Photo by Darren Clements Photography, courtesy Mount Barker District Council  
 
WELCOME TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
We are a vibrant, friendly and diverse group of volunteers dedicated to creating positive change in our community.
LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION

Rotary Volunteers Ian, Jack, Dave, Mel, Andy and Stuart 

In a proud new partnership, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker helped launch the inaugural Rotary Mount Barker Gift this November - a vibrant celebration of athleticism, youth engagement, and community spirit.

The event welcomed participants of all ages to compete in a full day of running races, culminating in the exciting Mount Barker Mile. Despite stormy weather, the day saw over 160 participants and a strong turnout from the local community.

Rotary supported the event as part of its commitment to encouraging young people in meaningful activities and fostering community cohesion. Members were hands-on throughout the day, presenting prizes, cheering on competitors, and serving up our famous hot donuts, which kept spirits high and bellies warm.

"This marks the beginning of a promising new tradition for Mount Barker, and Rotary is proud to be part of it"; said President Andrew Scott; "we look forward to seeing the Rotary Mount Barker Gift grow in years to come."

RYLA Awardees Noah Rose and Amy Dospisil with  Rotary Club of Mount Barker Director of Youth Service Justin Hill.

This year, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker proudly sponsored two outstanding young people, Noah Rose and Amy Dospisil, to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), one of Rotary’s flagship youth programs.

Held from 20-26 September 2025 at the Nunyara Conference Centre in Belair, RYLA offers a life-changing experience for participants aged 19-26 who are passionate about leadership and making a difference in their communities.

In 2025, the Rotary Clubs of Mount Barker and Salisbury co-sponsored the program, demonstrating a shared commitment to empowering youth - not just locally, but across South Australia.

Rotarians Andy, Diane, John and Justin are eagerly awaiting to delight your tastebuds

Every September, an army of Rotary volunteers descends on the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds to serve what many call the best donuts they've ever tasted.

Last year alone, we whipped up a staggering 41,000 donuts, powered by 1200kg of donut mix, 140kg of cinnamon sugar, and a small lake of 260 litres of cooking oil. As our biggest fundraising event of the year, we’re aiming even higher in 2025—because the more donuts we sell, the more good we can do.

These donuts have a fan club, and it’s easy to see why. They’re hot, fresh, and irresistibly sweet—but they’re also a force for good. Every bite helps fund Rotary’s community projects, especially those supporting young people.

So come find us at the Showgrounds. Taste the magic. And know that every donut you enjoy helps make a difference.

Rotary Club of Mount Barker President for 2025/26, Andrew Scott.
 
The Rotary Club of Mount Barker marked the beginning of the 2025/26 Rotary year with the induction of President Andrew Scott, during a celebratory lunch overlooking the scenic Aston Hills Golf Club.

Outgoing President Mark Clemow reflected on the Club’s strong culture and positive momentum, highlighting the spirit of service and friendship that defines the Mount Barker Rotary community. In a heartfelt moment, Mark presented the Ian Rose Memorial Award for Community Service to James Hawker, and named Karen Nolan as Rotarian of the Year. Both were further honoured with Paul Harris Fellows, the highest accolade a Rotary Club can bestow, acknowledging their outstanding commitment to the ideals of Rotary and their enduring contribution to the leadership of the Club.

Incoming President Andrew Scott shared his vision for the year ahead, expressing a desire to elevate the Club’s profile through the creation of a signature community event. “If more people knew what we did and were inspired to volunteer with Rotary,” he said, “our capacity to create meaningful change in our community would grow exponentially.”

With a renewed sense of purpose and leadership, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker looks forward to another year of service, fellowship, and impact.

Rotarian of the Year, Karen Nolan, outgoing President Mark Clemow and winner of the Ian Rose Memorial Award for Community Service, James Hawker.

Photo by Darren Clements Photography, courtesy of the Mount Barker District Council.
 
The 2025 AFL season is just around the corner, and the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power geared up with a pre-season "showdown" at Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker. 
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.

 

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!
 
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.
 
 
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:
0414 238 604
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).
COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS
Monday 17 November  2025
Dinner Together
6 for 6.30pm
Auchendarroch House
Dumas Street, Mount Barker
 
Monday 24 November 2025
Cafe Morning
10.30am
Oak & Iron Tavern Cafe
Dumas Street, Mount Barker
 
Monday 1 December 2025
Dinner Together and AGM. 6 for 6.30pm. 
Auchendarroch House
Dumas Street, Mount Barker
 
Monday 8 December 2025
Dinner Together 6 for 6.30pm
Auchendarroch House
Dumas Street, Mount Barker
 
Note that after the dinner together on 8 December the Club will be in recess for the festive season, with the first dinner together for 2026 on Monday 19 January.
 
Contact us for information about meetings after these dates.
GET INVOLVED WITH ONE OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
ENJOY SOME GREAT SPEAKERS
Peter Angus. President, White Suffolk Association
Nov 17, 2025 6:30 PM
Australian sheep bred for Australian conditions
Annual General Meeting
Dec 01, 2025 6:30 PM
Reviewing and looking forward to 2026/27
Presentations to local charities
Dec 08, 2025 6:30 PM
Christmas theme dinner
Amy Dospisil
Jan 19, 2026 6:30 PM
National Leaderhip Forum
Meeting Responsibilities
Monday November 17th 2025
Host
Turner, Ian
 
Invocation & Toast
Hill, Justin
 
Rotary Spotlight
Cooper, Jack
 
Monday December 1st 2025
Host
Scott, Andy
 
Invocation & Toast
Lacambra, Mel
 
Rotary Spotlight
Geue, Joe
 
Monday December 8th 2025
Host
Clemow, Mark
 
Invocation & Toast
Lawson, Rosalyn
 
Rotary Spotlight
Gillies, Dave
 
Forms and Documents