WELCOME TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
We are a vibrant, friendly and diverse group of men and women dedicated to creating positive change in our community.
LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION
ROTARY VAN RAMPED AT NEW AMBULANCE STATION
 
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.
Constructed over nine months, the $9.1 million ambulance station at the corner of Bald Hills and Springs Road not only provides a modern and spacious complex, but it also doubles the number of paramedics in the region.  The official opening on Sunday January 12th 2025 was led by South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton, with Member for Kavel Dan Cregan and SA Ambulance Chief Executive Rob Elliott.
Rotary was called in to provide a tasty barbecue for the local residents who turned up in large numbers to have a look and witness the officialdom. Space was so tight that the only place for the Rotary Catering Van quite literally was on the ramp.  A much more positive experience than being on a ramp to an emergency room though and many would say the food was a lot better!
Our new catering van, commissioned in 2024, is proving to be a great asset for events such as these where space is tight.  Look out for it serving our signature hot donuts and barbecue at events all around our region during 2025, while our "big" donut van will be delighting the crowds at larger events such as the pre-season AFL Showdown in Mount Barker on February 21st, the Birdwood Farm Day on May 18th, the Royal Adelaide Show from August 30th to September 7th and the Lights of Lobethal from December 6th to 21st.
 
Love to give us a hand? Then get in contact and join in the fun of serving our community.
VALE IAN ROSE. A WONDERFUL FRIEND
On December 21st 2024 we lost one of our longest-serving and most accomplished members when Ian Rose passed away suddenly at home.
 
Ian exemplified the Four-Way Test of Rotary in every aspect of his life.  A kind, generous, hard-working, and humorous man of absolute integrity, he dedicated his life to his family, his community and his God.
Ian was born in Wallaroo in 1948 and grew up on the family farm at Cunliffe, south of Kadina.  His own farm, where he lived after marrying Margaret, was at Kulpara.  He moved to Mount Barker when he purchased a retail nursery, through which he continued his passion for agriculture and cultivation.
Ian was married to Margaret for 54 years. His three children, Jason, Sarah, and Lachlan, plus his six grandchildren, Jed, Noah, Henry, Oscar, Reuben, and Scarlett, were his great joy.  The memories he left and the example he set will be a part of them forever.
Ian joined the Rotary Club of Mount Barker in 1994 and served in almost every leadership position.  He was President in 2003/04 and again in 2013/14.  He was President-elect for 2024/25.  Rotary recognised his character and achievements by awarding him five Paul Harris Fellows.
Ian was a man of great humility who did not seek attention, yet nearly four hundred people attended his funeral in Mount Barker.  Many others from around the state, the nation and the world watched the service on a livestream.  Community leaders and politicians, as well as neighbors and individuals he touched through his church and community involvement, came to honor his life and show love and support to his family.
Our club is grieving Ian's sudden loss deeply.  His wonderful humor, commitment to service, and kindness set him apart. He loved Rotary, and we loved him in return. Every one of us has many special memories from the times we shared with Ian in service to community.  There will always be a special place reserved for Ian at the table of friendship that underpins everything we do in Rotary.
 
Vale Ian Rose.  August 4th 1948 to December 21st 2024.
A wonderful friend and an enduring example to us all.
 

 
2024 Christmas message from the Rotary Club of Mount Barker

 

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

Supporting our community at Christmas
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.
Three decades of spreading festive cheer at the Christmas Pageant
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.
 
A mountain of donut delight at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show
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!
 
Transforming a dilapidated building into a brand-new school in Timor Leste.
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.
 
 
 
Read more...
Creating JOY by relocating playgrounds
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.
 
 
Read more...
About our Club
Mount Barker

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 6:30 PM
Auchendarroch House
17 Adelaide Rd
Mount Barker, SA 5251
Australia
Phone:
0488 084 698
Email:
secretary.rotarymtbarker@gmx.com
1st & 3rd Monday @ 6pm. Dinner at Auchendarroch House. 2nd Monday @ 7pm: Committees at Auchendarroch House. 4th Monday: Cafe meeting at 10.30am (see "Upcoming Meetings" below). 5th Monday: Social night (see "Upcoming Meetings" below).
District Site
Venue Map
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Monday 20 January 2025
Dinner Meeting. 6 for 6.30pm
Auchendarroch House
 
Monday 27 January 2025
Cafe Meeting. 10.30am
Wohlers Cafe, 79 Gawler Street, Mount Barker
 
Monday 3 February 2025
Dinner Meeting. 6 for 6.30pm
Auchendarroch House
 
Monday 10 February 2025
Committee Meetings. 7pm
Auchendarroch House
 
Monday 17 February 2025
Dinner Meeting. 6 for 6.30pm
Auchendarroch House
 
Monday 24 February 2025
Cafe Meeting. 10.30am
Venue to be advised
 
Contact us for information about meetings after these dates.
 
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Upcoming Events
Speakers
President Mark Clemow
Jan 20, 2025
Rotary Friendship Exchange
Edmund Pegge
Feb 03, 2025
My life as a stage, film and television actor.
Danielle Ghezzi
Feb 17, 2025
Rotary Indigenous Health Scholarship recipient
Maurice O'Connell and Tim Mee
Mar 03, 2025
New Dawn. Ukraine Crisis Project
View entire list...
A Message from the President 

Mark Clemow

member photo
Welcome to my Rotary Club.
Rotary is an extraordinary organisation that leverages the power of friendship to improve our world, be it locally in Mount Barker, across our state or nation, or globally in areas of need.
There are numerous ways to engage with Rotary.  You can join us at one of our bi-weekly dinners, our casual café gatherings, or an upcoming event.  Reach out, and you'll receive a warm welcome. 
Rotary has enriched my life with new experiences, opportunities, and friendships. Imagine what it could do for you. 
Rotary 4-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do
  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Club Bulletins
Meeting Responsibilities
January 20, 2025
Host
Taylor, Penni
 
Rotary Spotlight
Nolan, Karen
 
Invocation & Toast
Cook, Cookie
 
Forms and Documents
Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds (RORP)