members when Ian Rose passed away suddenly at home.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that Jesus came into this world to bring hope, peace on earth, and goodwill to all.
It is also the time when we gather with friends and family and demonstrate a spirit of togetherness in our community. Our Rotary traditions have always included bringing cheer to the less fortunate. Giving and sharing, however, do not always mean giving money or material things. Sometimes taking time to help and comfort someone in need is worth as much or more. As individuals, let us find time in our busy schedules to offer a word of encouragement to someone with a broken spirit, a neighbour, a relative, or a friend going through a difficult time. Let us give of ourselves, not out of obligation, but out of desire.
As we reflect on the past year and approach a new one, let us consider what we can do as a club to continue making a difference in our community. As Gandhi said, "you must be the change you want see in this world." What changes do you personally plan to make to bring about positive changes in our community?
Let us remind ourselves once again of the hope and joy we find in Christmas. With the global turmoil we are witnessing, it seems more appropriate than ever to say, "let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
Adapted from a Christmas Message by Former Rotary International President Bendt Haverberg
For nearly 40 years, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker has supported local organisations that work to make Christmas a little brighter for the discouraged, hungry, and lonely people in our community. This year, the cost of living and housing crisis has hit our community hard, and the reliance on these organisations has grown immensely.
At our last meeting for 2024, we hosted representatives from The Salvation Army, the Mount Barker Uniting Church, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies). They received our donations and informed us about why their work in Mount Barker was so important.
Pictured from left: Liv and Sam Hately from The Salvation Army; Haydn Lush from the Mount Barker Uniting Church; President Mark Clemow and Tom Mead from the Society of St Vincent de Paul.Since 1982 the Mount Barker Christmas Festival Committee, a jolly group of community volunteers, has been decking the streets with boughs of holly and much more for the annual Mount Barker Christmas Pageant. On the first Saturday of December, the town buzzes with excitement as thousands gather along the 1.4km route through our beautiful town centre, making it the biggest Christmas parade in South Australia outside of the famous Adelaide Christmas Pageant.
For three decades, Rotary has been a part of the Pageant, with Ian Rose steering the ship. Ian is not just a figurehead; over the years he has crafted and cared for eleven floats, marshalled the merry-makers, and piloted the Club's float. Our participation in the Mount Barker Christmas Pageant is more than festive fun; it's a tip of the Santa hat to Ian's stellar service to our Club and the community.
Whipping up 41,000 donuts for the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show was no small feat - it was a veritable baking marathon! Picture this: 1200kg of donut mix, 140kg of cinnamon sugar, and a small lake of 260 litres of cooking oil. Let's just say the calorie counter gave up and went home. Our famous donut van's biggest event of the year, the Royal Adelaide Show, is also our top fundraising event. This year, a whopping 650 volunteer hours were clocked, with 500 of those spent in the deliciously sweet trenches, serving up donuts and drinks.
Our donuts have a fan club, and it's not hard to see why. They're not just a treat for the taste buds with their sugary, creamy goodness, and the fact that they're hot and fresh. It's also because every bite is a bite for a good cause, with proceeds powering our community projects, particularly those for young people.
Mark your calendars! The donut van's next big adventure is at the Lights of Lobethal Festival, happening from December 7th to 24th 2024. You'll find us in the Lobethal Foodland carpark for your donut fix!
In 2024, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker Community Grants supported eleven grassroots community organisations in achieving their objectives to make a difference locally.
Supported by a Rotary Foundation Grant, a partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Mount Barker and Dili Lafaek, which was initially to replace a roof and build a toilet block at a pre-school in Ermera, Timor Leste, culminated in the construction of an entirely new school.
A great story of Rotary working together with communities and volunteers to improve educational opportunities for young people.
Every year in Australia thousands of unwanted playgrounds are sent to landfill. Our Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds project (RORP) aims to collect these playgrounds and send them to give the joy of play to children in communities in developing nations.
In November 2023 we harvested the 30th playground in South Australia to be relocated to communities in developing nations where children have never seen a playground, let alone play on one. What we take for granted in Australia, brings untold joy to these communities.
Service Above Self
Mount Barker, SA 5251
Australia