Over the weekend of 28-30 March 2025 Toowoomba played host to the Rotary District 9620 Conference. The event brought together Rotarians from across the district, fostering collaboration and celebrating achievements.
In his closing remarks, Rotary International President’s Personal Representative, Trichur Subramanian emphasized the importance of sharing Rotary stories beyond the organization and encouraging members to amplify their impact within their communities.
A key highlight of the conference was the presence of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG Oceania) in the Rotary House of Friendship. As the seventh area of focus for Rotary, environmental sustainability was prominently showcased, with clubs from across the district engaging in meaningful discussions and initiatives.
The Rotary District 9620 inaugural Enviro Awards recognized the outstanding contributions of a range of clubs that addressed all six ESRAG themes: Pollution, Circular Economy, Climate, Sustainable Living, Biodiversity, and Food Systems.
Projects ranged from platypus and turtle conservation to international sanitation initiatives, tree planting, clean-up programs, wildlife hospital support, recycling, community gardening, and advocacy for Moreton Bay Shorebirds.
Colin Scobie, Chair of ESRAG Oceania, hailed the awards as a tremendous success, announcing plans for an expanded program leading up to the 2026 District Conference on the Gold Coast.
A special mention goes to the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise for their clubs efforts in establishing ESRAG Moreton Bay with a focus on all things environmental in the region.
With a renewed focus on environmental sustainability and community engagement, the Rotary District 9620 Conference was a testament to the power of collective action in making a lasting difference.
The 2025 Enviro Awards have been presented to the following clubs:
THE ROTARY CLUB OF ALBANY CREEK
RC of Albany Creek - this is awarded to the RC as they have provided significant support for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation.
Rotarian and Director of the Foundation, Christine West accepted the award.
The City of Moreton Bay Council and the Queensland Liberal State Government have supported this initiative via a parcel of land gifted to the Moreton Bay Wildlife Foundation [MBWH]
THE ROTARY CLUB OF BRISBANE TAYLOR BRIDGE
RC of Brisbane Taylor Bridge [BTBRotary] takes home the ESRAG Circular Economy pillar for the initiative in establishing ROTATE - a system to recycle a variety of end of use products that stops material going to landfill.
These products range from Ewaste - Glasses - Plastic Bottle tops - soaps.
But further more BTBRotray have partnered with a variety of organisations to provide a more sustainable future - eWaste connection - Uniting Church Sustainability - Anglican Church Sustainability [Angligreen] - Recycling Hills District.
Their initiative is supported by local Cr Nicole Johnstone - Tennyson Ward of the City of Brisbane.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF MALENY
RC of Maleny - received the award for the platypus conservation.
The preservation of fresh water is important and Rotary UNEP [United Nations Environment Program] partnership is a keystone of this clubs preservation of the Platypus - CAFW [ Community Action for Fresh Water ] is a pillar of ESRAG Oceania.
ROTARY NOMADS
RC of the Nomads - this club of nomads travel about and aways on the look out to activate their members and one such environmental project is CUA [CleanUp Australia
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CABOOLTURE
RC of Caboolture - on a recent project supported the installation of Toilets in Kathmandu - Pollution is bad for your health and this club went out of its way to support this cause.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CARINDALE
RC of Carindale - This club jumped in and supported the Watson St community garden project - see details on their web site or FB Watson Street Community Garden
THE ROTARY CLUB OF KENMORE
RC of Kenmore - This club organised the tree planting day in which this club and two other Rotaract clubs were involved - Paddington and Brisbane River city
THE ROTARY CLUB OF REDCLIFFE SUNRISE
L-to-R: John Oxenford, Peter Morley, June Scobie and Colin Scobie, Chair of ESRAG Oceania.
This club received the prestigious 2025 Enviro Award at the Rotary District 9620 conference in Toowoomba over the weekend of 28-30 April 2025.
A special mention goes to the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise for the club's efforts in establishing ESRAG Moreton Bay for the community.
Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise President, Paul Harcombe said, "This is fantastic win for the club, its dedicated members and the environment of Moreton Bay".
A special mention goes to the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise for the club's efforts in establishing ESRAG Moreton Bay for the community.
Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise President, Paul Harcombe said, "This is fantastic win for the club, its dedicated members and the environment of Moreton Bay".
Projects in which the Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise are extensive. For example:
Adopt Humpybong Creek Landcare Group
Redcliffe Beautiful Beaches Coastcare Group
Moreton Bay Home of Seabirds Alliance
THE ROTARY CLUB OF BRIBIE ISLAND
The Rotary Club of Bribie Island support Bribie Island Turtle Trackers (BITT) in their conservation and protection of Turtles on the island and surrounding nearshore waters.
THE ROTARACT CLUB OF BRISBANE RIVER CITY
The Rotaract Club of Brisbane River City have been undertaking cleanups around Moreton Bay.
Their cleanup efforts have warranted the enviro award in one of the 6 pillars of ESRAG - Pollution
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CALOUNDRA
A fantastic effort by this club in planting trees on the Sunshine Coast.
Planting trees provides a variety of advantages including cooling the planet and providing habitat for fauna.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF WELLINGTON POINT
The Rotary Club of Wellington Point is involved in tree planting and participates in Cleanup Australia Day.
Good work team!
