Welcome to the latest edition of our newly reformatted newsletter, the Paddo Planet!
As you can see, we are changing things up a little. Firstly, we are moving to a fortnightly newsletter, rather than weekly. The newsletters will alternate between a longer edition, with some interesting stories and updates for you to read, and a shorter bulletin with key information and upcoming events.
For our club members, please keep an eye on our WhatsApp group, which will continue to be the best place at the moment for more immediate updates, reminders and information between newsletters.
We hope you enjoy our new-look Paddo Planet and that it keeps you connected with what is happening in and around our club.
August is membership month at Rotary and what better way to celebrate than welcoming a new member! Christina Penrose was inducted on Thursday 13 August. Welcome Christina, we are happy to have you join us and be part of our Rotary family.
Image of Christina Penrose being inducted with President Valerie and board members Lyn and Mish.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Baz Peacock
Photo of Barry “Baz” Peacock riding for charity
How long have you been a Rotary member?
I joined Rotary at the beginning of 2026 with my wife, Gillian Moody.
What brought you to Rotary?
My interest was initially piqued by my late father-in-law, Leigh Moody, and the fantastic work he was doing as a Rotarian. Since his passing a little over a year ago, Gill was keen to carry on the incredible legacy her father had left, and that encouraged me to join as well.
What's a project or moment you're proudest of during your time with Rotary?
I would have to say that it is the work that I do RARE. Packing a container load of medical supplies to be shipped off to PNG would be my proudest moment so far.
What does Rotary mean to you?
I am so proud of our club and its members and the wider Rotary community and what we try to achieve to create lasting change, locally and internationally.
What's something surprising members may not know about you?
Cycling is a huge part of my life and there isn't a day that goes by that it hasn't had an impact. Apart from the health benefits, both physically and mentally, cycling has cultivated lifelong friendships, given me reasons to travel both locally and internationally to participate or watch cycling events, become a committee member for a cycling club, as well as becoming an official. But the most rewarding thing that cycling has given me is the opportunity to volunteer or fundraise for many worthy causes, the most recent being, “Pies to Pacific Ride.” This was a 170km cycling event to help raise funds to support people living with Motor Neurone Disease.
UPCOMING Events
THURSDAY BREAKFAST - 20 AUGUST 7am to 8.30am
Community Coffee Morning Tutto Caffe Ashgrove
SATURDAY SOCIAL - 22 AUGUST - 11am to 4:30 pm
Rotary Club of Hamilton 3rd Annual Craft Beer Festival, At Augustines Church Lawn
THURSDAY BREAKFAST - 27 AUGUST - 7am to 8.30am
Sharing projects and initiatives undertaken in our club, Wests Rugby Union
Melanie Grevis-James: The Untamed Amazon, Endless Adventure, Wests Rugby Union
TUESDAY - BOARD - 8 SEPTEMBER - 6pm - 7.30pm
Board Meeting, Kangaroo Point
THURSDAY BREAKFAST - 10 SEPTEMBER - 7am to 8.30am
Speaker to be confirmed, Wests Rugby Union
Clearer Futures Specsavers and Rotary Change Lives in Timor-Leste
Thanks to a wonderful partnership between our club and Specsavers Toowong, life-changing spectacles are now reaching disadvantaged children and babies in Timor-Leste. The project, driven by our own James May, has seen hundreds of pairs of glasses distributed to young patients who would otherwise go without vision care.
For many of these children, a simple pair of spectacles means the difference between struggling at school and thriving — being able to see the blackboard, read a book, or simply see a parent's face clearly for the first time.
We're proud to share a heartfelt thank you letter from the National Eye Centre, recognising the impact of this ongoing collaboration. A huge thank you to Specsavers Toowong and to James for championing this cause — proof of what Rotary partnerships can achieve, one pair of glasses at a time.
Gabriela wearing her new specs and a thank you letter.
Moonyah Recovery Centre The House of Hope
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Red Hill is Moonyah, the Salvation Army's Brisbane Recovery Services Centre. The name comes from the Gubbi Gubbi people and means "a safe place."
That's exactly what it aims to be. Moonyah offers residential alcohol and other drug treatment for men and women whose lives have been deeply impacted by addiction. The program combines one-on-one case management, cognitive behavioural therapy, 12-step recovery and motivational enhancement strategies, alongside spiritual support, recreational activities, health care, family involvement, and vocational education and training.
Moonyah relies heavily on community support and Rotary Paddington has been supporting Moonyah for over ten years. Rotary Paddington (at the time called Planetarium) raised $750k to build the 20 bed unit for women as there was hardly any beds for women in SE QLD. The relationship with Moonyah and Rotary Paddington has grown and we are excited to continue supporting the great work Moonyah does.
PDG Eric Wood, Rachael Lette, Centre Manager of Moonyah, Tom Booth, State Manager Salvation Army, Past President Leslie Smith, President Valerie Simons and Jonty Bush MP Member for Cooper at the Moonyah Breakfast on 30th of July
Contact Mish Davis with any questions
Club Callouts
Looking for Raffle ticket sellers if you want to be part of the team please volunteer to register here.
Great news! 1,000 Shelterbags for the homeless sleeping rough in Queensland will be arriving soon. Place your order with Wayne Rushton. Info sheet ShelterBags FaceBookYouTubeShelterSuit Please contact Wayne Rushton email
If any people have laptops they don't need, we will give them to Teacher in a Box project contact Jeanette Johnstone at 0438659155. Details here.
Join WASH-RAG Membership sign up through the official WASH-RAG website and take an active role in our humanitarian efforts. (https://www.wash-rag.org/membership/) WASH-RAG is at the heart of Rotary’s mission to ensure sustainable access to clean water, improved sanitation, and better hygiene for communities in need.
Key Contacts
Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) contact Russ Stephenson (Northern Region and D9620 RAM Supervisor) rusmer1@hotmail.com or ring 0409 765 124. Russ Stephenson RAWCS
District 9620 Governor Ian Hope of the Rotary Club of Brisbane Northside
President: Valerie Simons I.Past President: Debra Lewis Vice President: Richard Carr Secretary: Gillian Moody Treasurer: Leslie Smith Admin: Peter Fell Membership: Michelle Davis Service Projects: Lyn Maddock Public Relations: Toby Ellis Foundation: Richard Carr Youth: Julian Clarke-Jervoise President-Elect: TBA
Club Officers
Insurance: John Clark Speakers' Program: Mish Davis Duty Roster: Stephen Kirby Youth Driver Training: David Frost Financial Literacy: Toby Ellis Kiva Loans: Bo Morse Women's' Shelter: Mala and Leonie Mirror of Hope: Valerie Simons Root Cause Kwanza: Valerie Simons Moonyah: Mish & Kim Brisbane Rotary Art Show: David Frost and Dani Conn Care Kits 4 Kids: Denise & Leslie Shelterbags: Wayne Rushton ShelterBox Australia: Valerie Simons Teacher In a Box Indonesia: Pam Davis Teacher In a Box Vanuatu: Denise Heyman Paddington Heritage Trail: Lyn Maddock Club Property: Valerie Simons Blue Cards: Denise Spencer-Scarr Newsletter: Gillian Moody
